Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

[chelsi2786]

My husband and I are in our early twenties and are eagerly wanting to buy a boat. I have spent my entire life with boats, but have never paid attention the aspects that count! Unfortunately, our mechanic and brains (my Step Dad) was taken from us this last February. Hubb's dad is a golfer, if that tells you anything Kidding, of course. So, I've joined here to learn the essentials!

Thanks ahead of time to all that will contribute!

I've been scanning various community advertisements where used boats would be sold, but maybe there is a key place that I am missing? Also, we are in the market to spend less than 7k. We want a quality inboard with an open bow that will be relatively low maint. and not problematic. I realize, this can be an oxy moron with boats! I keep hearing terrible things about Bayliners but after some research on these forums have read that they aren't all bad and maybe have bettered their quality in past years.

Can someone give me some pointers? Any brands to steer clear of?
Criteria:
Light enough that our Toyo Highlander V6 AWD will tow
Open Bow
Readily will pull skiers, tubers and the occasional wakeboarder
Cup holders for our beverages? Only kidding...

Thanks for the help!

 

[QC]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

Welcome aboard Chelsi! I wouldn't worry too much about brand yet. I'm thinkng start with application. Where are you planning on boating? Small lakes? Big? River? Offshore?

You said inboard, and I immediately thought of a Tournament style Skiboat. I am kind of guessing though that you might favor an inboard/outdrive combination. How important are watersports?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

The experts on this forum, which I am not, can help you with any issue involving a boat, motor and trailer. I recommend you determine the tow capacity of your Toyota Highlander first so as not to create a problem after you purchase your boat. Good luck!

 

[chelsi2786]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

Almost sounds like you know what you want, but need help whittling it down to the actual boat.

When you start planning your boat, you are going to generate a list of unrealistic boat requirements and end up with a mega cruiser (I did and could not afford - ie, no boat). What do you want the boat to do? Where do you want the boat to go? How will you get it there? You need to think this out and plan for a little extra use/space.

Is your Toy Highlander set-up for towing? Depending on the year the capacity may be 2000 std/3500 max. You may know or can look it up with a google search.

I'd suggest that you start with the smallest boat that meets your current needs. Once bitten by the boating vampire and experienced in the big boating world, your needs/wants will change. And, a smaller boat is easier to tow, launch and control.

Pass to us more thoughts and we can start helping you spend your money.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

Theres nothing wrong with Bayliners, in fact it may be the perfect 1st boat choice,what's wrong with Bayliners are there past owners. abuse & neglect can turn a top-end boat to crap just as fast. Bayliner is an ENTRY LEVEL boat/motor/trailer combination thats great for folks like you..starting out and eager to learn. 7K will buy you a nice used boat. Advice: when you have whittled it down to what you know you want...get it surveyed..better to spend the few 100 than buy junk and double the budget constantly repairing it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

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

 

[chelsi2786]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I will do my best to give you more information.

I looked in our owners manual and also googled to find the specs. It seems as though our V6 is supposed to be able to handle 3500 lbs. Also, yes, it is set up for towing. We bought the vehicle used, so I'm not sure if the hitch was aftermarket or if it was standard with the car. Also, I'll have my brother check to make sure it's strong enough to tow a boat? I'm assuming that hitches may also have different towing capacities?

We will use the boat for mostly water sports. I suppose we may fish from time to time, but in all honesty... it'll be used for tubing and skiing!

We will use the boat on medium sized lakes. I have a huge fear of little boats in saltwater... so although we're surrounded by saltwater, I think I'll leave the ocean for the big guys!

It would be nice to be able to have at least five-six adults in the boat at one time. We won't always have that many, but I'd like at least the capacity to have that many. We also have two dogs. So, most of the time it will probably be 1-3 adults and two dogs.

By inboard, I mean't inboard/outboard. I think? HAHA! We cannot afford, nor are we good enough skiiers to need a tournament style boat! Maybe someday...

Also, in response to RJLIPSCOMB: Yes, I feel like we know what we want in a boat, but I just need to know what to steer clear from in certain brands. My family has owned Bayliners, a Reinell, Four Winns and a Malibu in the past. But, like I said, I was too young to give a care about the boat itself.

I've been looking on Craigslist daily, and have found several that I like. However, due to mine and Hubb's crazy schedules, we haven't been able to go look before they're already sold. One that I'm currently talking to some people about is a '03 Glastron MX175? They want $7500.00 and we are only willing the spend $7 TOP, if a boat is worth it. This boat looks clean, just super plain. We are the type of people that would rather have an older boat that has more options. Does that make sense?

Two more questions:

Where is a good place to find used boat values?

Are boats like cars... in the way that if you buy them brand new you immediately lose value just by buying them off of the lot? (This last question is just pure curiosity as we can't afford a brand new boat anyway.)

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[dontask]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

Theres nothing wrong with Bayliners, in fact it may be the perfect 1st boat choice,what's wrong with Bayliners are there past owners. abuse & neglect can turn a top-end boat to crap just as fast. Bayliner is an ENTRY LEVEL boat/motor/trailer combination thats great for folks like you..starting out and eager to learn. 7K will buy you a nice used boat. Advice: when you have whittled it down to what you know you want...get it surveyed..better to spend the few 100 than buy junk and double the budget constantly repairing it.

Even though you are new to be a boat owner you don't have to buy an entry level mistake. Some of these "entry level" boats depreciate faster than a well made & designed boat. So the entry level boat can be more expensive in the long run. Some of these entry level boats are harder to sell than well made boats, save your self some head aches. Go for the best your money can buy but realize other costs maybe waiting for you after you close the deal if you don't use do care. So what seems to be a good deal up front can go down the tubes after its-- yours. Have the boat checked out by someone representing you---and it isn't (IS NOT) anyone at the dealer or the private person selling you the used boat. Find someone recommended to check the boat over even if it costs you a couple hundred bucks. Good luck

 

[t_brown1986]

Re: Any Suggestions for New Owners!?

On your used boat values Nada.com is a good place..
Also craigslist is a great place to find a boat. Just remimber you
may have to broden your search to a 200 mile spann.. Sometimes
it is worth the drive.. I know mine was! Good Luck! And I wish
my wife was so into the boat scene as you are. She only rides in my boat to
get out to the island to hang out! LOL..