Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

[kenttaylor]

I am a complete newbie needing advice on buying my first boat. I've never owned a boat before and would appreciate some advice on what to look for and what to stay away from. I will be using the boat to pull a tube (up to two people), pull a skier (up to 230lbs.) and to use for fishing. I have been looking on the internet at boats for a while now and it looks like a mid to late '80's bowrider will suit my needs and my budget.
My questions are as follows:
1. Inboard or outboard?
2. What is the minimun HP, ltr's, cylinders, etc. do I need?
3. What other elements do I need to consider? i.e.; V-hull, tri-hull, boat length...?
Thanks in advance for the advice and I apologize if this has been aswered elswhere on the site (in the few minutes I searched I could not find anything on it)

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

welcome aboard

it all depends on what YOU want. Make sure you do what to can to find a boat that has been cared for and well maintained. Test drive the boat before you buy it and ask ALOT of questions about it. has it been winterized every year? when was the water pump last changed? have a list of questions ready...

I am currently looking for my second boat. I didn't know much about boating before i bought that one but have gathered a wealth of knowledge since (mostly from this site). I had a bowrider but soon after i bought it i realized that i wanted a fishing boat

Also make sure you read up on maintaining the boat once you buy it. One bad move could cause HUGE headaches (trust me).

 

[cr2k]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

Safe Boating Class.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

I am a complete newbie needing advice on buying my first boat. I've never owned a boat before and would appreciate some advice on what to look for and what to stay away from. I will be using the boat to pull a tube (up to two people), pull a skier (up to 230lbs.) and to use for fishing. I have been looking on the internet at boats for a while now and it looks like a mid to late '80's bowrider will suit my needs and my budget.
My questions are as follows:
1. Inboard or outboard?
2. What is the minimun HP, ltr's, cylinders, etc. do I need?
3. What other elements do I need to consider? i.e.; V-hull, tri-hull, boat length...?
Thanks in advance for the advice and I apologize if this has been aswered elswhere on the site (in the few minutes I searched I could not find anything on it)

OOF uh Initially asking an outboard to pull a 230 lb skier I would think is asking alot, I could be wrong but I think if your serious about a 230 lb skier your going to need a V8 to do it regularaly and if that 230 lb skier is not an experienced then thats really going to be tough so I would say an Inboard or I/O with a v8 of 300 hp. The Fishing side would probably require more info from you are we talking just recreational fishing or more? Hull I would suggest a Vhull but that will be easy not to many tri hulls with a big motor

I pull Skiers over 200 lbs regularly but I have a 454 with a bravo III (twin counter rotating props on a single outdrive widely regarded as having the best bottom end bite)so my bottom end torque is through the roof and the outdrive to back it up....Just for giggles whats your price range as thats a huge factor as well?

 

[dorelse]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

I skied behind my 85HP Force outboard as late as 2 years ago...and I'm 235lbs & 6'2". Its all about propping the motor correctly, and the skill of the skier. Could I start on 1 ski? Nope...but you certainly don't need a V8.

We ski and tube behind a 1996 Glaston 185 w/3.0L (Inline 4 Cyl) Mercruiser all the time. Works just fine.

A V8 (or even a V6) is certainly not required...but yes, bigger is better...but not at all req'd.


I was in your exact position 10 years ago...the best advice I can give you is find someone who knows boats and can help you inspect anything local that you're interested in. Boats of the age you're thinking are all (almost guaranteed) to have their own little issues...or large issues. Truly good ones will be few & far between, and when you do find one...may be expensive to you if you're on a budget.

I bought a boat cold turkey, zero boating knowledge & experience and got lucky, and then messed it up myself. (Forgot to add oil to the gas and burned up the motor....good, but expensive lesson.)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

go for an outboard.
tell us where you will be using it and how you'll store it.

 

[Shawk]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

Hi Ken!

Tell us a little more of what YOU are looking for in a boat? How many people will typically be in the boat? How long or big of boat have you been eyeing? Do you need to stay under a certain size due to a tow vehicle restriction? Need a little more info... I know a guy that used to slalom behind his little aluminum fishing boat with a little 25hp....

 

[kenttaylor]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

Shawk: Q. "How many people will typically be in the boat?"
A. 3-4 adults at times and 2 adults and 2-3 kids at others.

Shawk: Q. "How long or big of boat have you been eyeing?"
A. 17' Bayliner 1750 w/ 2.3ltr 4cyl. OMC I/O. Seller lists the following: Cylinder Compression 180, 175, 185, 180. Runs good/Idles good/shifts smooth. As well as a 19' 1988 Maxim w/ a 125 4cly. Force outboard. Seller lists: Runs good/Idles good/shifts smooth/overheats during test run.

Shawk: No tow restriction really.

cr2k: "Safe Boating Class."
Noted. Good advice!

Home Cookin': Q. "tell us where you will be using it and how you'll store it."
A. I'm from the Southwest so primarily freshwater dams/reservoirs and lakes. Bi-annual trips to the lakes in Northwest Arkansas. I will be storing my boat in a barn (uninsulated metal building).

1980Galaxy: "welcome aboard...Test drive the boat before you buy it and ask ALOT of questions about it. has it been winterized every year? when was the water pump last changed? have a list of questions ready... "
A. Thanks for the welcome. Unfortunately there are not alot of boats for sale in my area. So, to get some kind of selection I feel I am at the mercy of what is listed online. The draw back is that the history of the boat, and it's maintenance, is sketchy at best. And the possibility of a test drive does not exist.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

I skied behind my 85HP Force outboard as late as 2 years ago...and I'm 235lbs & 6'2"......

Ok I'm not calling BS on this because I don't doubt you did it and truth be known if someone said I couldn't do it I would do my very best to get it done but I would LOVE to see pictures of this!! Did you wear a scuba diving type air apparatus because I bet you nearly drowned!!LOL

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

Ok I'm not calling BS on this because I don't doubt you did it and truth be known if someone said I couldn't do it I would do my very best to get it done but I would LOVE to see pictures of this!! Did you wear a scuba diving type air apparatus because I bet you nearly drowned!!LOL

I'm just a few beers shy of 200 lbs and have wake boarded and skied behind my buddy's 20' CC with a beat 115, and take my word for it, I have nearly zero ability. We tried to pull him - 6'-4, 380+, but it didn't work out so well...think submarine trying to surface

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

1980Galaxy: "welcome aboard...Test drive the boat before you buy it and ask ALOT of questions about it. has it been winterized every year? when was the water pump last changed? have a list of questions ready... "
A. Thanks for the welcome. Unfortunately there are not alot of boats for sale in my area. So, to get some kind of selection I feel I am at the mercy of what is listed online. The draw back is that the history of the boat, and it's maintenance, is sketchy at best. And the possibility of a test drive does not exist.

Buyer BEWARE. 'Sketchy at best' is not a good way to start off with your first boat. Don't settle, it will bite you in the long run if you do.

 

[wbc1957]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

I would suggest you start by thinking of your tow vehicle, storage plans, annaul maintenance costs, and your time commitment and investment. Then and only then, you can start to look and the style of boat based on how you would use it. Too many boat are sitting in people's back yards turning into eyesores and piles of junk, due to these suggestions being ignored. Just my .02's.

 

[kenttaylor]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

If a 2.3ltr 4cyl. OMC I/O was propped correctly could you ski behind it? I appriciate the argument for the V8's but I have definately ski'd on much less in my lifetime - freinds boats or rentals. Unfortunately, I do not remember "how less" it really was. I do know enough to realize that it's the "drag" getting up and not necessarily the ability to pull you around the lake once your up that we're talking about, and the bigger the motor the easier that is. However, larger motors are exponentially more expensive. On my limited budget I need to know the minimum: is that a 2.3ltr, 3ltr.....125hp, 140hp...?

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

I think the 2.3l is somewhere around 140. I could be wrong though. Also, make SURE you check the strength of the floor and transom. If any of these are weak you could be in for a major restoration project, which from the the sound of it it doesn't seem that you'd want to tackle that. If you wanna know how much time and money it can cost just go look in the restoration part of this site. Just a heads up. Just make sure you find you a good one and as long as you maintain it, you'll be one happy camper! Good luck

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

If a 2.3ltr 4cyl. OMC I/O was propped correctly could you ski behind it? I appriciate the argument for the V8's but I have definately ski'd on much less in my lifetime - freinds boats or rentals. Unfortunately, I do not remember "how less" it really was. I do know enough to realize that it's the "drag" getting up and not necessarily the ability to pull you around the lake once your up that we're talking about, and the bigger the motor the easier that is. However, larger motors are exponentially more expensive. On my limited budget I need to know the minimum: is that a 2.3ltr, 3ltr.....125hp, 140hp...?

If its OMC you might want to pass it up I'm sure there are a few die hards who will try to steer you that direction. But for my money I would want a volvo penta or Mercruiser

 

[madman2021]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

Find yourself a 17-19 foot v bottom ski boat with a 4 cylinder I/O motor, mercruiser 140/3.0 or mercruiser 470 is a great choice. Their reliable, very fuel efficient and have good power. I own a glasstream 17 with mercruiser 140 and it's a great setup. With a 17 pitch prop I have plenty of power to pull my dad on a single ski who is 200 lbs. Works great pulling me up on a wakeboard 230 lbs. Pulls 3 people on a tube just fine.

When looking at an older boat you have 2 check 2 main things. The condition of the transom and the floor. If eithe has soft spots just past on it and go to the next one. Personally I'd stick with an inboard or an I/O for skiing. With an outboard you'll alway have a motor in the way and a small step ladder. With an I/O you don't have to mix gas like an older outboard. Maintence is cheap too.

Honestly you don't need a v8 for your application. It's just more weight more gas and less interior room.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

Find yourself a 17-19 foot v bottom ski boat with a 4 cylinder I/O motor, mercruiser 140/3.0 or mercruiser 470 is a great choice.
When looking at an older boat you have 2 check 2 main things. The condition of the transom and the floor. If eithe has soft spots just past on it and go to the next one. Personally I'd stick with an inboard or an I/O for skiing. With an outboard you'll alway have a motor in the way and a small step ladder. With an I/O you don't have to mix gas like an older outboard. Maintence is cheap too.

Honestly you don't need a v8 for your application. It's just more weight more gas and less interior room.

Not getting on your case, but this is the guy's first boat. If I/O he should stay away from OMC (hasn't been in prod for over a decade), anything Ford-powered, and Merc 470's (also out of prod for a very long time, and its problems are well documented). Look for Volvo-Penta or Mercruiser- 3.0 or 4.3. They're GM engine-based and in wide use. No parts availability issues and no shortage of mechanics.

18-19 ft should be fine, bigger is better for people carrying.

OB should also work fine if big enough - avoid Chrysler and Force for the same reason as OMC I/O's. Old tech, spotty parts availability and little mechanic support. The ski boaters are already chiming in on power requirements and I don't do small boat water sports, so I won't go there.

Have your boat checked out by a marine expert- simply too many possible things that can be wrong with hull and drivetrain, and NONE of them are cheap to fix. You're looking at boats that are more than 20 years old, so you want them gone through.

Best of luck! Shopping's fun.

My .02

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

Lots of good advice here so far. I will repeat some.

Motors: I/Os stick with Mercruiser or Volvo. Possible exception is the Mercrsuiser 470 which was problematic.
Outboards anything but Force and Chrysler are fine. (parts support issues with those two)

I would personally be VERY leary of any older glass boat. They are very prone to rot in the wooden components of the hull (deck, stringers, transom) unless stored very carefully. If there are ANY soft spots in the deck, that's probably indicative of more serious rot below in the stringers. This is repairable but a major project and the materials are fairly expensive.

In my biased opinion, to get on the water cheaply with the smallest chance of wallet-draining disaster, you can't beat an aluminum hull with an outboard.

 

[madman2021]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

We had an older searay flybridge with twin 470's. Never had a single problem with them. All saltwater offshore fishing. It was my dads boat for 13 years.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Newbie needing advice on buying my first boat

If a 2.3ltr 4cyl. OMC I/O was propped correctly could you ski behind it?....is that a 2.3ltr, 3ltr.....125hp, 140hp...?

Yes, you can ski behind a boat with a 2.3ltr motor. We had a 91 Four Winns with that motor for many years. There were many, many hours of skiing behind that boat. My dad, mom, sister and brother in law all slalomed behind that boat. Deep water starts, shallow water starts you name it the boat was capable as long as the skier was capable. In fact my BIL barefooted behind that boat several times. He had to start on one and drop it to do that.

It was a capable boat and the motor lived up to our expectations.

That being said, I wouldn't buy a boat today with that motor. It hasn't been in production since 1990 and only OMC used it. Only for a few years at that. It produced like 128 HP if I remember correctly. They would rev to around 5400 rpms which allowed it to get a decent top end with a lower pitched prop. (17" pitch worked good on the Four Winns)