N00b

[Seven Star]

Hi everyone, first time poster here and i have a few questions if you could be so kind to answer. I've done some searches but i have specific questions for me. I've never owner nor operated a boat before but am considering buying a used boat. I live very close to the detroit river and have access to Lake Erie as well. I've read that it is best to start off with a smaller sized boat for a beginner such as myself, but i would like to do some boating in both the river and the lake if possible.

Lake Erie is notorious for it's sudden weather and wave changes so a bigger boat would be best for that correct?

I see lots of used boats for sale around here and most are in the 14-19 foot range, so would anything in that range be best for me as a noob? Bowriders and such aren't suited for the lake? I don't plan to go deep offshore, just some fishing and cruising maybe a couple kilometeres offshore in the lake, if it is possible.

Now my next question concerns my vehicle. I have an 03 grand am gt and ive read the towing capacity is only 1000 lbs on it, so apparently the car isn't ideal for towing a small boat?

Thanks in advance.

 

[watermellonI]

Re: N00b

Welcome aboard 7
IMHO, I would start out with somethin about 16 ft, bowrider or casting deck on the front, I m just gettin started myself and I had a cuddy that was almost givin to me, it s tough to learn to maneuver the boat from just the helm if your not used to it, my boat is tough to get at the bow because of the design. A bowrider would give you easy access to the front of the boat which is nice when you re boarding and docking.
As far as towing you may want to consider a different vehicle, some sort of SUV would still give you room for family and friends, or just about any used truck will get you to the water as long as you don t have to go too far.

That s my 2C I m sure you ll get more input.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: N00b

Please take a boating safety course.
It will make your time on the water more fun and a lot more safe.
Welcome to iboats and the wonderful world of boating.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: N00b

bow riders are fine, you need a cover for the bow, for inclement weather. an outboard definitely for a beginner. easier maintenance, and to winterize. 18-20 feet will keep you from wanting a new bigger boat in 2 years, still small enough to handle. boating course is essential, where you want to boat, and proper equipment, vhf radio, gps.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old

also read all of this: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=138594

 

[External Combustion]

Re: N00b

Take a good boating course first before deciding on a boat. It should influence your choice. Talk with those who go consistently where you want to go and do the activities that you want to do.

I have no experience on the great lakes on anything but a fine day, but I hear that if you use an open bow boat under 20 ft long there, it should be a whale boat or a surf boat because of the wicked weather. A couple of klicks offshore can be a long ways to safety in a sudden blow. In my section of the world we get at least thirty minutes warning of changing weather. On the Great Lakes I know that you don't have that luxury all of the time. In addition, I have personally seen the waves rise suddenly there with no visible change in the weather.

Tashasdadddy's advice is spot on. In addition you will have to add finding another tow vehicle for I think the type of boat you are saying you need will be more than 1000 lbs with the trailer, let alone the fuel, ground tackle and goodies. Welcome to boating, the legal insanity!

 

[Seven Star]

Re: N00b

thanks all for the replies...I have to take a safe boating course in order to get my boating license anyhow, no way around that. I've been doin my studying and plan to take my test soon. Kind of bummed about my car, when i bought the car, I had no inclination of getting a boat, but the boat bug hit me recently lol. I'll look for a cheap truck just to haul the boat when i decide to get one. I really wanted a bigger boat but from the replies i got and from what I have read, it is safest to start out smaller. Only thing i really wanted a bigger boat for was to have a cuddy cabin, I think it's a neat option to have but I'll get by.

What about bowriders and runabouts etc, is it possible to put a small head in them? I mean I know there would be a privacy issue but I have a young son who would probably have to go to the bathroom often lol, and piloting back and forth to the marina would be a drag.

Thanks again...

 

[dave11]

Re: N00b

TD is correct. A 16-19 foot boat with an out board would be a good first boat. Bowriders are great and will be fine for Lake Erie and the rivers. When you are out on the lake, watch out for the squalls!!!!!!!! When the lake is rough, you will not be going out anyway, so don't worry about size. Remember the Edmund Fitzgerald?

 

[watermellonI]

Re: N00b

get a porta potti, look in the campin section, and a big towel, or blanket for cover while doin the deed

 

[ziggy]

Re: N00b

What about bowriders and runabouts etc, is it possible to put a small head in them? I mean I know there would be a privacy issue but I have a young son who would probably have to go to the bathroom often lol, and piloting back and forth to the marina would be a drag.

note the coffee can back by the rear speaker...... works real good......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: N00b

when we were kids it was a kick to pee over the side, the girls sat on the splash well, even mom. anything more serious, got the bucket, and it got washed out.

 

[tmh]

Re: N00b

wait a minute here.....a 16' boat for Lake Erie!?!?!? As a matter of fact, doesn't the Detroit River get some big boats in it kicking up huge wake? It's a major shipping channel if i recall.

If your section of lake Erie is anything like near Buffalo you'd be able to take a 16-18' open bow boat out in some comfort maybe 2 out of 7 days. The rest would have too much chop.

20' for what you are talking about, I'd say. buy used so you can make a mistake or two learning to handle it. A 20' bowrider is still a "small" boat for handling, docking, etc.

 

[amynbill]

Re: N00b

I have a young son who would probably have to go to the bathroom often lol, and piloting back and forth to the marina would be a drag.

Thanks again...

He's a boy...let him cast the shackles of shame off and pee off the bow as far as he can

Definitely need a different tow vehicle for anything in the size ranges you are thinking of. Towing capacity is just one of the pieces of the puzzle, and you are missing pretty much all of the puzzle.

 

[dave11]

Re: N00b

Hey Watermellom

Isn't that what ponchos are for?