Newbie here

[Gator_Bait]

Man I like that avatar CYENSEN!!!! ;D ;D

Well I think I prefer an O/B, although I do like the benefits of a full transom. never had an I/O so I guess I'm just biased but could be swayed for the right boat most likely. The motor box makes a seat but could also be in the way..so that's a wash I guess. I assume an old OMC Sea Drive boat would make a nice bracketed O/B model and have the best of both worlds...full transom and no motor box. Of course too many specific preferences and I'll never find a boat so I realize compromise is a must for sure.

One thing I have noticed in pics is that some have the large fish box between the seats and some do not. Some seem to have several smaller wood panels in the deck, but I like the large fish box with the swinging door that opens. The one I was watching that randleman bought had this and it was an '84 so perhaps the 80's and up have this? Also do these drain overboard or into the bilge?

Self Bailing I want, which as far as I have read seems to also point to 80's models when they raised the floor slightly to accomodate this. A little freeboard sacrifice I know but my gut always felt the less going into the bilge the better so I like self bailing, especially with possibly going offshore some it gives me a little piece of mind.

I read somewhere that some models/years have thinner gunwale's? Not sure which years that is though? I'd like room for flush rod holders and probably flush Lee outrigger holders in the gunwale as well, so that is important.

Did pretty much all years have 60 gallon tanks?

Geez I better end this here this is a long post :D

But I guess you asked for it LOL ;D ;D

Thanks for any insight you all have!

I'd recommend paying attention to the fuel tanks. They vary in size throughout the years (from 40 up to 60?). Before they raised the floor they used 2 "saddle tanks" that sit above the floor and hold 20 gallons a piece. I have a '71 I'm working on restoring and one of the things I'm trying to change is the saddle tanks. I'd rather have a belly tank under the floor, but the lower floor is making it tough to find something that'll work. Others are happy with their saddle tanks so I guess it's a personal preference, but if I make a belly tank work I'll be sure to pass on how I did it.

And the Vs with the saddle tanks also have three seperate pieces to them: the outer hull, inner liner, and cap. When they raised the floor they went to two peices: outer hull and cap/liner together. If I had to do it over again I'd start with an early 80's on up.

My .02 for FREE! *;D ..... Just remember, you get what you pay for *::)

[Parrot_Head]

Welcome GATOR. Mine has a 40 gallon fuel tank and im putting in a 55 gallon. How much you going to spend ??Just curious.


Scott

[Gator_Bait]

Cool thanks for the info..that is good stuff to know.

Jeff did you get yours around VB or from Ebay or something? I'm in Norfolk and was just wondering if there are good spots to locate used Steplifts or something?

Parrot, thanks for the welcome and the info too. Not sure how much yet, the one randelman just boguht seemed like a good deal to me, with a newer motor and all...I see them for much more with older motors...but I imagine initally I'm looking around $4k or less I imagine...maybe it depends on the admiral after V-Day ;D ;D

Scott

[C YENSEN]

well lets see if i can clear things up a little.

mine is an 84 I/O, original motor, runs great, little oil leak, but not bad

the deck drains into the bilge. this i do not like either, but am looking into routing this deck water through the side.

mine has a 60 gallon fuel tank between the helm and passenger seat.

mine also has the bait box you were referring to. i can fit about 5 30" stipers in there. and yes it also drains into the bilge. there is a hookup for a macerator pump, but i do not have it hooked up yet. this box sits in front of the motor compartment and behind the fuel tank.

i love my boat and would not trade it for the world. i think the best part of the I/O is the complete lack of fumes that you get from a O/B. i hate those fumes.

hope this helped ;D

[C YENSEN]

oh yeah almost forgot.....including the trailer, I picked mine up for $3500 and that included.

fulll enclosure
fish finder/depth finder
VHF
anchor and rode
and two of those plush boat folding chairs

see my gallery for a few pics, i think i am on page 6 at th bottom in the middle.

;D ;)

Jeff did you get yours around VB or from Ebay or something? I'm in Norfolk and was just wondering if there are good spots to locate used Steplifts or something?

I picked mine up from budget boats in Chesapeake. I knew it would be a project when I got it, but I didn't realize just how much until after is was home....

Best I can say is keep an eye out online and locally. There have been a few Vs for sale around here, but not many. A lot of the guys on this board are willing to take a look for you if you see something online that's close to them. In anycase, I don't think I'd buy one without myself or someone from here looking at it first. There have been plenty of boats that looked good/decent in pics, but have turned out to be not so good in person.

I did see one for sale on this site the tidalfish.com forum and I sent him a message with a link to this website, but I haven't seen it here. The boat was local and he may have it in the paper and/or trading post. I think he wanted about 6500 for it, but I can't remember...

Good luck Gator! :D

[randlemanboater]

Gatorbait, check out Willy's "Old School". It's super nice and for sale.

[garagenc]

Gator I'm in Camden nc 40 mi from you and there is a
walkthru down here for sale it's the one Randleman was looking into, its not far from you so you could come down here during the week or on saturday and take a look at it. it has pics on this site in the forsale section.

[Gator_Bait]

edited to say I found it thanks for the head's up
Scott