Another newbie thread...

[TheZeeMan]

Sorry for redundancy guys, I'm hoping I can get some good insight though. I am completely new to the boat buying process. I've been on the water with my BIL for the last 3 years and decided its time to do my own thing. Here's what I got going on.

I can afford a slip however I don't want to so I'm looking for a day boat, I suppose you call it, where it can stay in the driveway and I can launch it when I feel like it. One of my issues is my vehicle (nitro) is only capable of 5500lbs. I don't really want to test it out by going over it as its brand new with only 3k miles on it.

My next dilema is I originally wanted a small cruiser (22'-23') until I went and looked at a few. I didn't realize how big they are, and I felt like my nitro would flip up, but then also thought about it and it seems to me a cruiser is not a boat that you have in your driveway and take it out on a weekend. I also felt a cruiser was too much boat to start with as I know very little about them, so I scratched the whole idea.

Now I'm looking into cuddys, I know some people prefer bowriders over cuddys but I have women and children with me so a cuddy is a necessity. I may use it for the kids tubing but that's probably it, they are scared of tubing as it is. I would use it for myself and wife for basically beaching and just cruising. I just love being out on the water.

So after looking at like 50 different boats, I don't know what to look for and especially a first boat. I don't want to spend a lot because realistically I know I love the water, but having my own boat might make me lazy and I may not go out that often, I typically go out with my BIL 2-3 times a season, so I'm looking for something reasonable $10K and under.

My main question is what am I looking for? From what I have read in the forums, it seems I want all fiberglass, the newer the better and an engine that's manufacturer is still in business? I'd like to get a boat for this season, but if I have to wait then I have to wait. Are there any particular models I should be looking for? I've ranged it down to like early-mid 90's models seem to be in my weight range as the newer models seem to just get heavier and heavier. It seems anything over a 24' goes beyond that weight. But you guys seem to be experts with what boat manufacturers used in what models and years so I'm looking for that expertise Thanks in advance guys, sorry for the long post!

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Another newbie thread...

having my own boat might make me lazy and I may not go out that often ... my main question is what am I looking for?

Rentals.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Another newbie thread...

What ever you buy expect to spend about 1000 to 1500 dollars to get everything ready to use. Also you need to budget 500 - 1000 per year on top of fuel to keep everything working and in ready to use condition. Get something with a nice heavy duty cover so the inside of the boat stays dry when not in use. There are enough boats out there if it's not exactly what you want don't buy it. Take your family with you when looking so you can see how the layout fits your needs with everyone on board. Get someone thats knows about boats to look at the boat before buying to make sure there are no hidden issues. Then have fun !!!!

 

[TheZeeMan]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Rentals.

That's not the response I was looking for. If that's the case, you are basically stating anyone who doesn't dedicate their entire spare time shouldn't have a boat?

 

[TheZeeMan]

Re: Another newbie thread...

What ever you buy expect to spend about 1000 to 1500 dollars to get everything ready to use. Also you need to budget 500 - 1000 per year on top of fuel to keep everything working and in ready to use condition. Get something with a nice heavy duty cover so the inside of the boat stays dry when not in use. There are enough boats out there if it's not exactly what you want don't buy it. Take your family with you when looking so you can see how the layout fits your needs with everyone on board. Get someone thats knows about boats to look at the boat before buying to make sure there are no hidden issues. Then have fun !!!!

Thanks spd! I am aware of the extra costs I'm going to need, and I do have my BIL who will check it out, but I have to get it surveyed anyway for my insurance company, so that shouldn't be an issue. I was just reading other peoples posts about the types of boats they were looking at and like simple things like having wood I didn't even think about that, I have no idea which boats have wood decking. I want to stay away from something problematic and preferably something in the 90's, I seen some four winns sundowners, sea ray weekenders, and a chris craft concept. Should I stick with these models and when I find something post the info about it?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Another newbie thread...

"I want to stay away from something problematic and preferably something in the 90's" Impossible. All boats have problems and they increase with age. except rentals.
" I have women and children with me so a cuddy is a necessity" not true. what are you looking for--an overnight? storm protection? shade?
"a cruiser is not a boat that you have in your driveway and take it out on a weekend." true. For an entry boat, stay under 20' for ease of handling and trailering
"I can afford a slip however I don't want to so I'm looking for a day boat" you will use a boat 10 times as much if it's in the water ready to go, especially if you have children. The whole pack load drive launch load --retrieve unload drive park unpack drill, which lots of people do out of necessity--becomes an incentive to do something else and requires a commitment of a larger block of time; a 2 hour boat trip in the evening isn't worth it.
"something reasonable $10K and under" assuming used: if you get something with size, to carry 6 comfortably all day, you will be buying something old. You will want to pay for reliability, so at $10,000, it will be small.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Another newbie thread...

That's not the response I was looking for. If that's the case, you are basically stating anyone who doesn't dedicate their entire spare time shouldn't have a boat?

Actually PezVela is giving you a wonderful solution for your dilemma, Why don't you rent for awhile until you know exactly what kind of boat you want to purchase. Your Vehicle is a non-issue until you know the boat you want, I have women and children and a bowrider, I wouldn't want anything else but I knew what I wanted. Once you decide on a boat then you can figure out if you need to upgrade the vehicle. Another rental solution is to rent a truck to tow your boat, not the perfect solution but if you have a slip then you can rent a truck every now and then to bring the boat home for maint. Sometimes you have to think outside the box!

You want a boat but what kind of boat? Heck if I know but it sounds to me like renting a cuddy for the weekend and then a cruiser for a weekend and then a bow rider for the weekend is the perfect answer for your situation. Then you decide what kind of boater you and your family are!

 

[TheZeeMan]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Impossible. All boats have problems and they increase with age. except rentals.

Understandable, I guess what problems do I want to avoid, I believe engine is #1 and hull is #2? This is the kind of answers I'm looking for.

not true. what are you looking for--an overnight? storm protection? shade?

Shade, privacy and realistically I always end up passing out on my BILs boat, there's no way I can sleep in the sun lol

true. For an entry boat, stay under 20' for ease of handling and trailering

Is 23' too big? I wanted the extra space.

you will use a boat 10 times as much if it's in the water ready to go, especially if you have children. The whole pack load drive launch load --retrieve unload drive park unpack drill, which lots of people do out of necessity--becomes an incentive to do something else and requires a commitment of a larger block of time; a 2 hour boat trip in the evening isn't worth it.

Point taken, I guess are the boat slips reasonable in my area? $600 for under 24' for the season...

assuming used: if you get something with size, to carry 6 comfortably all day, you will be buying something old. You will want to pay for reliability, so at $10,000, it will be small.

Sorry I didn't mention, yes used. From what I've researched new boats lose so much value as soon as you launch.

Actually PezVela is giving you a wonderful solution for your dilemma, Why don't you rent for awhile until you know exactly what kind of boat you want to purchase.

My apologies I didn't give details, for the past 3 years I go out with my BIL, we've taken the kids, and me and wife have just went and a couple of times we've went by ourselves. I'm not understanding the difference between this and renting, why pay rental fees when I can do it for free?

Your Vehicle is a non-issue until you know the boat you want, I have women and children and a bowrider, I wouldn't want anything else but I knew what I wanted. Once you decide on a boat then you can figure out if you need to upgrade the vehicle. Another rental solution is to rent a truck to tow your boat, not the perfect solution but if you have a slip then you can rent a truck every now and then to bring the boat home for maint. Sometimes you have to think outside the box!

Well I really want a cruiser, I don't have the vehicle for it, and we actually have a couple local guys around that will put/pull your boat in/out of the water. My reasoning is a cruiser isn't practical to me at least. I don't know enough about boats to work on them, so as HomeCookin' mentioned all old boats have problems, I'd rather work on the problems at the leisure of my own home. I also really don't think a cruiser is a good starter boat. This also gives me something to work up towards, as in 3-4 years I can upgrade from cuddy to cruiser so to speak.

Thanks again for the responses guys, appreciate it!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Ok so your first Cuddy, you have a price point. I would suggest that you should post the ad, with pics to the boat your looking at and then we can tell you what to look for, hows that? The normal stuff is the overall condition of the boat, soft spots in the floor you know the Manufacturer deal already. I think your in a pretty good position except the timing, right now you have no where to put it in the water and give her a test. How do you feel about the post the link idea? There's so many manufacturer's that have come and gone it's going to be really tough to tell you everything you know? I look for a boat that looks like the Previous Owner worshiped the boat but lets be realistic, finding my unknown twin is going to be tough too. I hate Armour All, its what people use to get that quick shine, If I find a boat that has an interior, motor and hull that looks like it has been wiped down with a dry cloth and its in great shape that's a huge plus for me. Look at the bilge and hull for discoloration, these things may not be disqualifiers but certainly require an explanation....

 

[TheZeeMan]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Thanks Lipp, that's my only problem, I could post quite a few links to boats, but I don't want to waste your guys time going through 100's of boats, that's why I was hoping to kind of narrow it down to certain models so I can keep an eye out.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Well Four Winns, Grady White, Sea Ray, Donzi, Crownline all decent manufacturers of Cuddy's in that early-mid 90's timeframe. Probably a few others that I am missing too

 

[TheZeeMan]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Perfect, that'll work. All I have seen right now is Four Winns, Crownline and Sea Ray. I didn't know about the other 2. There's also a Powerquest I seen, but I couldn't find one thing on the 'net about it. That made me think that maybe I want to go with a more popular boat so to speak for parts when I need them, but I don't know what boats have parts still available? I noticed on certain Chris Crafts, parts are scarce. Another gentlemen I met at a boat dealer mentioned OMC is no longer around for engines and parts are not a plenty compared to mercs?

I do have to say one thing, since I ventured down this path, I didn't realize how involved it is in finding a boat. A car is so much easier lol

 

[a1akeywest]

Re: Another newbie thread...

"something reasonable $10K and under" assuming used: if you get something with size, to carry 6 comfortably all day, you will be buying something old. You will want to pay for reliability, so at $10,000, it will be small.

Where I come from 10 000 will get you a pretty decent second hand boat...

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Another newbie thread...

You have time to hone your skills, unless its the perfect boat I wouldn't be overly serious about a purchase until there's open water to test it on. Have I mentioned I am biased on Crownlines? Also if you don't keep us updated we reserve the right to hunt you down, just FYI.....

 

[TheZeeMan]

Re: Another newbie thread...

LOL Hilarious, I will definitely keep this updated. I want to make an investment but not into a junker that ends up costing more than what its worth, so I do think I am looking for a perfect boat, I think otherwise it may taint my dream which I want to avoid altogether.

I do like the crownlines, there's a dealer over here with a 97 210 (here) but its wrapped right now, so I told them I'd come back when the weather breaks and I can actually look at it. I am trying so hard not to base it on looks but four winns and crownline look either correct for their era or were just ahead of their time and I love their styling so when I see one available, I'm like "ooo ooo" lol, 90's Sea Rays remind me of like "I love the 80's" or something for that timeframe so I'm not really wanting one of those.

The other problem I have is the wife wants as big as we can get, she loves floorspace, and there's a few 24's out there that I could haul, but inventory is slim right now and she won't settle less than like 23', but I think if I show her that Crownline, she might consider

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Well a little info on Crownlines, Crownline was started by Former Sea Ray Engineers so Don't be surprised if you see similar lines. Also if you get the hook set don't be surprised if you get "two footitis" which is the affliction that attacks many boaters soon after they get into Boats, Its actually VERY common so don't go crazy on your first boat, if you find the one then great but after a year or two you will most likely be back in the market so getting a boat with the most value is pretty important, my First boat I sold for $500 more then I bought it so I got a great value, of course the market was very different then so I guess you could say luck was involved as well.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Another newbie thread...

" I want to make an investment but not into a junker that ends up costing more than what its worth,"
a boat is never an investment--it is an expense you will not recover. Almost all used boats cost more than they are "worth" once you repair and maintain them, if "worth" is resale. (talking about boats for general use; not collectors or flippers).

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Welcome to the forum Z. Your budget of $10k should get you a pretty nice boat.

Some thoughts: For I/O's you want Mercruiser or Volvo. Possible exception being the Mercrusier 470 (has some other names but they were all 3.7 4 cyls) which was problematic and has some no longer available parts. There aren't many outboard cuddies but if you should stumble on one, anything by a Chrysler/Force is fine (again, parts issues with those).

I really wouldn't concern myself at all with brands when it comes to a used boat. It's all about condition. I'd rather have a well maintained Bayliner over a neglected Cobalt. They all use the same powerplants anyway.

The slip is something to seriously consider since in my opinion $600 is dirt cheap. You may also want to consider a dry slip. That's where your boat sits on a trailer at the marina and they launch it and retreive it for you whenever you want to use it. That may allow you to get a larger boat and not have to deal with an inadequate tow vehicle. However, that being said, for me at least, anything much over 21' is going to be intimidating as a new boater. I've had a 16' and an 18' and they are really easy to deal with. My buddy (who is a complete newbie) bought a 21' which I help with. Man does that thing seem big to me. It's completely manageble for even us but it is some work. That's why I couldn't personally imagine starting out with say a 23' or something like that. That's just me though. Also, a slip or in/out service would alleviate much of this.

Best you can do is, as mentioned, post links to boats you're considering. You'll get great advice, and I really don't think I've seen a case on here yet of someone going and buying a boat out from under someone else who was looking at it, so don't worry much about that.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Another newbie thread...

I believe engine is #1 and hull is #2?

i think ya should look at it the other way around. boat first, engine 2nd. i say that because, if the boat isn't sound. it don't make any difference what power it has. ie. if stringers and transom are rotten, ya got nothing to bolt any engine or drive to. that said. i'd stick with something common for an engine/drive package. chevy v6, v8 w/ a volvo or mercrusier.

since boats don't keep there value. ya might look at real old too. something that someone has restored maybe.

here's a link of a restored boat like mine.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=275852

while old. it has some interesting features. like mostly wood free construction. which i think is a real plus. down side is. the boat is full of foam which can retain water too.

fwiw. the hardtop of my boat really works well for how i boat. since it slide, it allows for the open air feeling of any boat. or, i boat in the rain, got hailed on last year. with a closed bow, i feel more secure in larger seas + i'm dry with the hardtop. i go full enclosed w/ an aft curtain. so i sleep onboard. i boat in colder weather than some to as i can be nice and toasty on a pretty cool day...
just food for thought.

 

[TheZeeMan]

Re: Another newbie thread...

Thanks for all the pointers guys, I really appreciate it. When I find something that's worth looking at I'll post the links or provide the info. Thanks again!