'Real' boat purchase...maybe? Can you tell me about possible picks.

[MN Fisher]

Wife has tentatively approved my getting an actual boat. Many of my possible fishing days are restricted due to wind...the canoe doesn't handle that well.

 

We're going to go over finances - but I've already started looking for an 'affordable' boat...which means dealer who can finance and under $10k

 

First one I'm looking at is a 2006 Alumacraft Classic 165T with a Suzuki DF50-ATL motor for $8495

Is that a descent boat for a solo fisherman - based on the 2006 Alumacraft catalogue I perused, it looks so.

Reliable motor? Easy to maintain?

[slonezp]

I think pricing is a tad high but, in today's market, it's probably not going to be very negotiable. Can't say I've heard anything bad about Suzuki. As long as you have a dealer that can work on one/get parts, I say go for it.

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I think pricing is a tad high but, in today's market, it's probably not going to be very negotiable.

Ya - NADA has it at 7500 - so 1000 more. But as you say, it's the market.

 

4 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Can't say I've heard anything bad about Suzuki. As long as you have a dealer that can work on one/get parts,

The dealer that has it is an authorized Suzuki service center - so that's taken care of.

 

4 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I say go for it.

We still have to go through finances and see what we can juggle. But if it can be done before that boat sells...I may be on the water in it inside a month.

[Jigfishn10]

On 6/4/2021 at 7:19 PM, slonezp said:

I think pricing is a tad high but, in today's market, it's probably not going to be very negotiable. Can't say I've heard anything bad about Suzuki. As long as you have a dealer that can work on one/get parts, I say go for it.

If you can maintain the itch for 1 more year I have a feeling that the best thing to do is wait until next year. Right now the market on not just boats is just flat out ridiculous. 

I have a friend running a Suzuki in salt water and he loves it.

Good luck.

[TnRiver46]

I’m excited for ya!!!

[Junger]

On 6/4/2021 at 7:26 PM, MN Fisher said:

I may be on the water in it inside a month.

 

Definitely go for it, life is too short and waiting 2-3 years for a deal is not certain. I had a 14" older fiberglass boat, and it did its job and got me on the water and I enjoyed it. I purchased a new boat in March, and now I love being on the water, fishing, cruising, just being on the water.

[Way north bass guy]

I can’t say much about the 50hp, but my 140hp Suzuki is the best motor I’ve ever run, and I’ve run many different brands over the years. Trust me, if you get that boat, you’ll be one happy camper ( actually fisherman ?).

[CountryboyinDC]

On 6/7/2021 at 12:53 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’m excited for ya!!!

Me too.  Can't imagine how pimped out that boat will be considering what you did to your canoe.

[Deephaven]

Beam is your friend in a shorter boat for stability.  The deeper the V generally the better it will handle the cruiser waves.  The Suzuki's are great.  Before others moved to fuel injection I had one and it was flawless .  The new ones are even better.  

[J Francho]

Most of the boat rental places use Suzuki motors, so that should tell you something.  Pretty sure some of the bigger marque's small motors are rebranded Suzuki.  Tohatsu is another I see often.  Alumacraft are hard to beat, too.  Price seems a little high, but everything has blowed up in price it seems.  Just look at my grocery budget.

[gim]

My parents had a Suzuki on their old Warrior for 9 years.  Last year they traded in their rig and bought a 2021 Warrior but this time it was with a Mercury instead.  The reason was that there was not a certified shop nearby anymore, not because they didn't like the motor.

[gunsinger]

I'd wanted a bass rig all my life and, a year ago last May, my wife surprised by suggesting that we go look at boats.  This was in the middle of COVID while my pay had been cut by 25%.  I knew next to nothing about what to look for and wish I'd of had access to this forum then.  I love my boat but, if I had it to do all over again, i'd have upped the TM to at least a 70lb 24v system.  I'd like to be able to get up on plan while trolling, especially since I fish an "electric only" lake.

[J Francho]

I don't know if any trolling motor that will get you up on plane. 

[gim]

[gm4511]

Seems like a solid boat.  As to price, I don't know if it's good or not.  However, the odds of that 15 year old boat having problems while you own it are high.  

 

Personally, I'd look some more for a newer aluminum rig.  Spend a little more now, but have a lot more years of worry free fishing.  

 

 

[Deephaven]

10 year old is usually the sweet spot IMO.  Any newer and you pay bloated rates as they aren't done depreciating.  Older and well they are older.  As long as that motor has good compression (I'd require a test, glad to let you use my tester if you need) it will require no more maintenance than a new one.  Outboard maintenance is rather easy to DIY as well and from your other posts know that you are handy enough to tackle what is necessary.  That being said, I surely wouldn't run from a 15 year old boat if it is the right one for you.  Lund/Alumacraft are the two best choices you will find up here IMO.  I am sure something else could pop up, but both are more than acceptable.

[Deephaven]

I will add in that size I'd prefer a tiller boat...but of course I have a 20' tiller so what a surprise.  Here are some options:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/251589940084081?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aa51b8689-434f-4953-b110-9fa9f3a2160d

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/284901456714011/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aa51b8689-434f-4953-b110-9fa9f3a2160d

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/965798364238372?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A2ef95e3c-f72c-46f2-aa5f-f1695bfee44b

https://www.walleyecentral.com/classified/adviewer/228008

https://www.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/2001-tuffy-esox-magnum/

https://www.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/2003-lund-1675-lund-explorer-tiller/

 

Non tillers

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/340206597502215?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aece0609d-a4d6-47f0-b3df-71dbf1e0a3a7

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/477888006770224/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A0bf7c019-8621-47d1-abe7-d616addf7f95

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/844540843154907?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A8d376147-ba35-4fe3-94e6-d413be6d7762

https://www.walleyecentral.com/classified/adviewer/228042

 

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, gm4511 said:

Seems like a solid boat.  As to price, I don't know if it's good or not.  However, the odds of that 15 year old boat having problems while you own it are high.  

 

Personally, I'd look some more for a newer aluminum rig.  Spend a little more now, but have a lot more years of worry free fishing.  

 

 

Like I said earlier - it'd have to be under $10k...so that limits the years.

 

1 hour ago, Deephaven said:

I will add in that size I'd prefer a tiller boat...but of course I have a 20' tiller so what a surprise.  Here are some options:

Ya, this is a tiller.

 

 

Of course, the wife comes home from a 3-week stay at the hospital and there some specialized care she's gonna need going forward for a few months - $500 a month after insurance. So the boat purchase has to be put off for this year.

 

Next spring I'll start looking again.

 

Thanks for all the insight, guys.

[Eric 26]

24 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Like I said earlier - it'd have to be under $10k...so that limits the years.

 

Ya, this is a tiller.

 

 

Of course, the wife comes home from a 3-week stay at the hospital and there some specialized care she's gonna need going forward for a few months - $500 a month after insurance. So the boat purchase has to be put off for this year.

 

Next spring I'll start looking again.

 

Thanks for all the insight, guys.

Hoping your wife is and will be ok ?? 

[Deephaven]

Sorry Ken.  Hope she heals fast.  

[TnRiver46]

Just now, Deephaven said:

Sorry Ken.  Hope she heals fast.  

Ditto 

[Biglittle8]

Family First. Hope all goes well!

[Cgolf]

On 6/4/2021 at 4:45 PM, MN Fisher said:

Wife has tentatively approved my getting an actual boat. Many of my possible fishing days are restricted due to wind...the canoe doesn't handle that well.

 

We're going to go over finances - but I've already started looking for an 'affordable' boat...which means dealer who can finance and under $10k

 

First one I'm looking at is a 2006 Alumacraft Classic 165T with a Suzuki DF50-ATL motor for $8495

Is that a descent boat for a solo fisherman - based on the 2006 Alumacraft catalogue I perused, it looks so.

Reliable motor? Easy to maintain?

I have a 2006 Alumacraft Lunker that is a bit more narrow beamed than the classic and it has been great. The only issue I fought was space for rods on deck, but have two vertical holders now that will hold six and short rods can go on the floor. I also made a custom removable casting deck next to the console that covers up where the front seat goes to give me more room to move around on the front deck. Like someone else said I upgraded to an 80 lb terrova with a longer shaft because I fish a windy lake that regularly sees fairly large waves tightly spaced. This boat handles that water well and I no longer have to run TM at near 100% to move forward during windy conditions. Great boat and has been very solid for me.

 

If interested I can post some pictures of my setup. 

 

Just read all the way down and hope your wife gets better soon.