Buying first boat.

[boating2009]

Hello Everybody,

I'm new to this forum, and I'm looking to buy my first boat. I can't afford a new boat so I'm looking to see what's out there used 1995 - 2002 which is affordable and will be a good first boat to own.

I have found quite a few sellers which are selling Glastron SSV 235 {1995- 1996} in the price range which i can afford. Question is, are Glastron boats any good? What's your recommendations?

Thanx
Alex

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Buying first boat.

Glastrons are good boats. Don't feel bad about not buying new, since boats are way overprices when new and lose more value than any other asset you could buy. There are many good boats in that year span that should be more or less trouble free aside from routine maintenance. As long as they have been well taken care of and properly maintained, it should be good to go. Cobalts, Crownlines, Glastrons, etc. all make good runabouts.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Buying first boat.

Welcome to iboats!!

Buying should depend on what your intentions are to use the boat for..... how many people will be on board..... what you have to tow it with..... how confident you are with doing maintenance...... hundreds of factors.

Anyone can get a new boat but for what you can afford in a new boat might be a tiny rowboat so if you are like me....used boats are fine You will get more for your money.

 

[boating2009]

Re: Buying first boat.

Welcome to iboats!!

Buying should depend on what your intentions are to use the boat for..... how many people will be on board..... what you have to tow it with..... how confident you are with doing maintenance...... hundreds of factors.

Anyone can get a new boat but for what you can afford in a new boat might be a tiny rowboat so if you are like me....used boats are fine You will get more for your money.

I live in NY, so i do have access to sea, but, i also have a summer house in PA and most likely will be only riding on the Wallenpaupack lake. Maintenance, i think i'll be able to do myself, since I'm some what handy. Towing, i have a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, v8, but most likely it won't pull 23' boat. In that case my wife's father has a F250 which should be more then enough. I'm mostly interested in 21-23 feet boats as i do have a lot of friends who come over to visit me, and i would like to take them and their families aboard, approximately 6-8 people.

Also how much gas will 23 foot boat use?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Buying first boat.

fuel consumption depend on boat and motor combo, if fuel consumption is a concern, you do not belong in boating.

i recommend a Deck Boat, lots of room

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

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300472

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: Buying first boat.

My first boat was a used four winns. But, it was also the boat I made most of my mistakes on. Somebody who hasn't been around boats or grew up with them is probly better off with a good used boat for their first one. I can remember coming into the dock a little faster than needed and scratching that boat from bow to stern. Do you see what I'm saying?? I would have been sick if I had been in a new boat instead of my $1500 used one. Follow TD's advice above, and just like buying anything else, if it seems too good to be true, it probly is.

 

[Nippissinger]

Re: Buying first boat.

If you are gonna be entertaining on a small lake most of the time, and speed is not a factor so much as fuel. Then you may want to look at the deck or pontoon boats. They are the most stable, best fuel efficient and lots of room for entertaining.

Of course if you are looking for a cruiser deep v in the 23' range, look for the 4.3 mercruisers. These seem to be the best fuel efficient mid size ships out there. Be picky and thorough when looking them over. Hulls and decks can be deceiving. You don't want to have to do a lot of unseen work to have a seaworthy vessel. I like the one owner with all the safety gear and all original ones as they seem to be more conscientious about their personal property.

Do a thorough inspection of everything from the trailer to the bow to the stern and follow ur gut...

Good Luck and Enjoy!!

Nipper...

 

[cribber]

Re: Buying first boat.

Take TD's advice and be patient in your search for the perfect boat. Set your budget and shop around... Glastron Boats is just one brand from the Genmar family and I'm quite happy with my Glastron GT-185 I picked up last year so I'd say the 235 is decent as well. Just shop around and compare prices from Iboats, NADA, etc... and take your time.