My newest boat

[tugboater]

Well, I havent been on the forum much in the past month, and this is why..

I was recently on eBay, and discovered a beautiful 1977 AMF/Crestliner Bowrider 16 foot boat. It included a 115 Horsepower Evinrude 2-Cycle Outboard and an EZ Trailer. As I watched the auction, I became more and more into this boat. On the last day, I won it. This beautiful vessel was mine for only $990. It was hard to believe, but it was true.

After picking it up, which was only 1.5 miles away from my house, I gave it a good look-over. It has around $800 in new equipment, including new lights, new horn, new bilge pump, and an entire makeover of the transom and flooring. The only thing the owner did not get to was the seats.

The engine may be old, but she sure does move. After taking the first test run, we clocked in at about 53 MPH at Full Throttle. The only problems I have run into was a miss in the engine. This miss can cause problems though, which leads up to the engine killing itself if you idle at low RPMs or cruise in the first gear of the throttle.

The more I go out on this boat, the more I love it. Since I bought this boat, it has become my project. I am going to install a flagpole on the stern next to the sternlight, new center seats, new bow seats, and a VHF radio.

Let me know what you all think of her, MV Amerika.

[Soar Master]

Sweet deal, and so close to your house. Very nice. :D

[Kmot]

I hate you........... :p

What a SMOKIN' GOOD DEAL!!!!!!

[Ghost 2501]

that a 150hp outie, should go like stink :)

[keith S]

congrats on a good find --- and so close to home!

[MILLERTIME]

I hate you........... :p

What a SMOKIN' GOOD DEAL!!!!!!

Me too :eek:

[tugboater]

Sorry, would have posted more but haven't been online much. Yes, it really was a great deal. I am having a tune up done on it today just because of the age, and to get rid of the stall and miss. Hopefully all will go good and I won't spend much on repairs, haha.

[EMSPAUL]

ryan thats a terrible exspence if you would like i`ll drive down and take that off your hands so you can get back to building your cruise liner l.o.l.

good luck with the new toy
Paul

[tugboater]

Haha, thanks but no thanks. I love this boat.

[steveciambrone]

Cool boat and different than models since you really cannot go out alone and run it. Everybody enjoys a nice boat ride. You will have a great summer. Having a real boat can give you a different perspective when it comes to modelling. On another thread someone stated that there boat will be submerged if it is run in full reverse, most real boats will also. Some will even sink if you try to stop too fast. The wake wave will overrun the transom and fill the boat with water. That would be a bad day at the lake.

The old engines just keep running. There is a lot of help on-line so if your just a bit handy you can save some money.

Mine is a 1959 Wizard Bolero 15, the engine is a 1960 MERC 600. The engine runs like a champ.

Flags are cool on boats, my stern light extends to hold a flag. Remove or tie the flag up when on the trailer, or you will be buying another. Cost me another $18.

Who else has a real boat? Post some Pics.

Thanks
Steve

[tugboater]

Your boat is nice, Steve. Nice to see more real boats around here. I was thinking of getting a flag clip for the stern light, I saw them for $5 on a website I was browsing.

My boat is acually fairly easy to run, and most of the time I am out by myself. I volunteer as a tow vessel in my lake. I just cruise and look for anyone in need of assistance. Makes me feel good about wasting gas, haha.

[tugboater]

Okay, I have a new cost summary *burn!*

Boat/Trailer Cost: $990
Boat Registration/Insurance: $100
Trailer Registration/Tags: $100
6 Gal Gasoline Tank (Wanted to have 2 on board): $25

New costs....
White Lounge Boat Seats (2) - $280
Navy Blue Bow Seats (Redone myself) - $20
Flag and clips - $20

And the one I have been waiting for....
REPAIR BILL - Est $450.
Yeah... more than I thought. He is having to replace the whole carburator.
Costs more because they don't make this engine model anymore, so all aftermarket.

Total Costs to Date (Estimate): $1,985

[green-boat]

You know what the definition of a boat is don't you?





A hole in the water surrounded by wood which one throws money into.

[tugboater]

Yeah I've been told that. haha. But I like it, so why not.

[steveciambrone]

Okay, I have a new cost summary *burn!*


Total Costs to Date (Estimate): $1,985

Go price a new boat $50K, or just price a new engine $12K. Your boat is still a bargain. Besides your having fun anyway. I have about $3000 into mine. I have a lot more into my models in my garage than that.

Thanks
Steve

[tugboater]

Yes, it is still a good deal. I almost bought one of the new Bayliners, the 175, at $11,500 + Shipping and Seller Fees, so up to about $13,000. It has a 3.0L 135HP Mercruiser Alpha. The one thing that send me running away was the fuel efficency. It's something close to 16GPH of fuel at full speed.

I tested my Evinrude 115 at fuel speed, and it used about 9 GPH, give or take 1 or 2 since I didnt test it for a full hour (the lake is too small to do that, I can go from one side of the lake to the other in 3 minutes flat).

[tugboater]

Here are some photos of the newly redone MV Amerika.

Lemme know what you think!

[Kmot]

I think it looks beautiful!!!!!

If I may, I would like to suggest one other item which would be the finishing touch to your new boat.

A steering wheel from Grant. http://www.grantproducts.com/

[tugboater]

Thanks Kmot. I think the little I put into redoing it really brought it out.

[tugboater]

Just put another $15 into it for a Fire Extinguisher required by the USCG.

[venom290]

$1.00 boat.
$300 equipment and repairs (had it 5 yrs.)
$155 tubes, tow lines , lifevests
smiles on the kiddies faces priceless
Gelllcoat a little faded, but I can ground it on the local beach and not worry about the paint. Mech. in top shape. More than once had to jump or tow big $$$ boats back to the dock. I love the looks on the ramp I get, aint that boat a little old, ugly, slow. Then I hop in, it fires right up, on plane and out of there before the even realize they just shoved off their $30,000 empty boat with out a bow line. :eek:
venom
oh ya' it's a 1977 :D
these pics are right after I uncovered her this year needs a vacuming LOL

[tugboater]

See, nothin wrong with old boats. I wish I got mine for $1.00 though, haha.