So, I finally ended up buying a boat. It's been something of a long journey for me to find something that worked in my budget/skillset/storage-space/local-regulations and wasn't being sold by some sketchy tweaker. I pretty much had to have a 4-stroke outboard because 2-strokes are banned on two of the closest lakes to me (one of which is an awesome bass fishery). I don't have a lot of storage space and we live in an area with a decent amount of petty crime. So I can't leave a bunch of stuff on the boat when it's not being run.
I thought I'd had a couple boats lined up, but they fell through for one reason or another. My budget has gone up and down as we've spent money on other things (house painting, camping trailer). But I finally found a 12ft Duroboat with a 4-stroke Yamaha 9.9 that a local fellow was selling so he could get a slightly bigger boat that fit his family better. Boat/engine/trailer are all mid 90's vintage.
Good stuff:
Overall, I’m pleased so far.
EDIT: Updated photo per @Pink Nighty request here.
I thought I'd had a couple boats lined up, but they fell through for one reason or another. My budget has gone up and down as we've spent money on other things (house painting, camping trailer). But I finally found a 12ft Duroboat with a 4-stroke Yamaha 9.9 that a local fellow was selling so he could get a slightly bigger boat that fit his family better. Boat/engine/trailer are all mid 90's vintage.
Good stuff:
- Boat seems to be in fine shape for its age. A few scrapes and bonks here and there, but nothing major. Transom is solid.
- Engine started first pull when the guy showed it to me and started again first pull when I took it out on for its first voyage.
- The 9.9 will plane with two adults in the boat, though not super quickly.
- At 5'3 wide, it's easy to stand and fish. There are factory floorboards in already, which helps.
- It's not particularly important, but I like that the boat was made in Seattle. I think Duroboat has moved across the country at this point. But they were a Seattle company for many many years. Also, no rivets.
- Came with a bimini, so perhaps I can get the lady out with me to read a book while I fish my way around one of the small bass lakes on a summer evening. Also came with an older garmin fish finder with some maps and a mini downrigger. I have never used a downrigger, but I could see making the effort to get a few kokanee at some point.
- I do kinda wish it was 14ft. Would make it a little easier to take a couple of kids out at one time to drop bobbers or fish two adults out of. But I'll work around that for as often as it happens, likely I'll be on my own most of the time. And honestly, given that it's been a long while since I've spent much time with boats (and have no boat-launch-ramp experience), having something small and light to learn on is just fine.
- Mid 90's vintage is still 25+ years old at this point. I know stuff can last if it's taken care of, and this setup seems to be in fine shape. But time comes for us all eventually.
- The transom slopes downward from the sides making it difficult to put a trolling motor on the back for smaller or electric-only lakes. This is not a big deal long term as I intend to put a bow mounted motor on at some point. But at the moment, I'd have to pull the Yamaha off to put the Minn-Kota on.
- Bit of surface rust on the fenders etc. Trailer looks solid overall, but nobody loves rust. I'll probably spend some time with a wire wheel and a can of rust-oleum at some point.
Overall, I’m pleased so far.
EDIT: Updated photo per @Pink Nighty request here.
