I've heard the Bonitos are good boats.  And my Dad use to have a Baron Sportsman which he really liked.  I'm pretty sure you could hunt down something fairly decent for that price range.  I reckon it would pay to get someone to look over any second hand boat before you buy it though.  Just not sure who would do it?

I have a Baron Sportsman, It is an outstanding sea boat and has plenty of room, great for fishing or just a day on the water.

Thanks blokes

anyone know if sportsmans come with factoy outboards??Ive been advised to stay away from inboards any thourghts or advice?

http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/trailer-boats.php?de=58097

 Looks like its in pretty good nick, trailor apparantly needs work, but it meets all your other requirements :)

looks good been keeping an eye on that one for awhile...anyone know of someone who inspects hulls??as i brought my 1st boat (THINKN I KNEW WHAT TO LOOK FOR) from a boatyard thinking it would be fine to find out 6months down the track that i brought a bodged up job!!So i dont want to do the same again..

thank again

chris

with a boat that old your going to need a current (within 5 years) survey report to insure it.. well i have with my last two boats. the seller may have had one done and its easy to verify if he has just typed his own or had a reputable company do it.. try seafast marine.. hes in ferndale but that was in 06 his number was 94518244 dunno if hes still operating or if thats still his current number.. he'll inspect the whole boat not just the hull and even go with you on a seatrial

Thanks sounds like the way to go

another option you have is maybe get a newer hull and just swap the motor over, could save you thousands

I been thinking about that but i dont want to get stuck with my hull and trailer and to be hounest i wouldnt know where to track a hull down from any ideas??

chris

Just wondering what size donk you need on the back of these?? found a cheap hull and trailer down south.

thanks chris

I reckon I'd go a sportsman (with an outboard) if I could get it past the missus.  Not sure why but never been too keen on inboards???  But the only way I'm gettin a boat anytime soon is "2 words" - LOTT   OOOOO!

I was lucky enough to get a Baron which had a hull in good condition and a fairly new motor. This is my second boat, so still feeling my way about out there. My first boat was a 17 foot cuddy cabin, and I found that the cabin was just a waste of deck space.

The Baron has a small but useful cabin and is quite roomy on deck. I've not yet heard anything bad about them, although as some are getting a bit old, there have been the odd transom and decks to be repaired.

Mine has a factory fitted outboard out on a frame, a bit like a pod. This gives even more deck room. It has a 130 HP 2 st Yamaha and can do 37 knots may be able to do more with trimming. Handles good, planes too easy.

My suggestion would be to look for a good hull with a worn out "Inboard" motor. Get a fiberglass pod made for it and a new outboard.

There are a few on this forum that have done or are doing Baron rebuilds.

So as I understand it there is the Sportsman with an inboard, A Sportsman with factory outboard, and the Outrider 1900 (that I have) with the outboard on a frame.

Feret i would try and stick with the Baron, from all of the past reports and friends they are a great sea boat, i looked at one for a while and thought about pulling out the inboard and installing a pod and new motor , which will create a huge fish box inside and more deck space, they do have a good reputation as a sea boat, keep in mind that older style hulls must be inspected by your insurance company each year after a set date due to fatigue etc

Ive Looked at a few and the majority of them have inboards, some have pods fitted i have been burnt with my 1st boat in the 2nd hand boat market so you's could all understand my fears....Im not to kean on getting one with the work already done as i hav already brought a lemon!!(that had all the work done) so i think due to the cheif of finances limits, looks like i will be looking at getting a half decent hull with an old inboard in it and putting abit of effort in to get a good boat... 

Honesty is always the best policy, but if your advertising your boat in the fs section, prolly wanna get some interest before you mention its flaws, nobody is going to even make a query about a "lemon" :)

A properly engineered pod and new outboard can set you back more than a economical reliable diesel inboard.. and to me alot of podded boats look podded, not a look i personally like but each to their own..

Not a fan of petrol inboards but never had any problems with diesel inboards.. but if your looking at having a fish box then and engine bay is easily converted..

Yeh i know what you are saying but theres enough blokes on here that like doing up projest(i hope now you have put it like that)haha and im trying to do abit of research into the inboard diesel havnt found much yet i have just heard that they are very heavy...any thourghts

The market value of a Baron is about 12,000 and up to about 22,000. The upper price includes newish 4 stroke and the hull rebuilt. Have you checked the quokka there are two in there.

One of the advantages of an inboard is that the weight of the motor is low down in the hull giving better stability. Petrol fumes are a worry. As far as space is concerned, the inboard provides a handy table to work off when fishing.

I was in your predicament having a boat with a rotten transom and not wanting to tell salesman lies. However 2 fellows ended up wanting it, even when the damage was shown to them.

Again I would be looking for a good hull, be prepared to have to redo all the fuel system, electric wiring and purchase all new nav aids and safety equipment. That way you know that what you end up with is good.

Good second hand outboard 115-130 hp about 4,500 up.

Are you in Perth south of the river?

yeh i am dwn rockingham way

ferret try just asking your question in the thread, not changing the title, hard to keep track of your thread when the title keeps changing.

 cheers Ash

Not sure on your budget so this may be completely out.

I used to own this boat

http://boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/power-boats.php?de=63030

The motor is in need of repair, I sold it to the guy as a fixer upper, and it seems he has lost interest without lifting a spanner.

The hull is awesome. I have seen quite a bit of the inside when converting the underfloor tank out and it was as dry as you could want. It will go anywhere. I spent along time considering converting to a pod and outboard. Had quotes around $800 for a full width pod which is sealed to aid floatation. Due to me wife wanting to overnight I changed boats completely.

In my opinion this hull outperforms a Baron, but I am very fond of old Chivers.

Baron Sportsman, 18'6, 140hp, all safety gear, tandem trailer $11,500. Mndrh. 0402-674-982 or 9534-7286

Baron Sportsman, 1994, 115hp Yamaha 1996 motor, approx 300 hrs, full storm covers, dual axle break back trailer, all regd, new EPIRB, all in gd cond $16,500 ono. Rkghm. 0466-009-735 or 9527-6185

Some Barons are on single axle trailers, some on tandem. I think the boat must be just on the limits for a singje axle. Also needs to have brakes --------- that work.

Chivers well made but heavy equals HP and petrol. But a good hull could be the way to go?

Agree with Iana on that. Dodgy trailer equals big $$$$ to repair or replace. Those old glass 18 footers really have a lot of weight in them. My new 20 foot southwind is considerably lighter to tow than the old Chivers.

Just a thought..ref (old Chivers)

Chap I work with brought some boating and fishing mags from the states.

They're talking new ready to run motors starting at $2995 usd with the exchange rate that's about $3255 aud and they export worldwide so a new motor should not be a show stopper.... (the example was a three litre mercruiser)

Here are the details if interested.

www.dougrussell.com

its Doug Russell Marine .could be worth a try.

Import and do a straight exchange.

thanks alot for the help im trying to t-up alook at all 3 so wish me luck will get back to yous

Just a question i better ask if any one know approx weights would be greatly appriciated..   cheers

I have seen a 3L in one and they go just fine in the high 30's. Excellent economy too. With the old mercruiser from memory Hillarys to Rotto return was no more than 40 litres.

If the motor is new I wouldn't say no to a stern drive. The vast majority of North America can't be wrong.

The old Chivers was pushing 2 tonne loaded up.

If you are thinking about importing a motor let me know. I know of an instance where someone did this, and there are pitfalls. I can go and find out the details if required. This person imported a Mercruiser for a Baron.