What do you guys think?

[RickK]

did anyone look at the last boat? Whatcha think especially the price. Thanks

Sounds like it is on it's second motor, is that proof of how guy takes care of things, maybe, maybe not but I would ask about it.

That same boat, same year with a hard top and a 225 Johnson was for sale down by me for 6500 last month.

I know you were chomping at the bit on that one

[Circle Hooked]

did anyone look at the last boat? Whatcha think especially the price. Thanks

Sounds like it is on it's second motor, is that proof of how guy takes care of things, maybe, maybe not but I would ask about it.

That same boat, same year with a hard top and a 225 Johnson was for sale down by me for 6500 last month.

I know you were chomping at the bit on that one

You know me  

[jahoward1]

The wife and I went and saw the 245 today.  It's a very nice boat but I'm not gonna pay 15k for her.  She has a large deck, radar, salt and freshwater wash downs, a big 250hp Johnson and my favorite, a big ol' hardtop.  He had 2 covers and a full enclosure and the trailer was in decent shape.  The only thing I didn't like was some of the cushions in the cuddy felt damp and the cuddy smelled wet.  The owner seemed like a very nice guy, said he moved the boat from the Delaware Bay before Sandy so she was not damaged during the storm and I didnt see any damage.  

All in all, very nice but I can't say I fell in love with her and I don't want to pay 15k for her.  I've only been on one 215 and I've never been on a 225 but I really liked the 215 and if I could have bought that boat at the time, I would have.  But make no mistake--very nice, but probably not for me.

Oh yeah, the guy with the 215 said that I could see it Saturday since he still has it at the shore for fishing.  All things being equal, if the 215 and the 245 go for about the same price, I'd have to but the 245.  Thanks fellas

[RickK]

He had 2 covers and a full enclosure

To give you an idea of the cost of those two items, I have a cover and full-length bimini for my 230 and both eisenglass and screen complete enclosures (windshield to engine) and those items ran about 4k.  When you put the enclosure up you're in like a little apartment, warm and dry, in any weather. Was well worth the cost. I would not "throw in" that cost if I was selling my boat - it's a value add.

[200CCPMerc200]

As stated earlier,a 245 is a beautiful boat,but alot more work and expense,a 20-21'er is alot easier to maintain and trailer around,depends on what you want. I've bought several boats in jersey,there are tons of 'em there,keep shopping,you'll find a deal. If your aren't sure,then get a surveyor,usually a couple hundred bucks,and he'll moisture test, and find stuff you wouldn't think of.

[jahoward1]

Thanks fellas.  You guys probably stopped me from trying to make a mad scramble to get a boat.  The owner of the 245 said some guy from Delaware is coming to look at his boat on Friday.  He seems firm on his price for now but we'll see if he changes if the boat doesn't sell.  The owner of the third boat sent me an email today and said his boat is winterized.  Of course that makes perfect since at this time of year but I don't see any reason to go see it at this time.  So maybe this is the time to slow down and look for a good deal.  Anyway, talk to you guys soon.

James H

[jahoward1]

Looking at the 245 a little more seriously now.  I just sent a couple of you guys PM's, trying to figure out what to do--thanks in advance.

Almost forgot, guy from Delaware did not buy the boat.  Seller told me he wanted to make a bunch of trades so he told him no.  So he still has it but he probably has already winterized it.  I'll keep y'all posted.

[pigbike]

Keep looking there is always a better deal. If I were you I would be looking to buy a insurance payoff boat. There has to be thousands of them up there after Sandy. If you find one that has a few bruises but no engine damage for a couple grand, you can always have the gelcoat repaired. Just stay away from anything with heavy damage.

[seabob4]

I'd like to say one thing about tow vehicles, since James asked me...

One of my customers is an orthopedic surgeon in Gainesville.  He has a Pursuit 2460 with t/top, twin Yamaha 150s, on an Owens & Sons dual axle.  He drags it down to my house for a re-wire...behind an '09 Toyota Tacoma 4 X 4.  The chit I gave him for not having a THT worthy tow vehicle!!!  But in reality, for our flat land of FL, the Tacoma pulled it just fine.  He fishes mainly from Ponce inlet up to Matanzas, must have some good ramps, not too steep.  The 4WD could handle the slimier stuff.

So don't think, although it is nice to have one, that a 3/4 ton is a must.  Bruce, Aaron, Scott, I know you guys love to pull your boats with your F-250s.  Hell, I would too.  I'm just saying, it's not that big of a deal to pull an Explorer with a 1/2 ton, and a V-6...

[wingtime]

Good point a 3/4 ton is not a must....  I don't know what he has for a tow vehicle... I just wanted him to consider his tow vehicle.  Over the years at my family business I have pulled many a overloaded trailers...  back in the day my dad and I had differing views on our company trucks...   for pickups he liked half tons...  I wanted heavier trucks...  we had all kinds of trouble with brakes...  blown tires... blown motors due to overheating.. etc etc..  Until I made the move to 3/4 ton and up trucks..  those problems simply went away... so in my view there is no such thing as too much truck (well within reason anyways)   My F-250 pulls my 245 with ease and that is cool..... but what I really like is how well she STOPS the boat!  I've been pushed thru too many a red light by towing a heavy trailer with too light of a truck.  Granted brakes on the trailer help but a move up from 20' boat to a 245 is big jump up in towing capacity to consider.

[pigbike]

You can't have too much truck. Not only for towing but for stopping as wingtime stated. I pull my 215 around with a 1 ton diesel dually 4x4, which is really over kill but that is what I already had for a truck. It does make me feel confident when towing, and never worry about pulling it out of the water.

I have been in those situations where your trying to stop and the trailer is pushing you ahead. Never worry about it anymore.

[Aswaff400]

i love my F250! pulls my dads searay like it aint nothin. even pulls my friends 35 ft intrepid walkaround out in 2wd like it wasnt there...

main reason i bought my f250 wasnt for pulling the boats but rather pull my f150 whenever she's finished, not really something i want to be pulling up to Tennessee with another half-ton.

my dad used to pull our searay just about every weekend out of the water with a 2wd half-ton dodge (bobs seen it), pulled it out no problem. keep in mind its a 27 ft boat with a 10 ft beam loaded down with camping gear, gennie.

[seabob4]

Bruce, Roy, I completely agree with you.  Love an F-250 on the Ford side, a GMC Duramaxx/Allison 1 ton dually on the GM side.  Dodge?  Like the Cummins...

But James has a Tacoma, and his present position doesn't allow him the financial leeway to move up at the present time.  What I was trying to do is to let him know that a smaller vehicle will do the job, as long as the job is not to big.  10 miles to the launch in light traffic?  10 miles back in same?  Flat roads?  It is Jersey, afterall.  Good ramp, well maintained...

The Tacoma will perform well in these circumstances.  A 250 mile tow with changing gradients?  Heavy traffic through urban areas with nutballs driving all around you?  Wouldn't recommend it.

Bruce, you know me.  I like power...LOTS of power!  But sometimes we all don't have the ability to get the proper tool.  So a Tacoma can be a crescent wrench, until the 9/16" combination wrench is within reach...

[wingtime]

What is the towing capacity of a Tacoma?  I don't know a thing about them.  Not only is the weight of the fully loaded boat (full fuel adds 950 lbs!   )  But the frontal area is a concern for drag.  Most owners manuals nowadays give a maximum allowable frontal area for towing.

[seabob4]

Bruce,
6500 lbs from what I can gather...

What does your Explorer and trailer weigh in at?