Any advice on buying a boat?

[fishingmad]

Thinking of getting a boat to fish out on the lakes especially Zumbro near Rochester. What kind of boats would be good? Am looking at used boats as I do not want to lose too much money when I sell it in the winter. What kind of boats, HP, and where could I get one? Thanks! And where would be a good place to store it, as I live in an aprtment. Would a Honda Civic with 160HP be able to haul any boat at all?

[NotoriousBLM]

I have only driven past Zumbro Lakew, but I would imagine that something in the 14'-16' range with a 10-25HP motor is what you would be looking for. As far as boats go, I would get in touch with a Valv, a member of this forum who seems to move a lot of boats, some more expensive and some less. A boat is an investment in "fun" more than it is a monetary investment, so I would figure that into your equation. If you plan on buying this spring and selling this fall, you will probably not come out even, unless you pick up a killer deal somewhere. If you can, buy in the fall of the year and sell in the spring of any year. Can't help you with storage, unless you know someone in your town that would let you park the boat at their place. As for your tow vehicle, you might be able to get by with a Civic, but I would be extremely carefull! Civics are not made to tow, so I would keep your trips to pretty short distantces. I have read a post in the past of someone driving a four wheeler onto the roof of a Civic for transport, so who knows what they are really capable of

Good Luck!

BTW, Valv is not too far away from you.

[This message has been edited by NotoriousBLM (edited 04-16-2004).]

[Valv]

Thanks BLM, I appreciate the support...

You can buy any boat now, you will loose same money at end of season, since you are buying when market is up and selling when it's down, you should do opposite to take less loss.
Anyway, I have a supernice Lund 14ft with a Merc 15hp 4 stroke, very light, you will be able to pull it with your car with no problem. This boat will keep value throughout year and you won't loose much next fall, due to brand and type of motor.

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Val Vignati

www.kvesurplus.com
[email protected]

[fishingmad]

That sounds good. May I know where I can see the boat or if I can get some pics?

Now that I am thinking about it, would this boat be good for boating along the length of ZUmbro?

How would a 15 foot starcraft compare to the 14 foot Lund?

Thanks for any advice?

[Deputy Grizz]

My advice is to buy the biggest boat you can afford, without skimping on the motor size either.

[Valv]

I can email the to you, if you send me your address, I can guarantee personally the rig, and you can test it before you buy it, I live by 2 lakes, and it takes 10 minutes to be in water.

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Val Vignati

www.kvesurplus.com
[email protected]

[NotoriousBLM]

Grizz,

I would agree, but he asked about Zumbro Lake. It's 600 acres, so a 14-16' boat would fit him fine. That and he is planning on towing with a Civic, so I wouldn't go hog wild on anything bigger.

[fishingmad]

You can email me at [email protected] with pics and specs. But I am hoping for something that is in the USD1000 range.