16' Smokercraft Big Fisherman

[Quarry Man]

I may have the opportunity to purchase a 16' Smoker Craft Big Fisherman on the cheap. I was dropping my sister off at a friends house when I saw the boat sitting in a foreclosed house. The person was moving and trying to get rid of the boat. Boat stickers were from 2015, so the boat hasn't been used in a while. it was sitting outside with no cover on it. boat was filled with water, which means there are no leaks. Also, the carpet and decking was already gone, making for an easy conversion. Lastly, the trailer was in rough shape and will likely need replacement. My only concern with the boat is that it may actually be 14', not 16' as i only had about 30 seconds to look at the boat.

 

 It will serve as an upgrade to my current 14' Semi V. The current boat is great for one person, but when my grandfather comes along too, it is unstable. The trailer is in rough shape, so I will likely use my 14' trailer just to get the boat to my house. I will leave it in my yard until i find a brand new trailer that works for the new boat. The last boat I converted into a casting deck, and i did a few things wrong. I didn't add a hinge on one compartment and i used the wrong carpet (has loops), and i did not treat the woods to prevent mold. This time around, I am going to be doing things correctly. I am planning on getting a 9" Garmin with side and down imaging. i have never used electronics before so this will be a first. 

 

Most of my fishing is done for bass in smaller lakes, but I do mess around with other species and fish for lake trout a bit. I fish electric only lakes most of the time and also can't afford a brand new outboard (don't want to go the used route here). I would love a 112lb w/ i-pilot and variable speed, but i am worried about having three batteries in a 16' boat. I would use lithium ion ones but they cost too much for me. I have been reading online that two 55lb tams (what i use now) is actually slower than one 80 lb tm.  I am also going to switch from a 55lb 54" Powerdrive V2 to a 45" Terrova w/ iPilot. i am debating between 112lb and 80lb. Also, i will be using either aluminum or starboard in order to avoid rot and mold.

 

 

 

i did finally get a lucrative job (im 17) and my grandfather and I will be splitting costs of the project.

 

Here is what i am expecting (and hoping) the costs to look like. obviously, this is just a general idea and i will run into other costs down the road.

 

Boat:     x < 500

 

Trailer     x < 750

 

Terrova     x = 1750?

 

Titling/Registration     x = 250

 

Batteries     x = 600

 

 

With all those costs, I will likely need to sell my other boat. i will try to get 1,750 for it, but that may not happen. i have invested over 3k into it.

[Scott F]

If the boat is filled with water, there is a good chance that the transom as well as the floor are rotten and may need replacement.  Make sure you do a thorough inspection of any wood in the boat. Just because it’s holding water now, does not mean it doesn’t leak. When you clean it up, you might remove any debris that is currently clogging a leak. Be prepared for surprises. I think your trailer replacement estimate might be a little light as well. The trailer on my new 16’ jon boat cost twice the amount in your estimate. As you have already worked on another used boat, you already know that there are other costs that sneak up on you that you did not anticipate. 

[Quarry Man]

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

If the boat is filled with water, there is a good chance that the transom as well as the floor are rotten and may need replacement.  Make sure you do a thorough inspection of any wood in the boat. Just because it’s holding water now, does not mean it doesn’t leak. When you clean it up, you might remove any debris that is currently clogging a leak. Be prepared for surprises. I think your trailer replacement estimate might be a little light as well. The trailer on my new 16’ jon boat cost twice the amount in your estimate. As you have already worked on another used boat, you already know that there are other costs that sneak up on you that you did not anticipate. 

I am planning on taking a more in depth look down the road...

[jbmaine]

I can't comment on the boat, but I have a Lund Fury XL Sport ( full windshield ) with a sun top ( think big sail ) and my 80 lb thrust trolling motor moves us against the wind at a good clip. I wouldn't think you would ever need more than that.