Bummer....I guess it's time to boat up!

[keith2k455]

Well, 1 jetski totally lost power this weekend and it's more than just plugs. Wife decided to agree to sell the mand get a boat (just 1 year after me). Good news is that this 1 bad day on the water leads to I'M GETTING A BOAT! Just have to sell the skis first.

This draws one question that I'm sure has been asked before, I just can find in searches. I'm pretty sure I want a cuddy now for various reasons, but in about 10 yrs I will probably want an open bow.

So, question is, generally speaking, what sells easier? 23' Cuddy or 23' bowrider?

I live in central IL and anything I buy now I plan to keep for 6 - 10 years and I expect to get something in the year range of '96 - '03. Should I even think about this now? I just don't want to be stuck with a boat in the future, but will I even have something worth selling 6-10 years from now?

Keith

 

[OllieC]

IMO - Get what "YOU" will enjoy. Boats that size and price range won't really matter when you go to resell.

 

[smokeonthewater]

If a 96 is worth 13,000 today it will be worth nothing to 1,300 to 5,000 on ten years depending on how you take care of it.... If EITHER type would be harder to sell in 10 years the. It will also be harder to sell today and you'll get a better deal on it.... Short answer: NO you shouldn't be worried about resale 10 years from now while buying today. You will probably spend far more than the purchase price of the boat on gas and maintenance. For an idea look at the price of an '86 boat today.....

 

[JASinIL2006]

I boat in west-central Illinois (on the Illinois and Mississippi) and I really wonder how cuddy cabins get used. It get so hot and humid here in the summer, I can't see that space being used for anything much except storage. How do you see yourself using the boat? We like to take bunch of people (my kids and some friends, or other couples) out for a day, so an open bow is nice for us.

I think the 'get what you want' suggestions are right on; resale value in 6-10 years will be negligible.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I boat in west-central Illinois (on the Illinois and Mississippi) and I really wonder how cuddy cabins get used. It get so hot and humid here in the summer, I can't see that space being used for anything much except storage. How do you see yourself using the boat? We like to take bunch of people (my kids and some friends, or other couples) out for a day, so an open bow is nice for us.

I think the 'get what you want' suggestions are right on; resale value in 6-10 years will be negligible.

 

[Home Cookin']

I agree that you can't buy a well-used boat with an eye toward resale, unless it's one of the invincibles like a Whaler. Maybe 2 year old boat but that's about it. From what I know, and what I hear here, cuddy's for most recreational boaters seem like a good idea when buying, and then seldom are once you get on the water. A big stuffy smelly storage compartment that leaves the passengers crammed in the stern area.

 

[southkogs]

As we're all lining up sayin' we don't like cuddys (and I don't really either), you may want to make sure you at least go check several out (even if not the type you're gonna' buy) or rent one to try. It may suggest a few things about a cuddy. I see quite a few of 'em on the lakes down here, but can't figure the attraction out ... it's gotta' be a sauna inside June through August.

I'm kinda' with Smoke on the resale - boats lose a LOT of resale over 10 years.

 

[MikDee]

I wanted a cuddy for yrs, till I got one and found out all the drawbacks! I can't recommend them, but good luck trying to find a big 23' bowrider, IMO, they're rare

 

[beason]

i dont know what your budget is, but ive seen a few mid cabin boats. they have the open bow, but also have a small enclosed area as well.

you can get bow riders up to 32ft, with the right money.

 

[beason]

i dont know what your budget is, but ive seen a few mid cabin boats. they have the open bow, but also have a small enclosed area as well.

you can get bow riders up to 32ft, with the right money.

 

[keith2k455]

Really, the cuddy was to try to get the 2yo and 5yo out of the sun, but the obvious rebuttal there is a good bikini. Most open bows have a way to keep the kids contained. Maybe I should just take my money and find what's best. It is really hard to find a good used cuddy below 25' Keith

 

[JimS123]

The ideal situation is a 'ski AND a boat. You'll miss too much if you have only one or the other.

Truth be told, a cuddy is not a family boat. Its only good for a young guy that wants a place to take the girlfriend.Read between the lines.

A bowrider is for everybody. A convertible top and camper canvas solves the kids in the sun problem. Put little kids in a cabin and they won't want to come back in the boat again.

I speak from personal experience.

 

[smokeonthewater]

....

 

[smokeonthewater]

personally I really like a cuddy but then I LIKE to sleep on the water... IF the reason is to put kids inside think about how happy your kids would be sitting in your car in the blazing sun without the A/C turned on... Despite the haters here cuddy's do have their place BUT it sounds like your garage is NOT that place...

BTW bikini's are for women... BIMINI's provide shade.... If a BIKINI is providing shade..... well..... uhhhh....... nevermind.... carry on!... ;-)

 

[Robbabob]

Experience here, again as has been said, cuddy cabins are great for storing floaties, not so much for storing children or sleeping the night in hot and humid areas. Deck boat, bow rider with bimini cover, pontoon with cover will suit you best, IMHO.

Our 22' cuddy seemed awesome for our needs, then we woke up the next morning... great as a day boat to store stuff out of sight.

 

[keith2k455]

Thanks...this helps. Bikini....that's one for auto correct. I swore it was bimini....now its stored

 

[Maclin]

For "big" water a closed bow is a good thing to keep a stuffed bow from becoming a big scoop. I have slept in mine (cuddy) but it was on the trailer as the kids had the tent. The campsite had electricity so we had fans blowing (mid summer in Kansas). On the water the set of smaller kids I took out most liked to ride in the cabin. I had the cabin port open slightly, and I have a convertible style top on it that acts like a porch, so it was not too bad heat wise. But it is still best as an easy in/out multi-use storage bin. I prefer bow riders for the type of boating I do, but the cuddy rides nice and has high gunnels and hardly ever gets water spray inside even when we go out in less than ideal conditions..

 

[Maclin]

No Title

Pic of Cuddy with Convertible top

 

[Maclin]

Or not, geez.