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I am looking to get a 2nd hand 16-17 foot fibreglass boat for fishing the saltchuck here in Vancouver and some areas on vancouver Island. Some of the boats I am interested in are the Double Eagle, Hourston Glasscraft ,Malibu and a 16.5 foot centre console Campion Explorer. There is also a Prowler Ravencraft 17 that looks like the style of boat I like. Are any of these boats good or poor choices? What should I watch out for when buying a second hand fibreglass boat? What outboards should I stay away from. I have always had Mercury and only had one bad experience with them.I am also told that Yamaha is one of the best but Ive heard susuki evenrude and johnson are not as good . I will not even consider Force. What about Honda? I would expect that 4 stroke is the way to go. Please send along any advice or experience you have had. Thanks, Greg
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16 to 19 foot is good for pretty much everywhere on the coast,some people think you need a big ole Trophy or Grady to fish off shore!I have fished 20 miles off Hakia in a 18fter and fared well.Plus smaller boats fish better! The biggest thing to look for when buying the second hander is rotten stringers and wet floation.The bad news is,if your buying one on the south coast your chances are really high on getting the water logged vessel! The only way to check is getting under the floor.Now most people dont want you ripping up there decking without buying it,so you gotta be sneeky! You have to check every nook and cranny for exposed wood and dampness. If I where to buy another used boat it whould be one that was kept inside at all times! As for makes;all the ones you listed are great hulls exept for the Campion,its cheep ••••! As for power,buying second hand is tricky,as long as it looks good under the cowling and has good compression.Thats about all I can tell you. For new motors,OMC is gone so forget that!All the guides I know are useing Mercs Optimax,and they say its the best thing out there!I know a few guys with the 130hp Hondas and they love thembut they cost about 5 grand more than the Merc!As for Yamaha,I think they have fallen behind Merc when it comes to perfecting 2 stroke fuel injection.They are reel pigs on fuel and tend to burn out the power heads alot sooner.Any other motor is good for an anchor! Ps,I own a 19ft glass ply with Evenrude main power and a honda kicker.
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First of all. For boats. Onc... is right, most are good, as long as there is no rotting. And be aware that this is easily concealed. We have a 18ft Sunray Inboard-Outboard back in Ontario, which had a wood rotting problem this year. And if we were to sell the boat, I could easily cover it up, and the only way to notice it, is to go into the engine compartment (if its an inboard/ inboard-outboard , known as a stern drive). As for 2nd hand boats, getting a recently made engine or new one is a must. You dont want a 1956 Johnson Seahorse hehe. We have always had mercury also, and have had few problems. The only one was a 30year old engine was having trouble starting!!! 30 years! So they'll definately last! I'd go Mercury, soon to follow are Yamaha and Honda4stroke yes, and then Evinrude and Johnson. Anything else isnt worth considering. Chris
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You haven't considered an aliminum boat have you? If it's being used on the chuck it's about the best way to go. Like these guys said you don't want anything that's been moored, or not stored properly. You'll regret it right quick!
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I would caution you strongly about Aluminum boats being used on the ocean. I own an old 18' Hewescraft aluminum boat and used it regularly on the ocean as well as the Fraser. While aluminum boats are an excellent choice for saltwater application, those that are moored or stored outdoors MUST be properly protected from electrolysis. I have seen brand new aluminum boats moored without zincs and literally seen the hull erode away to nothing in a matter of months. I store my boat in a heated garage, have a closed circuit wiring harness (nothing grounded to the hull) and have fresh zinc anodes attached to both the inside and the outside of the hull as well as the motor. In my opinion an aluminum boat is a great choice, but be wary of the shape of the hull. Check the hull in the bilge. Look for pitting or corrosion. Ask th eright questions and look for those zinc anodes.
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Thanks for all the info guys - It looks like I am just about to go for either a 5 year old Hourston 17' or take the big plunge on a brand new 17.2 Hourston Sportsman.I love that boat. Power will be a 2000 60 merc 4 stroke for the lighter boat or 90 - 135 merc 4 stoke (or optimax) for the bigger. It is amazing how much bigger and heavier the 17.2 Sportsman is! When I saw it in the window down at Bill hourston's playground I fell in love. I just can't afford the damn thing!!
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