NHfroggin Posted August 23, 2009 Posted August 23, 2009 I'm Looking at buying my first fiberglass boat and found this on craigslist. http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/1336660173.html I went to take a look at it, it needs a new piece of flooring from were the front deck ends to the consoles and all new wiring. I have not heard it run yet but the seller did tell me it runs smooth(will go for a ride before buying). He said it was 15' 6" long. This being my first fiberglass boat buy, what are some things i should look at and check out? I would think #1 would be the motor making sure it runs good. I was just wondering what else i should look for before i make the purchase. also the coast guard plate was all faded on the boat and i couldn't make out the hp rating is this over powered? Is this a good deal for a project boat? any input would be greatly appreciated!! thanks -matt- Quote
Super User cart7t Posted August 24, 2009 Super User Posted August 24, 2009 $800? Just go buy the thing and tell us what you find when you get it home. Pictures, especially of the damage under the rotted floor will really help. 8-) Quote
BassChump Posted August 24, 2009 Posted August 24, 2009 Actually if you read the ad completely, this can be had for $500.00 if he takes the whole thing. If he wants the motor and controls only, then it's $800.00. For $500.00, I'll buy it sight unseen. lol. I'm kidding of course but honestly, the engine is worth far more than that. I'd say go for it. Fix it, use it. It sounds like it could be a great deal for a guy that's kind of handy. Good luck with it. Let us know what happens. Quote
Super User fishfordollars Posted August 24, 2009 Super User Posted August 24, 2009 Hell, you can part it out and make money. Why wait, if you have room to store it you should go pick it up. MAKE sure the titles are in hand. That would be the only reason to balk. Enjoy, and even if it turns into a pumpkin, just remember there are still lots of people hunting parts for those older motors, trailers, and assessories. Quote
unhbass37 Posted August 24, 2009 Posted August 24, 2009 If it runs good and no obvious major problems I'd go for it for that price. If he is going to put it in the water I'm sure it is OK, But take the test ride for sure. Good luck let us know how it works out. Quote
Dad_Golf_Fish Posted August 25, 2009 Posted August 25, 2009 Nice boat! I have one just like it (1988). Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 25, 2009 Author Posted August 25, 2009 Thanks everyone!! i will be going to take a ride in it today and probably bringing it home, will post how i made out!! Thanks again for the advice!! -matt- Quote
Super User cart7t Posted August 25, 2009 Super User Posted August 25, 2009 Seriously, for $800 bucks you can't get to picky. As Jack said, he could part the thing out for that much. Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 26, 2009 Author Posted August 26, 2009 I talked to the guy and he told me he wasn't able to put it in the water today, i guess there was no gas tank in it or batteries, so he got that figured out tonight, now Thursday i am going to go for a ride see how the engine runs. will post how i make out thursday thanks again everyone -matt- Quote
unhbass37 Posted August 27, 2009 Posted August 27, 2009 Seriously, for $800 bucks you can't get to picky. As Jack said, he could part the thing out for that much. True, But I'm sure he doesn't want a complete basket case either. There is alot of junk out there. Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 28, 2009 Author Posted August 28, 2009 Exactly what UNH said just wanted to check it out before making the purchase. I went for a ride in it today started right up, smoked a little bit, he took me for a short ride then i drove. i got it right up on plane guessing 30mph, i did not want to full throttle it because there was no floor and i guess it supports the hull??? Would have taken it home today but i didn't have the right size ball(2" only had 1 7/8") so I'm going back tomorrow to pick it up, also going a compression test while I'm there!! -matt- Quote
Super User cart7t Posted August 28, 2009 Super User Posted August 28, 2009 No. The hull, more specifically the stringers bonded to the hull are what support the floor. It's quite likely yours (the stringers in that Cajun) are rotted. I'm betting the transom is too. Here's a thread that shows what you're getting into. This guy did it the right way. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1251415883 Quote
unhbass37 Posted August 28, 2009 Posted August 28, 2009 Matt when you get ready to take it out let me know. Maybe Great pond? Good luck with the boat. Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 28, 2009 Author Posted August 28, 2009 Ok thanks cart7, i know im getting myself into a project but im up to it i think I will take pictures when i get it home tommrow. Thank you for all the info cart7!! -matt- Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 28, 2009 Author Posted August 28, 2009 Matt when you get ready to take it out let me know. Maybe Great pond? Good luck with the boat. Yea thats where i took it today with the current owner, but it probably wont be ready for a while, its a project, i just hope the stringers and transom ae ok :-/ matt Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 28, 2009 Author Posted August 28, 2009 I picked up my boat today!! :) I had a buddy of mine come and he did a compression test, everything was good, he checked the transom and stringers and said he thought they were good. There fiberglass so they cant rust i think!?! Here are some pics... Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 30, 2009 Author Posted August 30, 2009 Anyone have any good wiring diagrams? I'm thinking that I'm only going to run one trolling motor battery and one cranking battery will this be enough? or should i go to one cranking battery, trolling motor battery, and another for lights, live wells an fish finders. also what wire should i use for what? what size? is there certain wires made for marine use? any info on wiring would be greatly appreciated! thanks -matt- Quote
Dad_Golf_Fish Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 Cajuns were wired by the dealers, not the manufacturer, so no wiring diagrams for the most part (unless it is mounted on the cover of the battery compartment). Use one battery for cranking, lights, livewells, electronics, etc, and one for the trolling motor (two if it is a 24v motor). Your cranking battery will get recharged running the big motor. I just replaced the wiring in my Cajun including connectors from the bow plate to the trolling battery. It really isn't that bad because there is a channel that runs down the entire port side and you can just wire tie the new harness to the old harness. The charge-run switch on the bow plate is useless and you don't need to worry about it unless you have an external charger that you want to plug in there instead of an on-board charger. Most people on here suggest 4 or 6ga. wire for the trolling motor run. I used 8ga., but don't let that stop you from doing it right. Quote
NHfroggin Posted August 31, 2009 Author Posted August 31, 2009 Thanks Dad_Golf_Fish, What size wire should i use for everything else? Lights, fish finder, bilge pump? Also do fish finders come with thier own power cords to run to the back or should i wire it now? thanks -matt- Quote
Dad_Golf_Fish Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 Wire it now. Fish finders come with a short power cord that ends where they want you to splice in the inline fuse. If it is going to be bow mounted, it is not even close to long enough. My best advice would be to wire a short run from the battery to a connection board where you can fuse anything you want to and add custom connections as needed without ever having to go back to the battery again. There should be plenty of room under the drivers console on the back wall. For most of your other low power accessories 18ga. wiring should be more than sufficient. Your livewells and possibly your bilge probably were wired with 10ga like most other things if it is like mine. Others may have better advice. Quote
NHfroggin Posted September 10, 2009 Author Posted September 10, 2009 With the wiring all done im going to start on the floor, i think i am going to cut the floor to size lay it down, then fiberglass it connecting it to the sides, then carpet over it. What thickness and type of plywood should i use? For the fiberglass should i use cloth or mat? any info/tips on type of wood, or fiberglass, would be great!! thanks -matt- Quote
Super User fishfordollars Posted September 10, 2009 Super User Posted September 10, 2009 Matt when you get ready to take it out let me know. Maybe Great pond? Good luck with the boat. Yea thats where i took it today with the current owner, but it probably wont be ready for a while, its a project, i just hope the stringers and transom ae ok :-/ matt Takes two minutes to know the answer to that question. One walk around the boat should have given you the answer. Quote
NHfroggin Posted September 11, 2009 Author Posted September 11, 2009 Matt when you get ready to take it out let me know. Maybe Great pond? Good luck with the boat. Yea thats where i took it today with the current owner, but it probably wont be ready for a while, its a project, i just hope the stringers and transom ae ok :-/ matt Takes two minutes to know the answer to that question. One walk around the boat should have given you the answer. Thanks for the informative post.... -matt- Quote
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