Suggestions as to type of boat?

[jahutch]

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and hoping you can help out a boating newbie . I have been looking at boats for a while.. and while I'm not in the market just yet, I can see that one may be in my future sooner than later. I like the "bowrider" style of boat, and I think its a good choice for me as my interests center more toward watersports and cruising than fishing. That being said, I am wanting a boat that is capable of going in salt water without being an extreme hassle. By that I mean, when I go down to the outer banks for a week, I'd like to be able to leave it in the water for the week and not have to pull it out and flush it after every run.

Given that, I am thinking my best choice may be a bowrider with outboard power (instead of I/O). Something along these lines, though perhaps newer! http://tampa.craigslist.org/boa/736469384.html

So what are people's thoughts? Is a bowrider with outboard a good choice for me - and if so, does anyone have any specific models I might look at? I know outboard bowriders are pretty rare, but there are a few out there from what I see.

And one other question - how serious is the "swamping" issue with bowriders? I'm not planning to take it in the ocean - mostly lakes, rivers, maybe the Pamlico Sound in NC, and perhaps some near-shore boating on the Chesapeake. Given calm conditions, will a bowrider be sufficient?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

bowriders don't have any more problems taking on water, than any other boat. they make a bow cover, that you can use if you hit bad weather, but the good captian, gets out of the water before the conditions, get bad. i personally prefer outboard bow riders, the floor space in a boat is very expensive. i'm not going to use that space for the engine to set there, when it can hang in the free space on the transom.

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. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors 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.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

I think the boat in your link is an awesome boat. I'd love to have it myself. Looks to be in excellent condition and would haul ***** with that motor!!

 

[jahutch]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

I think the boat in your link is an awesome boat. I'd love to have it myself. Looks to be in excellent condition and would haul ***** with that motor!!

Yeah, it looked like an interesting deal! I'm used to I/O power ratings, but I guess given the lesser weight of an outboard that 150hp is a lot. This is another one that caught my eye. Also an old boat, but also looks in good condition, and has a newer motor.

http://richmond.craigslist.org/boa/729325119.html

It also has the advantage of being 3 hours drive from me instead of 2 days!

Another one here: http://richmond.craigslist.org/boa/726848264.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

The first one would be faster and ride better than that old tri-hull. It also just looks "newer" and more modern. Also I'm not sure how those 90's Suzuki's were. I really don't know much about them. I do know that an 80's Evinrude is just getting broken in

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

out of the 3 boats, Tampa gets my vote. 1st Richmond, is a tri hull, and a rough ride in choppy water, will jar you teeth out. 2nd Richmond, is under powered, for an I/O, with a 4.3 would be ok.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

I didn't even see that last one. TD, you read 135HP and thought 3.0 I/O. It's actually a 135 outboard Mercury. (so it's quite well powered) It's a Merc branded for a Sea Ray so it was a used motor. I wonder what year the motor is?

 

[jahutch]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

Yeah the second Richmond boat seems interesting. Its a good bit newer than the Tampa one, and a lot closer. The closeness alone more than balances out the extra cost.

Another general boat question... If one were to rent a wet slip (fresh water), is it okay to keep the boat in there for the season? I've heard some say yes, some say no. It seems it'd be better with an outboard as you can tip the motor out of the water. Some of these "boat valet" services and slips with lifts are quite expensive. Course I suppose the boat valet would have the advantage of being stored indoors, so you wouldn't have to "winterize" it per se, and could use it on a late fall 70 degree day .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Suggestions as to type of boat?

ezmobee, you are correct, i assumed it was the 3.0 as i could not see the motor in picture. that brings it to the top of the list, depending on the ccondition and age of the motor. i think it should be negotiated down some, in the market.