What Boat to Buy?

[Green Meenie]

I'm new here and I know nothing about boats - nothing! The wife & I retired a couple of years ago and moved to a place where we are now within walking distance to the very southwestern end of Lake Ontario (in Canada). Seems to me we should have a boat to enjoy during the relatively short summer months (maybe 4.5 - 5 months of usable time?). Budget is probably between $10 & 20 K (unless I can be convinced otherwise). Thinking we might want something like an 18-20 ft Bow Rider? A Cuddy seems to have a lot of wasted space up front although they look sleeker! Would plan to store it at the local club (about 5 min. drive from our house). Not currently planning on extended cruising but more just go out on the lake when the wind conditions permit and go for a rip then maybe anchor and laze in the sun or go for a swim somewhere off one of the local beaches.

Any one have any advice or recommendations for me? I will probably research this for the balance of this summer and get serious about something come fall & winter 2020/2021. Plan would be to have something in place for next season (spring 2021). Am interested in whether I should be looking at inboard stern drives or outboard motors? What are the pros/cons of each?

Thanks in advance for your input
.

 

[rallyart]

One of the first things you will want to do is test drive or ride in a variety of boats. The size makes a huge difference in how it rides, the comfortable number of people you carry, and the operating costs. On Lake Ontario you might want a bigger boat than you would on a small lake as there is more distance for weather to build so waves can be bigger even on a normal day.

A sterndrive or an outboard both give you power but there can be a difference in noise levels and ability to get in and out of the water if you plan on swimming from the boat. When you ride in a couple of each you will notice the differences. Jet boats give you another option for a recreational boat They have advantages and disadvantages too.

In my retirement my single biggest concern is simplifying my life. That follows through in my decision tree although I also need enough performance to make sure I'm enjoying my time. Test drive some, talk to neighbours, know that advice you get will have 'owner bias' because nobody ever makes bad decisions.

 

[southkogs]

^^^ I recommend renting a few times as well. Getting out in a few different boats will give you some context for what you like and don't.

I'd also recommend taking a safety course. Not sure who does them in Canada, but just the practical detail learning can give you some ideas too.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Green Meenie]

Thanks for your input! I will look into safety courses as that would be good to have that knowledge in any case. Not sure how I can try different boats beforehand as to my knowledge there are no rental facilities around my area. I'll look into that in more detail though as that would give me an idea of likes/dislikes in real world terms. Maybe I'll go do some tire-kicking at some new boat sales places, just to have a look and talk to people about what's available. Never know where that might lead.

If anyone has addiction info. on their own experiences, would love to hear from ya

 

[JimS123]

We're on the SW end of Ontario as well, but on the US side. We often boat in Erie and Ontario, as well as the Niagara. Been retired now for 4 years.

Grandpa taught me the ropes (er...lines...) in the 1950's and I got my first boat in 1968. Obviously, I'm not a novice and currently own 4 different boats. I'll cut to the chase and make my recommendation without further explanation. As questions if you like.

Buy a 20 +- footer with a 4-stroke outboard matched to the boat. It should be a deep-V fiberglass bowrider. For options, add a good sonar chartplotter and a bimini top.

 

[Green Meenie]

Wow - thanks for all that input JimS123 :yo: Lots for me to look into there! I'm in St. Catharines within walking distance to the Welland Canal where it dumps into Lake Ontario so both Ont. & Erie are available to me providing I have a boat I can trailer. Most of my Erie boating has been with buddies for Walleye fishing :fish2: Erie does have a lot of great beach town places to explore and most have boat launches.

By the way, Happy 4th of July to all my American neighbors :usa2:

 

[mr 88]

You say your a 5 minute drive from a club you may join. I assume it's a boating club of some sort. If so go hang out there for a couple weekends and strike up a conversation with as many club members as you can.,telling them.you may join next season. Also looking for advice and input on various boats. They love to talk about their boats and will give you the pros and cons of there boats and probably the other ones docked close by. Most used boats in the region and size you are looking in will be inboard outboards .

 

[Mike Colorado]

One lession I just learned is I would make sure there is strong service support in your area. I live in the Colorado mountains which has a short boating season. My 1.5 year old Mercury 150 is having warranty issues and the first available appointment in the entire state is September 25th. Buy a boat and miss most of the season? Oh yah, then there is a slip I rented for the season.....

 

[achris]

As a first boat, go for something on the smaller end of your range. A 2 foot difference in size is a quantum leap in handling. If you aren't going to be doing your own engine maintenance, then an outboard is probably a better option to keep running costs down.

But the first rule of buying a boat.... Take it for an extended test drive! I can't stress this enough. So many people end up here looking for help to fix engine problems on boats they have just bought, and the didn't even start the engine before buying! :facepalm: And the test drive should be at least 30 minutes. This idea of a quick 5 minute run is useless. You need to put the boat and engine through a series of tests to ensure its all right. You need to do a few full throttle runs and make sure the engine is getting to full revs. You need to know it will run constantly and smoothly at all the difference rev ranges. Make sure the boat isn't shipping water!

Test every system on the boat. Turn on all the lights and check they are works. Make sure things like bilge pumps, GPS, Sounders and radios are all working. Make sure the steering isn't stiff and the gears shift easily and smoothly...

And yes, hanging around the boat club is a great idea. Boaties love nothing more than to talk about boats. Especially theirs. You may find a few will invite you out for a run...

And on buying... Don't feel obligated to buy a boat you have test driven. Even if there's nothing wrong with it, if you aren't 100% happy with it (and that could mean it just doesn't feel 'right' for you), don't buy it. Always tell the seller you'll go home, think about it and let them know. Never a good idea to buy on emotion... Buy with your head, not your heart.

Good luck

 

[kpg7121]

What JImS123 said. If You plan on frequently boating on Ontario I would go for at lesst a 20 ftr. Sterndrives can be a maintenance nightmare, been there, done that. Others may differ, just my $.02. Also a bimini top is a must have for those hot sunny days when you just want some shade for a spell. And you've come to best boating forum on the net, hands down. There is an encyclpedia of knowledge all over this site. Best of luck!

 

[jebby]

as big as you can afford for the big lake. I prefer an open biw but went cuddy so my wife and kids could get out of the sun / use the bucket. its working out well for me because i can get up on the bow to fish or lounge. I have a sterndrive though id prefer an outboard. expect to look at a lot of stuff that is secretly rotten. any friends with boats? somebody that knows what to look for would be worh their weight in gold.

 

[southkogs]

I'm going to point back to Chris' comment on size: Under 20' and I think things are manageable for anyone learning. But when you start getting into the 24' boats and larger, the learning curve is a little more difficult. Not that people don't overcome it, but the handling is different in larger boats and learning that takes more time and intention.

 

[jebby]

^ steeper learning curve for the guy on the big lakes in a 19 foot bow rider getting pounded

 

[JimS123]

^ steeper learning curve for the guy on the big lakes in a 19 foot bow rider getting pounded

Ontario waters at the OP's end are calm 90% of the time. Boats are far and few between. Going up the Niagara River would be more of a chore due to heavy traffic and boat waves. Issues arise only when we have a north wind.

We have often fished in Ontario with a 14' tinny and a 9.9.

 

[jebby]

guess I'm misinformed then, I 've lived in the Windsor area my whole life. st clair, earie and the Detroit river can all give you a unique arese whoopin on a regular bases. also got that fear knocked into me on the st Lawrence around gananaque, all similar waters. My 14 footer is now a 20.5 footer so that I can learn a new kind of lesson. good luck either way. stay safe and have fun

 

[southkogs]

The skipper and experience come into play quite a bit.

I've been on Huron in a 16' quite a bit without incident. But I don't know the Gulf well enough to pull the same kinda' stunt.

 

[kpg7121]

guess I'm misinformed then, I 've lived in the Windsor area my whole life. st clair, earie and the Detroit river can all give you a unique arese whoopin on a regular bases. also got that fear knocked into me on the st Lawrence around gananaque, all similar waters. My 14 footer is now a 20.5 footer so that I can learn a new kind of lesson. good luck either way. stay safe and have fun

You haven't lived till you've been on the St. Lawrence in a 14 ft.trihull having the living sh*t pounded out of you. Wow. We also used to mske a run from Clayton to Kingston & Gananaque in a 22 ft. cuddy. Piece of Heaven.

 

[JimS123]

Kingston to Clayton in a 14 footer with 2 fat adults and 2 teenagers was our life for about half of the 32 years we have been going there. Now our Whaler with only the 2 of us is lovely.

Don't know about the Detroit river. earie (Erie???) is a whole different ballgame. It's shallow waters, coupled with the SW winds make it a hazard with anyone that isn't a Seaman.

Ontario is a beginners dream with its deep waters and low waves, but then again any water is dangerous if you don't have your sealegs.

Superior. Michigan, Huron and Erie aren't Ontario.

 

[Green Meenie]

One lession I just learned is I would make sure there is strong service support in your area. I live in the Colorado mountains which has a short boating season. My 1.5 year old Mercury 150 is having warranty issues and the first available appointment in the entire state is September 25th. Buy a boat and miss most of the season? Oh yah, then there is a slip I rented for the season.....

Oh Man!!! That sucks big time

 

[Green Meenie]

As a first boat, go for something on the smaller end of your range. A 2 foot difference in size is a quantum leap in handling. If you aren't going to be doing your own engine maintenance, then an outboard is probably a better option to keep running costs down.

But the first rule of buying a boat.... Take it for an extended test drive! I can't stress this enough. So many people end up here looking for help to fix engine problems on boats they have just bought, and the didn't even start the engine before buying! :facepalm: And the test drive should be at least 30 minutes. This idea of a quick 5 minute run is useless. You need to put the boat and engine through a series of tests to ensure its all right. You need to do a few full throttle runs and make sure the engine is getting to full revs. You need to know it will run constantly and smoothly at all the difference rev ranges. Make sure the boat isn't shipping water!

Test every system on the boat. Turn on all the lights and check they are works. Make sure things like bilge pumps, GPS, Sounders and radios are all working. Make sure the steering isn't stiff and the gears shift easily and smoothly...

And yes, hanging around the boat club is a great idea. Boaties love nothing more than to talk about boats. Especially theirs. You may find a few will invite you out for a run...

And on buying... Don't feel obligated to buy a boat you have test driven. Even if there's nothing wrong with it, if you aren't 100% happy with it (and that could mean it just doesn't feel 'right' for you), don't buy it. Always tell the seller you'll go home, think about it and let them know. Never a good idea to buy on emotion... Buy with your head, not your heart.

Good luck

Thanks for the great insight What is meant by "shipping water"? I understand the rest of your points quit well. Have bought and sold many motorcycles in my days and the process is somewhat similar. Looks can be deceiving. Check everything out and if you're not confident in doing so, bring some along who is. I never buy on emotion (anymore). Been there, done that :faint2: Is it common that people selling their boats will allow a test drive? It is not in the world of motorcycling but that's a different kettle of fish I guess?

Anyway, again, thanks for the great tips!