1st time boat owner

[tazrig]

Re: 1st time boat owner

no definitely shop now, but just don't get in a hurry until you find the right boat..

Have you or your b/f ever operated a boat or do you have any friends of family with boating experience?

Example, I have taken people with no experience out on my 30'er w twin engines and within a couple hours I can have them docking just fine. OTOH I've seen people who have been boating for years who can't dock a 16' bowrider without slamming into the dock and can't get on a trailer in less than 5 or 6 tries.

Also it was mentioned to take a safe boating class..... You (both of you) could be doing that now and would learn a LOT from it.

A few lessons can go a LONG way toward making your first boat a joy instead of a terror.

A big +1^^^ to this!

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

This is not a boat for a first time buyer but I think it fits what you need.

I like the fact that is has a properly fitted boat cover not just a tarp covering it. The upholstery is in good shape, its newer Rinker makes a good boat as well.

93 rinker 19' open bow

He is asking $4500 but I am sure an offer of $3800 in the dead of winter would probably get it. The only concern I have is the outdrive being held by a strap not sure if he did that because there is a potential problem or if he randomly did it for storage.

The gel coat looks properly cared for. It is an I/o but looks like a decent boat in your price range.

93 rinker 19' open bow

Could probably get this one for $5k

That is a very nice one! But how do you mean 'it's not a boat for a first time buyer' ? Please explain.

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

no definitely shop now, but just don't get in a hurry until you find the right boat..

Have you or your b/f ever operated a boat or do you have any friends of family with boating experience?

Example, I have taken people with no experience out on my 30'er w twin engines and within a couple hours I can have them docking just fine. OTOH I've seen people who have been boating for years who can't dock a 16' bowrider without slamming into the dock and can't get on a trailer in less than 5 or 6 tries.

Also it was mentioned to take a safe boating class..... You (both of you) could be doing that now and would learn a LOT from it.

A few lessons can go a LONG way toward making your first boat a joy instead of a terror.

No, I do not have any experience with boats. Nor does anyone else I know. That's making this a little difficult (hence why I found you lovely group of people)

I am planning on taking classes and *hopefully* I can meet other boating enthusiasts who can help me through this. Like a boating support group. Lol!

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Looks like a clean boat. My only concern is to make sure you know what you need in your jurisdiction for being able to prove ownership and register the boat and trailer. For instance the ad says he has a "title" for the boat but only a "bill of sale" for the trailer. Will just a bill of sale allow you to properly title and register the trailer?

I was just about to look that up

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

1986 WELLCRAFT NOVA 23FOOT W/CUDDY

not near enough info or pics to judge but COULD be great... at least they cared enough to put a really nice cover on it and if it's built like my wellcraft that would make it a well built (pun intended) boat


tho I'm still liking the 22' starcraft

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Here is a serious contender for a first boat... great for lots of people and great for fishing

cheap to operate and maintain

***BASS BUGGY PONTOON BOAT & TRAILER ***

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

the Wellcraft is way too big for a first boat especially if towing.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

tell us who, how many, what you plan to pull it with, where. That will help us all help you. You've posted boats all about the same, but is that because thats what you've seen/been on a couple times? That may not be what you really want or need. Tell us more and we'll help guide you.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

the Wellcraft is way too big for a first boat especially if towing.

You can't know that..... Maybe her B/F is a commercial truck driver and grew up on boats..... That's why I keep asking her questions.....

You COULD be right too but that is highly subjective

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

BTW I just HAVE to ask... what does your screen name mean? livelaughpens..... author maybe?

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

You can't know that..... Maybe her B/F is a commercial truck driver and grew up on boats..... That's why I keep asking her questions.....

You COULD be right too but that is highly subjective

based on the boats she's been asking about, too big and not just towing but operating. I grew up on boats and thinking back if I started (as an adult) with that big of a boat not knowing anything about boats i would have been screwed. Growing up around boat, I would have done ok (glad I didn't tho)

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

based on the boats she's been asking about, too big and not just towing but operating. I grew up on boats and thinking back if I started (as an adult) with that big of a boat not knowing anything about boats i would have been screwed. Growing up around boat, I would have done ok (glad I didn't tho)

google tells me she love the penquins - looks like a hockey team... Live, laugh, love - plus the penquins.



am I right?

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

tell us who, how many, what you plan to pull it with, where. That will help us all help you. You've posted boats all about the same, but is that because thats what you've seen/been on a couple times? That may not be what you really want or need. Tell us more and we'll help guide you.

I could be out on it with anywhere from 2 to 8 people. I have a Nissan Xterra to pull with. I live just outside of Pittsburgh. The ones I've posted have just been the ones I'm finding in my area.

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Here is a serious contender for a first boat... great for lots of people and great for fishing

cheap to operate and maintain

***BASS BUGGY PONTOON BOAT & TRAILER ***

I do love a pontoon...

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

google tells me she love the penquins - looks like a hockey team... Live, laugh, love - plus the penquins.



am I right?

Well done!!

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I could be out on it with anywhere from 2 to 8 people. I have a Nissan Xterra to pull with. I live just outside of Pittsburgh. The ones I've posted have just been the ones I'm finding in my area.

then those glass boats are too heavy. Go pontoon (as you said you like) or the Starcrafts that have been linked. Pontoons have outboards (good) can hold lots of people(good) lightweight (good) and easy/basic to work on (good).


There is a slightly different set of rules on checking out a 'toon versus the others - and actually easier because you can crawl under and see the floor (but there is more we'll elaborate later)

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Well done!!

When mom passed suddenly about 10 years ago at age 59 I changed my outlook on life from that event. My similar screename might be livelaughchiefs.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

lol.... penguins.. makes sense now

sounds like a toon might work well for ya.... two things they (at least the affordable ones) don't do well is watersports and going fast but I haven't seen you make a single comment about those.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

That is a very nice one! But how do you mean 'it's not a boat for a first time buyer' ? Please explain.

It would be fine I guess I am just not an Inboard/Outboard fan especially for a first time boat owner.

I've been boating since the age of 9 by 11 I could dock a 28 footer. I've run cruisers, runabouts and pontoons, both inboard/outboard, and outboard.

I prefer outboard engines, just for reliability and ease of maintenance. An Inboard/outboard would be fine, just not my cup of tea. I like a bigger margin of error on everything and more simple and reliable, and you just can't beat an aluminum hull outboard.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Did some lookin' based on the thread: Here's a couple I found (needed a break from other stuff I'm working on ):

OLDER BOAT but looks well cared for. Without a bow rider, it'll be a little tight with 6 on board but we're in budget.

CHAP is a nice boat, and if this one is as clean as it looks, I'd be willing to have the tilt/trim switch fixed.

THIS ONE is kinda' a goofy choice. I really like Century's, and this one looks beautiful. It's up at the top end of your budget, but it looks clean and well kept. It's an inboard which is a little different than most other boats, might be trickier for a newbie to learn to steer but not impossible at all. Kind of a "classic" boat in some senses.

Not many pontoons for sale up there. THIS ONE was the best offering that I saw, but it's a budget buster.