finding the right boat

[doctordelerious]

I am currently looking for a good family boat, I have a 5 year old son and a wife, I have been searching for a boat with enugh room for a family and sometimes guests, so far the best configured boat is a bayliner 33 (explorer?)the wife loves the 2 bedroom layout. But the carver 33-35 mariner is a great layout but are the ugliest boats ive ever seen. because of my price I am looking around 5-20k and in the mid 1980s. I have found some good deals that need new engines. which will be 5-10k out of pocket on the cheaper models. my contracting/mechanical skills give me some flexibility for condition. I cant find many boats that compare with those two any suggestiones ??

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: finding the right boat

Welcome to iBoats. You will find a lot of helpful information around here.

To better help there are few questions that you will need to answer.

Where are you located and what water will you be boating on?

Will you be using the boat for any specific tasks? Fishing, diving, cruising, etc. Do you need a large cockpit (open deck at rear of boat) or a large salon (enclosed lounge space).

Do you have previous boating experience? Have you operated a boat this large in the past?

There plenty more questions and I'm sure others will be along soon.

 

[doctordelerious]

Re: finding the right boat

The usage is general, mostly as a summer home, I generally will travel 5 miles and anchor off for the weekend with some longer trips maybe 50 miles, the boat will be used primarily in narragansett bay which is mostly shielded and has light seas. I am not a fisherman and I dont do a whole lot. it is mostly to just get out on the water and enjoy time away. I find I am pretty happy just being in dock or anchoring off and relaxing. good plan with gas prices

 

[doctordelerious]

Re: finding the right boat

With a 5 year old I need as much interior as possible, the boat I used to have (before I was married 10 years ago) was a 25' 29"loa a new thompson w a 10' beam it was ok for me and my dad but now with a growing family I need a little larger and with the docking prices going negotiable I can put something a little larger in the water. currently I have a 18' bowrider I get very wet every time we go out.