Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

[fcam00]

I want to get a boat for this coming summer (I started a thread couple years ago with similar intend, but the works prevented me from doing so), and I need some input. PLEASE!!
I live in suburb of Philadelphia, my type of work only allow me 1 day weekend (always Mondays). Would you guys recommend buy a smaller cruiser boat (16?-19?) and bring along with me whenever I go, OR getting something a little bigger (20?-25?) and find a marinas to park there? Here?s the list of marinas I found that close to Philly area, Top Marinas ? CBS Philly
I understand that smaller boat would be cheaper to operate (from price upfront, gas, insurance as well as not have to pay for the dock), but each time will involve more time preparation before I can enjoy boating. On the other hand, bigger boat will cost me more, but will limit the liable on the road and will give me more time enjoy the boating. The question is will the extra expensive is worth?
My main interest area is cruising, beach, relax. I?ve been in Wildwood, Atlantic City few times and like it those places. Any recommendation on any marinas between Philly to those areas? How much would I expected to pay for a dock per season? Year around?
Since this is my first boat, so I will just settle with a used boat, preferred something under $10k, but will go as much as $15k if extra money will = less headaches.
I have my eyes on few of sea rays or Regals, will post a link once I nailed down to one or two.
Thank you for any feedback, and can wait for this Summer.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

I like the ability to go to different places though seeing 10's of thousands of boats moored in marinas makes me think I'm in the minority. I always get my boats ready the night before I want to go somewhere so getting ready doesn't eat into my leisure time. And I clean things up the day after I get back so I can enjoy a full day. Do the same thing with house and yard chores, you'll never see me mowing lawn on a weekend, I'd stay up all night during the week and use lights just to not mess up my one day off.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

We have young kids, and the usual busy job, commitments, and lifestyle. We trailered the first boat we had, but found that we used it relatively rarely. We now keep our boat on the water, and use it a lot more as a result: there is no time spent hooking up, driving it out, launching it, re-trailering it, driving it back home and storing it again.

In terms of the length: if you are going to be using your boat as a floating cottage, you'll be happier with the larger boat. If you are going to use your boat primarily as a vehicle to get to and from the beach, and $$$ is a concern, I would think about a 19-22' boat.

Can you not leave a 19' boat at the marinas?

 

[bobdec]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

All depends where you intend on boating.. Do you plan to stay close to Philly around the Delaware river commercial traffic, or head down to Delaware Bay (50 miles) . The shore (Atlantic City / Wildwood) are about 50 miles and I assume you plan on staying inshore in the bays, as what you are looking at will not get you into the ocean. Find areas you plan to go and then take note of what type of craft other boaters are using. I personally feel after towing a boat 100 miles round trip with only a one day window (assuming all Mondays are sunny days). You may loose the pleasure of boating. Finding a closer destination will make it more spontaneous and fun. Evening/sunset cruises just going out for and hour or two. To me 16 is to small unless you have some calm lakes nearby. 19 is a good river small bay starter size. 20-25 is better for larger water body's but they start getting into larger towing vehicle requirements... Don't know about Philly area, not a lot of water options close by. Wild guess is plan on $200/month in season for a wet slip in most marina's. Call around they usually have minimum charges.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

if you keep a boat in the water ready to go you will use it ten times more. One of the greatest pleasures is an hour or so at sunset, or to lunch somewhere on a Saturday. If it takes 5 minutes to pull out from the dock, an hour trip is worth it. If it takes 2-3 hours all told (yes, it does) to uncover, prep, drive, launch, park, unpark, unlaunch, unprep, cover and store, it's not worth it.

Also you will chance the short trip when the weather is iffy; you might not go at all if you had a lot of work to do to get there and then have to come right home.

of course everyone's financial circumstances are different, but since a boat is a luxury expense, may as well pay more to use it more than pay less and use it less.

It's also cheaper to store an empty trailer somewhere; if you get a trailer just to use to pull it out for bottom work or the occasional trailer trip away, it's not a bad way to go. (It's cheaper b/c you don't worry about cover conditions and you worry a whole lot less--like hardly at all--about security. My trailer is in a $40/month yard; no problems in the last 5 years; the boat would be stripped in a week there.)

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

I really need to know what suburb. There is a lot of water around here. You have marinas at Ridley Park, Neshaminy, Bristol, and one at (read expensive) Penn's Landing, right under the bridge. There are even a couple across the river, one at the aquarium and battleship.

You can easily trailer about an hour (I do it from West Chester) to the Delaware and Chesapeake. You can cruise the Delaware and picnic on Hog Island or several smaller islands in the vicinity. You can cruise down to the C&D canal (Near Salem Nuclear) and cruise over into the Chesapeake. Baltimore is about a 2 hour cruise from there (at 20 MPH). Near Baltimore there are Hart-Miller Islands where you can camp and picnic. There are even some clothing optional beaches defined only by latitude and longitude--you must look them up as something like Naturist beaches in Maryland.

In this area, seasonal slips are very expensive and then you have off season storage. I recommend that you start with a 19 to 21 foot trailerable boat to minimize your initial expenses and see if you really do enjoy the boating experience. Then, after a year or two, if you are still serious, step up in size.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

1st consideration is operating costs, pick your size. The biggest you can afford ~~ not to buy but to operate. Only 1 day a weekend is not great as your season is short to begin with. I bought an indoor dry stack and use my boat 3 - 4 days a week. When on the trailer I would only use it 1 or 2 days a month. So, make a determination of cost/operations/ease of use. Most ramps are zoo-like during summer especially on weekends.

 

[fcam00]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

Heck any boat will do, what you really need is a different job.

So true, so true

 

[fcam00]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

I really need to know what suburb. There is a lot of water around here. You have marinas at Ridley Park, Neshaminy, Bristol, and one at (read expensive) Penn's Landing, right under the bridge. There are even a couple across the river, one at the aquarium and battleship.

You can easily trailer about an hour (I do it from West Chester) to the Delaware and Chesapeake. You can cruise the Delaware and picnic on Hog Island or several smaller islands in the vicinity. You can cruise down to the C&D canal (Near Salem Nuclear) and cruise over into the Chesapeake. Baltimore is about a 2 hour cruise from there (at 20 MPH). Near Baltimore there are Hart-Miller Islands where you can camp and picnic. There are even some clothing optional beaches defined only by latitude and longitude--you must look them up as something like Naturist beaches in Maryland.

In this area, seasonal slips are very expensive and then you have off season storage. I recommend that you start with a 19 to 21 foot trailerable boat to minimize your initial expenses and see if you really do enjoy the boating experience. Then, after a year or two, if you are still serious, step up in size.

Thank you Frank, I've gained a lot of knowledge from your post.....AND OTHER POSTS here as well.
I'm in Northwest of Philadelphia, Montgomery County, 5 minutes to NE turnpike.
I like the idea of keeping the boat on the water to minimize the prep work prior enjoy boating, but since I'm gonna stick with trailerable size (under 24') so dragging the boat with me isn't completely out of equation yet.

I've look at few marinas, and like this one Triton Marina: Cecil County MD Boat/Yacht Sales, Chesapeake Bay | Elk River Marina and Restaurant, but the monthly rental seem like out of my comfort zone ($500 for under 21'). Would like something around $200-$300 range per month. I've also see an ad on craigslist from Wildwood for around $200 and up, will check it out tomorrow.

 

[fcam00]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

I really need to know what suburb. There is a lot of water around here. You have marinas at Ridley Park, Neshaminy, Bristol, and one at (read expensive) Penn's Landing, right under the bridge. There are even a couple across the river, one at the aquarium and battleship.

You can easily trailer about an hour (I do it from West Chester) to the Delaware and Chesapeake. You can cruise the Delaware and picnic on Hog Island or several smaller islands in the vicinity. You can cruise down to the C&D canal (Near Salem Nuclear) and cruise over into the Chesapeake. Baltimore is about a 2 hour cruise from there (at 20 MPH). Near Baltimore there are Hart-Miller Islands where you can camp and picnic. There are even some clothing optional beaches defined only by latitude and longitude--you must look them up as something like Naturist beaches in Maryland.

In this area, seasonal slips are very expensive and then you have off season storage. I recommend that you start with a 19 to 21 foot trailerable boat to minimize your initial expenses and see if you really do enjoy the boating experience. Then, after a year or two, if you are still serious, step up in size.

Thank you Frank, I've gained a lot of knowledge from your post.....AND OTHER POSTS here as well.
I'm in Northwest of Philadelphia, Montgomery County, 5 minutes to NE turnpike.
I like the idea of keeping the boat on the water to minimize the prep work prior enjoy boating, but since I'm gonna stick with trailerable size (under 24') so dragging the boat with me isn't completely out of equation yet.

I've look at few marinas, and like this one Triton Marina: Cecil County MD Boat/Yacht Sales, Chesapeake Bay | Elk River Marina and Restaurant, but the monthly rental seem like out of my comfort zone ($500 for under 21'). Would like something around $200-$300 range per month. I've also see an ad on craigslist from Wildwood for around $200 and up, will check it out tomorrow.

Thank you for all the inputs, greatly appreciated !

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

while keeping it in the water is the best way to go, and dry stack a close second with most of the sme advantages, the next would be a "dry slip" which is a trailer parking place at the marina. You leave your boat rigged and ready just yards from the ramp, and all you do is launch and retrieve when you want to use it. Some may allow you to tie up at the dock for a day or two while you are there.

IMO trailering a 24' boat for every use is a lot of work and it will reduce your boating time. There are a few people with large boats who disagree; more people with (or who used to have) big ones on trailers who agree.

 

[fcam00]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

Thank you Home Cookin' for "dry slip" option, I have to look into it. As of now I find few slip available in Wildwood or AC a little over $1k per season for anything under 22'.

I went by Highway Marine in Quakertown today, but they are closed for MLK.
I want to get this “buying a boat” thing done in a next few weeks, or at least done before March end, I feel like have more choices around $10k-$15k range now than wait after Spring ( I remembering last year, I couldn’t find anything in this price rage, most of listings either in low $10k or above $20k), which brought me to another few questions.
First, even I am a mechanically-inclined person, buy a boat is my first time, and don’t want to my family in the middle of the water and engine or pump isn’t working (and also don’t want to scare off my lady with a toolbox in the boat on our first trip, believe me she’s so nervous about me buying a boat as most of her friends tell her not to let your husband buy a boat…bla bla……..but I know she will changed her view after a trip or two). SO, I will get a survey. Do you know any good one in Montgomery County, PA? What kind of fee should I expected?
Second, if I decided to buy from a dealer (highway marine or petersmarine) should a surveyor be needed? Or I just use a buy-used-boat checklist and my intuitive to verify everything myself?
Here’s are a few as of now:
http://www.petersmarine.com/Gallery.aspx/277/26/Preowned/1999-Larson-254
http://www.petersmarine.com/Gallery.aspx/288/26/Preowned/2000-Sea-Ray-215EC
http://www.petersmarine.com/Gallery.aspx/301/26/Preowned/1999-Sea-Ray-190-CC
2003 Crownline 210 BR
1997 MAXUM 2300SC 383 VORTEC TRADE FOR BOWRIDER or PAIR OF SKIS
22ft. 2001 Glastron W/LoadRite Trailer
Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

one rule is never take the family on the maiden voyage. Do your learning without scornful looks, wailing children and paniced gasping going on.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.



Highway marine, while a good looking shop seems to have a bad reputation. Not saying don't buy there, just saying be careful. If you can manage It, Reading Boat Works near Blue Marsh is decent. And the lake is a good boating destination midweek. Weekends-which is not an option for you--you must arrive before 9-9:30 otherwise you may wait for a couple of hours to launch. I never dealt with them but there is also Maidenhead Marina on Route 222 up near Macungy/Allentown area. Stay away fro Romans in Norristown. Very expensive and simply doesn't care about the customer.

Thing is: Before you settle on a boat from a dealer, look around. AND, Spend some time on craiglist in the Eastern Pa, Delaware, and NJ areas. Sometimes decently priced good condition boats come up for sale.

I bought my cuddy in NJ a couple of years ago and feel that I got a good deal.

 

[badbarracuda]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

I have been where you are. For starters you should take a Boaters Saftey Coarse. Talk to some of the people there so you can get a sence of where to go and what works best for you. I work crazy hours sometimes not knowing when I will have off until the night before. I started out the easy way I hung out with a friend on his boat. I pitched in gas money helped clean the boat and what ever else was needed. ( this was a big help for when I got my 1st boat I knew how to take care of it.) Highway Marine has some good salesmen ( Wes), some good mechanics (Ron ), but other than Shawn in parts. They can really be hit or miss. I really don't want to bash people on this forum. Peters Marine in Allentown has top notch parts service and they really know how to treat the customer. It is out of my way to drive up there since I live 10 minutes from Highway Marine. I drive to Peters so take that as you like. Also there is Jeff @ Palm Boat in Palm Pa. Great for service and cheaper than most dealers. My advice for your 1st boat go with something that you can trailer around to try different areas. Sleeping out on a boat is great and all but, if it's just going to be for 1 night most of the year? Check out the boat shows climb on different boats get a feel for what you like. Trust me when I tell you 10,000 doesn't get you very far. I'm not saying that there are not deals to be had just be careful. I had a budget of $ 15,000 for a newer used 19' EFI 6 cylinder bowrider and most people laughed at me. I ended up getting a great deal in Jersey at D&M marine. Believe me there are some deals to be had. It took me some time but I feel I got a great deal, bought it 2nd week in January as a bank repo. Private deals are great as well just beware on older boats for soft floors, bad seals, poor care. You can either get a great 1st introduction to boating or your experience may scare you off. I will tell you this there is no better feeling at looking at the shore line from your own boat. Good Luck !

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

one rule is never take the family on the maiden voyage. Do your learning without scornful looks, wailing children and paniced gasping going on.

pay close attention to this post.

 

[badbarracuda]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

Peter's has that safety coarse take the whole Family. Also you may want to try renting a pontoon boat at Lake Nokamixon. Again I can't say enough about Peter's Marine they even post videos on their web page for new boaters. I would try a lake for you first trip so you don't have to deal with tides. Monday's are great because boat ramps a prety quiet. If you have a friend that boats that's a huge help. Also Once you get a boat Go to a parking lot and Practice, Practice ,Practice! My wife and I practiced until we got it right! She now dunks the trailer in when it is time to retrieve the boat..... ask any boater that is priceless!

 

[fcam00]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

Thank you for all wonderful responds, greatly appreciated.
I just went to Peters Marine today, and spend an hour with Devin (one of the sale person). Feel very comfortable the way he's approached, very tentative but not pressuring.
Look at a couples, but I end up grabbed the 2000 Sea Ray 215 EC for $11,500. I know this might not be a deal of the century, but they will stand behind their sale. There's a long list of things cosmetically need to be done before they'll hand me the boat.
Here's the link, and will keep things updated.
Thanks all, and can't wait for Summer.
http://petersmarine.com/Gallery.aspx/288/26/Preowned/2000-Sea-Ray-215EC

 

[badbarracuda]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

Congrats! That is a great boat, The dog house is nice so you can easily get to the engine for maintenance. Put some bottom paint on it and some good ol' elbow grease and you have yourself one fine boat.Check out Beltzville State Park that is a good place to get your boating down. Make sure your boat is up to snuff, the Coast Guard does saftey checks on weekends at the ramps. If you ask them for a sticker your good to go. Preachers Camp Road is the back launch area, it's nice because there is a fuel station at the top of the road and the launch area is easy! The main boat launch area is a little tricky for first timers because it is on an angle. Good to try it because it came in handy when I started to boat elsewhere. Practice parking your boat in parking spaces in an empty parking lot. Also it helps if you can find a hill as well. When backing down a steep launch ramp it's hard to see where the boat is in relation to the ramp. My best advice when in doubt stop and laugh a little. If anyone tries to rush you or starts honking...... just remember to keep calm and focus on what you are doing. I almost had a nervous breakdown my first couple of launches with crowds and poor conditions. If you ask for help you will be surprised how many people have the first launch stories burned into their memories! Most boaters are great people willing to help out. When in the ski area remember counter clockwise only! ( They go over this in the saftey coarse ) I had some really good advice from friends when I got started so I just wanted to pay it forward. Good Luck and be safe!

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Philly area, need some input for my first boat.

nice boat I think $11.5 isn't bad.