newbie/many questions

[Paul A]

family of 5, wife grew up skiing, this will be my first boat. We are looking for an open bow, towable (21'range),long day comfort(porta potty, cooler)for occasional trips to the Chesapeake, new or used boat. <br />I also need an education on the pros/cons of hull design b/c we plan on doing a fair amount of skiing/wakeboarding/tubing on some local lakes. I suppose I'm looking for a boat that will do well on both a lake and the bay. I have been talking to a gent re. a Chriscraft 210BR It seems to fit the profile, though I'm concerned about the deep hull/wake, (and the cost!)<br />paul

 

[Solittle]

Re: newbie/many questions

Best advice I could give is to hang around the busiest boat ramp in your area. Most folks will be more than glad to share the good, the bad and the ugly of their boat.

 

[JRJ]

Re: newbie/many questions

Hi Paul A, I would just say that whatever you buy should have enough room for everyone and enough power to do it with all aboard. Boating is one of the best family things there is. Enjoy

 

[KCook]

Re: newbie/many questions

There are 21' I/O bowriders by a lot of different builders. But not many will have a head compartment. Generally you have to go up to the 23' size to get this.<br /><br />Except for the rather rare step hulls, bowrider hull designs don't vary a lot. Bowriders are ideal for fast cruising on lakes. They are also Ok for a lot of other things, but can't do these as well as more specialized designs. Because of their comfort and (modest) versatility, bowriders are a very popular choice as a first boat.<br /><br />For example, an I/O bowrider won't ski as well as a V-drive ski boat. But the ski boat will be more expensive and won't like the bay on rough days. No one boat can do it all under all conditions.<br /><br />A 21 footer has more than enough room for one family. If your bay is a big one, you may want more boat for more comfort. But a 21' is great for most lakes.<br /><br />For some Chris-Craft owners, see this thread -<br />www.trailerboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000370<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[amtsst]

Re: newbie/many questions

Just some thoughts for you:<br /><br />I run around on the middle Chesapeake. Rappahannock and Potomac area to give you reference. I've got a 23' and its great for where I use it. Its unfortunately cumbersome for skiing but great for the baby and wife who wants to lay down for a while. It is also miserable to tow b/c it weighs as much as my tow vehicle. Its all about tradeoffs. Quick takeoff for skiing can be had at the cost of rough water handling. If you're on the bay, a small shallow draft will either kill you or shake your brains out in a storm. <br /><br />I poked around on eBay and found the kind of boat I'd buy if I were you. I'm mindful that if you're further up the bay, the seas aren't as heavy and this might be a good fit. Mind you...I"m not endorsing any of these particular boats but you'll at least have food for thought. What was the year/model/engine/etc of the boat you're looking at? Ask price???<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1848709409 <br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1847796221 <br /><br />(this is more of a fishing boat but might work for you) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1847870680

 

[Paul A]

Re: newbie/many questions

Thanks for all the input, We are thinking we'll boat primarily on the lakes, deep creek and Raystown. I'm thinking 21' is the right size for us. Skiing, wakeboarding, lake boating, towing, etc. I'm looking at a new Monterey 228SS, and a used chriscraft 210 BR.<br /><br />paul

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: newbie/many questions

Depending on the seriousness of your watersports, go with a competition inboard... I love my 1993 Mastercraft prostar 205... It has the smoothest wakes at any line length, a big V8 with alot of power, and it's a little over 20 ft long... <br /><br />it doesn't do well in rough water, but then again, do u want to ski and boat in the rough stuff? i didn't think so...<br /><br />If you're looking for what I think is the best inboard built today, look at Malibu (www.malibboats.com). I love the Sunsetter and the response LX - AWESOME wakes...

 

[KCook]

Re: newbie/many questions

Well, the used Chris-Craft should be less expensive than the new Monterey SuperSport! Both boats are somewhat odd-ball. The Chris-Craft 210 because Chris-Craft won't be making boats this small any more. The Monterey SS because it runs counter to the current trend in runabout design, which is to shrink the sunpad. The SS has a huge sunpad! If you wanted a distinctive boat, either will fill the bill. But this may also make resale more difficult.<br /><br />That 228 SS Monterey is built on the same hull as Monterey's 218 LS. So the 218 would give the same performance. But should be less expensive, and is more conventional in design. There are lots of nice bowriders in this size, keep your options open.<br /><br />TxRiverRat is right about ski boats being ideal for skiing on lakes. Backing up a boat with inboard power is not as intuitive as an I/O boat. So learning ski boat operation would mean a little more instruction.<br /><br />Here is one thread by a Monterey owner -<br />www.trailerboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000276<br /><br />Also try www.boatus.com and www.goboatingamerica.com<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[cklips]

Re: newbie/many questions

Paul we are a family of 5 and have a 21ft Sea Ray that works great were moving up to a bigger boat and this one is for sale.http://www.iboats.com/boats/marine-...o_35_ft--100/bow_riders--1004/331719-ec.price is 25,000 not 27,000

 

[Paul A]

Re: newbie/many questions

Thanks for the Monterey thread..interesting. I went 'test drove' (is there a boating term for that?)the Monterey, I like the boat alot and based on my limited research I found it to be a quality boat for a very reasonable price..a good value all around. I didn't feel like I would be paying for the name. Thi season is starting to slip away, so I will continue to research and hunt for a good deal. I will check out the malibu site. Is there a time of year when it might be more advantageous to purchase a boat? Thanks for all the input...Paul

 

[KCook]

Re: newbie/many questions

I like the Monterey LS bowriders myself. Other nice boats at about this price point are Crownline and Ebbtide Mystique.<br /><br />There are brands that get a reputation for charging extra for their "name". But this only works if the dealers are in the same game. Make enough phone calls and you may find a dealer offering discounts, even on a "name" brand.<br /><br />If you find a nice deal on a boat ready for delivery, I would pounce. Why give up even part of a season?<br /><br />Here is a thread that gets into the nitty-gritty of new boat pricing -<br />www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001451<br /><br />Kelly

 

[Knoxes]

Re: newbie/many questions

I have an inboard and would probably advise against it - especially with a family your size. There's nothing better for skiing, but a good i/o will do for anyone other than the most serious skiers (RiverRat, we're dropping in numbers all the time ). The newer inboards may ride better, but generally, the Mastercrafts, Nautiques, Malibus, Moombas, Supras etc, don't take to chop real well - the hull is flat and the freeboard minimal. Mine's brutal in 18" seas. I see i/o's blowing past me all day long once the seas pick up. Also having a big fat V8 planted right in the middle of the boat makes for very little room. We were out last night - 4 small/average size adults and my 3 yr old and it was tight. Not much room for supplies or anything other than people and skis.