Keep it or sell it

[Tinhead1986]

Hi all I have a tough decision to make and was wondering what everyone else would do if it was you . I bought a 1980 MirroCraft 14ft aluminum with a trailer and 40hp mercury for $750 back in april knowing if i didn’t like it I could flip it because aluminum boats up here in Ontario Canada are somewhat $$ and I could probably get around $2200 for the package . When I bought the boat I had grand plans of first turning the closed bow into an open bow and then building a wood free casting deck at the front and rear out of aluminum angle and maybe later on add a nice used 4 storke . Now I after checking out used 16-18 ft nice fishing boats with all the nice storage compartments and live wells now i’m questioning should i just flip this thing and buy a mid 90s- early 2000s 16-18 ft . right now the 14ft is obviously paid for being it’s only $750 where as a bigger boat is in the 7-10k range and i would have to borrow from line of credit. What would everyone else do

most of the time it’s only going to be me going out fishing and I know having a smaller boat would benefit me better for launching and what not. Also nice it fits in my small backyard vs taking the driveway up

 

[drxfish]

There is always more $ to spend on boats, no matter what you buy. It would be good to use what you have and can easily manage if you can without having to borrow money. I just sold my old jon boat I had for 22 years and got a bigger boat. It ended up being a little too big for me and now I am selling that one. If it works for you, keep it. If not, do what you want, just realize things do not always work out perfectly and you will have a long term commitment.

 

[Al U Minium]

Flip it and buy what you want.

The endless time you will spend screwing around destroying a perfectly good boat will turn it into a useless pile of junk.

Before you flip it, detail the boat and make sure everything works. That way the profit you make from the sale is beneficial to you the seller and the buyer.

Take the time to get the trailer bearings, tire condition, and lights up to par as well.

 

[Tinhead1986]

Flip it and buy what you want.

The endless time you will spend screwing around destroying a perfectly good boat will turn it into a useless pile of junk.

Before you flip it, detail the boat and make sure everything works. That way the profit you make from the sale is beneficial to you the seller and the buyer.

Take the time to get the trailer bearings, tire condition, and lights up to par as well.

that’s kind of where i’m headed i’m sure i could make it work but with how little i paid only $750 i could make a decent profit and save up for a newer bigger boat next year . if i get stuck with it then it is what it is i will just go back to the original plan. I just wanted to hear others opinion because I usually rush into selling and buying things beforehand

 

[Ray Clark]

I don't buy things like boats on credit. In a sense, to me, that would make me a slave to the boat.

There is much to be said for easy launching, handling, recovery, and storage. Those are the features that keep in me in my 14' tinnie. I have upgraded a lot of things as I've had the cash over the past three years.

Yeah, I look at the new boats at Bass Pro and think it would be fun to have a nice rig. Not fun enough, though, to have me making interest payments.

 

[Tinhead1986]

I don't buy things like boats on credit. In a sense, to me, that would make me a slave to the boat.

There is much to be said for easy launching, handling, recovery, and storage. Those are the features that keep in me in my 14' tinnie. I have upgraded a lot of things as I've had the cash over the past three years.

Yeah, I look at the new boats at Bass Pro and think it would be fun to have a nice rig. Not fun enough, though, to have me making interest payments.

definitely will not be a new boat , thinking somewhere in the mid 90s-2000s under 10k and i would save up around half if i go that route. or I could buy a old starcraft 16-18ft for $2500 or less but as i’m finding out the outboard is the expensive part and to replace a outboard for a old bigger boat would cost me a lot more then the 14ft and in some cases not make financial sense . I’m also thinking i should sell this boat i have now before i cut the front open and then don’t want it and it’s only worth scrap value because no one wants it. decisions , decisions

 

[sonny.barile]

I would restore that boat a bit and use it like it is. The covered bow is nice………..If it’s because you want a trolling motor on the bow, put a transom mounted one………It’s a nice classic looking boat…..in good shape. A little sanding, paint/polish…carpet and seats…..and you have a classic Sunday beauty.

 

[Drock]

Hi all I have a tough decision to make and was wondering what everyone else would do if it was you . I bought a 1980 MirroCraft 14ft aluminum with a trailer and 40hp mercury for $750 back in april knowing if i didn’t like it I could flip it because aluminum boats up here in Ontario Canada are somewhat $$ and I could probably get around $2200 for the package . When I bought the boat I had grand plans of first turning the closed bow into an open bow and then building a wood free casting deck at the front and rear out of aluminum angle and maybe later on add a nice used 4 storke . Now I after checking out used 16-18 ft nice fishing boats with all the nice storage compartments and live wells now i’m questioning should i just flip this thing and buy a mid 90s- early 2000s 16-18 ft . right now the 14ft is obviously paid for being it’s only $750 where as a bigger boat is in the 7-10k range and i would have to borrow from line of credit. What would everyone else do

most of the time it’s only going to be me going out fishing and I know having a smaller boat would benefit me better for launching and what not. Also nice it fits in my small backyard vs taking the driveway up

If it runs good and the trailer is sound enough why not take it out a few times to see what you like and don’t like about her. If you are new to boating the experience of accurately getting ready and getting out there and getting back and putting things away can be a lot different than you imagined.
Depending on what type of fishing you do, this might be just right with a few modifications. I can see using it for pan fishing anchored in a cove looking for crappie and bream.

 

[LDUBS]

This is a tough call. I don't disagree with any of the advice already given. Turning your $750 into $2200 is terrific. Too bad you can't find a decent boat in the style you want in the $2200 to $2500 range.

Me personally, I would not cut up that boat unless I was 110% sure I would be happy with the result.

 

[Crazyboat]

I would sell it, take the profit and put it towards something already in line with your ideal boat.

 

[Tinhead1986]

This is a tough call. I don't disagree with any of the advice already given. Turning your $750 into $2200 is terrific. Too bad you can't find a decent boat in the style you want in the $2200 to $2500 range.

Me personally, I would not cut up that boat unless I was 110% sure I would be happy with the result.

Believe it or not finding cheap aluminum boats with a center console under $2500 is hard here in Ontario Canada. lots of starcraft holidays for $2500 in the 18ft range . Alittle bigger then what i wanted though

 

[Tinhead1986]

I would restore that boat a bit and use it like it is. The covered bow is nice………..If it’s because you want a trolling motor on the bow, put a transom mounted one………It’s a nice classic looking boat…..in good shape. A little sanding, paint/polish…carpet and seats…..and you have a classic Sunday beauty.

problem is the last owner has holes all over the top side from mounting different things like down riggers and i feel for fishing a closed bow is a lot of wasted space . it would a good fishing boat for someone just not sure if it’s me

 

[sonny.barile]

problem is the last owner has holes all over the top side from mounting different things like down riggers and i feel for fishing a closed bow is a lot of wasted space .

Ah……I didn’t see in th the pics that it was all drilled out. I was thinking it was in great condition. I myself have a thing for those old runabouts. When they are finished well they are a joy to see……

 

[Tinhead1986]

it’s still 100% safe and useable boat the last owner mounted a 2x6 across both sides at the back for rod holders or down riggers and i’ve noticed a few other holes on the top Gunnels .

 

[Still Afloat]

Well, I’ve been through my share of boats in the past year or so. Bought a 1240 Jon last year for fishing the smaller lakes and decided it was too small after a bad experience in the the wind. Then a deal came up on an older 14’ Jon for about what you paid for your boat. It needed a some TLC but, it was still a solid boat. I listed it for a $1000 and young guy in his early 20s bought it. He handed me ten one hundred dollar bills and I gave back two of them.

I bought a new 1448M but, the boat is just the beginning. Add a motor fuel tank, batteries, trolling motor, pods, etc., etc. It all adds up pretty quick.

So I completely understand your situation. Buying a boat is not an investment. It’s an expense, a hole in water that you throw cash into. Is it worth it? Yes, but only if you use it. So if you’re only going to use it a few times per year keep it cheap. If you going to use it every week the expense it probably justified.

 

[David Atkins]

Sounds like you bought it to flip, you keep talking about how much you paid for it and what you could sell it for!
If that's the case then pull the trigger and sell it so someone else can take her and enjoy her, not a hard or tough decision, use it or sell it, plain and simple...

 

[pathunter]

Hi all I have a tough decision to make and was wondering what everyone else would do if it was you . I bought a 1980 MirroCraft 14ft aluminum with a trailer and 40hp mercury for $750 back in april knowing if i didn’t like it I could flip it because aluminum boats up here in Ontario Canada are somewhat $$ and I could probably get around $2200 for the package . When I bought the boat I had grand plans of first turning the closed bow into an open bow and then building a wood free casting deck at the front and rear out of aluminum angle and maybe later on add a nice used 4 storke . Now I after checking out used 16-18 ft nice fishing boats with all the nice storage compartments and live wells now i’m questioning should i just flip this thing and buy a mid 90s- early 2000s 16-18 ft . right now the 14ft is obviously paid for being it’s only $750 where as a bigger boat is in the 7-10k range and i would have to borrow from line of credit. What would everyone else do

most of the time it’s only going to be me going out fishing and I know having a smaller boat would benefit me better for launching and what not. Also nice it fits in my small backyard vs taking the driveway up

Wife and I had a 12 foot jon with a 4HP on a trailer. Easy to load, didn't take up much room in the garage, was paid for. We go out fishing 3 or 4 times a year. As the boat is small, we couldn't go out on windy days so we figured we were missing a lot of fishing because of the weather. At 80 years old, the boat was a little cramped. After an hour long boat ride to our fishing spot, worry about the wind coming up, an hour of fishing, and a long ride back to the launch we decided we needed something larger and more comfortable. We looked around, found a very nice 9 year old Mirrocraft 1616 Troller with a 30HP Evinrude for a decent price from a reliable dealer. We emptied half our savings account to buy it. It took up most of the garage, but it was beautiful. We never got it in the water because we bought it in late October. Over the winter, we came to our senses and realized that it was just too big and heavy for us to tow around and launch. Plus, the nagging feeling that the money would be better in the bank available for emergencies. We sold that boat late this winter, and it was towed away in a blizzard. The weight lifted off of us is well worth the lack of a boat. I have debated just getting a larger Jon boat that can handle a little rougher water. Besides, we like to fish early in the year before the docks are in at the boat launches. With a Jon, we can launch and get into the boat without needing a dock. We are snow eeking a bigger Jon with a steering console for a reasonable price. Actually, for the amount of fishing we do, if there was more boat rental places on our Adirondack Lakes here in New York, we wouldn't even own a boat.

 

[Joemac4445]

Sale it !

 

[LaqueRatt]

Easy decision for me. I'd repair the holes and keep it. I'd love to find a boat like that for $750. I'd give that much even without a motor. I really don't see what the issue is. You got money burning a hole in your pocket? Also don't modify it. That's not a very smart thing to do.

 

[airshot]

problem is the last owner has holes all over the top side from mounting different things like down riggers and i feel for fishing a closed bow is a lot of wasted space . it would a good fishing boat for someone just not sure if it’s me

Rivets and SS screws are cheap and easy to install so the excess holes should not be an issue... However, in my over 60 years of boating, I have learned that if a boat does not suit my needs, don't hack it up, no one will trust or want it down the road.. Your boat is worth much more being in its original condition. Minor mods are different, but major mods are generally not worth the effort.. I recently downsized to a side console as I normally fish alone and this gives me plenty of room and still keeps the steering and controls.. Trying to find the right boat can be a long tuff search, don't be in a hurry, being in a rush can create poor purchases!!! I spent over three months searching, drove many hundreds of miles only to walk away because owners did not tell the truth!! After looking at a couple dozen boats, the right one came along, but I had to drive over 200 miles, cash in hand, at odd hours to be there when the owner got home from work!! Sometimes yoy need to be the first one there to get the buy..
I would clean up what you have and take the money and go shopping, might have to wait yntil falk to get the better bargain..