I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

[stlbob]

It will be my first.I have looked,read,looked some more and have spent a lot of time in a lot of forums.So here is who i am and what i need.

I live in St.Louis,Mo. (hence the handle stlbob,yeah i said handle im old)..I want something that is big enough to deal with the Mississippi up stream and downstream to Cario ill, where i would abandon the Mississippi .Must be comfy the 'admiral' has no issue with me getting a boat but i have been married to her for 30 years and her needs and wants are to me more important than my own ( Me..? I want something fast,scary fast) So interior layout is VERY important.

I have 30+ years as an automotive guy,L1 master tech.GM trained,Toyota trained and can do a lot myself.No boats arent cars but the ability to problem solve and find issues are universal.

I have come to the conclusion right or wrong that i need about a 30-32' foot boat to get all i want.Yes i know this is a large first time boat.I wont just jump in it and take off.I will taking class's here and have friends who own boats who are all telling me they well help.I will not buy a boat without a good marine survey.I have no bad habits to break and i am certain i can learn.I understand that when i am in a boat my safety is not the only concern,i could never forgive myself if i hurt someone just because i am in a hurry to get on the river.

I have come to really Like Carvers,BUT that being said im as green as grass so i am open-minded to suggestions. Take a look at the Carver im getting a survey done on early next week.


http://louisville.craigslist.org/boa/3868703670.html

so give me some honest feedback,im all ears.

 

[NYBo]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

Welcome to iboats!:welcome: Another Bob is always welcome, as far as I'm concerned.

That is quite a large boat for a first-timer, and the dual motors steepen the learning curve a bit. But once you get the hang of it, the duals will make your life a lot easier. Classes, knowledgeable boating friends, and a marine survey show you've done your homework. Carver is a top tier brand from what I understand.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

Carver has a great reputation for being well built. They are heavy and hull design need a little more depth than most boats of similar size. This one seems to have been taken care of as she deserves. She IS big for a 1st boat but it will simply take a bit of getting used to, especially in tight docking situations. River current is better than changing tides. You will have much more than boat systems-- you basically have another house with elec, plumbing, HVAC, and all the rest. Have fun and good luck.

 

[stlbob]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

Yes your right.Cant have enough Bob's....lol..
I have already spent a few hundred dollars on marine surveys for boats that didn't make the grade.One friend has a cruiser about 33 ft and the view is okay,just okay.Another has a 35 ft Carver with a fly bridge and i LOVE the view..MUCH better..He taught me to dont touch the steering wheel once im at the dock..
My ultimate goal is to go down to the gulf end up in Mississippi and make a left,ck out Pensacola Florida and come back.Yea i know big dream,but when im ready the wife and i will do it.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

Look up "great loop" -- everyone should try it once and when you do you will want to do it again & again.

Yes your right.Cant have enough Bob's....lol..
I have already spent a few hundred dollars on marine surveys for boats that didn't make the grade.One friend has a cruiser about 33 ft and the view is okay,just okay.Another has a 35 ft Carver with a fly bridge and i LOVE the view..MUCH better..He taught me to dont touch the steering wheel once im at the dock..
My ultimate goal is to go down to the gulf end up in Mississippi and make a left,ck out Pensacola Florida and come back.Yea i know big dream,but when im ready the wife and i will do it.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

Cruisers like the Carver you are looking at are designed for comfort in nearly all conditions-- they are NOT speed boats. If you have a need for speed you are not looking at the right boats.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

Sounds like you already learned a bit by not touching the wheel,it's pretty easy to maneuver at the dock once ya learn that. We teach new boaters that quite often. Glad you are willing to join an excellent group of people! Welcome aboard!
Grub

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

We owned a 32 aft cabin Carver when we lived in Mi and it was the best boat that we ever had. We sold it and a few years later bought another one, that's how much we liked it. I would suggest that you look at the 32 aft cabin if possible, your wife will love it.

 

[stlbob]

Re: I didnt see a place to say HI!,SO hi..lol..I need advice,I want to buy a boat

Well should get the results from my survey today or tomorrow.