How long did you own your first boat...

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mass_boater

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Feb 15, 2004
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2
I am purchasing my first boat this year. I am 36, married and have children. I want a fishing/family boat to use around Cape Cod.<br /><br />I plan on buying used, and I really want a 23' walkaround. But, since this is my first boat, maybe I should start with something smaller and more practical (18' center console).<br /><br />I will have approx. $5,000 for down payment and will have to finance the rest. I want to keep my payments low (under $300) so I will probably need a 5-15 year loan (15 years...ouch!). <br /><br />I have heard that you always grow out of your first boat. With that in mind, it's probably foolish for me to have a loan longer than 5 years.<br /><br />Question:<br />How long did you keep your first boat? <br /><br />Thanks,<br />-MassBoater
 
roscoe

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,810
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

First boat, 1.5 years.<br />Second boat, 19 years and counting.<br />Third boat, 3 years.<br />Fourth boat, 5 years and counting.
 
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

Mass_boater<br />First boat, 37 years and counting. 1967 Klamath.<br />Second Boat, 24 years and counting 1980 Crestliner Nordic.
 
B

Bigfun

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 21, 2003
Messages
305
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

1st. canoe 26 years so far. 2nd. 16' jon boat 50 yammy jet drive 17 years so far. 3rd. 21'bluefin 2years and gone.
 
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AW

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Joined
Jan 19, 2004
Messages
35
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

Kept it till it washed away when I was 4. :( 2nd boat 31 years and counting.<br /><br />Seems like some guys always want a boat 2 feet bigger than what they have. They trade up every few years till the boat is just too darn big and then they sell it and forget the whole thing.<br /><br />You really need to talk to someone familiar with the waters in your area. You do need a boat big enough for the conditions you will encounter
 
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Homerr

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Mar 4, 2002
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2,294
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

I was always to get one at least 20ft.<br />The re-sale is much better.<br />You see 18ft. or less all over the place, and cheap. <br /><br />My first: Bayliner 2001 215 Capri LX (21 ft.)<br /><br />My second: (project) 1976 26ft. Fiberform Flybridge.<br /><br />WIsh I would have bought a Trophy for my first boat now. They are made for fishing, but you can still haul the family behind them just fine.<br />I have nothing against the 215 I have, it's fun and fast. Just wish I could fish out of it better!<br /><br />H.
 
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Ripsnort

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
95
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

18' Winner Wildcat 115 Evinrude- 1.5 years<br />19' Larson All-American I/O Cuddy - 8 years<br />20' Campion 542 Cuddy 140 Suzi- Delivery March 6th, 2004.
 
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ChrisMcLaughlin

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
387
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

18' Seafox 1.5 years. The wife does not fish so the boat is big enough for me and my son to fish out of. When the wife goes out, the fishing gear stays home. This seems cruel and unjust but she does make 1/2 of the payment. :cool: :cool:
 
D

DBLD

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
41
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

Hi,<br />Do you boat on the bay (northeast) side of Cape Cod, or on the Buzzards Bay (southwest) side of Cape Cod? I boat on the Buzzards Bay side and can tell you that the water is more often rough than calm with pretty decent chop. So, I would recommned a deep-vee boat for sure, and if you could get a walkaround, all the better since you want to use it for a family boat too.<br /><br />I had my first boat, a 17'open center console, for only one year - and realized it was too small for the waters in our area. I now have a 19' open center console - it isn't much better, but it was cheap and it is good enough. But ideally, I would like a walkaround to have some protection from the elements.<br /><br />Hope this helps! Happy boating.
 
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18rabbit

Captain
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
3,202
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

Mass_boater – Welcome to the forums! There are folks here that have a lot of experience and can offer solid recommendations on your query.<br /><br />Personally, I see two problems so far…<br /><br />1- You’re not sure what you want, and<br />2- you are will to go into debt to get it.<br /><br />...but you are on the right track. :) <br /><br />About #1 - It might be helpful to get your hands on a book called “Getting Started in Powerboating” by Bob Armstrong. It describes the design and function of hulls and their pros/cons, power systems, everything you need to help you decide on the vessel best suited to your needs. It also has a lot of good information on piloting, docking, anchoring, etc…all that stuff that looks so easy in the movies. :) You might also want to take a look at “How to Choose Your First Powerboat” by Chuck Gould. I have not had a chance to review it, yet. Both books are available from iBoat’s Mega-Mall. Once you decide on what you are going after, you should query here again and you will get a ton of advice on specific makes/models and help on buying a used boat.<br /><br />About #2 – Not much you can do about it. I really hate to see anyone go into debt for anything other than a mortgage. Definitely research the cost of boat loans/insurance, etc before you purchase a vessel. You definitely don’t want to find yourself in the position of selling the boat you recently bought, at a loss because it didn’t workout for you.<br /><br />And while you are at it, you and your spouse should consider hopping into a basic boating and safety class. They are offered through either the Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron. The costs, if any, are very nominal.<br /><br />Good luck and please let us know what boat you decide on.
 
K

KCook

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

A little over 3 years. Which was really longer than I had expected to keep it.<br /><br />Picking a first boat depends a great deal on your boating experience. If you have no experience at all, then you have no basis at all for determining the best boat. Other than which one looks swell on the showroom floor. For someone without any experience trying to pick a first boat my advice is that too cheap is much better than too expensive. Means your mistakes will be cheaper too.<br /><br />Kelly Cook
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

1st boat, 2 years. 1973 18 ft Gulfstream with OMC Chev. I-6. <br /><br />2nd boat 29 years. 1975 20 ft Gulfstream with OMC 302. Just about to get a new floor and a stroked (331 cid) motor.
 
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salty87

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Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

i'm still on my first boat....23' inboard, bought used 3 9/12's years ago= only 3 payments left!!!<br /><br />some thoughts on your situation....you're definitely looking at used boats but don't be afraid to walk the showrooms and look everything over. there are 2 ways to figure out what you want....do your homework and get it right or go back for a different boat sooner than might be necessary. the more boats you look at, the better of an idea you'll have of what you do or don't like. this includes used boats, get used to looking at them and talking to the folks selling them. unless you're experienced, i doubt you'd ever want to buy from the first person you talk to. buying/selling is part of the learning process of boating, too.<br /><br />also, don't be afraid of the length. i started at 23', not terribly big there's a very noticeable difference when i pull up next to a 20'er. with family and conditions, you'll want the space and probably a cuddy. you'll usually only get nervious near the docks and/or trailer and that just takes practice anyway, once you're out on the water the extra feet are really nice. don't go too small or you'll set yourself up to switch in a few years.<br /><br />as for finances, cash is king but i don't know of any royalty on this board!!! i put in some $$ out of my pocket and financed the balance for 4 years, i'm just about done and it feels good. don't blow all of your cash, you've got lots of vests, ropes, bumpers, and other various toys to get!!<br /><br />i might have overlooked it but there's the old saying....the best 2 days owning a boat are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. i remember the day i bought mine, i still get a smile on my face thinking about it.
 
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mass_boater

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Feb 15, 2004
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Re: How long did you own your first boat...

Everyone, thanks for the info...<br /><br />DBLD I will most likely be on the Buzzards Bay side of the Cape. Thanks for the advice on chop, weather and deep V hull. <br /><br />We are going to the New England Boat Show this weekend, not to buy, but to try and learn.<br /><br />Definately taking the Coast Guard Safety Course. I was curious about how long most people owned their first boat. Sounds like a 23' walkaround would be fine, as long as I don't go into debt doing it :) <br /><br />Anyone else have advice on a good fishing boat for Cape Cod waters?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />-MassBoater
 
S

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

Like 18rabbit I hate to see folks getting into debt for a boat - particularly the first one. Many people go into hock big time for a boat - use it a lot the first year - a bit less the second - once in a while the third and then it sits - - but the payments keep going.<br /><br />I started out 34 years ago & bought an 11' sailboat from a friend for $100 cash. Quickly learned that wasn't for my young family - gave it a coat of paint & doubled my money. Then came the 15'er with a 33hp on it - doubled my money on it. Repeated that a few more times until I got a 19'er that was just right at the time. Kept that puppy for 15 years and sold it for not much less than I put into it. A few more until I got my present rig - a 23' CC which I have had for 10 years. 34 years and not payment one. It can be done.
 
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mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

first boat, still running strong. i'd keep your $5K and invest it. go out and find your boat after a lot of research. you can spend about $15K for 5 years and keep your payments under $300. Add a few years and your budget goes up.<br /><br />i think the responses thus far are the exception. most people upsize until they've reached their ultimate budget (income is not increasing). hopefully you are not in this catagory. plan on wanting a larger or better boat in a few years. if you finance for approx 5 years, you'll be able to break even on a decent used boat. good luck-
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

Three years. It was a complete restoration-insurance wreck.
 
rickdb1boat

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

John Boat! 7 years.<br />Toon! 14 Years.<br />Runabout 7 years. <br />Still have runabout and going strong. New toon, though...
 
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johnntab

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 12, 2002
Messages
35
Re: How long did you own your first boat...

I am still in the market for my first real boat. I too have asked for the advice of the experienced boaters here (as noted on the post new bass boats). I plan on going in debt for as long as it takes to get a boat that makes me and my wife happy. I have been in school for 21 of my 26 years of life, all with the notion that when I graduate for the last time this May, I will have a boat, and I will fish at will. Right now I own a SeaDoo jet ski, but it doesn't make for easy fishing, so I am looking for a boat. My advice is get something that will accomodate your family and provide for good memories in the future. Being in debt is the American way, just make sure you actually want what you are buying.<br />John
 
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