First Boat Purchase HELP

[Rlbol]

First off I would like to say hello to everyone.
I have been lurking and reading on here for a while and now have lots of questions! I am looking for an older project boat. Something that I can take my son out fishing in as well as take my wife and kids out and put around in. My kids are both still young so size should be much of a problem. So I would like some suggestions on what brand and model to look for. I would like to find a good boat that will fill my needs and hopefully will not be to expensive to buy. I am pretty mechanically inclined and enjoy working on things, so maybe my son and I can redo it together. So what should i look for? I have spent a lot of time on craigslist and have a lot of different bass book listed around me. also I am by Lake Okeechobee in florida so there are lots of boats around!
thanks

[Scrapper]

I don't know what others think but some of the most solid and depenable boats are the older Rangers...thats the reason so many on here restore them. They are normally tough enough that they are still in pretty decent shape still. I'm a fan of the 300 series...the mid to late 80's are my fav. They really didn't have any problems to speak of...structure wise....unless they were allowed to fill with water or something that might soak the foam or loose motor mount bolts that might let water in the transom. And those are peoples faults..not the boat. Many of the 80's model boats have had transom and or floor problems...not Rangers. Yes I'm biased...yes there are MANY good boats out there that aren't Rangers...but there is just something about them. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!!!

[delee36]

well...after you have struggled through a boat project, you will likely want to keep it awhile...so I would not scimp on size cause the kids are small. You might keep it till they are NOT small after you put all the work into a boat.

Rangers are a good suggestion...for all the reasons listed...but as far as resale goes you pay a little for that Ranger name. There are alot of good boat brands out there. For X amount of mney you might find a lesser known brand in better condition than you will a Ranger for the same $$$$.

For your first boat and your first project...I would concentrate more on getting the best condition boat you can, for the money you want to spend, and is best suited to the work you feel you want to do, than I would what brand it is.

Sit down and decide what kind of work you really want to do...and how much money you want to spend ( and then add about 20% because there are always little sneaky things that pop up so just plan on spending more than you wanted to! )...and then find the boat that fits those wants...without getting stuck on brand name.

Lazers...Shadows...Sprints...Rangers...Pro Crafts...Hydra Sports...all good boats in thier own rights.

[Rlbol]

Thanks for the replies!
I appreciate all the info!
So far there are two boats I am looking at one is an 82 ranger 335v In far shape engine recently rebuilt and new batteries. I like the configuration with the dual console and seating forward. It has a 115hp. it is very inexpensive The other is a 96 ranger 390 It has been sitting for a few years so I am sure there is going to be more work required on it even though it has very little hours. It is in much better condition but also much more expensive!
So what other manufactures and models would be good for I am looking for? I would like to not spend much more then 5k on the boat and hopefully no more then 7 to 10k once it is finished.
THanks

[Scrapper]

If you have two kids and a wife the 335 will be a bit small...I would look for a 350 or better. They are wider..more stable...and more room if you want to tube/ski/knee board....or whatever. The 335 is a great setup though..but once your kids get up above 6 or so you will be looking for something bigger...390 would be awsome...although probably not great on fuel. As said before...you'll want to keep it...so to keep the miss happy and room for the kids I would go with the 390 or another that is larger...probably dual console like the 335. That will keep the wife behind a windshield and have more storage. I would get the kids and wife and go run around some in the 335 if you are really interested...they look alot bigger on the trailer than when you get in the water...lol. Let us know!! Just looking is alot of fun!!

[Scrapper]

Late 80's 350V's and above around here are withing that 5k range...under 350V is normally in the 2k-4k range...I'm sure you can find what your looking for 5k or under. Just be paitient..as the summer closes you'll see ALOT more deals out there...wait till after labor day anyways. Nov-Feb are the best times to find deals.

[Rlbol]

The my limited bass boat experience the rangers seem nice. I like the layout of them. Values seem to be decent even on pretty old boats. So what is the differences in all the models? Again I am looking at the 1980-early 90's boats.

maybe more specific what are the differences in the 335v, 390v and 481v?

[Scrapper]

mainly size and layout...here is a link for you to check out. will answer lots of your questions on those boats.

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/rangerspecs.htm

Also visit the Ranger page...the numbers will tell you the series of the boat...and layout and size...there isn't a logical way of it though really...you just know the numbers or you don't..lol. check out that link though...

[Rlbol]

So I have found two I am going to look at. One is an 90 481 the other is a 85 371v obviously the newer one is more expensive. So what are the differences and which one would be better and why??
Thanks