I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

C

CaptainKev

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
107
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

The law, relative to PFD's is usually a State Law. Generally speaking, State Laws take precedence. The following is from the Ohio Code:
Child PFD Requirements (ORC 1547.24)

No person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel under 18 feet long with a child less than 10 years of age on board unless the child is wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

The PFD must be:

* U.S. Coast Guard?approved Type I, II, III, or V
* In good and serviceable condition
* Of the appropriate size
* Securely attached

Even though the restrictions pertain to a boat <18' the various Marine Patrols take a very dim view of youngsters without a PFD, regardless of boat size, and will likely find something wrong with the vessel, or paperwork. I insist on kids under twelve to wear PFD's ALL the time.......if they won't, then they don't stay on board. In my experience, it doesn't bother them if the fit is good and zero options apply. Take care and above all, be safe.:)
Kev.
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

Just a couple of more thoughts for you. First off, since you're thinking used boat, I wouldn't get very hung up on brand at this point. You need to see what's out there.

Also, one last Bowrider suggestion for you to consider and then I'll leave it alone. I have three kids, they are 20, 16 and 13 now. We have boated since before all three were infants. You on the other hand already have all three, so I am fast forwarding to when I was where you are now. We were in a 20 footer, but it was a bowrider.

You can get many with a full insert in the bow area that make it a big playpen, and you can also have made, or buy, a snap in bow cover. With the windshield closed and cover on, it is as wind resistant in the cockpit as a cuddy. The bow area with the insert in and cover on is effectively a nice big V-berth for little people. And since you are not concerned about overnighting, why sacrifice the flexibility that you will need when each of those little tykes wants to bring a friend? One of them will introduce you to a nice couple with kids that wants to come along. We NEVER boat with just our family on board. Haven't since our first kid made his first friend . . .

Today we have a 23 foot bowrider, very flexible seating. I have to beg my wife not to invite more people. I tell her 8 max, and then you need approval :rolleyes: She just continues to invite and then I have to impose on friends to carry my overflow. A closed bow, would maybe make this better, because there would be no room, but I really don't think so because she would simply make me sell it . . .
 
U

Utahboatnut

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
785
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

I have had both, small cuddy(20') and bowrider(20'). When the kids were very young the cuddy was great to get them out of the sun for a nap or to put all of our gear for a 2-3 nighter on the lake. plus it had enough seats for six out back. Yes the cuddy can get a bit hot but I boat at lake powell alot and temps are 100+ every day so I would keep a small fan and damp towell over 1/2 the hatch and the kids seemed fine. If bad weather hit we could get out of it in the cuddy yes it was tight but doable. Now that the kids are a bit older 5,9 we have a 20' bow rider which is nice to get a few more people out with us or when the boys want to bring a friend or two no one is stuck in the cuddy. The cuddy had a 200 hp outboard and was plenty powerful to slalom behind, the bow rider has a 350 mag in it with a five blade prop and it will yank your arms off, two slalom skiers yanked out no problem. The deck boats are very nice and very family oriented but with great handling and performance. They can be quite pricy which was the only reason I didn't get one but they are very nice. Most of the mfg now days are quite good your looking for something that has been maintained/serviced VERY WELL no matter the brand. The serveyor is a great bit of advise as it can save you big bucks down the road. Remember there is no substitute for horsepower you can always back off the throttle a bit if need be but you can never add it when not enough. No boat is really good on gas so don't let that make your final decision, in boats if you want to play you are going to pay. If it cost me an additional 10 - 15 bucks a day for a 350 V8 over a V6 that doesn't have quite enough grunt then it is money well spent IMO. I know you don't want to go here but I will anyway,, as soon as the kids step onto the DOCK the jackets are on and don't come off until they are back on land, no exceptions on my boat...
 
D

DaveM

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 27, 2002
Messages
308
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

wait2boat said:
http://www.searay.com/2008_sea_ray_sport_boats_225_weekender.asp

Things I really want in a boat:
A swim platform (Almost a deal breaker, perhaps it is)
enough power to slalom ski
Bench seating on the back
head
Price at $25k or less
1995 or newer
Click to expand...

I will adress just the slalom skiing aspect of your question. I didn't see any discussion on how serious of a skier you are. I would recommend doing a test run to check out the size of the wake while skiing. Personally, I prefer not to ski behind anything other than a tournament ski boat, which means I don't even ski behind my own boat. Go figure.

Just remember, no single boat can do all things well.
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

He has never been up before, so I am thinking a V-hull I/O is fine . . . ^^^^

DaveM said:
Just remember, no single boat can do all things well.
Click to expand...
Exactly!!!!
 
jay_merrill

jay_merrill

Vice Admiral
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
5,653
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

At the risk of thread hijacking just a wee bit, here's an interesting stat that I hope will influence people's views on PFD use in a general sense:

In the state of Louisiana, 74% of all recreational boating fatalites have been the direct result of failure to wear a PFD. This figure is not "urban legend," it comes from the LA Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries.

To bring things back to the original question, I advise some further thought as to having a sink and an installed head or porta-pottie. With young children aboard, both can be a very nice feature to have.

On the matter of PFDs while sleeping in an enclosed cabin, USCG regs allow it and state regs might also. I think its a mixed bag on safety. While underway, I would have them on and make sure that there is adequate ventilation in the cuddy. At anchor or at the dock, I might not, because the environment is not as dangerous and I would be concerned about the child becoming too hot with the PFD on. While we usualy think of hypothermia in the boating environment, hyperthermia can be an issue too - especially when kids are involved.

I do applaud the OP for looking the CG reg up. Its nice to see a new boater who exercises some diligence in terms of boating safety education. Good job!
 
The Famous Grouse

The Famous Grouse

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 26, 2008
Messages
291
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

Wait2, a question that hasn't come up, but that I feel is very relevant is what type of vehicle do you have?

I'm going to guess here, which is a dangerous thing to do, but just to illustrate the point: The Sea Ray 225 is going to have a realistic weight of about 4000-5000 with trailer and a full fuel load onboard.

Can your current vehicle handle a tow weight of 4000+ pounds AND the weight of 2 adults + 3 kids?

If you have a pickup truck or a full size SUV (like a Surburban), it probably can. Anything smaller than that and you're going to have to look into what you can reasonably tow.

If you plan to travel any distance at all, then you don't want to be right up against the limit. Personally, I view towing limits as an absolute maximum, with the safe working limit being at least half a ton below the max. My SUV is rated for 6000 pounds max and I have self-leveling suspension, HD cooling system, oil cooler, etc. I towed a 5500 pound Bobcat once and that showed me once and for all that when you get close to the line, the tail really can start wagging the dog.

Grouse
 
W

wait2boat

Cadet
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
15
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

The Famous Grouse said:
Wait2, a question that hasn't come up, but that I feel is very relevant is what type of vehicle do you have?
Click to expand...
Actually, the original post mentions my vehicle is rated to tow 8200 lbs. I actually own a 2003 RoadTrek which is a small RV that is on a Chevy Express chassis.
 
F14CRAZY

F14CRAZY

Ensign
Joined
Aug 12, 2008
Messages
945
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

My concern is that you just can't sleep in a cuddy while it's underway. While I've had someone else at the helm I've gone below and found that the noise along with the hull beating the waves would be too much to consider trying to sleep in. I dunno, the noise may help more than I think (like sleeping in a car) but that's just what I've observed.

How about a 19' or so Bayliner Capri cuddy? They could be had with a 305 and I would think that would be enough power for you
 
W

wait2boat

Cadet
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
15
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

I agree, it looked like outside seating would only handle 4 comfortable and perhaps 5 if two snuggle on the bench. I guess I loved it so much because the engine seemed like a dream. :)
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

If I am going to trailer, then I don't want a boat that has been bottom painted . . . Carbed big blocks are fuel hogs. If your budget is truly $25K you can get an absolute dream ;)
 
W

wait2boat

Cadet
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
15
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

QC said:
If your budget is truly $25K you can get an absolute dream ;)
Click to expand...

My budget is that as I have the discretionary income to purchase this. Truly I am looking for the dream for my family as long as it's less than $30k. I just need to find what the dream boat is.

Thanks.
 
W

wait2boat

Cadet
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
15
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

QC said:
If I am going to trailer, then I don't want a boat that has been bottom painted . . . Carbed big blocks are fuel hogs.
Click to expand...

What is the reasoning for not wanting a bottom painted boat?

How do you know a boat is a carbed big block?

Thanks
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

You're shooting below your budget . . . I am not suggesting you can't find a good bargain, but you need to be looking at 2000s and newer. And MPI fuel systems, no Carburetors . . .

Bottom paint is ugly and the boat has been stored in the water. Possibly salt it's entire life. Not horrible, but I'd rather have a 100% indoor stored if I could find one (you can). Bottom paint suggests otherwise. Also, it is ugly and usually slower due to drag on the hull. I woudl widen my search to the entire country and consider that shipping might be worth it for the right hull. Also, members here have helped do inspections or find surveyors if the boat is too far for you to look at personally. Best if you could see her first hand, but not necessarily a deal killer.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: I want to nap and ski at the same time. Advice please!

That is a VERY nice boat.
 
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