I am looking at a used one and was curious if anyone recommend them or knows anything about them I know the company went out of buissness a couple of years ago so I am guessing thats the reason for the lack of info on google any help would be appreciated.

Ok so what would you look for on a used boat. This will be my first boat if I buy it so what are some key areas to look at while I am there this afternoon keep in mind it has no motor. TIA

Cracks in the fiberglass work, around corners and near the transom are bad, of course. Check the condition of the wiring. You should not see much, if any corrision if it was wired well. Pull all the plugs and see if water drains, and what color. Check any bilge pumps, etc, to be sure they function. Check the bottom. Scratches and such are ok, but deep gouges may require repair.

Other than that, it is really hard to tell how well it is built without gutting it.

Raycraft didn't have a good reputation among pro fishermen and guides that use their boats frequently.

Mouth's advice is good, also check the bottoms of all storage areas and see if they are soft, if they are it indicates either a leaky boat, or a hatches that don't seal.

Thanks for the advice I think I will make myself up a check list.

Oh, and look for lamination bubbles on all fiberglass surfaces. Similar to the soft spots talked about above. This is where the outer glass skin has separated from the boat hull due to water intrusion into the glass resin matrix, either from punctures, or from permeable resin, combined with stress on the hull. A spot here and there isn't so bad, but significant amounts would be.

FYI, most of the prefab hulls made over the last 20 years, up until the last 3-5 or so were made with polyester or vinylester resins that are water permeable. They resist water intrusion, but are not truly waterproof like epoxy resins. Hulls built with these materals will eventually have bubble issues over time...but we're talking long time periods. They also end up with the hull being waterlogged, and overweight over time, since it soaks up water like a very dense sponge once the clear coat is punctured. Only the latest epoxy resin only hulls are not susceptible to this problem.

Most production boats are female molded, gel coated vinlyester boats, so they'll mostly all eventually have problems with water intrusion...

So much for the "no wood" craze, eh?

Raycraft owner here. They did go out of business and the last I saw of them, they were selling their equipment and molds. They were built tough for the stump-filled East Texas reservoirs and rivers. I'll talk about my boat a little (sorry, not for sale!)

My dad bought a Raycraft V159 fish and ski back in 1988 when I was in 8th grade. I "inherited" it when he got a new Triton - although I still might owe him some cash on the "dad deal" he gave me. It's in my garage now, about to get new carpet, re-upholstered, new gelcoat, new trolling motor, etc.

Never had any problems with the boat itself. Certainly have had to do some electronics work here and there and replaced the original wood under the seats. I love the boat, it is small (16') but can fish 3 and ski/pleasure run 4.

This boat has hit it all in its nearly 20 years: hidden sand bar off Twin Dikes and Black Forest stumps on Rayburn, 6-foot seas in Sabine Lake, cypress knees on Pine Island Bayou and the Neches River - but no major damage. I love this boat and will never sell it. Sure, I would like a new boat but mine floats, runs like a scalded ape and with the upgrades I am about to do, it will be good as new.

Good luck in your search, I think Raycrafts are great boats for the money you pay. Here are some links:

iBoats discussion on Raycraft
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1364029

Saltwater boat for sale:
http://www.everyboat.com/c/s/2001-ray-craft-san-augustine-fiberg-raycraft-bay-boat_4367.htm

Bass Boat for sale:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/boa/350622643.html