Advice for a new boater....

[NCWAREAGLE]

My wife and I just bought a new house on beautiful Lake Norman, NC and I need some advice. I grew up fishing and being around the water, but now that I actually live on the water I am seriously considering buying either a run about or a deck boat. We will be using the boat primarily to ride around on, making short hops to friends houses (no more than 10 mile runs one way), and occasionally skiing or pulling a tube. We would like to be able to carry 10 people comfortably. Lake Norman can get rough sometimes due to heavy boat traffic so I would also like the boat to be at least 20 feet in length. I guess I am really looking for a boat that can ride 10 comfortably, have enough size and motor to handle Lake Norman, and be rugged enough to ride kids and pets on without tearing it to pieces... all on a budget. My Questions are:

1. What are the advantages of a deck boat over a V-hull run about (or vice versa)?

2. I want the boat to be an inboard / outboard, what is the best motor to consider?

3. We will be carrying my 100 lb dog with us most of the time, who always seems to have muddy paws. Is there a seat material I should look for?

4. What manufacturers / models would you recomend?

Thanks for all the help and I look forward to your replies.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

in my opinion of 45 years of boating, and owning bowriders, pontoon, fishing boats, jet skis. this link at the bottom is the all round best boat for what you are talking about. i have the same boat only a 1999. super ride in rough water, power to ski,tube, wakeboard, sink, potty, storage galore, seats 11. good luck. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...RK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=150134377590&rd=1,1

 

[gcboat]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

Agree 100%. With the VP Duoprop you will think you are in heaven. They handle like a dream. I even think that model has a shower hose at the transom - would take care of those muddy puppy feet. Oh yea, a sweet boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

gcboat, you are correct about the shower on the swim platform. we rarely use it. but would be great for the dog. also it is an no wood boat, no rot, ever. they guy will never get $26, for it. we bought ours used 18months ago, for $16,000 without a trailer. 16 plus 3,500 for trailer $19,500 would be a good price.

 

[NCWAREAGLE]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I will check out that link.

By the way "tashasdaddy" congratulations on your football teams undefeated seaon last year... no wait they lost to......AUBURN!!!!! WAR EAGLE!!!!!

Can't wait to make that trip to Gainesville this year. Good luck and thanks again for the link.

 

[KCook]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

With the doggy requirement sounds to me like your choice will lean toward the utility/value end of the scale? Anyways, if you end up looking for a newer deckboat try Hurricane, Starcraft, and Tahoe. Between those lines you should find lots of models to pick from.

Kelly Cook

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

Deck Boat. A pontoon is not a ski boat. More power and more comfort.

 

[NCWAREAGLE]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

Thank you gentlemen. Utility value is my major factor. I would love to have a boat with NO carpet, and thick easy to clean seat covers. Simple and fun is what I want, and if it gets dirty (which it will) I can just hose it out. Thanks again.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

Welcome aboard NCWareagle.
Living in the area i have noticed that many boats for sale near Norman are usually over priced. Shop around and look in other areas.
The deck boat is the way to go

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

the CC comes with the removable carpet. ours had it in it, take out, and is store in the garage attic. and we take the dogs with us also. the **** pit is also self bailing so you can use the shower hose to wash down and doggy mud, or the accidental pee accident.

 

[KCook]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

That's one of the things that separated deckboats from bowriders. On bowriders a cockpit liner is a recent feature for many builders. But virually all deckboats have had this for many years. The self-bailing feature is also pretty common on deckboats. However, there are exceptions, especially in the smaller sizes. So self-bailing is a good thing to check for.

Kelly

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

NC - I think you are on the right track with both deckboats and bowriders. Actually, I am not sure what the differences are at this point in design evolution. Also, Dual Console boats are pretty much the same as bowriders.

I think you should try for the non-carpet and if possible, at least a partial self-bailing cockpit. I disagree on the choice of power, however. I think a 4 cycle outboard (or 2 cycle DI outboard) is a much better choice than an I/O. The standard maintenance on an I/O is a whole lotta dollars. Also, the same items that break in your average american automobile (waterpump, starter, alternator, belts etc) as well as the manifolds, thermostat and other items, break in an I/O.

 

[crb478]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

I also live on Lake Norman, and yes it can get extremely rough especally on weekends and over the week of the 4th of July. There are several deck boats that have fiberglass decks and snap in carpet and many bowriders. Yes boats are overpriced around lake norman, but you will have to drive a ways to get them much cheaper. I have a good friend that has a 22 foot tri-toon and it does well on the lake. Much better than most pontoons. It is also faster than some bowriders.
If you buy a boat locally I suggest you test drive it when the lake is packed with boats, that is the only way you will know haw it will handle when you need it.
The thing about Lake Norman is that there are wakes comming from so many different directions that it is hard to maintain a course. At least ot the ocean you can hit swells at an angle to the direction they are running. They are running in all directions on the Lake on a busy day.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Advice for a new boater....

Once you own a boat with a fiberglass liner and a self bailing cockpit you will never own anything else.