Talk to me about ski boats.

[Rreemo]

Another thing to look for in used boats is the decking. Hop around all over inside the boat. If there's a soft area the floor is fucked and will need to be repaired.

Stay away from anything OMC.

Check for rash on the keel.

Check the prop for damage.

Check to make sure the sacrificial plates are installed on the outdrive

If you go I/O stick with Volvo or Mercruiser. No old fords or OMC either.

I agree with all of this except a point of clarification on OMC....you indeed want to avoid earlier OMC stuff, but the later OMC's are just fine (from around 91'-92' on up). OMC and Volvo were a joint venture from that point up until 97-98 year models when they became exclusively Volvo-Penta.

I've owned 2 OMC's myself...a 92' with Ford power, and a 94' with Chevy power, no complaints on either. On the other hand....I've had a couple Mercruisers too....a 90' that was a total POS, and a 92' that never had a lick of trouble (but I think just a lemon in the bunch).

Also - a very good point about rot and soft spots above....interior and decking are the absolute most costly and troublesome repairs in a boat, so double and triple check, and avoid anything that has the slightlest hint of it. Transom rot is also very common....sometimes you may not see it, always pick up on the outdrive to check for it....you'll feel it flex and often hear it popping/creaking, etc.

[talisman]

It's cheaper to find a friend with a boat.

Jimmy, let me know when you get this boat.

[46Tbird]

Water levels are low in Texas, so carry a spare prop.

Also carry TWO sets of tools for replacing them, because when you are swapping out a prop in 20' of lake water, you WILL drop a tool.

[kpc01]

We have a '00 Four Winns funship 254. I love it. could of used a little smaller one but this one had a cracked block (didn't winterize) so I got it cheap and replaced the motor. it is a bowrider but also has a small bathroom for the kids. Mine has a tbi 5.7 and runs great and can pull anything. It also has the duoprop. I've seen a few funships on CL and they are reasonably priced. Definitely my favorite boat. I pull it with a '13 Ram and with the surge brakes it pulls fine (bad mpg though)

mines almost identical to this one but obviously have a lot less into it. you have to watch but you can find some deals on one of these and be around 10k If I was to sell mine I'd probably ask 15 or so

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/4501157208.html

[Rreemo]

....could of used a little smaller one but this one had a cracked block (didn't winterize) so I got it cheap and replaced the motor.

Exactly how I scored the latest one...1-owner boat with low hours, the old guy thought he'd save a few bucks winterizing himself last year, and apparently didn't do a good enough job!

This is the second one I've bought like this...if you aren't afraid of a little work, it's a great way to find a smoking deal. Engine jobs are a piece of cake in a boat too.

[Rreemo]

Lake GTG?

Indeed! ...probably be a couple weeks before I have it ready to go, though.

[JC316]

I was just at Bull Shoals lake and I rented a four winns with a ford 5.0L in it. Sucker would get up and go. Speedo was broken on it, but it could get me standing in about 3 seconds.

[Mike]

Lake GTG?

You don't go out on Jeffs boat?

[2011GT]

I would love to buy an older bass boat with a black max 150hp on it or equivalent. Those can be picked up fairly cheap.

[Baron Von Crowder]

You don't go out on Jeffs boat?

Yeah, but he just had a baby, so he doesnt go out very often. I bought a pair of skis, so Im ready and willing to go to the lake anytime.

[Mike]

Yeah, but he just had a baby, so he doesnt go out very often. I bought a pair of skis, so Im ready and willing to go to the lake anytime.

I figured he would be spending a lot less time out there this season.

[Tyrone Biggums]

I figured he would be spending a lot less time out there this season.

Yeah, I talked to him the other day and I think any free time he has is spent sleeping.

[Baron Von Crowder]

I figured he would be spending a lot less time out there this season.

Yeah, I talked to him the other day and I think any free time he has is spent sleeping.

The funny story is that the day he bought it, we took it out that night. I brought a bottle of champagne and we christened it. His wife was saying that she was getting the baby bug, so they bought the boat. One thing led to another...

[Tyrone Biggums]

I brought a bottle of champagne and we christened it.

It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and you've got the stock market beat.

But the man worthwhile is the man who can smile when his shorts are too tight in the seat.

[Hmbre97]

It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and you've got the stock market beat.

But the man worthwhile is the man who can smile when his shorts are too tight in the seat.

Gotta post the vid now because his laugh after reading it gets me every damn time, lol