would like your opinion.
 

Ok guys, this is the deal. I've been looking to buy a bigger boat since we often find ours crowded and in rough waters. Well I found a 2006 2400lts from triton for 19k. 225 yamaha with low hours. I know the boat is worth more, the thing is I have only a silverado 1500. I was wondering if that would be enough to pull a boat that size. I was originally looking for a 22 footer, but with that quality boat at that price its hard to pass up.

I was also wondering what kind of top speed do you think ill get out of that setup. It does have trim tabs and jack plate.

O did I mention its 16 hours away in Florida.

I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance.

Not trying to throw you off bro,but I would never buy a boat from florida. Corrosion is a huge issue,everyone I know that bought one from florida had problems. To answer your question a 1/2 ton will pull it no problem,expect to loose some speed on bridges and overpasses.

Well I forgot to mention its never been in salt water

A bay boat in florida never been in saltwater.....that is amazing. Roll with it then if it checks out,the lts 24 is a sweet riding boat. 19k is a steal if everything is sound.

Just use that company truck!

Montauk is right. Really doesn't matter if it's been "in" saltwater or not. If it has been exposed to it for any great lengths...that's all it takes. That crap down there is like battery acid.

I completely agree and need to ask him if it has any signs of corrosion. He did say he kept the boat inside when not in use. I would really like to purchase it, but 16 hours is a long ways to come back with nothing

Hey Ryan, is it difficult to wire a boat like this? He only has an 80# thrust trolling motor and I know I will have to upgrade that. Also, can you take a 6ft power pole and place an 8ft in its place?

I feel your pain, man, and wish you luck. Pics won't really do you much good because, alot of times, the corrosion won't show up until much later. A dude that I know bought a used boat in excellent shape from a guy in south Texas 6-8 years ago. A couple years later everything metal on the boat was showing corrosion. It's probably not that bad in Florida, tho. Good luck.

hella of a deal, just sounds to good to be true. make sure he puts the engine on the computer!!!!!!!

Should not be a problem,tritons rigging tube is big and easy to run wires. The 8 ft power pole bracket is the same as the 6ft. Not sure if the pump is the same,but they don't sell them alone anyways.

Right, he has already agreed on that

Yes 1500 will do just fine and it's well within it's tow capacity. You should get 10-11 mpg at 60 mph and 9 or so at 70 mph,,, "225 yamaha" really really really have that motor checked for internal corrosion. and take it for a LOADED test drive. Most 240 LTS run 250 and that motor is know for being a little on the weak side. No major concerns just a few FYIs for ya. I've driven that far twice to pick up boats and if the deal is right (and this one seems to be) the extra cost of the trip is worth it. Thought of having it surveyed? Speed should be 50 wot light and 46 loaded.

Thank you and he has mentioned that he'd have it surveyed while I was there and I am unclear on what that exactly means and I am a surveyor! lol does it mean a thorough inspection of hull and motor?

No matter what I would have a yamaha dealer hook the computer up to it to check engine hours,run history,and to see if he abused the engine. He cannot hide anything that way. Take the engine cowl off and inspect EVERYTHING for any sign of corrosion. I have seen way too many people buy used rigs and the owner told them it had low hours and take there word for it. We had one the other day that had over a 1,000 hours and the previous owner clamed under 200. Just saying be careful and check every nook and cranny.

Will do! Hey Ryan do you mind telling me what exactly does surveying a boat means?

Good question...lol We do a "pre-sale" check for people,and we hook up the pc and check the run history and hours. Check all pumps,gauges,transon,lights,ect ect. Oh yeah and of course a compression check.

Ok ok. So pretty much a check the crap out of everything check lol I like it.

Well thanks to all of your help(including others,) I will contact the seller and try to see if he'd be willing to pay for all these checks and then move on from there. Or should I pay? No he should, right?

Hard to say bro,most of the time the buyer that is interested pays for the check. They might do things different in florida,who knows. Don't forget to check the trailer too...mainly the hubs and leaf springs if it is not a torsion axle trailer.

Where is it at in Florida? B/c even if it hasn't been in saltwater, corrosion could still be an issue from the air. I have family that used to live in Destin, and I can remember when we were kids all their bikes would be rusted to crap just from the salt air. Probably just would apply to the trailer but I don't know. I'm no expert.

You are right,one of the mechanics where I work went to MMI in florida. He said most boat dealers do not work on anything older then 5 years old because of corrosion.

Jeff....
 

Did something very similar to what you're contemplating. Went just on the other side of Tampa and picked up my 24' Pathfinder. All of the concerns mentioned here are warranted....the seller was a used boat dealer and told me that the motor had around 500 hrs. on the 225 Yamaha that was on the boat but didn't have a computer printout for me. Drove strait over one day, spent the night in a motel, and test-drove the boat the next day. It seemed to in good working order and he changed or fixed a couple of minor issues such as burnt tail lights, etc. Drove straight back that day which I wouldn't recommend....will drive you stir crazy! Anyway, started adding and changing things and didn't get to take it out after getting home for a couple of months. First time out I couldn't get it cranked. Needless to say I ended up spending over $3,000 on two different repair shops on the engine alone to get it working properly. Trails Yamaha in Henderson finally got it running like it's supposed to. Also found out that the motor had 900+ hours on it although much of it was at idle or slow speed. I've put $7,000+ into the motor, boat accessories, and trailer combined since I purchased it. There are mobile mechanics that you can hire in most areas to go by and check out an outboard and give you a report. Might be worth checking into before you head out there. Although Pathfinder boats are known to have great resale value, I purchased my 2002 with no accessories(i.e. trolling motor, rear seats, Gps, anchor, etc.) a couple of years ago for several thousand dollars more than what you are looking at for a 2006 Triton. It could be a really good deal because of someone needing money badly in this tough economy, or it could have some serious issues that will end up costing you quite a bit to get it going. Even so it may still be a good deal....just know as much as you can before you go so you can know what to expect. I would also be a bit more wary of a used boat dealer than an individual. Expect to pay state and local taxes on the full purchase price of the boat when you go to register it here.

Man, what a bummer of a thread this turned out to be!! :cry: Sad part is...everything everyone is saying is true, but, this could be an exception to the rule. IMO, it's certainly worth a trip east if you want the boat.

Thank you for the info. I am trying to gather as much info as I can and you have just taught me something. Whenever I register it, I still have to pay taxes when its just an individual selling it to me? I thought it would just be the asking price? The guy selling it sounds like a hard working wealthy individual who has just lost the time to use it. It is located in Doral, Florida I think. I have it in an email.

When I sold my boat some months ago, I could'a swore the only taxes paid were on the trailer. :eek: I could be wrong.

If the boat your are buying is legally reg. in Florida you just have to pay tax on trailer No other tax on boat or motor, make sure you get some type of bill of sale to complete your
paperwork with LDWF to transfer reg. to Louisiana.

The big question about buying this boat is the Yam 225, Triton boats have high grade s/s hardware with good electrical systems and are 100 percent composite hulls, in other words if the motor checks out you save big money going pick it up.

In Alabama the boat and trailer are registered together. :eek: Don't know about Florida. Still, I don't think he'd have to pay any taxes on the hull itself if transferring to Louisiana.

Hate to tell you..
 

but I just did this two years ago and I had to pay state taxes and parish taxes on the amount that was on the title transfer. Now the guy did give me a break on the amount that he listed on the title so I wouldn't have to pay as much on my taxes here. The boat was legally listed to him as a Florida business or else he wouldn't have been able to sell it to me. As for an individual seller, you may get by with just the trailer on that. Most of the time though you are going to either have to pay state taxes there or here. If you didn't have to go through the registration process there would probably be a lot of non-payment of taxes, but alas, the parish, state, and wildlife and fisheries have their hand out for taxes and fees.

In La if the boat has been registered, has FL 1234 AB etc on the side, previously in any other state then you will not owe tax on boat, motor, or accessories. You will owe city, parish and state taxes as well as lic and title fees to the DMV. LDWF will make you jump through a few hoops but no taxes. A marine survey is like an appraisal and physical of a water craft. It's much more common with larger more expensive boats (offshore boats) but does happen on long distance sales too. It may set you back a few hundred dollars but would allow you to thoroughly "see" the boat without killing two days with travel. Google certified marine surveyor in the general area of that boat to find one or PM me if you need some help

you'll need an extended tranny warranty to pull that with a 1/2 ton chevy :help:

life is short go get it!!!

This being a used boat with valid FL reg. no tax will be collected on this boat just on trailer. If the boat is new never reg. you will have to pay parish and state tax on boat and trailer, just did it 2 months ago and is a pain in the butt to get done.

I have a 1/2 ton chevy and the same boat and it pulls it. The truck doesn't like it very much but pulls it. I get the about the same numbers as cutty posted as far as gas milleage.

call the DMV and ask about taxes and legal paper work and when you get off the phone call back and ask someone else and when you get done call a title place near your home and then call the state and lawf. I have bought trailers, trucks, 4-wheelers and other stuff out of state and it always gets screwed up when i trry to get the paper work done, our wonderful state likes to change stuff and has crazy rules one stuff like this. If i found somthin out of state that was a steal i would buy agin but belive me call and ask about title and such sevral times and then agin just before you leave.

Geez that sucks that its that disorganized. I hope he responses soon and I can make my decision.

Well i just talked to a boat mechanic, my cousin, and he knows a lot about this subject and he said all i have to pay taxes on is the trailer. He mentioned its a ton of paperwork tho

they like to sneak stuff on you for sure if its from out of state but like i said i have bought and will buy stuff out of state agin if its a good deal. the last time i bought somthin i just went and told them i wanted a copy of everything i would need and they gave it to me and i made the person in texas use what i had and even made them notarize every paper signed

Well I talked with the seller last week and had made plans to visit with him Saturday (he has to fly in from Seattle, otherwise I would have already been there) and he tells me yesterday that someone has just paid him for the boat....

frikin sucks terribly!!!!!!!!!

so if anyone of you know where i can find a good deal on a 22-24ft boat let me know. Looking for something with gunnel rod holders, jump seats, and newer than 2005