Hey all, I'm finally getting me a boat. It needs a little work. Actually it needs a LOT of work, but that's OK. It's a 1981 Sea Arrow-18 foot runabout. It needs new upholstery and new flooring, but it's got a recently rebuilt Mercruiser 165 I/O (only about 15 hours on it). The best part is that it's only costing me $300 for the boat and trailer. I know it's not the most ideal platform to be fishing off of, but for the money I don't think I can go wrong. It'll be a while before it's ready for the water, but I'm excited about it. I hope to have all the repairs complete in a month or two. I'll be doing all the repairs myself, with some help from a friend. Until then, I'll be beating the banks. I'm open to any and all suggestions from you "seasoned" skippers out there. Thanks.

Tight lines,
Kevin

Hey man, as long as you can get away from the bank, it don't matter. I started fishing from an 11' coleman with a 30 pound minnkota, then from an 83' skeeter with a 70 merc, and now from an 18ft progator with a 150 johnson. You have entered a new money pit! Congratulations! I'm serious though, those darn fish don't care wether or not you catch em' from an 81' sea arrow or 2003 gambler, its all the same to them!

Great Job!!!
I remember the hours my best friend and I spent working and fixing up our 14' flat bottom. We spent many an hour in Kickapoo on Palestine and even pulled some Hawgs from Fork from her. She is sitting out back now, but when the Champion is too big for places, I know to pull her out. Again congrats on the boat, and we'll see you on the water.

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JC

Nice going. Guess we'll be seeing a lot of your post in the Boats and motor section. You've got a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum so hammer away. I've got a couple old boats and I brought them back from the grave and its almost as much fun as the fishing. A lot of satisfaction when you see the before and after. I'm still tinkering with my old boat and I always can find something to do to it that will improve its use. Congratulations and have a ball! Good fishin! Jimbo

Just a little sidenote. The boat I presently have I got for about the same price and I probably could have got it cheaper with the shape it was in. The guy that sold it told me all the stories about how him and his dad fishing out of the old rig, and how he gave it to him before he passed away. I picked it up the next day and as I made the drive down the long alley way I glanced in the rear view mirror and I could still see him watching me just before I made the turn out of sight. Don't know if he was just waiting so he could jump into his dance of joy! No just kidding. Be careful there will be a lot of priceless memories to be made in your venture. Good fishin! Jimbo

Don't ever believe that saying about the happiest day of your life will be when you get rid of your boat...one of the ones I now have, well I caught the former owner standing there very quietly looking at her before I drove off...and he said it was a sad moment...he upgraded to an offshore boat and was not really wanting to sell his "baby". I try to make every trip an adventure whether I'm taking my kids, a beginner neighbor or a seasoned vet - it's more important to me that they have a great day - then I have one as well!! Tight Lines and I know you will enjoy the boat.

You can do a lot with the interior to make it into a fishin machine. My brother-in-law and I fixed up and old 14' aluminum boat. We decked it out with floor boards, carpet, and patched all the holes with budweiser cans. When we sold that old beater, we acually made $50. Had a ball fixing it up. I'm sure you will too. Good luck, Amigo.