2 boats better than 1 ???

[tpenfield]

I have been considering selling my current boat (Formula 242 SS) and getting a bigger boat with twin outboards - maybe something around 28 feet or so ( like a Pursuit, Grady-White or Wellcraft Coastal )

I figure that I could still do some water sports with it and would have more space for overnights and general creature comforts. The outboards would be better in the salt water than my current I/O.

However, lately, I've been thinking . . . maybe keep the Formula 242 and in a few years get a 30 ft cruiser, which would have even more creature comforts and overnight accommodations than a twin outboard. I've been eyeing the Sea Ray Sundancers and the Formula PC lines. Based on what I wanted to do on any given day (cruise vs. water sports) I could use the corresponding boat. If I had a huge mob going out, we could take out both boats . . .

I am just wondering about the pro's & con's of having 2 boats and would like to get advise from those who have (had) more than 1 boat. Was it manageable or overwhelming?

 

[JimS123]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

Two foot itis is always a problem. I had the same issue and finally got so big that It couldn't do everything we wanted. So, settled on a smaller boat with a second boat for fishing.

Short story long....we now have five. One or two get in the water every week, just used for different things. A little extra time in the fall for winterizing, but no single boat gets a lot of hours on her, so the wear and tear is less.

Maybe some day when I retire I may go back to a 30 footer for vacation cruises, but I'll never give up the tinny. Actually, she gets more use than all the others combined.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

When we lived aboard up in Alaska on a 41' sail boat, we also had a 21' Glasply. The Glasply was used constantly for the fishing trips and day trips and just general going for evening cruises. When we went for long weekends the big boat went, for vacations, of a week or more, both went if near by.

Your wallet and the upkeep of both is what you have to deal with. Fun wise, you must have both.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

tpenfield

You are correct in wanting 2 DIFFERENT boats.

I have 2 . A small shallow 16' Aluminum fishing boat for taking anybody fishing. & a Chaparral for going to island parties.

Yes. Most of us REALLY DO NEED 2 different boats. I live in the 16' Lowe all summer.

Wife says. DRIVE I do.

Buy the 2 you will never be wishing again.

Rich

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I tried for years to find one boat that could do everything I wanted.....it was an impossible situation. Boats are functionally specific so if you want 2 or 3 or 10, go for whatever your wallet can stand.

Mark

 

[cribber]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I'm headed for the two boat thing. We're going to keep the Glastron for running around our local lakes and looking to buy a 30 foot range cabin cruiser to keep over on the Gulf coast for weekend getaways.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I'm looking at a third. I'd like something with some real power and a hull that could take on Lake of The Ozarks.

 

[arks]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

However, lately, I've been thinking . . . maybe keep the Formula 242 and in a few years get a 30 ft cruiser.....

Yeah, it's nice to have options!
As a multiple boat owner, I can offer this:
I agree there's no ONE 'perfect' boat.
The only reasonable answer is to create a personal fleet that satisfies all your needs.
If you like the Formula - and can really afford another boat - then it's a good plan.
Full cabin boats can be used as nice weekend apartments with a view. 'Ya don't even have to start the engines to enjoy!
Make sure the spouse/SO is in before you commit.
Be prepared, however, for the additional REAL expenses involved with a 'big boat'- storage/ transport, additional marina and fuel costs, mechanical maintenance, upgrading of electronics....the list is long.
If you can handle that, you'll be livin' large - with choices.
Good luck!

 

[dave11]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I tried for years to find one boat that could do everything I wanted.....it was an impossible situation. Boats are functionally specific so if you want 2 or 3 or 10, go for whatever your wallet can stand.

Mark

That sums it up pretty well.
I have a 16ft Alumaweld and a 23ft Cape Cruiser. Both meet specific reqirements. You will enjoy both for different reasons
.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I know several folks with big $$$ boats that run around everywhere in their $2000 fish/ski boats/sport jets.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

Man if I lived where you live, I would be upgrading my Chris Craft to about a 30 footer and killing some tuna. Two boats equals twice the maintenance and twice the insurance. But if you have the mula,go for it!

 

[Philster]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

My sig casts my vote: Two boats !

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

Yeah, it's nice to have options!
As a multiple boat owner, I can offer this:
I agree there's no ONE 'perfect' boat.
The only reasonable answer is to create a personal fleet that satisfies all your needs.
If you like the Formula - and can really afford another boat - then it's a good plan.
Full cabin boats can be used as nice weekend apartments with a view. 'Ya don't even have to start the engines to enjoy!
Make sure the spouse/SO is in before you commit.
Be prepared, however, for the additional REAL expenses involved with a 'big boat'- storage/ transport, additional marina and fuel costs, mechanical maintenance, upgrading of electronics....the list is long.
If you can handle that, you'll be livin' large - with choices.
Good luck!

Thanks for the comments so far . . . looks like the key advantage is flexibility and the disadvantages are cost & maintenance.

My Formula 242SS has been an awesome boat, and it only has 540 hours on it. I don't think that I would get a ton of money for it if I sold it, because it is 20 years old, and I may miss having it for water sports. So, that is why I was thinking of keeping it.

On the downside, there are days when I wish that we had more space and protection from wind, etc. Then, there is the potential for overnights, which we don't do now, as the 242's cuddy is more of a restroom and storage area than an accommodation. So, with a bigger boat we would probably do overnights, etc.

I figure in a few years I may be able to buy a second boat, and I don't mind getting an older boat that is well down the depreciation curve. I'd like to do a lot of the maintenance on 'the' bigger boat, as I do everything (and then some) on the Formula 242 . . . I'd probably have to get a local boat mover to do the seasonal launch & haul-out, but I got some space to store it. So, hopefully the annual maintenance cost would be 2-3 X what I spend on the '242'. Fuel will be 2-3 X as well.

I better get out the calculator . . .

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I concur. I have had my 16 ft runabout for a decade or so, and it is still getting the workout pulling people on toys, and tagging along on weekend getaways. But to cruise the ICW and the deep blue sea I added a Bertram 25 (2 engines, bunks, sit down toilet for the ladies) cruiser to the fleet. It is more maintenance, but I don't really think I spend much more on maintenance than if I was giving all the abuse to one boat. And is great when there are a bunch of folks along. Can always use the big boat for cooking lunch and getting out of the sun, but still do all the waterskiing.

Get it, but don't compromise on the size of the second boat. If you buy it for a specific purpose, make it the best fit you can find.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I'm 15 and have to boats. There both meant for two diffrent things. Yes they take more time then just one boat but worth every second you get to use them. My motor boat is for fishing, cruiseing, and tubing, or just taking friends for a ride. The sailboat for long cruises and racing, also when i don't have enough money to fill the gas tank the sailboat gets used more. But it does become a pain every now and then like when the bottoms need to be cleaned while in the water. Also the diffrent problem get put on the back burner for the other boat.
FOr example If i need new gas tank and the sailboat needs new haylard i have to pick and choose can't always get both. So thats pretty much the one down fall to of having to boats.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

you can't have too many boats.

Although this doesn't apply to the OP, to bring the topic down to the more typical small boat users here on the forum, consider a land-based analogy: you might have a small car, a SUV, a pick-up, a minivan, a motorcycle, b/c one can't do it all. Is it better to have an 12 passenger vehicle b/c you might take that many people occassionally, or 2 six seater?

we frequently see people here on a budget looking for a boat "to take out 8-10 people comfortably, tubing, some fishing, shallow water, kept on a trailer in the garage, under $3,500."

For most of them, taking 8-10 is not the norm, and everyone on the trip doesn't want to do the same thing, and be stuck in one boat--the sunbathers bore the tubers; the tubers annoy the sit-and-look cruisers; the babies want the beach; the fishing guys want water. A boat big enough for the whole gene pool is a bear to trailer, launch, store, etc.

Having a couple of smaller boats allows the group to do several things (all owners, from teens and yes including wives, need to be, or learn to be, boaters). A small group goes off tubing then returns and picks up another group. The youngsters can learn on the small boat and gain incredible maturity and self-confidence by going out solo--so send them in the 14' boat but not the 28'. Throw in a canoe--used they are practically free.

PLus with more than one boat, when one is broken down, you have the other! Since I spend a lot of time on a small empty island, the back-up is essential. One of the guys here runs a pontoon or deck boat as a mothership and a ski boat for fast fun. What a great day they all have!

Counting boats owned with others, and canoes/kayaks, I have 146' of boats, but they range from a 12' jon to a 21' OB. I can have a whole lot more fun with that fleet than on a 146' megayacht.

 

[R Socey]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

Simple math: Yes!

 

[gtochris]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

Would you be getting a slip for both? or just one and trailering your Formula?

We have had overlaping boats/ 2 boats at a time, I recall my tinny/ and my parents sport boat when I was in Highschool. We also had the jet boat and sea doo at the same time...

It works best if you have a dock for both or they have specific purposes.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

I prefer to convince friends/relatives to get the other boats I need It's best with people who have little to no boating experience thus pretty much ensuring you'll have to be onboard whenever they use them

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: 2 boats better than 1 ???

One more vote for multiple boats. I have 2 (3 if I include the canoe), and would have a couple more if the money/maintenance/storage wasn't an issue. Same goes for motorcycles - different bikes for different moods!