Looking at the boat to buy? Please provide your opinions.

[ra6991]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/2285321863.html

I looked it at last night and it was really clean. I did notice a few things that had a bit of concern. There were spider cracks around the light pole socket and a few on the corners on top of the boat. They look just to be the very top of the boat coating but I didnt like that.

Can you tell me in this price range what years are good and bad, which motors to look for and what not to look for and any other tips for looking at used inboards.

This had the 350 EFI and it started really easy and ran in his driveway great for about 10min.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I am considering all inboards so wanted to get your feedback on the others like mastercraft, nautique, supra, brendella, etc.

thanks

[AdaminMN]

What do you intend to use the boat for? Slalom, wakeboarding, cruising, surfing, etc.

How many people do you usually boat with?

[robert theisen]

When he started it and ran it did he have a hose hooked to it?If not impellar is toast.

[ra6991]

Yes, he hooked up a hose to a plunger looking thing and ran it.

We are going to use it mostly for toob, ski, not much wake boarding. I have 3 younger kiddos(5,7,9) and my wife and I ski.

We have 5 in the family and I thought a few extra friends would be 7-8 people.
thanks

[Nobody]

Yes, he hooked up a hose to a plunger looking thing and ran it.

We are going to use it mostly for toob, ski, not much wake boarding. I have 3 younger kiddos(5,7,9) and my wife and I ski.

We have 5 in the family and I thought a few extra friends would be 7-8 people.
thanks

Definately take the boat out for a 1 hour run. No ifs, ands, or butts about it.

[yllw20]

it is too small for your family w/the closed bow.
You driving wife in observer and 3 kids sitting across the back, dont forget the stuff you take w/you to the lake, jackets, skis, cooler, tube and then adding friends.
I have a family of 5 and had 03 20i w/open bow.
I don't see how you could get your family in there.
---
you would want something in this size range w/the open bow.
but, I can tell you the 20i is a great boat from being an owner. there was a black 03 for sale around here in the upper teens I think and I can tell you that would be more conducive to your family size.

[AdaminMN]

I've got the same boat you're looking at, but a couple years older. With our family of four, the dog, and associated coolers and towels, and etc, etc., there's not a whole lot of room to get around. We've had up to seven on the boat, but it was butts to nuts.

If you want tons of storage, it is an ideal boat. I can carry 5 live jackets, throwable, skis, surfboards, wetsuits, and my boat fenders in the storage. And that's just on the observer's side. The dog and subwoofer go on the driver's side.

If I were to do it again, I'd go with an open bow.

[laserfish]

Get the open bow, you will not regret it. I have had one closed bow boat and will never do that again.

[robert theisen]

Open bow makes friends stay friends.BUTTS TO NUTS is only for family not friends.LOL

[ra6991]

thanks for all of your candid responses. I was on the fence about the open bow because of the cost and I would prob have to get a bit older boat for the money. My big concern was the spider cracks coming from the gas cap and light post. Is this common? It seems like cheap quality if this is cracking in a number of spots? Any opinions.
Thanks,

[AdaminMN]

Without seeing the cracks it's difficult to say. But my guess is that they are superficial cracks in the gelcoat. Nothing structural.

[ra6991]

I would agree that they were superficial but why would it start doing this on a boat? I thought it may point to a subpar quality boat? I just wasnt sure but I have not see it on other used boats?

[skippabcool]

I have seen the spider cracks on older boats. When I was looking I was told it wasn't that big of a deal if they were superficial.

[laserfish]

very common on all older boats. Tige is not a cheaply made boat, even the older ones.

[AdaminMN]

Usually you'll see them around points that have had repeated or prolonged stress. Someone may have pulled on the light pole socket, who knows. The ones around the gas tank, I can't say how they'd get started unless the tank had been pulled at one time and not put back in in the extace same spot, and the filler hose is putting prolonged stress on the deck fitting.

Tige's are well made boats. I just found my first gelcoat crack last summer on the foredeck. (I guess that's what happens when a couple of girls dance up there.) I would not shy away from older boats if you see this. However if you see it at avery potential stress point; handles, cleats, through hulls, transom rings, swim deck mounts, etc, there may be some concern.

Once again, my