Budget Boat Builds Under $20k: Get on the Water For Cheap

If there is a sure sign you're a boating enthusiast, or you have a major addiction, it is measured by how much time you spend perusing the classified ads. After years of therapy I'm down to about 2 hours a day, so I'm doing better. Since prices are finally adjusting and the economy is softening, boat deals are out there. Let's take a look at what we could put together for less than $20,000. Here are a few options with examples.

I recently came across a Laser LTV, mid eighties that needed some work and was listed for $1,500 with no power and a serviceable trailer. Sometimes you find a great boat and the owner isn’t interested in a project and may not know what they have and are giving it away. This is the best scenario, because as we know a free boat will cost you, but the right free boat is a bargain. As you would assume, it needed lots of work but the gelcoat looked decent enough, the transom and floor needed the most attention. Assuming you could do some of the work and replace the transom and floor, you could assume to spend anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 on labor and materials. Again, depends how much you can do yourself.

This is not the boat I saw for sale but the same model. A really classic hull that was created by Roark Summerford and became the STV.

You could get this boat looking good and be all in for around $5 or $6k. It had seats that might be fine, but I've seen used seats or cheap aftermarket ones for around $200 to $275.

My favorite part of a small boat like the Laser is that not only is it a classic but it's a fast boat that doesn't need big power. I looked and found some used 150 and 175 HP engines that were 2 stroke DFI, Mercury Optimax, Evinrude Etec and Yamana HDPI models. These are the smaller blocks, light, reliable and decent power for this little boat. Prices ranged from $3,000 to $4,500. Sometimes you can get a deal on some rigging, and used gauges, so hopefully you can get power and rigging for around $4k to $5k. Sourcing used jack plates and props is never too difficult. You're probably going to spend some money on a nose cone and other engine parts.

These 150 and 175 2.5L direct injection ProXS are great engines and are often good deals. Light and efficient.

So far we could be into this boat for around $10k to $12k. Even if a couple things were worse than expected and you had to spend another $1k or $2k, you have a great little performer. With some luck and your own labor, you could be under $10k.

There are some cases where buying a turnkey boat makes more sense but in the case of this Laser you could make sure your boat is done right, instead of paying a premium for one that may not be great.

Here are some samples.

This is a different model Laser than the example above. I think this is a 422, and it’s a great boat. With some bargaining and a nice used 250 to 300 you could have a really fast cool boat for under $20k.

Another great deal is used checkmate Pulsares, we've reviewed these before and the 21 Pulsare is a good value for performance. Reasonably well made and fast, they made quite a few of them so finding one is usually easy. They also made a 20’ version briefly and a larger Pulse 21 which is heavier and has a deeper V, but still a decent boat. Starflites are not quite as fast and getting old but you can find them for really cheap. I did see a Pulsare in quite rough shape for about $2,000 but expect a decent older one to be around $12k to $15k with power.

I prefer the Pulsare to the Starflite, although the Starflite is a good looking boat. This one looks really clean. The 250 Evinrude HO Etec is a powerhouse. This looks turnkey and a great lake boat.

I looked and found a few 21 Pulsares for around $15k to $18k, and all had pretty good engines. Some of the weaknesses of the Checkmates can be addressed. The wood transom and stringers usually go, especially in ones older than 15 or 20 years old. The rigging and wiring can all be updated fairly easily. If you get lucky and find one that has a solid structure and the core is good, you can make some hardware and rigging upgrades for reasonable. Sometimes some fresh carpet, a detail and some upgraded gauges make it look new again. Some might need a lot more.

For these, if you get one with a good engine already, that could save you a lot. One I saw had a 3.0L 225 EFI and the transom had been done, it was $14k with a good trailer. You could upgrade the jack plate, steering and a few things and have a great package well under $20k.

Another great example was a 21 Superboat project boat that was unfinished and being sold for $4k. The boat had a newer interior and had some glass work done but needed to be finished. A true handyman special, and when a boat needs a lot of work, you have to get it for almost nothing to make it worth it. If the interior is good, that certainly saves a lot. The crazy part is I’ve seen used 21 Linder style boats that need the same amount of work but because they run, the owner is asking in the $15k to $20k range. Which is a bit steep for boats that are over 35 years old. It all depends on what comes with it and what needs to be done.

I don’t normally include bass boats but a classic bullet is really cool. These are fast and this one is looks great. You could be on the water ripping and fishing for a reasonable amount. I have seen the 20 XD Bullets with center steer for really good deals which are great boats when fishing isn’t a priority.

To search multiple listing in one place use Keen2Boat.com

Here’s an older 23 Eliminator Daytona with a Mercury Racing 300X, looks pretty nice.

Don’t sleep on old sterndrive boats, especially in the 22 to 28’ single engine range. Absolutely the best value now in the performance world. I’ve seen some great hulls and even if you needed to repower, there are great deals on used or remanufactured packages from Mercury or others.

I don’t know much about these Regal Velocity’s, but this is a really rad design. If you loved the eighties and you love a good deal, you can be on the water for less than what the average nightclub promoter snorts up his nose every weekend.

For $20k, getting into a really nice condition Checkmate Convincor is a great deal. These are pretty solid boats and among Checkmate’s better models. Sleek, full windshield, and a single 502 make this a really practical fast boat with size.

Here are a couple tips and tricks when it comes to bargain hunting. You do sometimes see “free” boats, and ones that are under $2,000. And even if the boat is a write off or not worth fixing, their might be salvageable parts on it. That cheap boat could have an interior worth using, a trailer, a steering setup, or even a jack plate. Do the math, I know donor boats can be a great option for a restoration to keep costs down. A trailer, jack plate and gauges alone might save you a few thousand dollars.

Another tip might be to use a discount marine retailer like Overton’s for seats and other rigging. There are some half decent bucket seats from retailers for around $250 that look pretty good and are often cheaper than reupholstering your old ones. You can also get semi custom boat covers for really good deals from reputable companies that fit really well.

Although many people assume boating is a expensive hobby, and it is in many cases, you can easily get on the water for less than people think. Often times it’s the running costs and repairs that hurt the most financially, not the purchase price. What I love about small performance boats is that there are some great boats out there that are in good condition that can be bought for relatively cheap.