i brought the boat home today... got both titles for the boat and trailer but they wouldnt give me the permanent trailer tag with it :/ the purchase price was $500 but my buddy gave me $200 as a wedding present to buy the boat so only $300 out of pocket. i got the motor to crank by jumping the starter solenoid when i got home and i see where someone pressure tested the motor and wrote 150 for all 4 cylinders on the inside of the motor. tilt/trim/steering all works great. and the boat hull seems solid overall....


now for the bad!!!

the trailer is COMPLETELY wrong for this boat! its about 13 and 1/2 feet long and jerry rigged to fit the boat on. because of that there is a TON of negative tongue weight. a very scary drive home when the trailer is constantly trying to come loose from the ball on my hitch! luckily out of the now 3 boats i own i have a trailer that will work for this new boat. so its time to play musical trailers.

and the carpet/decking/seats will have to be replaced but i have no problem with that. i have lots of experience with re-decking and carpeting my past 3 boats in fact i actually enjoy it cause i can create a custom boat with the layout of whatever i want!

i have decided that i do not want to have the 50horse merc on the back of this boat. i am thinking i will sell both of my current boats and with the money made (after i give my fiance MOST of it towards the wedding) i will buy a long shaft motor that will allow my to fish all the hp restricted lakes. and i am thinking about seeing if maybe budget boats will work with me on a trade for the 50 Merc for a tiller 25 or 30? or maybe someone on CL is looking to trade for a bigger motor? we will see....