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Dan M

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    New(to me) boat - what would you look for? 10-13k range

    in This Old Boat

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, Michigan Brian said:

    Sorry for the late reply Dan, I have been away BBQing

     

    You asked me if I got a survey.

     

    I did not. The story behind my boat was this.

     

    I setup a search for this specific model of Grady White as I knew exactly what I wanted and was willing to wait until one came up. The minute I saw it I was on the phone with the guy. He already had some calls on it but no one had looked at it yet. He is in Munising in the UP I am in the Detroit area.

     

    He is a state trooper, with a young family. He bought the boat 6 mths prior from a gentleman from Sheyboygan, Wi. This man was the original owner. He was a doctor and had 6 boats. Was mostly into river drift type fishing so this boat was hardly ever used. The trooper loved it but decided it was too small for his family and bought a bigger Grady.

     

    After a bunch of back and forth emaiils with pictures I took 2 days off of work and ran up there. The boat was immaculate. Even came with a 4 stroke Yamaha kicker. I paid $19k for it in 2007. came with a 2005 Eagle custom built trailer that I just love, the boat is so easy to load. A lot easier than my old Crestliner with a roller trailer!

     

    I did talk to a surveyor and he was available should I have decided to get one while I was there, but after seeing it I decided that was not necessary.

     

    One the Hydrasports you are considering, looks like a good candidate. Dont be afraid of that motor! Its one of the best Johnsons made. Also do not listen to people that will tell you the VRO system is junk. They had updated it and that motor had the latest version. I would look to see if its still connected. A lot of people took them off being that they had a bad reputation form earlier models in the 80's.

     

    Its a loud motor and sucks the gas but they are great. I have a 1995 200 Ocean Runner.

     

    I can send you some links for reading up on the VRO is you want, there is information on the Continuous Wave forums. Thats a Boston Whaler group but they used those motors on them back then

     

    Good luck in your search. Also I would not be afraid of wood. Wood has been used for as long as man has floated the water. Just has to be a solid boat is all.

    Looking at the Hydra Sports - is it possible to add a kicker to that style of transom? Not sure how it would be trolling Lake O?

    New(to me) boat - what would you look for? 10-13k range

    in This Old Boat

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, mr 580 said:

    With the boat demand this season due to Covid, it might be a good time to let the dust settle and see if used boat prices come down.  If you want to read up on how crazy it has been there are several threads on the Hull Truth site.  Likely you will have to travel - Western Ohio and Michigan tend to have more used boats than our area especially if you are looking for freshwater only. IMO if you want something to keep 10 or 15 years then you want 2000 or newer.  Something turn key, clean and with low hours in a 21 to 23 w/cabin in those years likely way over your current budget.  Getting a surveyor outside the area isn’t hard, just don’t hire one recommended by dealer or seller.

    That's kind of what I have been thinking. I think I might be better off with a newer 21' compared to a slightly older 23' for the money. I've been looking on FB marketplace and Craigslist. Probably going to up my budget to 15-18k

    New(to me) boat - what would you look for? 10-13k range

    in This Old Boat

    Posted

    Just now, Michigan Brian said:

    Sorry to hear that but not surprised.

     

    I think your budget is fine. I would look for boats that have not been slipped. There are plenty of them out there, just takes time. I drove 8 hours one way to buy my Grady.

     

    You will find one.

    The issue with the long drive is if I wanted to have a survey done, I'd have to find someone local to that area I suppose. Did you have yours surveyed?

    New(to me) boat - what would you look for? 10-13k range

    in This Old Boat

    Posted

    Went and looked at a 1989 Chapparel that looked very clean, owner was original for 30 yrs - surveyor found too much moisture/rot in the transom, stringers were rotting, and bulkhead was rotted. Oh well, guess that's why we pay someone to survey.

    Anyhow, I'm really trying to find something that I can hold onto for the next 10-15yrs and have my son take a more active part of the care - what do you think I'll realistically have to spend to find something solid that will last (I am diligent about maintenance and care - and that's why I want to find something clean that someone hasn't beat the **** out of and left it outside all the time).

     

     

    New(to me) boat - what would you look for? 10-13k range

    in This Old Boat

    Posted

    26 minutes ago, Michigan Brian said:

    I have a very similar Grady White. I have a 1995 Adventure 208 with a 1995 Johnson 200 Ocean Runner and a Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke kicker

     

    I have owned the boat since 2008. Been a great boat. I thought about repowering but the motor has been flawless, yes it smokes at the dock but once you get going thats all behind you.

     

    The only thing about not having a trailer is not getting one, its the fact that its probably docked all season (unless its in a rack and launch) and if it has been in the water like that most of its life I would have a survey done on it (but I would suggest that anyway). One thing to look at is the transom cap. its just an aluminum cap and water can get into the transom through it if its not in perfect shape (mine is thankfully)

     

    I would not hesitate to consider that Grady. But then I am partial to them ;)

    If it had a trailer I think it would be sold already

    New(to me) boat - what would you look for? 10-13k range

    in This Old Boat

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, Mikeyman104 said:

    Dan, I'm in a similar situation as you. Currently got a 16' but am looking to upsize eventually too. Due to this, I keep an eye out for cuddy's and such and saw this one: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/391070011880426/. It's outside my budget and is a bit older style than you were looking for, but newer motor and kicker would make me feel more comfortable on the lake. Best of luck on the search! 

    Thanks - I saw that one too, trying to find a newer hull - not alot in our area right now.

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