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12' aluminum V-hull Questions

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I'm looking into buying a used 12' aluminum boat to use for fishing with two to three people. I'm in New Mexico so there really isn't any big lakes or very many people selling boats for that matter. I found one 12' aluminum boat with a 5hp Johnson engine(looked real old), a minnkota trolling motor, oars, two seats, trailer for $1100 or best offer. The boat looks old but has no rust anywhere. Is this boat worth this price? Is this boat worth buying or would I be better off getting a new boat? Also would this boat be stable in windy weather? New Mexico can get really windy at times. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions - Woodpecker 21:55:57 02/19/04 (6)
Manuel, around here, a boat like that could go for as little as $500. But then, a lot depends on that tired old motor. My guess is it (the motor) won't be worth the trouble. But the boat should be fine.
I don't know the cost of used boats in New Mexico but...
If you've got $1100 to spend, you could buy a new 3.5 horse motor for $600 or $700 or so, and put it on any old cartoppable boat you find for a couple hundred and probably be much happier. Or offer $500 for the boat and trailer you mention, and get a new motor. 6 or 8 hp would be enough to make it plane with a couple adults aboard. Otherwise, the aforementioned 3.5 hp would be ample for slower going.
If it were me, I wouldn't pay anything near $1100 for that setup unless I knew the motor was running well, and I was sure I didn't mind the noise and stink of an old 2-stroke. Even if it is running well, when the motor conks on you, (which it will do), you'll be amazed how much it costs to fix!
As far as standing up to the wind, you can't compare that skiff to anything other than other boats of similar size. And small boats belong in sheltered waters, near shore. A 12' skiff can be a little dicey in bad weather, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it. If you get nervous, get off the water!
That said, I've seen people fishing for salmon on the Columbia bar out of aluminum skiffs like the one you mention. The bar is famous for dangerous waves and harsh weather. And people drown out there for their recklessness. For what it's worth.
Finally, don't buy a new boat, unless you've got extra money and nothing to do with it. That aluminum skiff is just the ticket, even if you pay a little more than it is "worth." It won't rust, because it is aluminum. It will probably still be seaworthy after you and I are dead.
Oh, and check the tires and bearings of that trailer before you haul it home. If the tires are all cracked, they need to be replaced. If the wheel "wobbles" on the axle when you give it a good two-handed shake, it needs new bearings. Easier to fix these things before the wheels fall off out on I-10!
Good luck! Happy (and safe) boating!
- Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions - ManuelO32 22:42:24 02/19/04 (5)
  Thanks for all your help! I'm having trouble finding a boat here in New Mexico. The best boat price I've found is a 14' aluminum v-hull boat with a 2000 25hp Yamaha engine but it is in Salt Lake City, Utah which is about a 12 hour drive from here. He is asking $1700 for the boat with a trailer(with brand new tires and repacked bearings). I don't know if I want to travel that far to pick up a boat. One more question, What is the smallest size of boat that would perform good in bigger lakes?
  - Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions - Woodpecker 10:51:43 02/20/04 (4)
    Manuel, I hope my rambling can be of some service.
    That boat in Salt Lake sounds good. A 2000 Yamaha 25 hp should be a very good motor for a long time to come. And, as previously noted, an aluminam hull is practically for forever. But that is quite a drive.
    As far as performance on bigger lakes, that all depends on you! In calm weather, a canoe can do just fine. (Just watch out for the big motorboats!) The 12' aluminum you mentioned earlier would be dandy. When the wind kicks up to the point of creating whitecaps, you would want to seek shelter near the leeward side of the shore, or just beach it and wait for the wind to die down!
    But if you want to stay out on the lake in the middle of a very breezy afternoon, a boat like that 14', or something a little larger, would be more comfortable. The typical 16' fishing boat can handle alot of rough water if handled correctly.
    But the fishing on a windy afternoon is seldom very good anyway. Better in the calm of morning or evening...
    Whatever you do, wear your lifevests at all times. Even on calm water, you can slip, hit your head, and be underwater before anyone even knows you're gone.
    Ultimately, life jackets and common sense are more important than the size and type of boat you buy. And just because you see other people drinking beer out on the lake doesn't mean it is a good idea. I mention these things because lack of lifevests and abuse of alcohol account for the vast majority of all marine fatalities.
    Hope you find something to your liking.
    Are you handy at all with tools? You could build a plywood skiff to one of the many plans available on the net! That would be an economical choice, and fill you with pride to boot!
    I can steer you in the right direction on that if you would like. Thom V can, too. He's got some pictures of his little skiff posted on this forum.
    - Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions - ManuelO32 13:29:18 02/23/04 (3)
      I've found an aluminum v-hull boat locally that is 14' with a 6HP evrinrude engine, canopy, livewell, storage compartment, trailer, two swivel seats for $2500. Is this a good price for this boat? How fast will a 6HP engine move a 14' boat?
      - Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions - Woodpecker 22:08:21 02/23/04 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions posted by ManuelO32 on February 23, 2004 at 13:29:18:
        
        Manuel, a 6 horse motor is too small to plane that boat. Should be at least 10, better 15 hp.
        But 6 hp will be fine if you don't mind taking it easy. Might do 7 or 8 mph with the bow sticking up in the air!
        As far as price, I can't help you much from where I sit. In my opinion, the whole outfit should be in top-notch condition, and not be any more than a few years old, to fetch that price. But then, I live in an area where there is a boat for sale on every corner in town! So maybe my expectations for price are unrealistic for you.
        
        Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions - ManuelO32 08:57:29 02/24/04 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions posted by Woodpecker on February 23, 2004 at 22:08:21:
        
        The boat is three years old and is owned by an older couple that keeps it in there garage. The boat is painted a white color with blue stripes running down the side. It has a spray liner in the inside to keep it from rusting. The only reason for getting rid of it is because they have bought a pontoon boat because it is easier for them to get around in it.
        
        Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions - Woodpecker 13:58:42 02/24/04 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions posted by ManuelO32 on February 24, 2004 at 08:57:29:
        
        Sounds good, Manuel. If the motor is also only three years old, you may have a winner! Time to go fishing?

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