FISHHUNGRY,
THOSE SMALLER BOATS WILL BE OK FOR THE BERRY & SCHOFIELD. IF YOU TAKE ONE THAT SIZE OUT ON THE GORGE OR POWELL YOU’LL END UP HATING YOURSELF BEFORE YOU’RE THROUGH. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT & REGRETTED IT.
IF YOU WANT TO SPEND MUCH TIME ON THE GORGE OR POWELL, LOOK FOR A 17’ OR BIGGER THAT’LL RUN 30 MPH OR BETTER. THE TIME WILL COME WHEN YOU GOTTA RUN FOR COVER.
GOOD LUCK & GOOD, FUN & FISHING.
GEEZER
These boats seem gorge/powell worthy, what do you think?
1989 17’ Spectrum
50HP Outboard
$4000
1996 19’ Mirage
135 HP Mercury
$3500
If it were me, I’d opt for the older boat and get something bigger and with more power. I think this is far superior in many ways to buying a newer smaller rig. As far as reliability goes, I see just as many newer motors have problems as the older ones.
Outboard engines can last a LONG time and be quite bullet proof, if properly cared for. The 30 year old 65 hp Merc I had on a 1968 Starcraft Super-Sport 16’ started easily, ran like a top, and never gave me one minute of trouble. I’m sure it had many hundreds of hours on it. I wouldn’t worry about the age if it has been well kept. Ask if it has been winterized every fall, given fresh lower unit oil every spring, not run in salt water, has good lower unit seals, and hasn’t sat unused. Motors that sit unused for long periods of time are prone to internal corrosion, cracking seals, gummed up carbs, etc. Ask to take it out for a test run on the nearest lake. Observe how it starts, idles, accelerates, and runs flat out. Make sure the cooling impeller is good and squirting a solid stream of water out the back. Shut the motor off and look carefully for any signs of oil floating on the surface of the water that might indicate bad seals. After taking the boat back out of the water, drain a little of the lower unit gear oil and see if it looks normal. A light brown milky color indicates water is getting in there, and the seals on the prop shaft are probably bad.
Don’t let me scare you. It isn’t all that hard to find a well kept used boat for a very reasonable price. Then you can use and enjoy it, then get all or more of your money back when it comes time to sell.
Again, my recommendation on your budget is an older 16’ OR BIGGER deep-v with console/windshield (brands: Crestliner, Starcraft, Smokercraft, Lund, Tracker, Sylvan, Fisher, etc.), with at least a 40 HP OR BIGGER 2-stroke outboard (brands: Mercury, Mariner, Johnson, Evinrude, Suzuki, or Yamaha. Stay away from “Force”). Chances are, if you settle for less of a rig than this then you will be back in the market again for a better rig next year.
Check out http://www.boattraderonline.com. They have 116,000 used boats listed, and tons of criteria for searching. You might have to drive a few miles to pick one up, but it can be well worth it. Some sellers will meet you half way.
Here are a few for you to look at. Remember you can negotiate on the price:
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/0/2/78306102.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/3/2/78224232.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/3/5/76173235.htm
http://www.boattraderonline.com/caddetail.html?/ad-cache/6/8/5/74928085.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/5/74885745.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/2/3/75200423.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/3/3/78343133.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/0/8/76739508.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/3/3/78224233.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/8/78378778.htm
Have fun!
Here is my two cents worth. I’ve had both alum. and fiberglass boats. My opinion is the heavier boats are alot more stable in the water. My first boat was a alum. boat like you’ve been talking about and I just about filped it at the berry. I felt like a feather being tosed around, needless to say my fiberglass boats have been a lot more safe in the wind. Go bigger and heavier.
Am I missing something, or is the 1996 Mirage in the picture I posted above a really good deal. It is a full 10 years newer than most of the other boats in my price range, is 19’ and an open-bow walk-thru, which I think would be nice for fishing. I contacted the seller and he said the 135HP Merc is actually a 2000. Only $3500.
When money is tight (and it usually is) I would go with older but bigger and better features. Most boats don’t see the water more than 10-20 hours a year and are kept in the garage. So even if they are 10-15 years old they are in top shape (with only 100+ hours on the motor) and run great. But be patient and shop around. The boat of your dreams will show up sooner or later at the price you want to pay.
Two years ago I was shopping for a boat like you began looking for (14 foot alum…etc in the $3500 range). We got invited to go wakeboarding with friends and after returning from that super fun day, my wife upped my boat budget to $6000 if I could find a boat that I would be happy fishing out of and that could also be used for a family skiing boat as well. Well I didn’t wait for her to change her mind and bought a 19 foot I/O V8 and we put 60-70 hours on it a year. I fish all spring and fall with my kids and my whole family skies all summer long 1 or 2 times a week. It was the best purchase I have made for my family.
Good luck with whatever ship may get. You will have much fun with anything over than being stuck on shore. You will also be happier if you don’t flip a little boat over on Strawberry or elsewhere. Just about been there and done that. Luckily I didn’t. I’ve been thru 3 boats and I have gone bigger and better everytime my budget would allow. I now have a 17’ bass boat with a 90hp on it. It gets me off the lake in a jiffy if needed or not. I started out with a 12’Sears gamefisher. I only had a 30lb thrust electric on it for a motor. Boy did I get some funny looks at the boat ramps with that thing. I also had some of my best trips at the Berry with that little boat. You just have to know when to go in. Especially if you go out far to sea,(renegade bay over 50-60 feet). The 11:00 wind is really a common thing at the Berry. A guy just has to use his head. Now when I’m at the Berry when the wind comes up, I just sit back and enjoy taking a drift and slamming the cutts and bows up there. It is a good technique and very fun. Good luck and enjoy your ship.
P.S. Where did you find that 19’ with the merc? A friend of mine is looking for something like that if are not intrested in it. I’ve seen the bass boat on KSL but not that other boat. Thanks for any help.
Fishman
fish hungry that mirage looks like quite a deal that motor alone is over 2,500 plus the boat is a good deep v that boat will work anywhere you wANT TO TAKE IT.
fish hungry i wrote you a message but i guess it didnt come through it looks like a really goood deal to me good luck
That Mirage does look like a good deal. I bet the seller will throw in a few “goodies” too.
Fishhungry, I have a 1995 14’ Boston Whaler with 115hp inboard. Great boat for fishing & family fun. Boston Whalers are built to last. I’m glad I Spent alittle more money.
My dad got a great deal on this 2000 13’ Sport (Boston Whaler) . It now has a 30hp merc 4 stroke. Great fishing machine. On the Gorge we use the 22’ trophy. I’ve had the 13’ on Bear Lake and feel safe. It’s a good feeling to fish from a boat that won’t sink. Fishonlynch…
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