New or Used for First Timer?

[neuralracing]

I am debating on wether I should get a new or a used boat. I am looking at something close to 25 feet, cruiser w/ cabin for 2 adults and 2 children. Ideally it would have a generator, full bath, stove and microwave along with an A/C.<br /><br />The used boats I have seen that meet that criteria are about $20K (~8 year old boat). New ones are a little over twice that (probably won't have a generator). Given that used boat loans are 10 years and a new one can go up to 12, the monthly payment is half for a used boat (200 vs about 390).<br /><br />My question is which is better for a beginner? I like the fact that with a new boat you have dealer support (the sales person takes you out on your first couple of trips), warranty, no worries of what can blow up. But on the other hand, with a used boat I can pay for dry styack storage and the loan with the amount I would be paying for the new boat.<br /><br />I have never had a boat nor I know ANYTHING about them.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

I am a firm believer of starting with a preowned boat .Many factors involved with my belief.Making sure of the type of boat,size,style ,features,accomodations,handling etc.With a first boat YOU dont really know what your wants and needs are.It is always best to learn docking with a preowned as well too.You WILL hit a few things.Sorry to bring that up but it is the inevitable.You will also fair much,much better if you want to upgrade or down grade the boat and choose to sell it.Way less depreciation on a preowned than a new,no dobt about it.Im sure you will get many other opinions here .Charlie

 

[salty87]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

i think you've hit the bigger points....dealer support that costs money versus doing it yourself and trying to save a buck.<br /><br />i think you should step back and decide on the boat first. 25' is big for a starter boat but it's manageable. another thing to think about is how many other systems you'll have on the boat, they will all need maintenance and you should know how to repair them on the fly. generator, bath, galley all have either plumbing, pumps, or additional engines to care for.<br /><br />a big boat with several systems is a lot to pick up on if you plan to do it yourself. it can be done but the older the boat, the more work it will need. a new boat fitting this description won't be cheap.<br /><br />are you mechanically inclined? or are you the type to take it to the shop? would you rather spend time working on the boat or with the family?

 

[DJ]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

I think a boat the size you are taklking about is a bit of a stretch for a novice. You do not want your inexperience to be a thrreat to your family, yourself and others.<br /><br />At least, attend a boating safety course.<br /><br />I would spend a season with a much smaller rig to get to know some of the ropes.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

I bought our first boat last year and got a used boat out of boattrader. Couldnt afford a new boat and even if I could I knew that there was gonna be a learning curve and didnt wanna ding up a new boat. I just did a nadaguides search and my boats low average value is still 500 over what I paid for it. I should be able to sell it for close if not more then what I paid for it.

 

[JRJ]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

Welcome to iboats. Where are you located? Fresh water,salt,both? Used boats should be surveyed. Not all new boats are trouble free. If you have to finance, go used. If you finance new for say 10years, by year 5+-, you will owe more than your boat is worth should you want to sell. Look all over this forum and others before you buy anything. There are lots of people that have gone before you that will share the good,bad, and ugly. Used gas hogs will be bargains soon. Good luck

 

[neuralracing]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

I live in San Juan, PR. So the boats here are Salt Water boats. I want that size of a boat because I paln on using it for over night stays on the islands that surround Puerto Rico. I am the type that likes to do it myself, so maint work will be done by me. I am not a mechanic, so any major repairs will have to be done by a shop.<br /><br />I will be taking a few courses before I do buy a boat. I am inclined to the used boat because of the depreciation.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

I would definitely go used first. Especially if you plan to do a lot of maintanance and upkeep yourself to save a buck. Better learning on something used rather than getting into things with a new boat, that could or could not void a warranty.<br /><br />Like JRJ said, with a used boat, any boat for that matter, you will be spending quite a bit of money on. At least with used you can sell it without being out a ton of cash, and given 5 years owning and maintaining a boat you will definitely have some opinions on what you really need/want and can upgrade.<br /><br />Being from PR, you probably dont have the impact of seasonal boat prices, but in more temperate climates, now is definitely time to sell and fall/winter time to buy.

 

[neuralracing]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

Many people around here live and die by having twin outboards rather rather than an inboard or in/out setup. The state that redundancy is a must if I plan on going to St Thomas (about 3 hours away) and that having an outboard engine is allot easier on maint. and fixing if you run into issues in the water (tangled seaweed, broken propeller, etc).<br /><br />Any thoughts on that?

 

[JRJ]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

With your location and what you want to do with the boat, twins are no doubt a good idea. I really like my currant O/B but I would look at I/O's and inboards too. Some of us here are concerned with fuel burn which makes a big differance on what we buy.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

Go used, strange things happen to the boat for newbies, and I think it is a law they happen. Call it damage control.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

agree that going used is the best choice.<br /><br />but i will point out, that whether it's new or used, if you finance for 10 years, you will most likely owe more than the boat is worth at some point. if you want to dump it at that point, be prepared to lose some cash.<br /><br />good luck and enjoy-

 

[neuralracing]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

The owing more does not worry me as I think its as Relentless said in another thread... it all depends on what you pay when you buy one.<br /><br />Fuel Burn... is it true that outboards comsume more fuel? has that been quantified? Is there a break even poinnt, as far as dpeending on how long the trip is or cruising speed, etc.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

but my statement is still true, unless you literally steal the boat. just because you get a great deal and buy the boat for $3K below market value, when you finance for 10 years, you'll take a hit if you sell in 5. i'll do the math for you if it still doesn't make sense.

 

[neuralracing]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

I agree with you Mat.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

Think back to when you bought your first car. If it lasted many many years and you never dented it, scratched it, or got into an accident with it, you may be able to get away with buying a new boat. If your "first car" ended up looking anything like my 1st, 2nd, 3rd....10th car, you'll be glad you bought a used boat! <br />Remember, boats don't have brakes. You will get into a situation where it's either "cut it hard and throttle out of a tight spot" or just hold on and fend off. Current and wind can be an amazing combo. I've seen too many people throttle up to get out of a sticky situation only to do mega damage vs a little hurt pride/scratch incident.

 

[neuralracing]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

Csn someone comment on the Fuel Consumption of inboards in/outs, outboards for short trips 30 min rides to longer ones (~3 hours).

 

[JRJ]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

EFI outboards are way easer on gas than any motor with carbs. Others will have to fill you in on diesels and gas I/O's, inboards. One constant is the more horsepower you have, the more fuel you burn. Deep V's require more HP than modifed hulls. Displacement hulls require the least HP for size.

 

[neuralracing]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

Any good sources on learning about the types of hulls? Aren't most cruisers V hulls?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: New or Used for First Timer?

yes. most cruisers are modified v hulls. bow entry will be a bit sharper, then tapers off to a moderate v at the transom (deadrise). convention tells us that most cruisers will be stable at rest, but take a little beating in rough seas. simplest method of comparing hulls is more deadrise at the transom, better ride in rough seas, but less stable at rest. but this is not always the case. lots of science goes into these hulls and their design. best way to compare hulls is to research the particular boat and find out how it operates. read independent reports, and talk to owners. i really like boating magazine's reports, as they seem to tell the good and bad, even if they really like the boat.