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Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions

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In Reply to: Re: 12' aluminum V-hull Questions posted by Woodpecker on February 19, 2004 at 21:55:57:

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?

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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)
    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)
      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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