Bass Boat w/o Motor

[CFFF 1.5]

I have the possibility to buy a bass boat without a motor. It is 17' and apparently had a 150 hp motor on it before. I have the opportunity to buy for $699 obo. I think the man said the boat was a 1982 Sterling with a trailer, but i'm not sure maybe some one else can tell me. I was wondering would this boat get up on a plane with a 35 hp motor. The reason I ask is I have a 35 hp motor on an aluminum boat now but it leaks pretty bad and does not handle any type of chop well at all feels like it is going to fall apart. I don't have the money to buy a bigger motor and I fish in a small boat club that only allows 17' boats and 40 hp or under so I don't really want to go any bigger. How fast do you think this boat will go with a 35 hp motor and was this make and year of boat any good. Here are some pics.

[cart7t]

Right off the bat the rust/brown stains running down the transom pretty much indicate you've got a soft transom.  Not a big problem if all you're going to hang on it is a 35hp motor.

Will this get on plane with a 35hp motor?  Only if you have someone in a bigger boat pulling you at the same time.   ;D

Nope, you'll merely plow along but who cares, you'll have a far superior fishing platform to fish off of and for $699 (I'd wouldn't give more than $500) you've got room to add stuff like better electronics.

BTW, never heard of Sterling.  I'm sure it was a one-hit wonder bass boat builder that came and went quickly.  

[Tin]

For what you are planning on doing with it seems like a sweet deal. You will be much more comfortable in this boat than your other one. Throw the 35 on it and you are ready to go. I would go over $500 either, like cart7 said. Your gonna need a trolling motor, a few batteries, ect. ect...

[CFFF 1.5]

I already have all the stuff I need trolling motor, and I only need one battery because the motor is pull start and my depth finder is portable and runs off of 2 6v batteries. I guess the only thing I am worried about is whether or not I will be able to get up on a plane. Even if I only go 15 maybe 20 miles per hour I am fine with that. What do all of you think. Would it help to try and take some weith out of the boat like the big gas tank it probably has and just use the 6  gallon I have now. Is there anything else that would help this boat get on a plane besides a bigger motor.

[Tin]

Nope, sorry I dont think you wont get up on pad. Take the good with the bad though. You are going to comprimise speed in the aluminum for stability and comfort. Which I would take anyday. It will allow you to focus more on fishing instead of worrying about a leaky jon boat and whether or not you are going to get blown off the boat. It will also allow you to stay in the main lake when it is nasty out and everyone else in your club retreats to the coves to get out of the wind. So it might not be the fastest in your club but it sure has some good things about it.

[cart7t]

I'm afraid it's a matter of physics.  

A 35hp motor will be incapable of lifting that hull out of the water for it to ever run like you're thinking it should.  My advice would be to install the motor and then begin making test runs.  You didn't say if your 35 has trim or tilt, I'm assuming it doesn't so if that's the case you'll need to find the best preset engine angle to keep the engine at that gives the boat the best performance.

In other words, have the motor tucked flush up against the transom and the nose will probably plow too much, move the motor up a notch on the presets and see how the boat runs.  At some point you should be able to get enough bow lift where the boat sorta runs along without the nose plowing to bad. That's going to be about the best you can do.  

[luckyinkentucky]

That boat needs some transom work done on it.  Might want to check your beams and bow eye while you're at it.  Could be rotten!!!

[George Welcome]

Run away from this deal and do so quickly. If you can't afford a motor to fit a 17' fiberglass boat then find a boat that your motor fits. You do realize that you are talking about a 25 year old hull that used wood for stringers, transom, and more than likely the top cap?

[jdw174]

I'm going to have to agree with George on this one.  There's absolutely no way you'll ever get this thing on plane with a 35hp, and from the looks of that transom I wouldn't even consider putting money into a larger engine for it.  Like Cart7, I've never heard of a Sterling.  I know you want something better than your tin boat, but you'll be far ahead to wait until you can afford something better (and newer).

[CGH]

Run away from this deal and do so quickly. If you can't afford a motor to fit a 17' fiberglass boat then find a boat that your motor fits. You do realize that you are talking about a 25 year old hull that used wood for stringers, transom, and more than likely the top cap?

Not only should you run away fast and quickly but don't look back least you turn to a pillar of salt

Sterling Boat company is out of business.  Here is the last of their web site. Save your money and get your self a boat that can be run with that 35 HP

http://sterlingboatco.com/

[CFFF 1.5]

Thanks for all the responses guys, i'm not even going to waste my time going to look at this boat. Let me tell you guys what i'm looking for. I'm looking for an aluminum boat about 16' - 17' long with a modified V hull without a motor. Doesn't have to have a deck or anything on it, that is something I would like to put on myself. Does anyone know how much a boat like this should cost new. I can't find any prices online to price this kind of boat. Also which manufacterers should I be looking for. It also doesn't have to have a console. I should be able to remove the console on my old boat and put it on the new boat. Any suggestions would be appreciated.  

[George Welcome]

Watch those classified ads. Be patient and you will find a good deal.