OUTLAW EAGLE MANUFACTURING

McFly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Red Deer

I'll be honest I'm about a year or two from buying a river boat, My question is should I buy a used boat and learn, or dive right in and buy a new boat.

It just kills me that I can't get a boat now, I drive by and work by Outlaw. LOL!

MISSBHAVEN · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

I'd buy a used boat to learn on. You will put marks and dents in the boat through your learning process and it doesn't hurt nearly as much if it's a used boat as compared to any little mark is very noticeable on a flawless new boat.

You don't want to be restricted to going on only big deep rivers because you're scared you'll hit something with your brand new boat in a more interesting river. If you want to drive on boring big water and keep your boat looking perfect, you might as well boat on a lake, but if you want to boat on beautiful rivers and see some amazing country that few people have had the privilege of seeing, you're going to hit the odd rock and gravel bar, that's just part of river boating. You don't need to be embarrassed about hitting the a rock, we all do (some more than others Embarassed

) !! If you're not hitting the odd rock, you're not having any fun because your driving on boring rivers. The only way to be a better driver is to challenge yourself. Shocked

Ask someone with experience to take you out a couple of times and teach you the basics. Good luck and have fun!

Arthur · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

I must say that's a million dollar question....I went through almost the same situation and will offer you this. Either get something you want slightly used or new, and stick to the deeper water until you learn....or buy something with a few dents already and learn the fun/hard way. But for a starter boat, I would have to agree with Missbhaven. New boat's tend to control how you treat them. $70,000.00 through a 7' wide channel 6" deep is not a good feeling (IMO).

I got lucky and found the exact used boat I wanted from a guy that used to make everyone take their shoe's off before getting in. I bought it with 60hrs and gave it a pretty good lickin' from the start, just learning what it can and can't do. Now I have the best boat for me with some dings and dents and I run it as hard as I want without the shitty feeling of laying on your back at the boat launch assessing the damage.GOOD LUCK!!!

McFly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Red Deer

I agree with the boring deep water, boated on both oceans for half my life.
Ok so next question, when I'm able to afford a pre-owned boat, are there lesson I can take on reading the river and that sort of thing?

McFly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Red Deer

[quote= buy something with a few dents already and learn the fun/hard way. quote]

I'm defiantly not afraid of the odd scratch or dent.
I take care of the toys, but when it time to drive them, I drive them

Arthur · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject:

Find a friend with a boat that knows, or go see if you can sweep floors at OUTLAW in your spare time Very Happy

...then maybe someone there will take you out and give you some pointers one night. (Xero might be looking for a navigator in the new SJ Wink

) I can't imagine buying a boat from scratch with no outside input on how to run rivers.

McFly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Red Deer

Pushing a broom eh??? Very Happy

Should I mention I'm pretty handy around a break and shear as well, I am a tin basher and all Shocked

Arthur · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject:

Maybe they need a Aluminum basher... Laughing

....or maybe that's what the drivers are called. Shocked

Xerophobic · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:51 am Post subject:

Mcfly if you're that close to us come on by one day and introduce yourself(if you already haven't ) My office is right inside the main doors

I'd be happy to take you through the shop and show you around, start the education process which is so important before you buy anything!

Of course all good advice here too so far.

New boats can be rewarding to buy if you buy the right boat for what you intend to do with it and for some guys they just wont have it any other way.
Naturally a good used boat is always a possibility as long as again you dont buy something just because the price is right, buy something that suits your needs.

Hopefully we'll see you soon

Cheers

Parker77 · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 27

Hey McFly! I was recently in the exact same position as you. I've wanted a boat for the last few years, but never thought i could afford it. This spring i found an awesome little boat down in oregon (thanks to jetboatracing.com), bit the bullet, and bought it. I have around 30 hours on it in the last two months, and have been having tons of fun. I would definitely recommend a used boat for your first one... being a rookie in shallow water seems to put quite a beating on things. Im sure glad i never sunk 30+ grand into my first one. Don't hesitate! you wont regret it!

Good Luck!
Jeff

McFly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Red Deer

Awesome I'll try and stop by next week for the tour (real names Mike)

Thanks for advice so far. I'll have to start looking around for a used boat this winter

HOOLIGAN · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 210

I'd say go and spend 35+ on an ex race boat because it was a good deal.. Spend 650 bucks for a tank of fuel..take it for a maiden run on a lake ..lets call the lake "Sylvan" ...Heat up the engine and the oil for 10 minutes as you roll past beach side cottages making friends with every passing lot. They will show you their appreciation by giving you the world known one finger wave. Then when the bow starts to come down ..mash it. .....listen to the soothing banging and watch the nice warm glow of the fire as it exits the scoop...... Get an excellent cardio workout by paddling back to the launch. Tear the valve cover off and hone your photograhy skills by taking a few pics of the rod jammed up beside the exhaust valve rocker..This leads to making new friends with Jesel and Manley ....over the phone which in turn clears out that old credit on your Master card making room for new new credit..who wants that old crap anyways. Add to your travel portfolio as you drive to cities to pick up your parts since there is no Fed Ex in your town.

And never ever listen to people that have expierience with river boating ... Buy the stupidist thing you can during your transition from lake boats to river boats Very Happy

Rapid Transit · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 206

a box of beer and a few gallons of gas will likley get you a ride in a boat or two, and you can decide which type of boat is best for you, and you can learn some tips on running the river as well.
p.s. cold beer !

Bald Man · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:

Jeff,,,, you kill me!!! Very Happy

Good time eh?
Mike,,, Buy a used boat for sure. I didn't listen to the good advice that I got and ended up beating my first boat to death in the first season. Riverboating has a huge steep learning curve and it's not an easy ride up.
Broken ribs is to be expected Shocked

Arthur · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject: