Boat advice please.

[LandyAndy]

Hi guys.
I looked at a boat thismorning.
An older (1980s) Mustang 15foot.Has a matching older age V4 85HP Evinrude.
For its age its in pretty good nick,still has the original blue gelcoat wich hasnt been painted.The transom has been repaired.The trailer has been fully rebuilt and in as new condition.Has new seats and carpet.
Its been sold to get a bigger boat.Looking for arond $6000

Advantages.
*Good first boat/learners boat.
*Easy to beach launch
*Would still be worth around the same value in a few years if I was to trade up.
*Not a big investment if it doesnt get used much.
*Plenty of horespower

Disadvantages.
*Its AGE.
*Its size,limiting ocean conditions it can be used in/3 to 4 on board MAX.

Any thoughts people????
Andrew

[Bearman]

G'day Andrew,
Mustang's were a pretty good boat. The hull will be fine, the floor and transom were the main problem areas for boats of this vintage. Any soft or springy areas should be checked for dry rot. A lot of boats of this vintage were not glassed under the floor where you could not see and consequently rotted out slowly. If the transom has been repaired I would check if it has been done professionally. The old V4 OMC's were a pretty reliable motor. Knock him down a bit (if they say "around" usually they will take a bit less. I would take it for a run first to check how the motor runs under load as running it with the muffs doesn't really give a good indication of how it will perform under load.

[richard4u2]

i know 2 people who have bought 2nd hand boats only to have the motor seize on the first trip out and it has been repaired well i would not waste a cent on it

[LandyAndy]

I think I will be giving it a miss,mainly due to it being a bit small.
Transom/Floor have been re-done.
Its a reputable local selling it so no reason to doubt the condition of the boat/trailer/motor.
Andrew

[Tombie]

Andy

Seriously mate... Look for a good Cat around 560 in length...

You'll love it

Plenty going in Freo / Perth when we were looking...

[big guy]

Boats will keep you forever poor.
They are like a bottomless pit.
Geta Cat/Markham whaler or similar if only for fishing.
Buy it cheap, ditch the motors if they are old and get 2 four strokers on the back and you be laughing.
Iknow its more money but why not get a syndicate.
Get 3 mates, make a splunsh fund for service and repairs and log your hours each uses the boat.

The ocean can be very forgiving and having spend many weeks off shore, a motor is something you want to trust 100%.
Having two with 2 totally seperate fuel supplies is a very big bonus and you will probably not out grow it.

Good luck and happy fishing.

[UNDEROVER]

Boats will keep you forever poor.
They are like a bottomless pit.
Geta Cat/Markham whaler or similar if only for fishing.
Buy it cheap, ditch the motors if they are old and get 2 four strokers on the back and you be laughing.
Iknow its more money but why not get a syndicate.
Get 3 mates, make a splunsh fund for service and repairs and log your hours each uses the boat.

The ocean can be very forgiving and having spend many weeks off shore, a motor is something you want to trust 100%.
Having two with 2 totally seperate fuel supplies is a very big bonus and you will probably not out grow it.

Good luck and happy fishing.

Dead right Big Guy.

I've had a couple of second hand boats, both of which had the motor removed and sold straight up, with a new one suitably sized to suit the requirements mounted in it's place.
I'm yet to have one cause me any dramas.
Provided you look after them whether they be 2 or 4 stroke, you should have thousands of hours of trouble free fishing time.
Irrespective of boat size, a fuel filter with a water trap is cheap insurance especially if you're heading offshore. Most boats nowdays have them, but an older model may not, so it pays to be aware.
I guess you can see what you're getting for your money usually, in the way of boat and trailer, but the motor is another kettle of fish altogether.

A bit of extra info. If going off the beaten track, standard trailer springs lack both the flex and strength to be hammered on corrogated roads for hours on end. In most cases, it'll end in tears.
I have modded my trailer and put XC falcon rear leafs with an additional 2 leafs added to the spring pack in to handle the weight, and along with XC shockies and a decent motor support which has a metal clamp around the leg and braces back to either side of the trailer, has given me trouble free trips to Cape York (x 3), kimberley and numerous trips through out QLD to various locales.
Forget it though if you have a dual axle trailer!
Have fun on the search! I'm due for an upgrade soon as well, just have to sell the house in Brissy...mmmmm.

[richard4u2]

" Provided you look after them " how often have you seen guys who use the boat a few times over summer and store them in the back yard over winter and along comes summer again and then they spend half an hour trying to start them again