Newb here with a Q.

[upperbump]

Been sittin and lurkin.... much good info here But have a question.
Havn't owned a boat for twenty yrs....long story but am divorced now. My twelve yr old wants me to buy a boat so we can get off the cattle barge so I started looking and found some nice skippys ( my favorite yrs ago)
Have an aquantance that has a seaswirl striper 2100 with a 150 Evinrude on her....I believe he said a 96 model he would let go very reasonable.
Should I keep lookin at the skippys or are these older strippers Ok too?
The 20' skips are big little boats but not sure about seaswirl......Thanks for any info!

[Dirtguy]

Don't like older strippers. Their tits are saggy.

Buy what fits your needs. You might not always take it out just to fish. You might want more creature comforts.
Great advice on here to help you out!
DG

[BiggestT]

I'm a firm believer in buying used boats. Make sure the hull is a good make. Once a boat gets past a certain age, all the cost is in the power. If you're looking at buying a 1996 with an Evinrude, you're probably looking at a carbureted two stroke with oil injection. That engine will be fuel hungry and is effectively obsolete in the current high fuel price era. So, IMO if you were looking to buy this boat, I would factor in the cost of new power and add a couple thousand for the hull and trailer and see how that comps with a more current boat of the same size and style with more current power.

[Outlawman]

I'd rather have a Skip personally, but I'll admit it, I'm partial to Skipjacks... I would never buy anouther 2 stroke OB for a saltwater boat!

Steve is right on with the pricing logic, whether buying from a friend or not.

[MATTANZA]

we had a used 1991 20' skipjack a few years back. it was a great boat. i love skippies.

[Shaka760]

These guys speak the truth. If the hull is good, the power on an OB can always be changed, but if you are partial to the Skippies than go with what you know. I personally have fished on many Stripers and Skipjacks. Both have pros and cons, yet I have a special place for the Skippies. They are great boats and extremely seaworthy INHO. Good luck!!

[upperbump]

A heartfelt thanks for all the input folks. After reading myself into a stuper (20 yrs is a lot of tech stuff to wade thru) I might be the proud owner of an 02 2101 with a Yamaha HPDI? motor. Very low hrs and well maintained. I understand these newer Seaswirls ride a little nicer than the 90's models and the Yamy even tho a two- stroke will be more efficient than the older evinrudes. She holds a 110 gals of fuel 2 (oh my achin wallet).

[jackburrito]

Steve really did give you good advice... an older 2-cycle outboard will have trouble comparing to a newer 4-stroke. I had a two cycle outboard for awhile.... when I slowed to trolling speed, I couldn't get away from the smoke and it would make me sick. The hull on a Skipjack is nearly indestructible, but with an inboard engine you're dealing with manifolds, risers, etc. Personally, I've always preferred inboard/outboards, but right now I'm paying the price in major engine repairs on a boat that only had 260 hours. Still, you'd have a tough time trying to sell me a two-stroke outboard. Good luck.... the most important part is you and your twelve year old.

[upperbump]

Thanks JB... Agreed .....I prefer an I/O setup too and the skips are sweet.
My neighbor had a 24' with a radon pilot house and man she was great. I just can't find one configured like I like her for my budget. Was your two stroke a newer one with the fuel injection? I understand there will be smoke but lighter than a carbed model I'm hopin.

[sushiholic]

I had a 2001 2101, and loved it. It had a FICHT on it, and even with the bad rap of those, I never ever had an issue. the fuel capacity is GREAT at 05 gallons. You never want to go as far as you can. range will never be a factor. My striper I do miss, as my current speed is 10 knots versus the 20+ of the striper. (sure I can do 16-17 knots, but with these fuel prices and 30 gallons an hours, that aint happenin' ) with a skippy you have OLD issue, and I/O issues. skippies are NICE, but a bit tippy, the 20 reportedly more so. ERF has a NICE 24 for sale, recently rebuild, price is better than right.

[big steve]

Originally Posted by BiggestT

I'm a firm believer in buying used boats. Make sure the hull is a good make. Once a boat gets past a certain age, all the cost is in the power. If you're looking at buying a 1996 with an Evinrude, you're probably looking at a carbureted two stroke with oil injection. That engine will be fuel hungry and is effectively obsolete in the current high fuel price era. So, IMO if you were looking to buy this boat, I would factor in the cost of new power and add a couple thousand for the hull and trailer and see how that comps with a more current boat of the same size and style with more current power.

well put!!! if you could afford a few$$$$$ more and find somthing with a 4 stroke you will be happier. i get 3=4 mil per gal out of my yamaha 150hp. one hell of a motor.

[Mean-Machine]

seastriper.com

greatgrady.com

triumphowners.net

thehulltruth.com

the first three are all owner sites you can ask questions all day long.