New to forum (Need advice)

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stevenb46

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Jun 27, 2010
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Hi,

New here! Hi! :)

I live in Mesa, AZ. We don't currently own a boat (never have), though we rented a few in the past. Was looking on craigslist for some boats. Can you give me some recommendations on what kind of boat to get and what to check out when I go see potentials to make sure I don't buy a major problem, I'm not getting hosed, and I'm not buying someone else's problems.

We have about $10K to spend on a boat. Don't want to finance anything. I know it will be pretty old.

In that range, I can get a 5-10yr old 20' runabout or a 20+year old 25' cruiser.

Tow vehicle will be a 2002 Chevy Suburban 1500 Z71 4x4.

-Boat will be for cruising around the lake.
-occasional overnight trips
-towing a tube, occasional water skiing, wake boarding
-up to 10 people may be with us at times.
-it gets hot here, temps in the summer average over 105; so the idea of a/c sounds really tempting to get out of the heat once in a while.

Appreciate all opinions!

Steve
 
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stevenb46

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S

security6

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 21, 2008
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191
Re: New to forum (Need advice)

Sounds like you need to go sit in a few boats to narrow the field, because you are looking at two very different markets. A couple thoughts:

10 people will be impossible on the open-bows you have listed. Those boats will be rated for 8 people, plus or minus 1. Most boats won't hold 10 until you get to at least 20 foot. You don't want to have more people on the boat than it is rated for, not to mention it isn't much fun to have a lot of people squished on a boat.

I'm guessing that 10 people on a 25-26' cabin cruiser will be tight, and some people will end up in the cabin. If it is nice and sunny out, people don't want to stay in the cabin. On the other hand, spending the night on an open-bow boat isn't real comfortable. It can be done if you get a tent enclosure that snaps on, but it won't be nearly as nice as a cabin cruiser.

As I'm sure you know, a bigger boat will burn more gas. Some cabin cruisers only get 1.5 or 2 mpg.

You've got competing priorities here, and need to figure out what is most important to you. Go sit in some cabin cruisers, and map out where everyone will sit during the day. Think about how often you'll sleep over night.
 
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Home Cookin'

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May 26, 2009
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Re: New to forum (Need advice)

a baot that is rated for X is seldom comfortable with x adults aboard, especially if you want to do more than just sit there.

When you buy an old boat, your purchase price is the down payment. If you get one for 10,000 you will spend another 2000 in the first month. Be sure you budget for the inevitable, so you can use the boat.
 
JoLin

JoLin

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Re: New to forum (Need advice)

I'll second (or third?) the max capacity opinions. My boat will supposedly carry up to 12 passengers/1800 lbs. HA!

If I was ferrying a group from my dock to another (pretty close) destination where they were all going to get off again. Or in an emergency... yeah, I guess I could cram that many lightweights into it if I needed to.

For all practical purposes, 6 people is the max for actually spending some time on it, and 4 or 5 is even better. At that load, people have room to move around, put a leg up on a seat, relax with a drink, eat a sandwich.

I think you want to look at a real people carrier, like a deck boat or pontoon boat.

My .02
 
hubbard53

hubbard53

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Jul 18, 2008
Messages
212
Re: New to forum (Need advice)

Ithink you need to consider how often you'll have 10-12 people aboard and how often you'll be sleeping aboard.

When I was in the market, I was absolutly positive I was going to have a cuddy - then once I thought about it objectively, I realized that I would probably spend the night on board ONCE a year.....if that. However, I would often have friends aboard so the open bow layout was the clear choice for mere flexibility, versatility, and comfort.
 
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stevenb46

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Re: New to forum (Need advice)

thanks for all inputs. A lot to consider. I have 4 kids, range from 8 - 22yrs old. They won't all come with me all the time. But its likely sometime, there would be 6 + a few friends. I would love to camp on the boat and would likely do that 6-10 times a year. So I should be looking for a 50ft cruiser, huh? LOL.

I understand that it is wise to hire a marine surveyor.
 
Stachi

Stachi

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Jul 14, 2009
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Re: New to forum (Need advice)

wow... I have a 20' cuddy cabin ...all I want on it is one lucky woman to chase around ! :D
 
Stachi

Stachi

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Messages
1,671
Re: New to forum (Need advice)

stevenb46 said:
thanks for all inputs. A lot to consider. I have 4 kids, range from 8 - 22yrs old. They won't all come with me all the time. But its likely sometime, there would be 6 + a few friends. I would love to camp on the boat and would likely do that 6-10 times a year. So I should be looking for a 50ft cruiser, huh? LOL.

I understand that it is wise to hire a marine surveyor.
Click to expand...

maybe a pontoon is what you need....if the layout is right , you and your significant other could pitch a small tent on it ...tucked away in a cove....might be the solution...check out the pontoon section , see what ya think... if you want to have a boat to play with , and go camping,.. just do that with a smaller boat and use the campground at a lake that offers campgrounds with a dock. Lake George in New York has that amenimty...I bet others do...welcome aboard to iboats forums
 
DaNinja

DaNinja

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Jun 11, 2008
Messages
1,407
Re: New to forum (Need advice)

JoLin said:
I'll second (or third?) the max capacity opinions. My boat will supposedly carry up to 12 passengers/1800 lbs. HA!

If I was ferrying a group from my dock to another (pretty close) destination where they were all going to get off again. Or in an emergency... yeah, I guess I could cram that many lightweights into it if I needed to.

For all practical purposes, 6 people is the max for actually spending some time on it, and 4 or 5 is even better. At that load, people have room to move around, put a leg up on a seat, relax with a drink, eat a sandwich.

I think you want to look at a real people carrier, like a deck boat or pontoon boat.

My .02
Click to expand...
Kind of what I was thinking.
My deck will do all the requirements mentioned except maybe the overnight stays.
And looking at the "Boat Tent" thread, that may be a possibility.
 
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