new guy from GA

[Gump1986]

Hello everyone. My name is Forrest. I am 22 years old and live in Kennesaw, Georgia, right near Lake Allatoona. I have been brought up around boats my whole life and have always had a thing for fast boats. I have been looking into buying either a jet boat, v-drive, or possibly a 70's tunnel with an outboard. I am new to the performance boat scene, so please excuse any dumb questions I might ask.

I have actually found 2 boats near me I am interested in and wanted to see if either would be a good choice for me. Most of my boating will be done early in the weekend mornings when it is smooth, and then floating with friends during the day when it is rough. Fuel economy isn't a major concern, but would be nice.

The Cole TR2 has a mostly stock but rebuilt 454 with an upgraded intake and carb. It has a Casale V drive, seats 4, and is a one owner boat. He didn't have any speed numbers - no speedometer.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/723680937.html

The Sleekcraft is tunnel hull hydro. The motor is an Evinrude with a 150 lower unit, and a 175 Powerhead. The boat seems to be in great shape overall, and he says it runs 65 as it sits, but could get more out of jack plate and prop changes.


http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/739934814.html

I am considering either of these two boats as my first boat and they both fit well into my budget. I know they are completely different types, but both fit my needs. Which boat will be best for a first time boater wanting to learn to go fast? What about the future potential of each boat? Which has the potential to go faster as my skills progress?

Sorry for such a long first post. I am looking forward to meeting some new people here and learning as much as I can about going fast on the water.
[/URL]
[URL="http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/739934814.html"] (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/723680937.html)

[Hottrucks]

we're all OB guys here for the most part ......but I will say that Sleekcraft is a Bad ASS boat...there is a ton of room to make it haul the mail better than it does and a few guys here on the board that own them..........

and WELCOME TO THE BOARD......................

[Gump1986]

Thanks. I am very interested in the sleekcraft, just no first hand experience with them. Is that a pretty fair price on the boat? I think the only thing it really needs in the future will be a paint job, but I have a close friend that paints so that really doesn't concern me.

[Hottrucks]

I would go look at the Sleekcraft...do a good inspection of it check for wet transom or floors ( just like any other boat) I think you'll have less problems with the OB and besides you have found the best and most knowledgeable people on the web to help you......
as far as price hard to tell but it seems close...............

[Gump1986]

Thanks for all of the advice. I am supposed to go look at the boat Monday, and I will try and post some pics if I get it. I have a pretty good idea of what to look check for on the hull itself (wet floors, cracked or leaking transom, gel coat issues, etc) and the rest of the interior.

Outboard motors are new to me. This one has a V6 Evinrude that was rebuilt about 4 years ago. The guy said it has a 150 lower unit with a 175 powerhead on it, along with a stainless steel prop (4 blade but no other specs given). What should I look for on this motor? Any particular trouble spots?

Also, what kind of potential does this motor have? Any upgrades available to make it faster after I learn to drive it?

[Gump1986]

I am going tonight to look at the Sleekcraft. I'll post some updates and possibly more questions after looking at the boat face to face.

Thanks for the help so far.

[JnT]

Gump,
If you are going to be on Lake Allatoona on the weekends you will get beat up bad with either of those.
All the wakeboard boats and Cruisers keep the lake pretty choppy.
I would highly recommend a 21-24 degree v bottom. Outboard or I/O is your choice but definitely get something 20 or larger.
Jim

[87allison]

Welcome to our family I like your screen name. if you had his money you could buy anything you wanted. Good Luck....:cheers:

[afr]

welcome
lol
i cant help but read your post in the tom hanks gump voice
lmao
i hope you do as well in the ski boat as he did with the shrimp boat
weres captain dan ?
life is like a bucket of cold beer here

[shaneg]

Man Forest Gump is one of my all time favorite movies. Great name. If it was up to me I'd get an outboard. I think the inboards are more trouble than they are worth, but thats just me. I have a 15' Hydrostream Viper for sale. It has a 130 yamaha. I have the seats and all out of it right now. I was going to paint it and happen to run across a v-king yt. So I kind of lost intrest in it. I'm sking 3000.00 for it if you are interested.

[Gump1986]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I just got back from checking out the Sleekcraft. It was an OK boat, but had a fairly large crack in the transom, a wet spot in the floor after driving it, and lots of other little things that were kind of half way put together that would need fixing. A little too much work for him asking almost $5000 for it.

After riding in the boat and knowing the conditions on Lake Allatoona, where I do 95% of my boating, I definitely think a bigger boat as suggested above will suit my needs better. I would like to stay somewhere in the $5000-$10000 range. I know that might be too low a budget for a bigger boat, but I am open to suggestions.

Any boats for sale that would be suitable for rough weekend water on my lake, doesn't necessarily have to be a outboard or I/O, I am open to consider pretty much anything. Just has to be rough water suitable and reliable. Speed and beginner friendly is another big plus.

[shaneg]

Well a Viper is definately not what you want. It's not something you can just jump into and drive.

[Gump1986]

I'm not new to boats, but I am fairly new to performance boats. I'm not scared of learning how to drive, but I want something that will tolerate me learning and not hurt me for making some small mistakes here and there.

[shaneg]

Yeah 10-4. Well this boat is not very forgiving. The smaller the boat the harder it is to drive.

[Gump1986]

and Forrest is actually my real name. Gump became my nickname sometime around 3rd grade when the movie came out, and it has just stuck with me LOL.

[Noah1]

Welcome:cheers: Keep looking you will find something. If your not sure post it here & you'll get everyone's 2 cents worth.

[JnT]

There is a Seebold , Baja and Python on Atlanta craigslist in your price range.

[Gump1986]

Thanks for the heads up. I missed a two of those in my previous searches. The Baja 24 for $10,900 actually seems to be a killer deal. Called the guy today and the boat has been stored indoors in dry storage since new, and only has 150 hours on it. Needs nothing, said the boat has been well taken care of. Hopefully going to take a look at it on Sunday. Has a stock Ford 460 with thru hull exhaust and is supposed to run 65+ on mechanical speedo.

[Gump1986]

still looking at boats lately. found this one on craigslist. any feedback on the hull or the motor? sounds like a good solid combination for a first boat that i could repower later? guy that owns it claims it has no mechanical problems or hull problems, only needs better seats. also says it runs mid 60's. does this sound about right?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/729035874.html

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1987-K-Craft-19-Sport-Tunnel-93335443

[JnT]

If you can talk him down a little,this boat would do real good.
Donzi 22 Classic
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/768006502.html

[JnT]

Scarab 21
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1984-Wellcraft-Scarab-93294445

[JnT]

My suggestion would be to look at as many of them as you can here local. If you can wait out this season til October there will be some smoking deals to be had.
Stay with well known GOOD brands or you will never be able to sell when you decide you need something bigger,(you will always want something faster and bigger!).
Stay above 20 feet long or you will be miserable on the weekends.
Years ago the California style jet boats dominated the lake. Now you see them every now and then but not many. Demographics changed,people made money,people bought bigger boats, bigger boats ruin the lake for little boats,people bought even bigger boats,wakeboard boats designed to throw large wakes,cruisers barely on plane plowing huge wakes, and so on and so on.
Buy an offshore style v hull.

[Gump1986]

Thanks again for the all of the advice and help. I am still looking at some offshore hulls, but I haven't completely decided against a smaller boat like a V King or other Hydrostreams. Most of my weekend boating is parked in a cove anchored with some friends. Any serious runs would either be early on Saturday as soon as there is enough light and is safe, or on Fridays (I am off more Fridays than not).

[MODVP22]

welcome to S&F. You've definately come to the right place:cheers: