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Post by Summer Daze on Mar 26, 2019 7:29:21 GMT -5
I keep my boat in a marina that’s about a 2 mile drive from my summer house. Only trouble is that traffic can be quite annoying on summer weekends and getting back and forth is sometimes annoying (think someone wants to run home quick to grab something, someone decides they want to come out on the boat mid day, someone wants to pick up sandwiches to bring back out on the boat). We are 2 houses off the end of a very quiet street that ends at a bay beach, there are several moorings put in by neighbors with small sail boats and wave runners tied up for the summer. I have been kicking around the idea of buying a used wave runner and mooring it off the bay beach and using it to shoot over to my marina. Obviously it would also be used for general recreation, or as a ferry of sorts back and forth for people/supplies from wherever we are hanging out in the bay.
Looking around on Craigslist I see quite a bit of used inventory in the $2-4,000 range in the 10-15 year old bracket. I am wondering if anyone here has some experience with them - what to look for, tell tale signs of issues, importance of hours/age and what those thresholds are.
I can justify to myself spending a few thousand on one, but it’s not going to be used enough for me to go to that $5-6,000+ area and am wondering if I should just pass on the idea. I am inclined enough to change out parts / do some mechanical upkeep - but leisure time is valuable to me at this point, and if a 15 year old wave runner means spending time chasing mechanical demons every Sat/Sun morning all summer - maybe it would be wise to ditch the idea.
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Post by fishnfool on Mar 26, 2019 8:00:12 GMT -5
If ferrying cargo and passengers are the goal with a little fun thrown in, up the budget a bit and get yourself a 13 Whaler SS. About the same size and more practical, can shuttle 4 adults, is easy maintenance, and very durable, that and you can likely sell it later for what you paid for it. And if you have kids it's a great way to introduce them to boating.
I bought one last year and it's a fun little boat.
Just a thought.
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Post by kbh on Mar 26, 2019 9:45:20 GMT -5
I second the 13 Whaler. Me and a buddy have owned one for 30 years and two kids growing up abusing it. Currently in the process of a makeover. Attachments:
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Post by Summer Daze on Mar 26, 2019 9:59:04 GMT -5
The whaler idea is an interesting one. Haven’t even given that thought. Only concern is would you feel comfortable leaving that on a mooring for the entire summer - Trying to avoid another $100/FT for an in water slip, and would defeat the purpose if I had to bring it to the marina.
Also - as far as transporting/storage - did you guys buy trailers for them?
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Post by fishnfool on Mar 26, 2019 10:09:19 GMT -5
Yes and yes
Get it bottom painted and moar it.
As for trailering it is really not much different than trailering a wave runner. Dimensionally very similar with the whaler being wider. These boats are foam filled, they wont sink, leave the drain plug out while slipped and water will drain out. You could even pull it behind your boat if you go somewhere and want to have a toy with you.
I slip mine during the spring summer and fall.
I'll snap a photo of mine while it's on the trailer when I get home.
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Post by Summer Daze on Mar 26, 2019 13:01:22 GMT -5
The more I think about it a wave runner is going to wind up being a significant time/monetary commitment beyond the initial purchase - cant leave it all summer in the water, Id have to pull it at the end of the weekend and put it back in on Friday nights each week or pay for a slip and keep it on a dry dock at my marina. I like the idea of the small skiff/whaler as a "toy" - my only thought is that right now my father has a 37' cruiser that I use fairly often and I have my 27DC that I am on every weekend fishing/cruising/anchored at an island/shoal. The waverunner was going to be an actual toy to bring along to the shoal to shoot back to port for stuff, zip around whatever island/shoal we are at, a quick and easy excursion type toy. I am not entirely sure that adding a small skiff ticks the same box that the waverunner does.
Definite trade off between the two - durability/practicality/moor-ability versus fast/water toy.
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Post by abouttime2fish on Mar 26, 2019 15:25:43 GMT -5
Wonder if you could moor one of those floating docks you drive up on and still be able to drive up on it. I often see small used ones for not much money. But without something to push against I’m not sure you would be able to get back up on it.
Another thought, if it’s a weekend house why not moor your boat for the weekend?
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Post by daves236 on Mar 26, 2019 20:05:30 GMT -5
Yea, I would be concerned about the potential for wave runner sinking at mooring over down time.
They are not intended for a full summer of floating with limited use.
I maintain a pair for customer of mine, should be stored out of water.
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Post by ragtop409 on Mar 26, 2019 20:48:06 GMT -5
I vote for the little BW. They are a lot more fun then most people think and can be pretty pepy with the right motor. Rag’s
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Post by fishnfool on Mar 26, 2019 20:56:11 GMT -5
I vote for the little BW. They are a lot more fun then most people think and can be pretty pepy with the right motor. Rag’s Yep, I gotta 40hp Merc 4 stroke on mine. When you're skipping along at 35+ mph 18" off the water it feels like you're doing 60!
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Post by fishnfool on Mar 26, 2019 21:00:36 GMT -5
Mine looks like this one...
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Post by jpinkerton on Mar 28, 2019 11:58:52 GMT -5
I owned a Yamaha FX HO and loved it. Hands down one of the easiest waverunners to maintain and has a ton of power for a 3-seater. Huge fuel tank give you a 100NM range. If you go a waverunner route, I would steer clearn of anything turbo or supercharged because the maintenance just is not worth the headache for your intentions. IMO, looks for a late 2000's FX HO.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 5:57:38 GMT -5
Agreed, stay clear of forced induction motors. I have two and they are high maintenance. But super fun !!
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Pepe
Seaman
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Post by Pepe on Mar 29, 2019 14:09:29 GMT -5
I owned 2 Hondas Turbocharged and 2 Sea Doo's. A lot of fun, but at the end sold the old Hondas to buy the new seadoo's and sold them because of the lack of use. We put 15 hrs in 3 years on them. My wife does not like them and my son went to law school, so I was using one at a time, I even fished with them in the canals. Both ideas are great. My neighbor has a 14' BW a he takes it every ware, is a horse loader.
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