Thread: 15ft fiberglass boats. Education required

Originally Posted by Joe_90

It's a long weekend and I've run out of rocks to look at.

So, have been putting some more thought into a boat.
Will mostly get used for family outings on the lake for pulling a biscuit or waterskiing etc. Possibly a bit of fishing in the future. Personally, I've never done a lot of fishing.

With a jetboat I suspect the progression would be: Too scared to use it properly, then end up with it parked up a bank. In multiple pieces.

I think a 15ft fiberglass with outboard would do the trick. Small enough to be easy to launch but big enough for 3 kids.
Something like:
Attachment 216189


What do I need to look out for when purchasing an older second hand boat?

Do I want to know the hidden costs? Both maintenance and other things you don't need but you do.
(like reloading, you end up with a bench full of essential things)

ran boats on lake Waikaremoana for eight years - the light alloys can be a real handfull on the lake if it gets windy and require the driver to run correct lines against wind driven chop -the best were the heavy fiberglass for comfort and ride -Haines hunter were the stand out the older V198 or more modern SF700 but the bigger Buccaneers were good - the trickest boat we had was an alloy Ramco Fisherman 16 footer -not for inexperienced drivers thats for sure -the worst boat we had was a 17 foot pontoon alloy I believe made in Napier - I called it the pig boat -the bloody thing just would not lift its nose and plane properly but just wanted to run level of course meant it lifted water up and over the nose in a chop and yup ya got drenched - our main bigger boat was a 24 foot Elmarco alloy - really great big heavy alloy -ran the lake very well indeed - later we got a 30 foot jet boat custom made 300 HP Yanmar diesel - great handled the lake well but weed it just did not like it at all - so for that lake at least jet not recommended - one problem at the lake newbies get wrong is anchoring at night - the correct way is nose into shore and stern lines out either side - but really pick your spot - the wind can get up overnight and cause grief - if I was doing a lot on the lake maybe alloy as the constant moving on that shoreline is hard on keels - 2-3 trips a year maybe not such an issue - REC hunting for me a big old fiberglass just for the ride