Hi boat people! I have been a lurker here for a week or so,have
enjoyed reading all your posts. I have found a 1989 16' "Forester"-red
and white.Has a 65 horse Merc on it.This boat looks like it has never
been in the water,but the upholstery is quite beat from the sun.[top
panels of seats are all 'cracked,peely and faded.
Now,I know this is a 'pleasure boat' or would you call it a
runabout,or???? But,my primary use of the boat will be for fishing.[I
also have available a 8 horse motor for use in lakes which are
restricted to smaller motors]
Is anyone familiar with this boat? Who makes it? Should I buy this and
fish from it,or would I be better off buying the very old 14' Lund
fishing boat I found for a lot less money?
Also,would it be much harder to put this 16' fiberglass boat into and
out of the water,than say,the aluminum 14 footer??
Can anybody give me a 'guestimate of the weight and/or top speed of
these two boats,the fiberglass 16' with Merc 65 Horse,and the 14'
aluminum with 35 Horse Johnson??? My guess would be they would both
reach about the same speed,but with the 'glass boat using more fuel??
Right?
Please jump in here and give me any advice or insight you may have!!!

52hawk wrote:

I have found a 1989 16' "Forester"-red

Is anyone familiar with this boat? Who makes it?

Looks like Forester was a brand, from maybe 1974-1994.
You don't specify the model, but a 157 Sport seems to
fit the bill. According to nadaguides.com, thats a 700#
hull.

I have a 600# 14' hull with a 70hp. I think we get up
close to 35, so I would expect you to get in the 30s.

Should I buy this and fish from it,or would I be better
off buying the very old 14' Lund fishing boat I found for
a lot less money?

Only you can really answer that. Is the condition of both
boats equal? Which one do you feel more comfortable with?
Any glaring issues with them? Check for soft sports in the
floor, transom problems. Make sure the motor runs, shifts,
turns. Get any hints and tips the previous owner has about
the boat. As cheap as they are, I wouldn't bother with a
survey. They're a "throw-away" boat. Meaning, while its your
hard earned money, its not that much of it.

Also,would it be much harder to put this 16' fiberglass boat
into and out of the water,than say,the aluminum 14 footer?

Probably not. Once you get used to launching, it gets pretty
easy. Just remember the drain plug and undo the tie downs.

but with the 'glass boat using more fuel??
Right?

You're probably looking at mixed use.. 2-3gallons per hour
of running the outboard. Its not all that much.


sam

52hawk wrote:
been in the water,but the upholstery is quite beat from the sun.[top
panels of seats are all 'cracked,peely and faded.

According to the book by J.P. Lamy, upholstery repairs can involve a
prohibitive cost. If the damage is bad (peeling etc), you should walk
away from the deal.

Think, read, be patient. There could always be a better 2nd hand boat
deal available next week. Fall is a buyer's market. If the deal is not
very good, you don't need to take it.

Risto