Noob questions

[cdavisdb]

If you find one near Sarasota, I'll be glad to look it over.

One thing to watch for. A few of these boats have been owned by diver/fishermen who really ran them hard. The upper deck/cabin top can get very loose and woobly, big cracks at the door frame. It doesn't really affect seaworthness, but is hard to fix without a major teardown.


On surveyors, I've used an outstandingly good one and several poor excuses for garbage. There are a lot of poor ones out there. They seldom take a serious look at the condition of the engine. Find one that somebody on this forum can recommend, preferably one who has and knows how to use a moisture meter. Figure he will be expensive.

[Max_Florida]

Thanks man, I will definitely take you up on that!

I read somewhere about $350 for a surveyor... is that about right?

[cdavisdb]

Where did you see the Tallahassee Seafari. Thats where I sold mine. Same boat????

Check uhaul to make sure you can tow a boat with their rentals.

You might want to rethink the trailer/dry storage idea. Dry Storage is wonderful, but for an older boat that needs frequent maintenance work, having it in your backyard is a huge advantage. I made dry storage work for an old 25 Bertram(LOTS of maintenance) that was 30 miles from the apartment, but only because I was single and did nothing but work, work on the boat, and dive. When I got married, the Bertram very quickly morphed to a 20 Seafari.

[Max_Florida]

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[Fr. Frank]

I used to tow my Seafari with a 2002 Ford Taurus with the 3.0L V6. Rated for 3500 lbs towing. Longest tow was over 1000 miles, round trip. No hiccups, no problems.

Seafari w/ bracket= 1830 lbs
135 V6 Mercury = 347 lbs
Karavan 19-21T tandem trailer = 670 lbs
40 gallons fuel = 280 lbs
Dive gear for two = 120 lbs
Miscellaneous = 50 lbs
TOTAL towed weight = 3297 lbs.

You can adjust your weight figures, but that's a good ballpark. Most small or mini-pickups will pull 3500 lbs fine. I used to have an 84' 4-cylinder Ford Ranger that I regularly pulled a 20' Wellcraft V20 with. As far as cars go, the limitation is usually the frame and/or tranny.

[Max_Florida]

I would be nervous about trying to pull a boat up a ramp with a Taurus! I saw a car get pulled into the water by a boat once when I was a kid. Not sure if the guy put it in neutral or what, I just remember thinking: Damn, sucks to be that guy.

I have a 1999 grand caravan right now... I bet that could pull it then. But, it has over 200k miles(mostly highway)... I wonder if the transmission could take it? How hard is towing on a vehicle(given that you aren't stupid about it)?

[cdavisdb]

Don't know anything about a grand caravan, but many cars will need a transmission oil cooler added. Easy and relatively cheap in some models, not available in others. Check.

[jorgeinmiami]

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[Max_Florida]

The only way I could buy a boat right now is if I can get it into the water for under $2000.

How much more expensive are I/Os to maintain/repair than OBs? I'm assuming a lot more?

What are the chances that boat will get into the water with less than $500 in repairs? I just feel like if they are asking $1500 it will need some serious work.

[eggsuckindog]

In your budget I would stay away from "old" I\O's - honest, as you mentioned you are kinda handy. Your first choice on a motor should be a Johnson or Rude - carbed. Pretty easy to learn on, parts are kinda cheap and they are pretty simple engines to keep running. The electronics modules on my Merc are driveing me crazy - like chasing ghosts.

A 20 tows easy, a V6 can do it - a 23 is another animal and for 2 divers a 20 is fine - your in Fla, if the weather is crappy go tomorrow.