I like the cut of your free jib!

April 16, 2008 7:58 AM

I've been offered a free boat in working condition. What didn't you think about when you bought your first boat?

It's a 16 foot fiberglass speedboat with an outboard motor that can get up to 55mph. I've not docked one before at a yacht club, have no experience with operating one (but will get my license) and can't begin to imagine what else there is to do to a boat other than toss it in the water and speed around. Help a neophyte out! Is a free boat worth the hassle if I'm such a newbie?

posted by scabrous to grab bag (19 comments total)

Get two friends and learn to water ski. It is a blast.

Docking and maintenance expenses are not insignificant in most places, but, hey, you have a boat.
posted by caddis at 8:06 AM on April 16, 2008

What didn't you think about when you bought your first boat?

Gas prices. Boats blow through gas.

Ongoing and continuous maintenance mechanically and physically. There's a lot to prepping the boat for the season, as well as closing the boat up and putting it away for the winter. We have a mechanic and an auto body tech in the family that do the work for the boat we all share - I simply cannot imagine if we had to pay for it.

It's not quite as easy as putting the boat in the water and speeding around. There are a ridiculous amount of maritime rules to obey, and maneuvering a boat is so different than driving a car.

Good luck!
posted by jerseygirl at 8:11 AM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

You know the old saying, right? That the best two days in a boat owner's life are the day he gets the boat and the day he gets rid of the boat. There are a lot of maintenance and storage and towing considerations. Where will you keep it? How much does it cost to keep it there? Where will you winter it (if that's an issue)? How will you get it to the water? How much money are you willing to spend on fuel and registration and miscellany? Are you willing to invest the time and energy to keep it clean and rust-free?
posted by iconomy at 8:11 AM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Things that could add cost/complications: mooring, storage, transport, fuel, maintenance, hull repairs, security, navigation, disposal.

My folks got a small boat "thrown in" when they bought a house once - was on a boat trailer, but was in a bit of a state. Was going to cost too much money to do up, and couldn't be transported by their cars, so they had to get rid of it... which took *ages*, even though it was being given away. Eventually I think they advertised it as a free boat trailer (which was in reasonable condition), on the proviso that whoever takes it also took the boat :)
posted by Chunder at 8:13 AM on April 16, 2008

check out your local boating conditions and make sure that the boat is an appropriate size, etc. When we lived near long island sound, our 22 foot boat was great; now that I'm on the atlantic, it's pretty near useless- way too small for the swells.

Are you planning on trailering it? Is the trailer in good condition / roadworthy?

Do you need to pay excise or property taxes on it?

If you are leaving it in the water (and it's salt water), make sure you plan on bottom paint every couple of years- cheap to do yourself, but nasty, toxic stuff, so usually better to pay a pro for.

A working depth gauge is really important, so it may be worth checking out the electronics. Similarly, look into getting the shop manuals for the outboard- anything you can do yourself will save you some $$$.

There's an old cliche- "a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into" - it's shopworn for a reason, it's true. The boat itself is usually the least expensive thing you're buying. But it's totally worthwhile and fun, as long as you're willing to deal.
posted by jenkinsEar at 8:16 AM on April 16, 2008

Engines cost $$$. Take very good care of yours.

/engine cost more than my pontoon.
posted by unixrat at 8:24 AM on April 16, 2008

Make sure you really enjoy boats, not just being on them, but maintaining them, etc., for: "The way to make a small fortune is to start with a large one and then buy a boat."
posted by yerfatma at 8:24 AM on April 16, 2008

Certain lakes might require a fee to put the boat on the lake, yearly or by day. Usually, you can't just take a boat and put it on the water. Some lakes won't allow speedboats, or use of outboard motors. Check the rules where you will be putting the boat.
posted by cass at 8:25 AM on April 16, 2008

Oh, and I forgot: you will need insurance on the boat, just as you would on a car. This could be expensive.
posted by cass at 8:26 AM on April 16, 2008

First, biggest question: What are you going to do when the engine breaks down? Because it may well, especially if it's an older powerboat motor - they get thrashed.

Soooo...

- get the engine serviced by someone who knows what they're doing
- learn how to do a mini-service yourself and generally look after it, especially when it's just been in the water
- check the fuel gauge works, and learn how fast she burns the stuff. carry a spare can.
- get some oars, and fit rowlocks/oarlocks (the things the oars attach to). or better, a second, small outboard as a reserve

- you don't say if it's on a trailer. if it's not, how will you get it in and out of the water, and transport it? If it is, learn how to reverse with a trailer - somewhere quiet and away from jeering onlookers. Busy slipways can be a lion's den for the inexperienced (I'm guilty of being one of the smug, shouting ones...)

- bear in mind that it gets cold out on the water, so take a windproof and fleece as well as the sunscreen

The other posters are right - boats can really burn a hole in your pocket. But it's really, really good fun. The knack is to know where the money counts (engine, general maintenance ,safety equipment) and where it doesn't (anything else) Go to your local slipway or marina and talk to people. Most boating types are a friendly lot and can pass on local advice and help you get started safely and happily.

Waterskiiing is fun, but towing one of those rubber rings (get one made for the purpose) is even more so. Wear buoyancy aids if you're going to do that.
posted by dowcrag at 8:39 AM on April 16, 2008

wear a life jacket
keep drinking to a minimum
never leave the boat unattended to go for a swim
posted by Salvatorparadise at 8:47 AM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

"A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money."

Although it's usually said about sailboats, it's true of all boats. The only time you're not going to be spending money on it is when it's trailered and in your driveway. And that's fun, isn't it?

I owned a sailboat in San Francisco bay for a number of years. I learned a lot. Mostly what I learned is that I like boats, but don't enjoy owning one. Now I have friends with boats, and have much more free time.
posted by lothar at 9:09 AM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Treat the ocean with great respect. Weather changes quickly. Tides change--you can hit a rock that you drove right over yesterday. Cold water can kill you; fog can kill you; propellers can kill you; dirt in your carburetor can kill you. Logs bigger than telephone poles can be 99% submerged. If you're smart and safe and prepared, it's lots of fun.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:25 AM on April 16, 2008

It sounds like it'll be a lot of hassle and expense, but in case you decide it's worth it, here are some ideas for fun!

My personal favorite speed-boat activity is tubing, where you tow somebody behind the boat on a floating tube. They make special tubes for this; don't just hitch up an old inner tube on a rope. For some people the point of tubing is to enjoy a speedy ride around the lake, but for others the point is to battle to see how long the tuber can hold on. Tight turns and circles that cross back over the boat's wake make for a more exciting ride.

Knee-boarding and water skiing are also fun, though they take more practice. If you're into doing tricks or spins or whatever, try these.

Any time you're towing someone, you should have at least 3 people involved: the boat driver, the person being towed, and the spotter. The spotter faces backwards and tells the driver what's going on with the tow-ee - are they signaling for more or less speed? Most importantly, did they wipe out? Don't rely on the driver glancing over his/her shoulder to fulfill this role.

I'm also a big fan of just tooling around the lake on a hot summer day with a cold beverage and some good friends. If you get too hot, throw in the anchor and swim for a bit. Or bump up the gas and get some wind in your hair. There's something to be said for sitting around outside with your buddies, not trying to accomplish anything. On a boat, there's nothing to accomplish, so nobody's tempted to try.

I say all these things as a person whose friends have boats, not as a boat owner myself. When the engine dies or won't start, or the bill for the slip comes due, I don't have to worry about it. That said, all our friends know that we chip in for gas when we go out on the boat. Start that expectation from the get-go with your people, because it gets really expensive to pay by yourself.
posted by vytae at 9:29 AM on April 16, 2008

Something to keep in mind is that a free 16 foot fiberglass boat does not have a base value of $0; it has a base value of $-1600, the approximate cost to saw it up and dispose of it! Boats are fun, but always remember, they are not assets; they are liabilities!
posted by brain at 10:48 AM on April 16, 2008

Memories from the days when my family owned a similar boat (it wasn't free, but it sure was cheap):

- the time that we backed the boat off of the trailer into the water via the boat loading ramp without putting the plug in, causing boat to sink

- the time when a piece of the boat trailer fell off on the highway, causing cars behind us to slalom and sticking us in some hot hellhole of a small town for hours while we found someone to solder the trailer back together

- the time when the gas tank sprung a leak while we were out on the Sacramento delta, forcing us kids to chew bubble gum constantly to patch the leak (gas eats through bubble gum, imagine!) while trying to make it back to the dock

- the multiple fun times when the engine just wouldn't start at all

- the times when the engine would stop while we were out on the water, so that we were basically left to drift hopelessly or row ineffectively towards shore

- the time when my dad jumped for the dock, missed, hit the pole instead, and slid down the pole bleeding heavily

- the time when our van's brakes began to fail while we were towing the boat

- all the fun curse words we learned from our dad during our boat owning days

That having been said, bumper tubing and knee boarding is really fun. If you have kids or young relatives, you will be their favorite person forever. And, um, if you needed more comedy or injury in your life, this is just the tickie!
posted by Wavelet at 11:01 AM on April 16, 2008

Are you keeping it at a slip in a marina? On a trailer? On a mooring ball? Your decision here will affect how often you use the boat. If in a marina, you can just walk onto the boat, untie it, and head out. If on a trailer - well, that's a lot of hassle getting it in and out every time you use it, so you might not do it as often. If on a mooring ball - you need a dinghy (often owned by the marina operating the moorings) to get you out to your boat. That can be a hassle as well.

Just put my 27 foot Maxum cruiser in the water yesterday - yay, me!
posted by Nick Verstayne at 11:58 AM on April 16, 2008

iconomy's comment about the two best days in a boat owner's life proved true for me.

I had a two year flirtation with with ownership of a 16 foot bass boat in the mid 1990's. Given the difference between what I paid for it and what I received when I sold it, every hour on the water cost me a lot of money.

Even though I'd bought it brand new, things quickly got to the point whre it seemed like there was always somthing that needed to be done in terms of maintainence; whether it was battery charging, checking the trailer tire pressures, greasing the wheel bearings, cleaning mildew off of the seats, etc.

One of the best aspects of owning it however was watching the activity at the local boat ramps while waiting to launch or load mine. Spend some time doing this and you'll be amazed at the antics and accidents you'll witness.

I think boats are like backyard pools; the best of all worlds is not to own one, but to have a good friend who own's one.
posted by imjustsaying at 3:15 AM on April 17, 2008

YaHOOOO./
Love boating, the water and can spend all day island hopping, exploring with nav charts, fishing and skiing. If you're a water baby then boating is for you.

That sounds like great news to me. Dang./ Fibreglass is great, older aluminum boats start leaking around the rivets. If your 16' goes 55, it sounds like you have at least a 150HP motor. Excellent for skiing/boarding/tubing. Get the floor mounted ski pole that have 2 arms that attach to the sides of the motor well. The 3'-4' height for tubing and skiing, the 7' [or better if you have a tower] for boarding air. Yep, not cheap, $200.00 for the 3-4' model, not to mention the $600.00 ski...well worth it though. I've been skiing for ages.

Depending on how old the engine is, you'll be paying for gas like crazy. Newer engines burn less gas, they're more efficient and are the less polluting 4 stroke. They are larger and weigh more than older 2 stroke engines. I have a 14 yr old 115HP Mercury that gets maintained well and pulls me slalom skiing and a whack of kids tubing to double up skiing. It sucks gas like crazy and is a 2 stroke. I'm looking for a new 2 stroke. The boat is a 15.5' TRX Doral, bow rider.

If it's an outboard motor, great news again. InboardOutboards are more expensive to maintain and are heavier and more costly to repair if you kiss any underwater rocks. An outboard pops up and you've usually wrecked your prop [if it's aluminum] which is not expensive to repair. I have a spare on board including the tools to replace it. A stainless steel prop doesn't give and so if you hit a rock, it could damage your gears etc. More $$$ to fix.

Is it a bow rider¿ Does it have bench seating in the bow [front]¿ Those are the sweetest. Does it come with a top¿ You need to keep it covered. It'll have an electric bailer, no doubt, but if it's sitting at a Marina, you'll need to visit to dump whatever rainwater gets in. And it'll get in. You don't want it to sink at the dock. The horror. The shame. The Money./ Don't use the drain cock to drain water while under way...I'll tell you the story about George, an older gentleman who liked to have a nip in the boat. He pulled the sea cock out to drain some water. Pulled up to our dock. Came upstairs for a chat. Neglected to put that sea cock back in and it sank, to the gunnels at the dock. He had 2 engines [including a small 15hp]. The floating peaches and beer bottles were quite a sight./

As for driving, the license only makes you aware of basic navigational and waterway protocol. It will take you plenty hours to get the feel of the boat and that it reacts slowly to steering input. It slides. It will also behave differently going fast. It no doubt will have a button on the gas lever for trim. This tilts your engine up or down. All the way down to start, once under way and the boat starts to plane, trim the engine Up. You'll feel that the steering doesn't pull so much and becomes neutral. This makes your bow ride smoothly as it flattens out and is cheaper for you on gas. At high speeds, the boat rides on the back 2' [or less] of the boat, it's hairy, no sudden turning moves or you'll flip it./ An important note, when starting to go forwards, the bow will be pointing high, watch making sharp turns at this point, if you make any, that you don't bury the gunnels [sides] at the stern and sink her. It'll grab the boat and dump so much water that it'll just go to the bottom, stern first before you know it.

You'll need basic safety things. A length of floating rope, whistle, lifejackets for each person on the boat [you don't have to wear them, but they must be on board], 2 paddles, yes, when the engine cacks out or you're out of gas. I also have a fire extinguisher on board.

If you're near a lake, you'll have to rent docking space from a Marina. This way it's ready to roll when you get there. In the winter, Marina's offer winter storage and do all the maintenance needed.

Does it cost¿ Well yes, but in my case, I need a boat to get to the cottage, there is no road. If you want to explore different lakes or water systems, then you'll need a trailer, proper car with a hitch- maybe an oil cooler, depending on the stoutness of your car/truck and how far the drive is to the lake.

I've covered some bases, repeating some already mentioned.
Damn you Nick, already got the boat in the water. My lake is still frozen up. BooHoo. Another month or so to go [Georgian Bay].

Wait, scabrous, you don't want the boat.// I'll come take that money sink hole off you, no charge./ :)

If you have any more questions, I've may years of boating experience and never sank one.
posted by alicesshoe at 3:59 AM on April 17, 2008