Conference vicki::boats

    
    RE: FORESTER
    
    Nice boat...!
    (They make a real nice 19' cuddy also)
    
    Rick W.

Moved by moderator
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Note 700.0             Forester boat - it's got me curious            No replies
MIZZEN::DEMERS                                       28 lines  25-JUN-1990 16:34
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I'm not in the market for this boat, I really want a Four Winns or SeaRay

BUT...

I don't have anything now and new boats are expensive...This boat has been
sitting on Rt. 117 in Stow for a while now.  I almost feel like just
pulling up, hitching up the trailer and driving away!  Anyway, seeing
it every day has got me curious.  Here are the details:

1985 Forester 15'6"

Fresh water usage only
CB Radio (don't care)
Depth indicator
Compass
Running lights
Electric bilge pump
trailer (galv.) w/tongue jack/spare tire
mooring cover
fire ext.
oil injection (Johnson 70HP)
16 gal. gas tank

The asking price is $5900.  Sounds high.

Comments?

/Chris

    Hopefully someone is still reading this note on Forester boats...
    
    I am looking to buy my first boat.  I want a bowrider to take the
    family out in the lakes, do some skiing, tubing, and sight seeing.
    I would like to go into the ocean once in a while (stay in the
    bays).  I'd prefer a 18 to 19 footer, but I am checking out a
    16' Forester that is in nice shape.  I'd like to get some opinions
    from fellow Noters...
    
    1989 bowrider, 158, 2.5 liter Mercruiser I/O. Boat sits in a lake every
    season, but has only 7 hours usage (I'm told, but seems likely).  I'm
    told the prop has a ding in it, and there is an extra prop.
    
    Engine looks new, hull has some scratches from the dock.  Choke cable
    is frozen, but engine starts and runs good (I went for a ride).  We
    were crusing at about 37 mph.
    
    Owner says that the boat was recalled becuase the beam was out of
    balance.  I guess it leaned towards one side.  Problem was corrected.
    Did they add lead to one side?  What does this say about the quality of
    a Forester.
    
    Comes with trailer (that looks new), full cover, and a pair of skis.
    Price is $4000.
    
    Just wish it was a little bit larger.  If I were to buy this boat,
    what would be the likelyhood of getting most of my purchase price
    back in two years (when I either move up to a larger boat or get out
    of boating <-- unlikely).
    
    Much appreciated.  Mark
    

    
    Mark,
    
    	A couple of things scream out at me in your note....
    
    	First.... 7 hours on a 2-3 year old boat... SEVEN! I would
    hope that was a typo, because I would have a VERY hard time
    believing that....
    
    	Second:
    
    >Just wish it was a little bit larger.  If I were to buy this boat,
    
    	Then, it may be wise to look for a larger one...
    
    Rick

    re: last
    Rick's right on the size of the boat.  Any boat becomes 2 to 3
    feet too small almost as soon as you buy it.  If this one's
    *already* 2 to 3 feet too small, you're not going to be happy
    with it.
    
    Buy the bigger boat the first time if that's what you need/want
    (as long as you can AFFORD it!).
    
    Rick

    I hear you....
    
    I know the boat is small and I will want to move up to a bigger boat
    quickly.  But I see this boat as follows:
    
    It is like brand new.
    I will not have to do much to it (repairs).
    It give our family a chance to see if really enjoy boating.
    In two years I can get back most of my investment, since the boat
    seems to be selling at a very good price.
    
    Most of the boats I have been looking at for $4000 need this or that
    or are older and have lots of hours, etc, etc.
    
    7 hours.  The owner has two boats, one for fishing which is what he
    does mostly, and this one for skiing.  He hardly skis, mostly fishes.
    He was ill for a while, and it really seems that there was not much
    usage of this boat.  The lake is small, takes one minute from one
    end to the other.  The boat stays in this lake, waterfront property
    every season.  
    
    This is a tough decision.  Good boat + good deal, but on the small
    side...
    
    Thanks, Mark

    If the prop has a ding in it, I would make sure that I checked the
    lower unit for metal.  If there is a problem in there, It will cost
    you.
    
    Gordon

    The boat is in the water so it was hard to check out the bottom of the
    boat.  As far as the lower unit goes, I guess I will have to check it
    out when it is on the trailer.  By metal, I assume you mean debris from
    the prop in the lower unit that could cause damage?
    
    The prop was "dinged" while backing into the docking area, supposedly
    hit bottom which is sandy.  Will sand cause a ding?  I have not
    actually seen the prop yet.
    
    Thanks, Mark

    I think he means debris from the GEARS in the lower unit.  If you have
    an aluminum prop and the engine was running at slow speed I think
    your chances of gear damage are minimal.
    
    Jeff

A "dinged" prop is unlikely to cause lower end damage.  It's always a good 
idea anyway to take a peek at the condition of the gear oil when buying a 
boat.  Look for signs of metal or water.  The oil should be clear, and amber 
or light brown in color. If it's milky or looks like coffee, there's water 
in there.

re: > Owner says that the boat was recalled because the beam was out of
    > balance.  I guess it leaned towards one side.  Problem was corrected.
    > Did they add lead to one side?  What does this say about the quality of
    > a Forester.

I don't know what they did to fix it - you should ask the owner, or contact 
Forester.  Leaning to one side isn't necessarily caused by a mis-shaped
hull, although it can be.  Other causes might be incorrectly distributed
weight or a mis-adjusted steering tab on the motor.  Find out for sure -
if the owner admits there was problem serious enough for a recall, it must 
have been significant since all boats lean to some extent.

RE: > The boat is in the water so it was hard to check out the bottom of the
    > boat. 

Under no circumstances should you commit to buying this boat until it's on
the trailer and you can see the bottom.  Look for signs of damage or repairs
from the "leaning" problem.  Also look for any other damage, especially gelcoat
blistering since boat's been left in the water and possibly has had hull 
repairs.  Blistering was discussed recently in another topic, and is a very
serious problem.  If blistering exists, the boat is no bargain at $4K.

But my main concern would still be the size of the boat.  Even though you want
a bigger boat, it's easy to convince yourself now that you can live with a boat
that's 2-3 feet too small because it seems like a good deal.  Since you want to
take it in the ocean occasionally and you have kids, I *strongly* suggest that 
a 16' bowrider is too small for your intended use.  With an open bow and 
passengers up front, it's very easy to take green water over the bow. Bowriders
are seldom the best choice for ocean use, especially in a boat that small. 
With the economy the way it is, and it being the end of the season, there are 
other good deals out there on bigger boats too.  Shop around, and don't rush
into anything.

Rick who_loves_spending_other_people's_money!

    Mark,
    
    I have a 16.5 foot Baja and I can tell you, it's not roomy!
    It's a bow-rider, but all the ski equipment goes up there.
    I find that 3 people in the boat (including me), is OK.
    Any more than that and it gets crowded.  Usually people
    bring coolers, skiis and duffle bags, every bit of carpet
    space is taken.
    
    I have had the boat out in the ocean and though I haven't
    taken any water over the bow, I've felt like a little minnow
    out there amongst the big boats.  Course, if little minnows
    use common sense it's OK to swim with the whales.  :>}
    
    As the other noters have said, shop around, there's lots
    of great deals out there and this is the best time to buy.
    Good luck!
    
    Jeanne
                                                          

    Thanks for all the advice...
    
    I'll pick up a want-ad today and see what else is out there...
    
    Mark

    Well.
    
    I decided not to get the boat.  As good a deal as it is.  I did check
    around and for the year and model boat the advice was to "grab" it at
    that price.
    
    I did not buy it due to the size of the boat being to small.  As you
    all said, I knew it was small right off the bat, and it would have
    become much to small once the family (2 adults, 2 children, 1 dog),
    the tube, the skis, the cooler, etc were all in the boat.  The folks
    who own it now live on the lake, so they can go back and forth if they
    need something whereas we have to load everything in the boat for the
    day...
    
    I checked the wantad from yesterday.  Most of the calls for larger
    boats under $4000 did not pan out, as most have problems with them,
    some are old.  Like the 1968 17' Fabuglass with 140hp I/O, I'm going
    to take a peak at it...  
    
    The search goes on...  Thanks again, Mark

    Thats the right choice I think.  I have a 17 foot decked over bow 
    outboard boat and let me tell you I need every inch of it on the
    ocean.  I can't imagine taking a bow rider out on the ocean unless
    it was a calm day and one stuck close to a safe harbor.
    
    The recall for a permanent list sounds serious. If the fix was ADDING
    weight that is an ABSOLUTE NO NO.  If they redistributed existing
    weight thats ok.  If they moved a fuel tank thats marginal practice.
    Yes, it will work as long as there is an 'average' (50 %) amount
    of fuel or water in a water tank but its considered bad practice to
    trim a boat that way.
    
    Glad you decided on another boat.
    
    Jeff

    I asked the owner about the recall.  He did not seem to have much info
    about it.  He said he was not having a problem with the boat, but when
    he got the recal he sent the boat back to have them take care of the
    problem.  Seems to have been some kind of balance problem.
    
    Is Forester still in business, anyone know???
    
    Cheers, Mark

    I've recently purchased a 19 foot Forester, cuddy cab, I/O and was
    wondering if anyone knows if Foresters are manufactured anymore.
    There are some items I would like to replace and can't seem to
    locate a manufacturer or anyone that sells them. They used to be
    made at Diversified Products Inc. out in Wyoming, Minnesota, but 
    tried I tried calling information and there is no listing for 
    Wyoming, but there was one for Mineapolis, but that number was
    disconnected.
    
    Any info would be appreciated
    
    Jack
    

    
    can you tell who made them...  the mfgr. of the item.
    
    JIm

    No, there's no name on the parts.....What I was looking for is one of
    the side windows of the cuddy is cracked (the outer molding) and one 
    of the rear vent covers for broken. The rear vent cover I could
    probably get any one, but the window piece seems like it's made for
    that boat. 
    
    Jack

    
    Jack,
    
    	As Jim alluded to the parts you need may be available from sources
    other than the manufacturer. Places like Boat US, Bliss Marine, Beart
    Marine or mail order all carry "generic" boat parts.
    
    	re: Forester still in business?
    
    	Call Ward's boat shop in Ossipee, NH at 603-539-4563. They
    were(are?) a Forester dealer and would likely know the answer...
    
    	Rick

    
                  Thanks alot.............
    
                                   Jack

    
          Thanks, I called that number. They don't sell Forester boats
          anymore, but they gave me the name of a place in Maine that
          might. I got the number for them and called. They still sell
          Forester boats and can probably get what I need. 
     
                        The palce was:   Parkers Boat House
                                         Chapley, Maine
                                         (207) 636-2722
    
    
          Jack