Old new boat for a mid 40's guy

[MnCooper]

Hi all, first post here.

I'm looking for a old boat to grind some worms into the carpet. I'm middle 40's and grew up with a 14' F7 Alumacraft bench boat with a 9.9hp Johnson, it was my dad's boat and I still have it today.

Thinking its time to get out of the 70's and into to 80's maybe even the 90's. Two things I know I want for sure, at least 16' with a livewell, thinking a tiller with a OMC motor. Also thinking I would enjoy something that's a tad deeper and wider with a wider gunnel top.

I want the boat to look half way decent but not to nice, in other words if my teenage kids swipes a dock I'm not really going to care. If we could make 8 fishing days a year that would be a lot so don't want to tie up a ton of $ into boat.

I found a 1990 Lowe Backtroller with a 1989 Evinrude 60hp tiller, asking $3,400. I know nothing about Lowe expect that it was made by OMC that year. We are not talking a lot of cash here so its not a huge deal but would I be better off to toss another $1,000 or two for a Lund or Alumacraft?

Just about every OMC motor of the years I'm looking (late 80's, early 90's) seem to have the oil injection pump removed and running on mix, if they have been running mixed for a few years I don't see an issue, I would check the compression and if its good I think I would be fine.

Beggars can't be choosers so maybe an older Merc would be fine as well. We had a 2 Mercs from the 70's on our ski boats and they never did run right so I'm a little biased towards OMC, maybe its not justified, everyone has issues.

I was a mechanic in another life and still do all my own car work, so if it needs work I'm fine with it.

My fishing is rather simple these days, drop the anchor and toss a line out with a bobber, if I really want to become more engaged I take the bobber off.

My thinking is if I'm looking at a boat that is 25 years old it's mostly comes down to condition rather than brand name, looking for the garage queen, thoughts?

I don't have an issue tossing a couple of more grand to the pot if it really will make a difference.

Sorry for the ramble, trying to put what I'm thinking into words is tough!

Thanks in advance.

[fishnowworknever]

Do you want an aluminum or glass boat?

One thing I learned the hard way with a used glass boat, check the condition of the transom, deck and stringers before purchasing.

Aluminum you just really need to be concerned about rivets, transom and deck, and they are much easier to replace/repair than in a glass boat.

I have an 89 90hp Yamaha and it's rock solid (knock on wood). Evinrude/Johnson I can't comment on but they are reputable. I'm sure some of the marine mechanics on here will chime in shortly.

[MnCooper]

It will be an Aluminum boat for sure. I'm a calm water guy and aluminum will work out just fine for me and to be honest I'm not crazy about 25-30 year old glass.

[ClownColor]

It's amazing how expensive used boats have gotten in the last few seasons. 15 year old boat and motor for $3500 seams steep but that appears to be ballpark unless you know someone.

Since you have some mechanical skills (even though its extremely easy) consider buying the boat, motor, accessories separately. Consider even going down to a 40hp motor...it'll push a 16' great.

[brrrr]

If you are a little flexible with price there are a lot of boats for sale in the 2-4k price range if you keep your eyes open. On a used boat I would be looking at reliability, checking the condition of the motor and hull, and then value. Try to find a boat that comes with the extras included for the price. Electronics, trolling motor, etc. The Lowe looks solid, but there may a better value out there for you. What are you using the boat for, just fishing? How do you fish? Are you set on a tiller or flexible.

[MnCooper]

If you are a little flexible with price there are a lot of boats for sale in the 2-4k price range if you keep your eyes open. On a used boat I would be looking at reliability, checking the condition of the motor and hull, and then value. Try to find a boat that comes with the extras included for the price. Electronics, trolling motor, etc. The Lowe looks solid, but there may a better value out there for you. What are you using the boat for, just fishing? How do you fish? Are you set on a tiller or flexible.

Im flexible, it does not have to be tiller, wheel would be fine as well. I mostly fish with a bobber and anchor and move between spots for the most part. I have not trolled in years.

The following just came up up as a bigger boat, this maybe more than I need, a tad older then I like but looks like a garage queen. I have been torn between a tiller and a wheel.

1985 Lund

[MnCooper]

It's amazing how expensive used boats have gotten in the last few seasons. 15 year old boat and motor for $3500 seams steep but that appears to be ballpark unless you know someone.

You know what's funny, I recall in 1978 when my dad bought the used 1972 Alumacraft with a 1976 9.9hp Johnson that I still use today for $1,200. I bet today 36 years latter its worth $1,000. Still runs like a champ, have it parked on the Rum River today.

[DTro]

The only thing I would suggest is searching outside of MN. We tend to overprice our boats here.

[brrrr]

Mncooper

Check your PM

[BoxMN]

In a boat that old, the floor will likely be pretty soft, even a garage queen. Be sure to take a close look at the floor, and you might price out how much it would cost to replace it. It is not that hard to do, but takes some grunt work. Figure 2-3 sheets of marine plywood at $90 per sheet, and probably $200 worth of carpet or vinyl (I like vinyl) and glue. Figure two weeks of work if you do it casually.

If you can wait until the fall, you will find much lower prices than now. Good luck!

[MnCooper]

Thanks everyone for your input, I will keep my eye open

[JosMN]

Look into a Lund Predator, or a Predator II. Yes im biased because I have one, buts its plenty big, wide gunnels, 60hp puts you at about 34mph. I love my 1990, and i got a good deal on it. I did put a fully new interior in it because of a soft spot in the floor, but its a solid boat and not hard loading or unloading.