What was your First Boat?

Skools Out

Skools Out

God
OK gang lets have some fun! And be honest. This should be a great profile of all of us.

First: What was your first boat & at what age were you?

Second: What is your current boat or boats and your age now?

Third: Boat's you've had?

Lets see who is really a player!

My first was a 1979 Chaparall 20' with 1979 Johnson Sea-Horse 115 HP. Top speed was 38 MPH trimed. Bought it for $800 at age 21 sold it 3 yrs later for $2700 all i did to it was wax, rewire, and paint and decal motor.

Now almost 28 and have 1978 V-20 project motor(s) undecided, 1978 Continental 21 project with 225 Johnson, 1986 250 FC Sea Ray with 310 Hp I/O, 1977 Sea Ox 1900 project motor(s) undecided, Monoco 21 with 225 Johnson.  Jet Ski's 2 Yamaha sit downs and 3 Kawasaki Stand Up race Jet Ski's.

Had a 1973 Manatee 18 with 1987 Evinrude 140 Hp Looper ran out at 43 MPH. 1986 25' Aquasport with 260 Hp I/O. 1988 29' Robalo with twin 200 Johnson's.
 
at 24 I bought a Great Candian Cape Cod Bay Canoe, Added a trolling motor and fished the Mount Hope Bay area and the Taunton River, Bought it for $100, sold it for $300

at 26 I found a 12 foot Sears Gamefisher in the river. It was left there for 8 months, after thre State finished the Bridge painting.
It was sunk and in the mud, I had been watching it for some time, and when winter was coming I decided it was time to drag it home.
After cleaning all the paint out of it and fixing the trasom, I added a 6 hp Johnson I got for $200 and a freash water trailer I got for $100
Sold it for $500

at 28 I bought a 1962 Hawkline 17' runabout. Had a 1972 60hp Johnson thats was pure Hell !! I replaced it with a 1990 Mercury 90hp I bought it for $1500 sold it for $2500

Right after I bought it I sold the canoe and the Sears boat.

at 33 I bought the Wellcraft V20 for $2500 and Can't even begin to think about how much I have spent over the years?? Sure I am over $10,000 :-/

Sold the Hawkline 2 months after I got the Wellcraft.

And there you have it, I will be 44 this summer and still using the Wellcraft. Gee I have had this boat longer then I thought?? Time flys when you are spending so much money!!
 
technically my first boat was a 14' jon-boat about 4 years ago, never used it.

I bought this V-20 2-1/2 years ago and consider it my first boat. And I love it. I could not see myself without a boat now. I am now 36 years old.

Scott
 
At 25, friend and I co-purchased a 14' alum. semi-V w/trailer for $350 that the state of SC had used...one of us had an Elgin 7.5 hp antique...full rotation for reverse...later bought new 10 hp Chrysler POS... then a used 15 hp Johnny...THAT was the motor...bought my friend out...sold semi-V, bought new 14' jon...15 hp too small...moved up to 25 hp elec. start Johnny....needed more room...bought new 16' Big John (sold 14')rigged w rod-holders, trollin' motor, bait tank (1st striper boat)...25 hp Johnny got ho-hum w/ that much wieght, bought new 40 hp elec start Mariner...duck hunted, striper fished, courted my wife and took my 1st born on MANY, MANY trips/adventures in that boat...nearly CRIED when that one left the driveway, replaced by new '88 17' McKee Southporter w/115 cross flow, gas-suckin' Johnny...2nd born's first introduction to boatin'...lotta fun, but RUFF ride...sold that and boatless for about a year in early '90s...another buddy and I bought a '67 Thunderbird w/'84 Evinrude 140...GREAT BOAT!!...bought him out , kept til V20 was ready to splash in '99 and you know the rest of the story... ;)...

Now 53, hope the above qualifies me as a ''player''... ;D...
 
1st boat:a wooden lifegaurd boat that I helped myself to from Sunken Maedow state park. State park employees happened upon us as we were "dragging" it home. They thew it in the bed of their pick-up and delivered it right to my back yard. I cleaned it and painted it only for it to get reconfiscated by the Long Island State Park Comm....no charges filed,I was heartbroken,and about 12 years old.Boat #2,early 20's, a 15 foot Glastron GT-150,75hp evinrude 3cyl..great motor,paid 2600 sold it 3-4 years later for around the same price.Boat#3...21' Checkmate Enchanter,my "guido" boat...200hp Johnson,black,silver and red metalflake,did almost 70 mph, lotsa good memories on that boat. Paid 6500$,sold 4 trouble free years later for 5500$. Boat #4, some Glastron 16' bowrider,no power,good hull and trailer. Paid 0.00 for it, washed it and sold it for 800$ a week later.boat#5 believe it or not...a Bayliner 15' runabout early 70's lapstrake hull,clean,w/ a 50 hp Johnson. First thing I did was heat gun off the "BAYLINER" decal on the gunnell.It was actually a cool little boat,fatory speedo worked, remote spotlight worked,just a little fishing rig. Bought it for 400$ sold it that same year for 800$. Boat #6 a 1969 Slickcraft w/ a 85 hp V-4 Evinrude. We called her the RED ROOSTER. In terms of amount paid for [1300.00], amount of use I got out of it,how many fish hit the deck,and not having to put a dime into it, it was one of the best boats I've ever owned.Sold it 3-4 years later for 1250$. Boat# 7....1986 19' Angler CC, 90 HP Merc....paid 5000$,boat, motor and trailer all in nearly mint cond. The Merc needed a little more attention/repairs than I was used to,overall a nice package. Kept that boat for 5 seasons and TRADED it for the V-20 and I defenitly got the better deal.Also I've got a 15' Duratec [an older Duranautic] w/a 35 HP evinrude. Boat and trailer was 400$...already had the motor,nice flounder boat or trolling rig. Overall my boating career has been for the most part trouble free and alot of fun.I don't know if I'm a player or not, and at the tender age of 44 I expect to be boating for the rest of my life
 
1992 Yamaha Waverunner bought at age 20 or 21 for around $2500. Kept one year and sold for around $2500.

1994 Polaris Jetski (used demo model) bought at age 22 for $4800, sold at 23 for $4800.

1968 Thunderbird 1975 70hp Evinrude bought at 26 fpr $900 The motor blew out on me on 2nd trip on the water - Went from :D to :-[ in no time! Drove to Virginia to pick up a used 1975 70hp Evinrude which I paid $1000 for! Best motor I've ever had! Sunk the thing to the bottom of the lake and was riding around in it the next day!. Sold it after 6 years at age 32 for $750.

1968 Fabuglas Tri-Hull with 1986 Johnson 70hp which I bought from my elderly grandfather for $500. Had to get carbs rebuilt. Kept it 2 years and finally sold recently for $750.

1972 Wellcraft V20 bought at 31 years old. Worked on boat and rebuilt trailer for about a year. Spent $800 having transom rebuilt. Still have the boat but need to sell.

1994 Wellcraft V21 - bought at 32 years old and not thinking of selling - EVER! BTW still 32 years old 8)
 
At age 28 I owned an 18 ft flat bottom ski boat (Manufacturer unknown) done in an ugly green metal flake that had fade by y this time. It was pushed (slowly) by an early 70’s vintage 85 Hp Evinrude that on it’s best day only ran on three cylinders. Paid $350.00 for the boat motor and trailer. Lived in San Diego at that time and while moving East the leaf on the trailer spring busted and I ended up giving the boat and trailer to a mechanic at a little garage in upstate New York, so I could get to a new job on time (That one still hurts!)

At 31 purchased a 16 Ft 1968 Starcraft Newport (closed bow runabout) with a 1972 65 Hp Evinrude. Paid 300.00 for the boat, motor and trailer. Replaced the floor, installed new seats and interior and painted the hull. Also replaced original wrap around plastic windshield with modern aluminum trimmed, walk though windshield I salvaged from an old MFG. Eventually sold for $1600.00. Of all my boats I’ve owned the wife enjoyed this one the most. Nothing like tooling around the lake in an antique!

At 34 purchased a 23 ft 1986 SportCraft Fisherman (Cutty Cabin). It had a OMC Cobra outdrive and a 4.3L Inboard. I paid $5500.00 for a boat, trailer and a ton of fishing tackle downriggers and outriggers and such from great lakes fisherman from upstate New York. Cleaned her up and replaced exhaust manifolds and repainted the outdrive and later sold her for 8500.00

At 36 purchased a series of boats with express intent of flipping them. A 19 ft, 1986 Sabre CC I paid $400.00 for, sold her for $2600.00 after complete renovation. Also purchased a 16 ft side console bass boat with a 35 HP Johnson and trailer, paid $450.00 at a local auction and later sold it after installing a new floors complete interior upgrade for $2600.00

At 43, I currently own four boats (Can you ever have enough boats!). 1974, Wellcraft V 20 with a 1986 235 Evinrude that I paid $3300.00 for about a year ago. A 1968, 17 ft Cutlass (Mako later purchased the line the same year so–it’s a identical to Mako) with a 120 Johnson hanging from a 26” bracket with a t-top that is currently being completely refitted. I also own a 1976, 19 ft Galaxy, closed bow ski boat with a 1976 Inline 6, Mercury 115 that’s the family boat from running around the lake and such. And lastly I am half owner in 1982, 25 Ft Aqua Sport CCP (Center Console) with a 1993 Johnson 250 V8 outboard just about complete from a fully retrofit and rigging for offshore fishing.

My next boat? Well what do you got that your welling to deal on?
 
Starting at age 26, three diffrent canoes, from 12 foot solo's to current 17.5 Mohawk. All shoulder powered. Serious fresh water river and lake fly fisherman. Age 35 and on 4 different aluminum boats 16 - 17.5 footers with 9.9 motors(various) and last one with 9.9 Suzuki and 50 hp Force. All for fresh water impoundments and the Delaware River. Past 10 years age 51 fishing with best friend in a couple of boats but mostly his 25 ft Grady White WA. Last year bought my first salt water boat 1992 Robalo CC w/Merc 150. After 1.5 year search finally found the V20 I wanted and bought it from fellow V20.com member Fillet1 Going to mount my 9.9 Suzuki which I kept on it and use for fresh/salt water and salt/fly fishing and transporting super models ;D
 
I have always lived within  a 1/4mile of the sixth Great Lake, Lake St. Clair.  Neighbors always had a boat so I guess my love of the water came from them. At age 27 married my beautiful wife Jennie.  Her father had an 18' Penn Yan.  My first boat was a blow boat, a 22' Catalina at 30 years of age.  My wife had a 14' Laser which I guess would be considered mine also.  At 32 my first boy was born and the sailboat was sold.  Father in law moved up to a 23' Pennyan so we were not off the water.  At age 42 I bought a 16' Gruman CC.  Great boat, easy on gas (40hp Suzuki).  Was a good boat for my 2 boys and brother in law to fish off of.  At age 53 started looking for a V20 which I had ridden on 17 years prior and fell in love with. My boys had gotten too big for the Gruman. Found this site and with the help of BS found the Macattack, 1990 V20 Sport with a 150Force.  My age now is 55, and I only have the V20.  My father in law now owns a 57 Chris Craft.  I hope I've passed the audition.  Bill Mc  ;D

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery...e=Mac-Attack-on-the-water&id=June_13_2004_001
 
A 1959 Fiberglass tri-hull, what a tank! Came with a 1968 40hp that had a burnt cylinder. A friend of mine, get bthis, had a 1959 (same year as boat) 35hp Johnson Super Quiet for $100.

I had to install new cable steering, got it all hooked up, all excited towed it to the ramp, launched it, took off and turned right.....and the boat went left! duh

Gees, the name of the hull was Glass*****, may have been Glasstron or Glasspar. :o
 
AN EARLY 80"S 20' SEAOX CENTERCONSOLE WITH A 115 'RUDE 30 YEARS OLD

THAN A 13' BOSTON WHALER SUPER SPORT WITH A 35 HP SUMPTHIN 35 YEARS OLD

83 WELLCRAFY V20 CUDDY WITH A VOLVO PENTA 225 HP I/O 42 YEARS OLD

2005 MCKEE CRAFT 196 MARATHON CC 150 YAMAHA F150 FOUR STROKE 49 YEARS OLD
 
WELL MY FIRST BOAT WAS MY FATHERS A 1964 CRIS CRAFT, THAT IS WHERE I STARTED AS A YOUNG BOY, IN MY TEENS I SOON BECAME THE PILOT BUT NEVER THE CAPT, HAD THAT BOAT TILL I WAS IN MY EARLY 20S, THEN MY FIRST BOAT WAS A 1967'28'LUHRS SPORT FISHERMAN THAT I HAVE A PIC OF ON THE SITE LOVED THAT BOAT HAD THAT IN MY LATE 20S, THEN IN MY 30S I WENT SMALL A 17' BRIG WITCH I STILL HAVE, THEN HAD A 37' SILVERTON CONVERT FOR 5 YEARS, THEN I GOT A 17 'MIRROWCRAFT THAT I USE FOR FISHING ALL THE TIME, AND NOW A V20 THAT I GOT FOR FREE THAT I AM REBUILDING AND IM 47 NOW
 
1976: My first boat was a 1974 V20 with an OMC 165HP, bought by my dad when I was 12.
1978: Dad traded it in for a 1978 Century 27' (big mistake) with a single Mercruiser 260: poorly built but we got a slip on Lake Michigan in Chicago.
1980: Dad bought a 1978 Trojan Express Cuiser 30' with twin 225 Crusaders. Dad wanted twins for Lake Michigan. Starboard engine never worked right despite a rebuild.
1982: Dad traded the Trojan for a 30' Sea Ray weekender with twin 400HP mercs which went 45MPH.
1986: Mom had a stroke and ended our boating days
1990: Dad died of cancer
2004: I started the whole process over by buying a 1986 V20 with a 225 Johnson.
 
Late 60's - early 70's: Spent summers as a kid in NJ sailing a Sunfish with my best friend.
77-78: Spent 18 months aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal.
80's & 90's: owned a few small boats, Sunfish, O'Day Widgeon, Jon boat.
1999: Bought a 1992 17' Bayliner Capri with a 70hp Force. The boat was in great shape and ran well for me, but I quickly discovered how small this boat was. It was good for playing around in the river, but you had to keep a very close eye on the winds and avoid any days over 15 knots if you didn't want to beat yourself half to death. After learning the shortcomings of the Bayliner the decision to move up to a larger boat was easy. That decision was confirmed the day I was pulling one of the kids on a tube and I turned back into my own wake and took water over the bow.
2001: Bought 1989 v20 and have been very happy with it from the first day. Sold the Bayliner for $400.00 more than I paid for it.

I don't know if that qualifies me a player, but to quote MJ "who cares." I love my boat.
 
a 12 foot aluminum skiff with an ancient evinrude.

a 16 foot glasspar with a 40 evinrude.

an 18 foot silverline tri hull with a 115 evinrude.

a 24 foot performer with a 350 chevy.

a 22 foot sea ray with a ford i/o and later with a 225 evinrude on a bracket.

a 24 foot bayliner ciera with a 350 chevy.

a 1986 wellcraft v 20 with a 350 chevy and a brand new hardtop.

                <*{{{>( and im 42.
 
Hey Rick, you brought back memories with the USS Forrestal my Dad who passed when I was 16 was a marine engineer and installed the engines on that carrier, I have pictures somewhere of walking around on the deck when I was a little boot. First carrier with nuke propulsion.
 
Hmmm, don't know how old I was when I got my first boat. My dad gave me a wooden rowboat that was kept at our camp in Maine and provided many years of fishing fun on that lake. We threw a small 2hp motor on it after a couple years. I bought my first boat myself in 1973. A 14' Mirrocraft side console with a 25hp Johnson at the Boston Boat Show. Boat, motor and trailer for $800. Had it up until about 7-8 years ago and sold it for about 2X what I paid. 8)
My first "real" boat (if you want to call it that) was a '78 20' Glastron Cuddy Cabin with a 115 Merc inline six (God, I hated that motor). That boat was very solid and lots of freeboard with a decent layout for fishing.
A 24' Century powered by a Merc 260 I/O. That I/O gave me so much trouble. Seemed I was always working on it more that out fishing. I sold that one after 1 1/2 seasons and beat it like a rented mule at the end.
Next came a 26' Stamas Pilot house similar to the layout of the Parkers. This one was also powered with a Merc 260 I/O. You would think I'd have learned my lesson from the previous boat. Found out after several misadventures that the previous owner installed a motor donated by one of his trucks and never changed the camshaft or anything else. That motor gulp water while trolling at 3 knots and that was all she wrote on that motor. I threw a big block in it with a Bravo outdrive and the power was so much better. I loved this boat to fish from but it was an absolute PIG on gas with either motor. I think the boat tipped the scales at close to 10,000lbs. We liked to make the run across Cape Cod Bay to fish the Provincetown Race and it cost a fortune in gas even at $.99/gallon. Hated to do it, but got rid of that boat.
Then came probably the best boat I've owned. '87 Grady-White 22' Walkaround powered by an Evinrude 225 on a bracket. Yamaha 4 stroke 9.9 kicker motor with electric start. Nice full enclosure for the helm and a huge cockpit for fishing. This one was "The Boat" for me. It had everything I wanted. Then a few years later, my daughter was pregnant with my grandson. After he was born, I made the difficult decision to sell the Grady to help put a down payment on the house right next door to mine. So now I get to see my little buddy everyday, so that's not a bad thing right? ;D 8)As pre-arrainged, I made it known that when the Grady got sold, I would be buying something else for a lot less $$.
This is where the Wellcraft came into the picture. After extensive searching, I found the V20 Center Console the boat for me. I loved fishing this boat and the mobility it provided me. I really shouldn't have sold it, but the guy wore me down with an offer that I couldn't refuse. So, I sold it for considerably more than I paid.
The search has been on for a while now for a replacement but between working lots of hours and some other priorities on the homefront, I haven't seemed to be able to make a connection on anything. I've made a few offers on boats. There's a 17' tin boat sitting in the driveway that I've been using. Powered by a 60hp Evinrude, it's actually not a bad Striper fishing boat, but I want something a little more than that.
I'm 50 years old now, so maybe I'll settle down and keep whatever I get this next time around. I'm really not looking for a project boat. Too many other priorities to get saddled with a project. I've attempted a couple of those and just never found the time to complete them, so they were sold as is. I still have a bracket from one project. If I find the right boat, maybe I'll sell the bracket to get those thoughts out of my head. Whenever I see the bracket, I start thinking of taking something on to apply that bracket to.
Oh well, the search continues, but this is a tough time of year in the Northeast to do any real looking, so we'll see what pops up come springtime.
 
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