Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

[JStine76]

Hey everyone, I've been a fan of iboats for quite a while. Great site and great people! I am still in the beginning stages, but am planning on buying a boat in the next few months to get ready for next year. I don't really know too much about the different companies/models other than your basic knowledge, so instead of listing a bunch of different boats that interest me, I was hoping that I could get some recommendations!

Here is my backstory:

I live on the Ma coastline so it would be used for fishing/wakeboarding/skiiing and also traveling to cape cod/islands/Maine etc. I do have space to store the boat on trailer, so it wouldn't necessarily have to be moored.

Would love to be able to sleep 4-6.

I have 10k to spend.

Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED as I am just starting out here, and flying a bit blind! Thanks in advance!!!

-J-

 

[werthert]

Re: Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

1) Don't fly blind
2) 10K to spend and want to sleep 4-6? Check out an older model Bayliner. They are not the best boat on the planet but there are good ones out there.
3) Make sure you get it looked over by the pros before you purchase or contingent in any sale.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

Try to stay with single screws and try to find on old 1980's searay. I found some nice 23' ones that were about half of what you spending. I never looked at 25-27' but I walked right by them and noticed their price was not that much more.

I was told to look the boat over and focus on how it was documented, maintained, and represented, rather than being strictly brand specific.

Other than that, I am a newbie myself, and don;t know much!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

There's a big difference in boats between the type that can sleep 4 people and the type that can sleep 6. So you need to decide if 6 is really a requirement. For a newbie boater looking for a overnighter I'd recommend a 24-26' crusier with an aft cabin. I agree with Fordiesel69 in that I'd stick with a single engine/drive. Half the headaches. I like look at those types of boats on ebay, etc. from time to time and I have been impressed with how much boat you can get for your money in the used market.

 

[rbh]

Re: Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

And before you buy it get a survey done by a professional, unless you know what to look for.
rob

 

[scutly]

Re: Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

tons of research first. i went to iboats used boat section and checked out all kinds of boats until i felt comfortable knowing what type of boat wanted. i didnt worry to much about whos name was on the boat but more the style of boat. you sound like your looking for a cruiser in the 25-27 ft range. keep in mind that if this is your first boat, dont buy more boat than you think you can handle and be comfortable docking and such. i ended up with a 23' with a 8'6" beam. width intimidated me more than length. then hit up craigs list and start looking for your style boat in your price range. you can then go back to iboats and see if you can find the same boat and yr because iboats classifieds generally have lots of pictures. i guess what im tyin to say is that i didn't go shopping for a regal or a bayliner or 4 winns. i went shopping for a clean mid 90s 23' cuddy with a I/O that came with a trailer in my price range.

good luck and enjoy the hunt!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

Go to Boat Trader magazine. Find a boat owned by a guy who really loved and maintained his boat but is too old/sick/tired to use it anymore and is looking to "find a new home for his baby". That boat should be in reasonably good shape and the older guy you buy it from may be willing to help you with a lot of information regarding the operation and maintenance of boat. Keep his phone number so you can call him with questions that you'll surely have.
Better learn all you can about the boat before you take off up the coast with the family! Good Luck!

 

[JStine76]

Re: Ultimate Newbie challenge: Help me choose a boat, please!

Thanks for all the tips so far guys!

After thinking about it, I think I want to start off with something a bit smaller that can sleep 4, but can handle a good day out fishing (maybe the most important aspect) and maybe a few nights stay.

Is there a boat that I can find out there that has a small cuddy 4 sleeper, and also a walkaround style good for fishing? Kinda the best of both world's? Is there a difference in Fiberglass constructed boats from the 80's as compared to the 90's?

Thanks for all the help so far...

-J-