I'm buying a boat...

What lake you gonna be putting in at? Need some gas money?

 

The one I'm looking at has wood in it.

 

fify

get them to cover the drive too. Alpha's are cheap, but it's still $1k to replace it.
Make sure it's had a new impeller this spring.

the wood isn't a deal breaker as long as the boats been taken care of. It'll require extra care from you and 12 screaming kids. Make sure to dry it out when you put it away. Will it be stored covered or uncovered, in or out of a building?

 

The plan is it will be stored in my garage. I'm throwing shit away, hanging bikes on the wall, donating stuff, etc... to make room.

 

wood - no wood doesn't matter for as long as you will own it. Warranty on the engines is worthless.. it's the drives and manifolds that fail and cost big bucks. Getting an outside inspection?

Do a sea trial with as many people in the boat as you will normally have. you'll be shocked the difference in performance between 2 and 4 people in a boat that size. Last thing you want to find out the day after you buy it is that it won't even pull a tube with 4 or 5 people in it.

go troll the chapparel forum aor any small boat forum.. we probably won't see you here for at least a month or 2

 

it'll be able to stay mostly dry. With wood thats a good thing.
Watch for water coming in around the drive. Some boat builders don't coat the wood in the transom when they do the drive cut out. This and the thru bolts whick should be caulked. Can cause the transom to rot if it's wood cored.

Call Chaparral with the HIN and they'll tell you how it was built.

 

This

 

I second this. We are a small family of 4 (kids under 4) that had a 2002 Bayliner 175. Bought it for $1K, put in a new interior, and profited $4K when I sold it last summer. Taking it for a test run with one other person in the boat was definitely enjoyable. Once loaded down with a cooler and crap for 4 of us, still fun but not as much. Once adding another relative, I couldn't pull a tube/slalom ski for crap.

Sold the boat and bought a Super Air Nautique 220. Seats 12 and can pull about 4 skiers at a time. Just don't tell my wife how much it cost.

 

Only true for the Dumbasses that buy shit boats and never use them.....

I have had the same boat for 25 Years.... Its never been back to the dealer... But then again I do everything on it.... It was nice as hell out yesterday... Water feels great too....

 

Boat= Bust Out Another Thousand.

Take the local boating course put on by the Coast Guard, carry the proper safety equipment and get a really big fire extinguisher. Fires on boats are bad news! Have fun and remember what you see above the water does not resemble what is actually below the water. A little bobbing stick can be a submerged tree just waiting to rip your outdrive off.

 

EXACTLY the first thing I thought when I saw the title. You beat me to it because I was gonna post the same pic hahahahaha Love that vid

I'm on a boat mother fucker don't you ever forget!!!

 

I strongly suggest you have the boat inspected for water damage to the beams and fiberglass, this is a must for any older boat, hell even a newer one, it's a must do. IF the hull is compromised the boat is worthless.

 

I bought my first boat last summer. A 2012 Chaparral 246SSI. I know it's a little different category but I have been happy with the build quality and support from Chaparral. It takes about the same effort to own as my toy hauler. Meaning there is always some little thing that needs attention but it isn't overwhelming or terribly expensive. We've really enjoyed it so far.

 

May be the best advice for first time owners before they buy.

 

I know some people.

 

Oh I miss the good old days of watching people launch a boat, It's actually pretty entertaining with a few beers.

 

If it flies, floats, or fucks rent it don't buy it

 

Funny you say that.... I saw a guy screaming at the ramp when we were pulling out.... His buddy damn near sank his new Rang Reover.... He pulled out and water was pouring out of the rear doors...LOL

 

My first rule of boat buying is always to have a friend with a boat instead.

Ain't nobody got time for all that cleaning and sitting around.