Two-foot-itis

We bought an old '73 trihull powerboat 2 years ago to see if we liked boating. We decided we love it. The old Chaparral has been fantastic. Cheap, reliable, fun, and capable. But it's too small to take friends out for more than a quick ride, and it's scary on all but the smallest local lakes because of all the damn wake boats. 

Yesterday we went and looked at a 1999 Boston Whaler Ventura 180.

18 feet, 2011 Yamaha 150 outboard with 31 hours. It's got some minor cosmetic issues, but it's a gorgeous boat.

Calling the bank tomorrow.

Looks like the ZJ may get a real towing workout. I'm figuring it's about 4k lbs wet and loaded. 

Can't go wrong with a Whaler!

Congrats!

I have heard that the average ownership of a first boat is 18 months. 

After that first season you will either hate it and sell it or love it and sell it for something larger. 

Congrats. 

Thanks, although it's not a done deal yet. But I don't see why it wont be. Loosely planning on a check ride with the current owner next weekend, followed by leaving it a Yamaha dealer for a full prepurchase inspection. Assuming that's all fine, and I'm pretty sure it will be, we might take ownership the weekend following. Dude lives 2 hours away, so logistics are problematic.  First project would be adding brakes to the trailer. 

A Whaler would be the closest thing to an "Investment Grade" hole in the water than any other brand of boat.

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

Yeah, that's probably true. I don't think I could lose money on this one unless the motor hand grenades (well, not counting maintenance and upkeep of course.)  Venturas are a funny market though. Most people that want a Whaler don't want a bowrider, and most people that want a bowrider won't pay the Whaler premium.  I know I'm more interested in comfort than fishing, and I know first hand how in-freaking-destructable a Whaler is. To me, it's worth the (somewhat exorbitant) price they bring.  

That's awesome. My family always had a boat, and I have had one of my own since I was 22. I have been thinking recently of restoring an old 70s speedboat. Is there a grassroots for boats?

D2W said:

 Is there a grassroots for boats?

We need a sub-forum.. hint hint, nudge nudge

mad_machine said:

D2W said:

 Is there a grassroots for boats?

We need a sub-forum.. hint hint, nudge nudge

Seconded.  I've got mid-70's Ouachita that I truly enjoy.

D2W said:

I have been thinking recently of restoring an old 70s speedboat. 

How about an old 60s woody runabout? 

D2W said:

That's awesome. My family always had a boat, and I have had one of my own since I was 22. I have been thinking recently of restoring an old 70s speedboat. Is there a grassroots for boats?

http://www.fiberglassics.com/

I used to spend a bit of time on here when I had my 1965 Sea Ray 19' closed bow runabout.

There were a few others that I don't remember the name of, but were more Sea Ray-specific.

Well, it looks like no whaler for the ultraclyde household. I've been talking numbers with the bank(s) this morning and I just can't get to a place I'm comfortable with. Mostly I need a much bigger down payment given the age of the boat for the banks to get into reasonable numbers.  I'm disappointed, but that just means we'll run the old trihull another season and find something next summer. There are always boats around.

As for restoring 70's speed boats there are some groups out there on FB, and you can always look at Fiberglassics.com although they're more about the older stuff and it's a pretty inactive forum. Good info though. I've been fixing up stuff on the '73 we've got but I don't really want to put a ton of money into it given that it will never sell for more than $3k.  I've just been making it safe, reliable, and making it work better for what we want to do. My next steps are probably redoing the bow seating and buffing/sanding out the chalky lower hull.

That was a stout price for that boat.    But check out what the motor sells for.  I am always amazed at the cost of boat motors. 

Hell, I jumped in the deep end last september. A 1985, 21' Century CTS followed me home. The hull and engine , 454 Chevy, are in good order. The interior needs to be replaced. I have never owned a powerboat but I love this one. This is not my boat but it is the same type.

stout, but under NADA believe it or not. I back checked ads from all over the US, and that one's in line with condition and options. It's not a great deal, but it's not unreasonable. I could have gotten it for less than asking, obviously, but it's just more boat than I can buy right now given how they are running used boat loans currently.

I checked NADA on the motor by itself and it was $10-11k

This thread gave me dangerous thoughts. I was surprised by this one:

https://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/d/chris-craft-17-custom-ski/6603863427.html

a wooden 1965 Chris Craft with a Chevy v8 for $10k seems like a good deal.

In reply to ultraclyde :

Well, that's a bummer.

I just happen to know where a barn find 1992 Wellcraft 186 Eclipse is sitting awaiting a new owner....

3rd for a boat subforum! Or at least a good recommendation for a boat forum. 

Am I the only one reading this as, " Two Foot Tits?"

For just a bit more $$$ than they are asking for that thing you can go to cabellas and get a new boat. 

In reply to dean1484 :

True. And the whaler is worth that much more than the crap they sell. 

In reply to Appleseed :

No

1988RedT2 said:

mad_machine said:

D2W said:

 Is there a grassroots for boats?

We need a sub-forum.. hint hint, nudge nudge

Seconded.  I've got mid-70's Ouachita that I truly enjoy.

I would love a boat sub-forum here. It probably wouldn't get much traffic, but the quality of discussions here are top notch.

RealMiniParker said:

D2W said:

I have been thinking recently of restoring an old 70s speedboat. 

How about an old 60s woody runabout? 

As beautiful as they can be I don't know if I am ready for wood boat ownership yet. What have you got? If its something redonkulous I may change my mind.

Appleseed said:

Am I the only one reading this as, " Two Foot Tits?"

I keep reading it as “two foot iltis” like a scale model of the VW Iltis.