Another newbie looking for a boat!

[Old Ironmaker]

I decided to up my budget to 25k to see if I can find something a bit better. I'm half on the edge of buying new.

I didn't understand the last sentence roffey I/2 new is 25K. New 50K. Got it now. I agree buying in the winter the most one can do is run it on a garden hose. Even a water test at times doesn't tell you everything on a used boat. As is privately or as is buying from a dealer as is buying winter or summer is always a crap shoot. I would never buy anything as is when we are talking 25 grand. A private sale can have an expressed warranty from the seller if it's in writing and properly worded. I have bought many vehicles as well as my boat privately and asked for a limited warranty on drive train, 30 days. Some agree and some do not. For the ones that do not I don't buy whatever it is they are selling. Simple as that.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Whad da? I think you got the wrong iboats forum. The world cup of whatever you are talking about forum is on the other page.

I think that's a spam post.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I figured that as well.

 

[Wrekked]

OH sorry, ya I would up my budget to buy new. probably in the 45k range. Mainly considering it to get the boat I want with the options I want, know how it was cared for and hopefully problem free for a long time. It's mainly my wife holding me back since she is kind of right that we won't go out every weekend, and I wouldn't want to drop 45k in cash so I'd probably end up with a 20-25k payment. More than likely will stick to used.

And you are absolutely right, I will not be buying anything until it's in the water. Would be like buying a used car just because the engine turns on. My uncle would be going with me to check out the boat. He's lived on the lake his whole life and would know if something was wrong. Just getting myself a short list of boats I'd like to check out before I drag him all over Ontario to go see a green bottom boat LoL

 

[roffey]

My experience is buy used first. Use the boat for a summer or three and see what you like and what you wish you had. Example, my first boat was a 26 foot Wellcraft with a cuddy. I found out my wife does not like boating and would not go out with me let alone over night. My second boat was a 18 foot closed bow. This boat was fast, 55 MPH fast. It had soft spots on the floor, the motor had a knock and I wished I had an open bow (the only way to go in a runabout). I ended up trading it in on a new boat and got a 20 foot bowrider. My point is it took me a few boats to figure what was right for me. Even a cheep boat is expensive. I like to say when you pay for the boat, that's just the down payment, lol.

 

[Wrekked]

Other than fuel, storage, what kind of other things are a constant expense of boating? I will do any mechanical work myself. is there a spreadsheet somewhere that would give a ballpark figure, like say every 500 hours replace piston rings, re-do seals every 5, every 3 years maintain gelcoat etc etc. I know that would be impossible to know without knowing the exact boat, but just so I have an idea.

 

[racerone]

On big multi million $ yachts they say it costs 10% of what you paid for each year that you use it.--------Not sure if it applies to a $20,000 purchase but seems about right.

 

[The Force power]

Other than fuel, storage, what kind of other things are a constant expense of boating? I will do any mechanical work myself. is there a spreadsheet somewhere that would give a ballpark figure, like say every 500 hours replace piston rings, re-do seals every 5, every 3 years maintain gelcoat etc etc. I know that would be impossible to know without knowing the exact boat, but just so I have an idea.

B.O.A.T. means; Bring out another thousand $$$$

 

[Wrekked]

I knew about that on the big boats. We had actually toyed with the idea of buying or buying into a club, to have a 40' + cruiser to go island hoping (my wifes family lives in florida), but the cost of maintenance/storage we were quoted, plus I'd need a captain as I have 0 ocean navigation experience was just ridiculous.

 

[Wrekked]

B.O.A.T. means; Bring out another thousand $$$$

HAHA! as long as it's only 1000

 

[The Force power]

HAHA! as long as it's only 1000

NO, its repetitive