lake Superior boat help

[outdoor ran]

I'm kicking around the idea of buying an older used boat for the pond. Not sure if I'll get one this summer or next spring. Depends when the fishing buddies want to kick in a little cash to help. I'm thinking something in the 22ft to 26ft range. I'm really clueless about these boats and really need some advice on what to look for and what to avoid. Whats a good motor(size), tralier, etc. Any advice would be great. Joel, I hope to hear from you. Thanks in advance.

[Tom Linderholm]

Glad to hear Ran, Iv'e worked with a 21', 24', and 28'. If money is not an issue then go big if you don't mind shelling out $50 everytime you take it out for gas. I currently own a 21' with a 4 cyl. in-line I don't have the top end but I can hit any trolling speed and a 6 hour day usually ends up costing me less then $15 in petrol. One thing you want to look at up here is definately a comfy cabin. When it's 60 in the bay its usually 45 on the lake early season, the ability to take a warm-up or hide from the elements is always a plus. I see alot of folks out in Sabre's and from my experience they are a well rounded boat's for the great lakes. Currently my Brother in Law has a 1980 Bayliner 24' for sale for around $7,000, It is a great boat with a fly bridge, the motor will need a good going over in the next few years but it has done well for us. It has a 350 V-8 and if you are planning on going on trips with it you can sleep four comfortably in it. We spent a week in door county last year with four of us and it worked out great. Its located for sale on Hwy 2 out towards amnicon in WI. about a mile past Rapids Bar and Grill. This boat will cover all the aspects of a bigger boat with out the size and fuel consumption. Shoot me an E-mail and I would be happy to tour you on a few boat's down at Barker's. cheffi1 at charter dot net.
Good luck on your search!
Tom

[outdoor ran]

Cheffery, thanks for the reply. Thats the boat we were looking at. Out past rapids. I thought it had a 262 in it. Its at that little white house. I've stopped in there few times and looked at it. I like it, but my buddies want to look for something a little bigger. How many hours can you get on them inboards before having to tear it down? So that boats caught some fish. Do you know why hes selling it, justs wondering. Thanks.

[Tom Linderholm]

We took 2nd in Jaws last year our first year fishing the big lake in that boat. That was their starter boat and they decided to club up this year into a 30' is the reason they are selling it. If you want more info I would have to put you in contact with him, he's motivated as his first payment on the new boat is coming due. Send me your e-mail and I'll get you his #. That boat has caught some serious fish.

[End of the Line]

Too many questions to answer here, but your certainly welcome to give me a call. Best to try my cell in the next few days. 218-340-4658. Also, alot of boats over 24'in length are over 8 1/2 feet in beam, therefore trailering can be limited.

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End of the Line Charters
Lake Superior
1-888-U-HOOK-EM
www.minnesotacharterfishing.com

[Surface Tension]

Outdoor ran was asking about tips for purchasing a boat. Sorry we can't list boats for sale up here but O R can place a free ad in the wanted section.
Like EOTL said to many questions to answer.
You can email me and we can talk over the phone, heck I'll even go with ya. If you want to pass on EOTL's or my offer then I would suggest you hire a boat surveyor before you hand over any cash for a used boat.
With any glass boat theres quite a few things to look out for. The engine and outdrive is something else you have to really watch out for.

[outdoor ran]

I really appreciate the replies. I was talking with the guys while we were golfing tonight and they want to wait until spring to buy the boat. So I have until then to pick your brains. Joel, I didn't even think about the highway restriction, thanks for bringing that up. Tells you how much I need to learn. Would it be alright if I just asked you a few questions on here? I am about 70% deaf, which makes talking on the phone a little challenging at times. I can lip read in person, but thats why I love this forum, it makes it a lot easier to communicate. ST and Joel, I will take you up on your offers when it comes time for picking one out. Till then, I'm gonna research and learn as much as I can. Thanks.

[Tom Linderholm]

Sorry ST,
Didn't realize you couldn't post for sale on the forum, But Outdoor Ran I would still be more than pleazed to show you around a few boats at the island to give you somewhat of an idea what's all out there. When you do it do it right because 9 out of 10 times its gonna be a long term relationship. (sorry, I hear my wife in the background )

[ReelTimes]

RAN

You received some good tips regarding the engines and outdrives. I would pay alot of attention to the hours on both and how they have been maintained.

Two other things. First...If the boat has historically been docked at a slip, or is in a slip, I would want to look at the boat out of the water and on a trailor. You should check all of the hardware and fittings that have been drilled into the transom, check the fit and tightness, look for past leaks, and look for any signs of dry-rot or degradation of the transom itself. The risk for this goes up with the age of the boat and if the owner hasn't been meticulous about maintenance and assurance that everything is tight and sealed. You will need to look at this both from the inside and outside (both sides of the transom).
Secondly, look very carefully at the hull. If the boat is fiberglass, look for stress cracks or small fractures in the glass. If you're uncertain what to look for, ask someone who knows to come with or as suggested by Northlander, hire a surveyor. If aluminum, be sure to check all the rivets and seams, and look for any signs of leakage. Do a good test ride of the boat and be sure the bilge is empty prior to start of the trip. Check the bilge post trip to see if it takes on any water. There are many things to consider when looking at a boat. Hope this helps.

[End of the Line]

The problem posting questions on this site is first of all, I would have a hard time posting certain thing relative to certain brands for rejection; for good reason on this site it might offend someone. Second as I suggested before there are way way to many questions you'll need answered or maybe never considering asking unless we talk in length. So if you want to talk boats, more than happy to meet with you anytime. Let me know, and we can meet at my boat sometime and just show you some of the things I am talking about. Also a good surveyor is still reccommended and I can tell you how to find one. Door is always open!

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End of the Line Charters
Lake Superior
1-888-U-HOOK-EM
www.minnesotacharterfishing.com

[Viking]

Sorry ST, wasn't really into placing an add, just thought I would let a fellow fm'er know of a upcoming adventure. A survey is a great idea, but be willing to spend a few hundred dollars. The survey I had done on my boat, as old as it is, is totally worthless.
It was surveyed according to todays standards, and not the time the boat was built. It was always coast guard certified, and registered. Things like the wiring, and so forth, that did not exist when my boat was built. I don't believe I got what I paid for, but if I would have had it done before I bought the boat. I never would have bought it. But I knew I was buying a boat that needed some work. But didn't realize how much. If I lived in the area, it would have been done a year ago, or if the boat was trailerable it would have. I have the used the boat for fishing the last 3 years I have owned it. I bought it from a retired Charter captain on Lake Michigan. I took it for granted that he would have kept the boat in better shape. But live and learn. I enjoy it.

[Viking]

If you can find one, the 24 foot Thompson, is an ideal boat for fishing the big water.
But very tough to find. If your planning on buying in the spring, start looking now. Look at many boats, Have funds readily available. The good boats don't last long on the market, if they ever get there to begin with. Take shipping costs into consideration, if your not buying locally. If over 26 feet, insurance companies will require a survey, if they insure it at all. The only company I found that would insure without a survey, is Progressive. But they would require it if you tried to insure it at some outrageous value. There are 2 types of surveys, one for insurance purposes (which is the type I had), and one for boats for sale. Try to find a boat that has only been in fresh water. A slip can run you around $800 to $1300, and another $700 to $900 if you don't have a trailer to haul it away. These are just a few things, I wish I would have know, before I bought my big lake boat. Good luck looking

[outdoor ran]

Thanks Joel, I'll take you up on that. You guys are bringing up some things I didn't even think of. I'm almost scared to buy one now, lol. Were thinking something between 20 to 24 ft. Will be trailed mostly locally with maybe 2 trips a summer. So now i need a good trailer and something that tows nice. I would like something with more fishing area then cabin area. Has far as engine wise I really don't know what to look for. Price range would proably be somewhere around $6,000 to $8,000. Depends what we come up with. Can i get something decent in that range or will I be getting a project boat. Right now I'm fishing in a 16 1/2ft smokercraft up by shore watching you guys head way out there. Something out there is calling my name. Keep the things to watch out for coming. thanks