No Fluke

Now is the time to buy a new or used boat

Posted 9/11/14

So you want to buy a boat. You are in luck. It is the perfect time of year as sellers of new and used boats are anxious to sell before winter. And, this is the perfect week to look at a lot of power …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
No Fluke

Now is the time to buy a new or used boat

Posted

So you want to buy a boat. You are in luck. It is the perfect time of year as sellers of new and used boats are anxious to sell before winter. And, this is the perfect week to look at a lot of power or sailboats, all at one time, at the Annual Newport International Boat Show, Thursday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 14. Show hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.newportboatshow.com for details.

Tips on boat buying … first, determine use and boat type

First, determine what you want to use a boat for … water skiing, sailing, fishing, family outings, swimming, weekend cursing or a combination. The use of the vessel will dictate the type of boat you buy. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has a great online tool at www.discoverboating.com to help identity needs and suitable boat types. It is helpful to determine boat type early in your search because it points you in the right direction … which boats to see at the boat show, do Internet research on, or which boat dealers to visit.

Test drive

Most importantly, before you purchase, take your desired boat for a test run. If possible, test the boat under adverse conditions so you get a feel for how it handles. Operate the boat in the mode you are likely to use often, i.e. fast speeds if you plan to ski, slow speeds if you fish and often troll.

Should you buy a new or used boat?

Like automobiles, new boats come with warrantees. If something goes wrong (and with boats something often goes wrong) you want a warrantee behind you. Old boats have a high frequency of repair, and you may need more time to prepare for the season. A higher frequency of repair means more time off the water, which is something I try to avoid at all costs. If you are not a handy person and do not enjoy repairing things, an old boat may not be for you. Used boats also cost less, which is a big advantage; however, they may need updates or repairs. So, consider these costs in addition to the purchase price.

Boat surveys

A helpful way to determine repair cost is to commission a boat survey. A boat survey is similar to a home inspection. Surveys are conducted by certified surveyors who closely examine the vessels hull, structure, electrical system and engine(s). Surveys will not only tell you what is wrong (and right) about the boat but they give you estimates on repairs which can be used in price negotiations.

Rhody Fly Rodders meeting Thursday, Sept. 11

The Rhody Fly Rodders will hold a meeting Thursday, Sept. 11 on Narrow River, Narragansett at Sprague Bridge. High tide (in the river) is approximately 1 p.m., so the meeting will start with the outgoing tide and end around sunset. Contact Pete Nilsen at pdfish@fullchannel.net for information.

Where’s the bite

Offshore. Anthony Renzi of the vessel Real Deal fished at the Fish Tails (one of seven major canyons 80 to 100 miles offshore along the edge of the continental shelf) last week and landed nine yellowfin tuna to 85 pounds. Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “No luck during the day, but the night bite at the Fish Tails was good.” Other boats fished the area, too, with similar luck catching large numbers of yellowfin tuna. Matt Conti of Sung Harbor Marina said, “Over 200 boats fished the Fish Tails area Thursday and Friday of last week chunking (usually with herring, sardines or butter fish). Most boats caught eight to 10 fish in the 80-pound range. This is the best yellowfin tuna fishing we have had in a number of years.”

Tautog. “Tautog are being caught at the summer shallow water depths (15 to 20 feet). No strong bite reported yet,” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina. Angler Scott Kiefer of Exeter, R.I., (Scott landed a 16 pound tautog last fall) said, “…went back at it to see if the TOG were in went thru 2 gallons of crab in 3 hours multiple shorts and some huge hits in deeper water 30-40. Had one in the rocks and violined the line until I pissed it off enough and it came out… (it was) close to 10 lbs.”

Summer flounder (fluke) is still good. Shirley Saccoccio and her husband Tom of Cranston fished the Newport Bridge area last week. “Shirley weighed in a twelve pound summer flounder,” said Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle. “Fluke along the southern coastal shore have rebounded, but they are small. Some good sized fluke are still be caught off Block Island with the black sea bass bite still pretty good all over,” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina.

Black sea bass and scup from boat and shore. Angler Eric Appolonia landed black sea bass to five pounds fishing two miles southeast of Pt. Judith Light last week. “I was using a soft plastic squid rid with 16 ounces of weight to hold bottom with a stiff current and wind in about 60 feet of water,” said Appolonia. Scup fishing is still good all over the Bay with boaters landing fish near most rock piles and structures throughout the Bay. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said the scup bite at Sabin Point is still good. Anglers reporting landing scup from other shore areas including Colt State Park, Bristol; Wickford Harbor, North Kingstown; Jamestown Town Dock; and Fort Wetherill, Jamestown.

Striped bass. “Striped bass fishing in the Bay is improving. But the bite on Block Island has softened,” said Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “Things in the Bay are improving some, an angler hooked up with keeper bass on the channel pad near Conimicut Light using eels.” Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina said, “The bass bite on Block Island has slowed, but fish are still there. A couple of warm days and the bite should be strong again before the season ends, but the fish are moving.” Dave Sweet reports on the RISAA blog hooking up with a 28” bass on light tackle at Beavertail, Jamestown when fishing the bottom for scup with a silver “Tony Acceta” spoon with a yellow feather. Bouncing it off the bottom.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Visit Captain Dave’s No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him with your fishing news and photos at dmontifish@verizon.net.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here