Greetings all. 1st post. I am selling my 14' fishing boat with 6 horse Johnson (put a lot of fish in that boat over the years) and upgrading to a 96 Grumman 17' aluminum Outlaw. It has a 70 horse Merc on it and set up to fish. Got a heckuva deal on it. Previous owner kept it in the garage and in great shape. Fish finder, live wells, trolling motor, rodholders etc. Can anyone tell me about what I can expect from this boat? Ride, dependability, maintaining etc? I won't be able to put it on the water for about a month. Thanks in advance.

I don't know about this exact boat, I have a slightly smaller StarCraft tin with 50 HP Merc. Others I'm sure will respond but I'm sure you will really like the boat. Probably going to get top speed in the mid to high 30s maybe a bit more. Tins are not as smooth as glass at speed and get blown around more In the wind but I'm sure the upgrade will greatly increase your fun on the water.

Mercury outboards are good but they are not maintence free. You will find that your using a lot more fuel than what your used to. Good luck with your new boat. Launch day is gonna be here soon.

A friend of mine had that boat, and about that year, and I don't think he ever had a problem with it and he had it at least 10 years. He took trips to Santee Cooper and several trips to Okeechobee with us. That boat did not handle rough water real well, and he got wet many times, but the boat was like a Timex. "Took a licking and kept on ticking." I have a 20 Champion and he followed me in some very rough water without incident, although he was soaked when we got there, as was I on some trips. I have a lot of fond memories of that boat. I hope yours serves you as well as his did him. Great little boat...