Looking for first boat

[Flysooner9]

Hey everyone I'm new to the forums. Looking at possibly getting my first boat this coming season. Honestly not really sure where to start. I've browsed my local craigslist just for kicks but want to start my research and figured this would be a good place.

I'm looking for a ski boat. Right now it's just my wife and I. Would like to have room to bring another couple along. Looking for something that can easily pull a skier or a couple of tubes but not break the bank every weekend on gas. Budget is going to be under 10K.

Looking for any advice for a first time buyer and owner.

 

[64osby]

Re: Looking for first boat

Welcome to iboats. It is great place to learn from some experts and noobs that have made first time buying mistakes.

Several questions need to answered. Where are you located? Where and what type of water will you be boating in? What tow vehicle do you have or are you going to slip it? What if any mechanical skills do you have?

Having 4 adults puts you in to an 18' comfortably. An open bow even more so. Going to a 21' will be great and allow for room to move around.

I/O vs OB is a whole discussion in itself.

Good luck with your first purchase.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for first boat

Skiin' as in, "we wanna' ski a bunch and tube a little and sometimes just take a ride."

Or, skiin' as in, "we want a nice cruising boat we can ski and tube off of sometimes."

Two different boats, but both can fit your budget.

Welcome aboard.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Looking for first boat

There are a ton of options. Do some searches on the threads here for:
- fiberglass vs. aluminum
- inboard/outboard motors vs. outboard
- new boat buyer advice - what to look for in a used boat

What 10k will buy will depend on the market you are in. Take your time looking, and look at a lot of boats - now in the off-season is a good time to buy. Check out this posting for some really good advice on what to look for in a used boat.

Sounds to me like you want 18' - 21' boat with a windshield. If it has an outboard, you'll want at least a 90 hp (you can ski with less, but you'll be really underpowered). If an inboard/outboard, you'll want at least a 3.0 liter engine.

Best of luck, and happy hunting. When considering a boat, post a thread here or add to this one, with photos of the boat you are looking at seeking advice - you'll get lots.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Thanks foe the replies so far. To answer some questions I am located in Oklahoma so It'll be all fresh water medium sized lakes. As for skiing I plan to ski and tube the majority of the time I'm out. Open bow would certainly be my preference. Also 10K would be the absolute max. Will be easier to convince the wife the lower the price tag.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for first boat

If you are new to boatinhg, pay for reliability. Don't fall for the old boats just because they are cheap; they will end up costing you more. Get something about 5 years old or less that is turn key.

Do not get anything that comes with the line, "all you have to do is...."

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for first boat

If skiing is the main plan, I'd look for a direct drive boat. An older MasterCraft, Natique or something of that like. You may get shorted on the bow-rider end, but you'll like it a LOT better for skiing.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

So I've been watching Craigslist since I first posted here. Seems like every add I look at that's not a brand new boat I find myself thinking it probably has rot.

Is it possible to find a boat out there for around 5k that won't be rotten?

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Looking for first boat

yes.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Looking for first boat

+1 what redneck said... some people have a jem that they simply want gone due to moving, loss of job, who knows.. key is to be patient, educate yourself and search,, have fun

 

[JoLin]

Re: Looking for first boat

A (1) newbie looking for a (2) cheap boat already has 2 strikes against him. Do yourself a favor- budget an additional few hundred for a professional survey and mechanical inspection for any boat that looks really good to you. It may seem overkill on a $5K boat, but it can literally save you thousands in problems you didn't have the experience to spot on your own.

Post ads you find and give us a chance to comment. There are many potential pitfalls, from motors and drives that are obsolete and unsupported, to boats and hull designs that look good but are totally unsuited to what you have in mind.

Best of luck!

 

[jc55]

Re: Looking for first boat

My Baja was a gem. I paid about 6k with just over 300 hours on the 5.7, and it was pretty pristine. The previous owner is on this board and was a real enthusiast on another, so I got to read up on some history. I keep it stored indoors. I started taking things off of the transom this winter as a routine check, and everything was sealed correctly. I'm replacing the bellows, u-joints, gimbal bearing, aligning the engine, and painting the out drive just as a preventative measure. I also change the outdrive oil about 4 times a season and use full synthetic in the engine. Those nut job owners are out there, lol!

Keeping a boat in the water is the first step in the down hill process. I kept my boat in a wet slip this summer for 3 months with a break in the middle of those 3 months...even with a full custom mooring cover, never again. I have other boats for that. Water sits in the inaccessible forward bilge on most of these boats and that's where the problems start.

Those boats on Craigslist sitting outside without a cover or building in sight...ya, stay away from those.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Looking for first boat

What JoLin said.. plan on negotiating to take the boat to "an established" Marine shop.. have them check out the motor and give it a health appraisal.. for $5000, your boat will need work, but not likely major work...tune ups and associated costs are to be expected. I bought my 20ft cuddy for $2500,,was always stored inside, had a local marine shop inspect it first....engine was fine, spent more money putting new trailer axle and breaks on it....

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Yeah I know whatever I get likely won't be pristine. But I'll have the time to tinker with it. Don't mind if it doesn't look the sexiest when I buy it as long as the guts are good.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

For curiosity sake here are a couple local adds

oklahomacity.craigslist.org/boa/4303456760.html

This one obviously looks like it's been left out uncovered which I'm guessing means there's a real good chance it's rotten as well.

19.5 Ft Open Bow Ski Boat!! Extremely Nice,V-6, Swim Pltform,Lake Rdy

This one doesn't provide a shot of the interior although he did make mention that the floor was strong which seems rare for them to actually mention.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Here's another this one has new interior which I know could be a cover up for a bad floor.

**Great Condition 2000 bayliner**

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for first boat

Both seem a little pricey, but worth lookin' at. My folks have that Bayliner and it's not a bad boat at all. Comes outta' the hole real nice, even with 4 or 5 people in it. That one looks like it might be garage kept which may help alleviate some of the "interior re-done" concerns.

I don't know the Ebko boats at all, but those pictures are obviously not from within the last few months. Again, the boat is a little pricey, but the photos of it look nice. Worth a look.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

How about that glastron with the rough upholstry? The hyper link didn't work so you'll have to copy and paste.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Also just saw this one. Not sure why it has such an old motor.

1999 Glastron!

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Looking for first boat

if they are local go check any/all of them out. Half the fun is looking and looking is much cheaper than buying...