Newbies--looking to buy first boat...suggestions?

[thetanners]

Hi. We are newbies. Never have had a boat (other than a canoe), but we want to. We are going to take a boating safety course to start and read anything we can get our hands on related to boats.

We have read the sticky on "things you should know" and "buying first boat" posts. We are trying to educate ourselves before we start to try to make less mistakes. We know we will make some, though. My sister and her boyfriend left the drainplug out and bent their prop their first time out and they are not stupid folks.

We have a general idea of what we want to do with it...mainly cruising and fishing on the lake. However, that said, we would like to know if you could take a boat that is ok on a lake into the bay? We are near Lake Anna, VA and it isn't far to the Chesapeake.

We are thinking of pontoon vs. deck boat. Some friends have said either are good first boats for what we want to do with the boat.

We are a big family (2 adults/4 kids) and would like to take other people out occasionally. Our youngest is 3 and oldest is 14 and already over 6'. So, basically another adult sized person.

We have an older Chevy dually (3500) and no trailer (no boat).

We think a used boat will be the way to go. We know some knowledgeable people, but they are not marine surveyors (right term?).

Also, we have been told Playbouy and Bennington make good boats for our purposes. Is that correct?



So any suggestions you can make will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Shannon

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Newbies--looking to buy first boat...suggestions?

Welcome to iboats.
The Tanners from Full House? I?m kidding.
It definitely sounds like yall are going the right way before making a purchase. A deck boat or pontoon is a great choice for a big family. In rough water the deck boat will have a horrible ride. Pontoons are usually for rivers and lakes (a calm day in the bay might be the exception). My advice is to look at craigslist and when you find something you like, get it surveyed. On a used boat I wouldn?t worry about brand as much as its overall condition. If you find some boats you like you can post the links here. People can help you determine if it?s a good price.
If you are looking for an inboard/outboard stick with Mercruiser or Volvo Penta. Avoid OMC, Yamaha and L drive boats,
If you are looking at outboards stay away from Force engines.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbies--looking to buy first boat...suggestions?

the Dually will tow most anything you buy. Bennington is a great toon. i recommend a 24ft for your size family. 115 hp range. that way you can atleast tow a tube.

 

[thetanners]

Re: Newbies--looking to buy first boat...suggestions?

Thanks for the info. I was actually just looking at craigslist. Just checking things out. Not ready to buy yet. There are a bunch of marinas down on Lake Anna. Is it worth seeing if the marina mgmt. knows of used boats?

Shannon

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Newbies--looking to buy first boat...suggestions?

I would go ask. Its better to look at many different boats before you make a choice.
And on boats to stay away from I forgot to include the Merc 470 (3.7 liter 4 cylinder).

 

[thetanners]

Re: Newbies--looking to buy first boat...suggestions?

Thanks again. We are going to wander and look at some boats at the marinas tomorrow to see what is out there. I understand fall is a better time from the buyer's perspective. When do people usually winterize their boats?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Newbies--looking to buy first boat...suggestions?

Sounds like your family was made for a pontoon, super smooth ride lots of room and they are a very forgiving boat.

Yes you can take your boat out into the bay provided the weather is okay, we have a bunch of boats on Lake Michigan and Lake of the Ozarks which is pretty notorious for its heavy water.

If you can get a used Bennington do it, they are the best toon on the water, I am a little bias since I work there but it is true, JD Power award 4 of the 6 years it has been offered and 2nd the 2 years we didn't win.

Playbouy is a Godfrey brand and they have maybe 6 different names they put on their toons but they are all the pretty much the same boat, and yes they do make a pretty good boat.

Find one you like and repost and we will go from there.

Used is the way to go for a first boat as you said you always make mistakes and you don't want to bugger up a new boat.

Good luck, you are certainly in the right market to buy a boat.