Second Hand boats

I am looking for a Second Hand Ski Boat and wanted to know a few things before I buy.

I am aware that there have been a lot of safety regulation changes in the past. What is a good age of boat to look at? I am nervous that I end up having to spend 1 ooo's on add on's once I have bought because it does not conform to new regulations.

I have a house on the coast in the Eastern Cape and would be doing most my launches through a river mouth which can be quite tricky. Is a mono or single better for punching through surf and rough seas.

I am looking for a boat that can comfortably fish 3 people, 4 at a squeeze. Don't want bigger than twin 50hp (must be yamaha's). Would prefer a boat with a centre console and you must be able to move around it. I have fished on some really big boats and want something that can be managed by 1 or 2 people.

I currently have 2 river boats and have had racing ducks in the past. A ski boat would be something new and an upgrade from my kayak.

Any advice on a good set-up or the right people to talk too would be really appreciated!

Try Hammertime and Mornay ruth, they both have boats more or less of the type youre talking about.

Advising on boats is a contentious issue - like do you prefer Mercs or BMW'S! however from what you have said: 2x 50, 3 or 4 people, centre console - I would suggest a cat. Less planing surface = lower motor hp, centre console with space to move around = a wider beam, 3/4 people = better balance. Regarding safety issues, the main one is to do with flotation. Make sure you have a manufacturers bouyancy certificate - if it is SAMSA compliant then I think it is valid for 10 years. If not, then the safety inspector will need to prove that the flotation is adequate, and this can mean swamping the boat! Bouyancy is either in the form of bottles or foam, both of which are regulated as to which type of each to use. As for age of boat, I would say 5 years or less. In this range of boats I would guess you are looking between 14 and 17 feet. 14 would be heavier and more solid, versus 17 (running the same hp) would need to be lighter and may get thrown around in the surf. From your description of launch conditions, I would look at a 15'6". As for makes, the best bet would be to go through some old Ski Boat mags and see what they have tested. There is a lot of choice in this range and once you have narrowed it down, hopefully you can get some useful opinions from guys who have run this size of boat. I have not got much experience of Eastern Cape boats, but have heard that Kei Marine are decent boats. In the Cape, I would look at the Aqua Mall, I think Chris Teer still does a nice 15 footer with this sort of horsepower. Or there are plenty of Natal boats around this size, just not sure about the hp requirements.
Let us know how you get on!

Fin-S is spot on. A smaller cat is the best option. There are plenty of boats in the 14-17ft range but doing a river launch with 50's i would rather go for the smaller send of the market. If one motor stalls in the sand you need the power from the other motor to pull you through. 50's on a 17 footer is asking for trouble (my own opinion). Have a look at old issues of ski boat or on their website www.africanangler.com They have a few years of baot tests on there. Then look at websites to find one in your price bracket. good sites incl www.boatsonline.co.za and www.peterswatersports.co.za

Fin-S and Tkei thanks for the help and advice.
Dropping R70 000 on a boat and not being happy with it is my biggest fear. Bit like buying a new house, bluiding a new wall and realising that it blocks the sun.
Are there any places like the AA that will check boats and test them before you buy them? Difficult to find smaller boats down in the Eastern Cape and difficult to choose something from pictures.

Woodsie
I would never buy a boat without looking at it myself. If you are not sure of what to look for, get a mate who can help and go see the boat. I would always insist on at least a compression test on the motors. If you need specs on any jap motor I will gladly mail them to you. All I need is the year and Hp rating of the motor in question. Futhermore I would take the boat out and get a feel for the boat. You will quickly be able to tell if the boat handles like it should.

Thanks Carcharias,
The more info I get the more afraid I am of buying second hand.
Thanks to everyone for their valuable input will have to repay dept with free fishing trips one day when I get my boat.

Woodsie I think Fin-S has said it all. 15'6" is where you would want to be.
I would suggest Oranges boat, the SeaCat, it is a gem of a boat. But if you are set on second hand, the Aquamall is a good bet and so is a Supercat. It would be hard to convince guys who make boats and test them out of a river mouth, one that can throw surf at you that is unbelievable that their hull is not suited to that kind of work.

To correct Carcharias, Vixen doen not fit your requirement, she is a hell of a lot of boat for her size and makes my 2.8Diesel Turbo Colt slide down the slipway when we reverse her.
We don't fit under some bridges on the way to the club, so that should put things into perspective.
Be carefull of size, a 14 foot is one thing, a 17ft cat is another. Two 50's would not even get me on the plane.

Foam filled boats are heavier by some measure so if it is a boat you buy then a set of motors, remember that. That is why I went for Yamaha commercial range motors, for sheer power, not so much speed but brute force.
On a 15'6 for big surf work I would be happy with two 50's, maybe 60 trips.

Of coarse a 28ft Magnum rumbling through the surf makes up for all her hassles when you are on board and punching your way through to your destination. Good Luck

Sorry Hammertime I was under the impression that your boat was a bit smaller than 28ft. Those magnums are awsome boats.
I actually looked at buying one just the other day and was worried about launching through the surf. (Natal)Do you have the high tunnel version? What hp motors are you running?

Hell no apologies bro.
I wish I had a 28 Magnum, my dream boat. No I was trying to say that all the hassles on a 28 footer dissapear quick when you step on board.

No Vixen is only 19 from bow to stern motors included around 22. But is very high and fairly heavy.
She dwarfs my bakkie and sits very high in the water. Like Orange put it, that boat has presence in the water when you see her.

Shyte I think surf launching the 28 could be a bit of a mission but the guys up north have invented all sorts of ways / doo dats to overcome the issue. Hell check how they launch the Cobra 900's like they were a toy, so I am sure some clever trailer advise from the manne up there would make your dream more of a reality.

Bloody nice boats though and the Delaneys know their trailers, there are a few guys launching the old 25 Magnums from up North.

If you get one of those man I will be very enveous.

Yea seen that . Those guys have an arm that fits on the back of the boat and extends to a tractor. The tractor launches the boat out into the surf. I guess the skipper must have implicit trust in the tractor driver. One push at the wrong time and OH F%$$%$#@#.

Very informative reading this thread is. Like Woodsie, I am also in the market for a second hand and has the same concerns that he has. Unlike him, I will only be launching out of a protected launch site and will not need to tow as I will be residing at site (Stilbaai). Mostly interested in ultra light tackle stuff inshore and will probably be mostly operating within sight of land but need C cert for occasional ventures further. Am a firm believer in respect for King Neptune and don't intend hanging out there when he's gooing his toys out the cot but I suspect the old geezer might have some mischievous moments and pull a sudden sneaky wind trick. So basically I'm looking for either 17ft Ace Craft mono with 2X60's or 18'6" Yeld Cat with 2X85's. Seems you fellows favour the cats. Would appreciate some advice here, am I off course?

Also, I notice secondhands down by the coast seems much cheaper than inland. Thought this to be due to supply and demand but the boating fellows up here claims it's because the secondhands down by the coast are mostly vrot and futtup. Your views please? 

GTZA- nothing wrong with either of those boats, down to personal choice cat vs mono. I prefer a cat for the reasons stated, less hp, more beam, more lateral stability, more economical at slower speeds. Out of those 2 I would go for the Yeld cat if you can find a good one.
Am not sure about the inland vs coast debate. I would rather buy local (coast) as I know I can get good aftersales support, I will probably know the boat, and I would rather have a boat that has been used frequently than has been laid up for 10 months of the year. i would also try and buy from a skiboat club angler, as (generally) if they are a member they fish seriously and one would hope they look after the tackle and boat with the same dedication.

Woodsie

Check out Morne boat. Been on it a few times and skippered  it.

Very,very nice man

Skiboat for sale
Cobra Cat 480 (16 ft)

Piet

Hi GTZA
I am also looking at Morne Ruths boat. Why dont we go down to see the boat together. I wont oppose you on the purchase of the boat if you decide you want it. What about next weekend? It will be a great excuse to go and wet some lines.
Let me know if you are keen.

Carcharias, sounds like a dandy idea to me. Will have to check my time schedule as I'm going down to Stilbaai 10th March and still have to clear out the shed on the plot I sold to buy down there. Might also get an opportunity to go via Newcastle, guy there wants to sell Cobra Cat with 2X70's Yamaha for 99K. Will check with other half and come back tomorrow?

Sounds good to me.

Carcharias, sorry man but won't be able to make it before going down south. Will leave me with only one weekend to clear my stuff and it will simply not be enough. Govt also little grumpy over price tag.

Fin-S, thanks for your advice, you have swayed me towards the cat.