So in this price range can I expect to find a solid ready to go boat or is it mostly projects? I have looked at a half a dozen boats 34-37' boats of varying vintages (late 60s to mid 70s) so far and have seen a lot of problems mostly. I am hoping to find something that, while maybe not perfect, is safe, reliable and usable while I get to know the boat and can prioritize the "have to fix" from the "nice to have". I am on the upper Mississippi, and mostly want to use the boat for weekend cruising, the occasional longer river trip and loafing at the dock. Are my expectations just too high for this price range? Thanks for helping out a newb. Jeff Jorgensen

Welcome Aboard !!

All boats are problems, even new ones. I see you have looked at a half dozen. Make that three dozen and you will know much more of what to look for. I believe you will find a good one in your price range. You may want to up your price range as far as searching is concerned and then offer less down to your price range.


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Banana Tom

Agree with Tom...

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

BT hit the nail on the head. If you make "dock walking" your past-time, you will assuredly find just the right boat. Make sure to jump up your $ range some. Great deals are available for the taking.

If you do not have time to "dock walk", find a good broker to search for you and try the internet sites specializing in pre-owwned HB's.

I would suggest the pirate's site first. Buying from someone that knows boats ans has the trust of many goes a long way!

ST41

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SoundTech41
Loving Life!

I assume we're talking houseboats here. Most of the nicer vintage boats I've seen have been priced more in the $25-40k range, even a little more if we're talking with an aluminum hull. They'll still usually have 500-1000 hours on the engines and will require tons of maintenance. With the bad economy you can probably bargain and get one of those boats in the $20k range.

I just bought the best cheap project boat ($3k) that I could find, figuring at least then my initial investment was lower. You might have luck like I did finding boats that were left at marinas with past due dock fees and eventually auctioned off by the marina. For these boats you'll just have to ask around at each marina if they have such boats and when there next auction might be. In my area at the time it was fairly easy to find a steel hulled houseboat in the $1k range at an auction like this but of course you usually got what you paid for, a huge project.

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1973 Chris Craft Aquahome, 34'
Lake Lanier, GA

Jeff,
The deals are out there if you do some looking. I've found that there are frequent posts for houseboats in the 20-30K range on Craigslist-Mpls.

Check it out here:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/

Also... I'd suggest doing your homework before you start working with a broker. I've had a recent encounter (I'm also from MN) and they can be slippery.

Here is link to a project boat

http://www.fishthebridge.com/f...x?Highlight=houseboat

I would not recommend one like unless you want to work like Amelia.

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Banana Tom

Jeff, check your PM's.

AgentJ
I have several good boats in the $20,000 range, good bottoms and running condition. Just click on admin by the Pirate and you will go to my site. I specialize in boats like you are wanting, most brokers pass them by. I have several seagoings,(good bottoms) and a couple of Gibsons. Take a look and let me know.

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The pirate

Edited: 01/09/2009 at 07:34:13 AM by Pirate

AgentJ,
I also have a boat for sale in that range. A friend and I bought a boat, a 1973 Nautaline with twin 318 engines. Over the last 2 1/2 years now, we have debugged and fixed everything on the boat. It runs better than any vintage boat on our docks and better than a lot of newer ones. My buddy is a fanatic when it comes to mechanical things running right. It has had things repaired, like stringers that can be a problem on the vintage boats. It is a good functional ready to go boat. We had planned on removing some of the old wiring and replace it with some newer wire, but that was one of our want to's not have to's projects.

We are selling it due to a change in our personal lives and work related changes that seem to dictate how and where we work at our jobs. His wife and he went back into the restaraunt business and never have time to enjoy the boat. My wife and I are trying to educate two kids in college now and we sure don't have any extra time or money.

We listed the boat in the mid $20's, but we are ready to listen to any reasonable offer at this time.

My friend just had a 5 artery bypass last month and he cannot continue to do the things he used to do and would sell the boat to someone with a reasonable offer. This is a great chance at a boat that two guys have spent lots of time making it right, and it shows. It would be perfect for the guy who wants a great, strong boat that runs perfect, and now would like to spruce up the cosmetics a little bit. Everyone that knows us and the boat knows that it is a good running well kept boat.

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Riverliver

jimg-

I tried e mailing you but the address in your profile bounced. Drop me a line about your Nautaline. Where is it located? If you have any pictures please send a few along. jeff(at)igg4.net
Thanks


Pirate-

Thanks for the heads-up I will definitely check your listings out

A liveaboard had a stroke this spring at Kenlake Marina. His boat is for sale for around 20K.
Insurance Survey was 42K.
It is a 40' Bluewater, 1981 I think.
Give me a call at 812-449-1000
Or call the Marina
at 270-474-2245



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Boatdaddy on Time of Our Lives
60' Sumerset Houseboat

The best part of buying this boat would be the trip home, boy - that is allot of fun. Remember Ted665 - Now coming down the Mississippi. I also had a great ride home. If you need a crew to help Me & Amelia would volunteer.

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Banana Tom

How many days from New Johnsonville to Minneapolis do you figure Tom? That sounds like quite an adventure.

J

"If you need a crew to help Me & Amelia would volunteer. "

Ohhh, yeah! Count me in. My mama used to swear I'd go to Hell if somebody said let's go. And, all modesty aside, I'm a good cook. Not sure what Mrs. Tom would say to that, and my fine spouse might offer to come along as ship's doc, and by then, you've got yourself a crowd....but what a party, eh?

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Amelia
Edenton, NC

I am not familiar with those waters as I am in Pensacola. Others on here may be able to assist. However, if the trip is on, then charts are examined, marinas are located, and a float plan is prepared. And of course you would be going upstream, so the current force will be factor on travel time as well. But with a Gibson Twin 318's you can move at 5 - 20 miles per hour, depends on how much fuel you will burn, but figure a gallon per mile.

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Banana Tom

If I new the code you all were talking in--I might be able to help?  Where is New Johnson ville ?  In other words---where is the boat and where does it want to end up?
I will not help deliver it, but maybe, maybe I can help?  On second thought--you all don't need my help.  Have a nice trip.

clarencio

We are not talking in codes that I know of.

I do not know where New Johnsonville is, the boat we are talking about is in Waverly, I think!

Clarencio - we always appreciate your help and posts. Thanks!!!

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Banana Tom

New Johnsonville is on the Tenn. River and is the location of jimg's boat as near as I can tell. I live in Minneapolis right at the end of the dredged channel at mile 857.6. Sorry for the obscurity!

Edited: 01/10/2009 at 03:56:00 PM by AgentJ

I hope AJ got my email and one pic I had left after computer crash. I'm taking more pics as soon as we have a sunny day and will get them to you. Oh man, another adventure. Ted would be proud.

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Riverliver