Complete NEWBIE needs pro advice...please~!

[sashua]

I joined this forum since I have just decided to buy my first boat. The wife has passed down the mandate from on high and I am now on the hunt. Only problem....I am clueless and need some advice.

Here are my criteria:
1. Used is fine
2. Powerful enough to use for wakeboarding
3. Sleeping birth for 2-4 people
4. Size, roughly between 19'-28'
5. Low maintenance - I'n not one of those "love my boat and need to re-stain the wood and polish the brass each journey" guys.

This is basically a knockaround that I can take back and forth from Long Island's South Shore to Fire Island on weekends...about a 25 minute trip. I don't really know if inboard or outboard is a better way to go. The water can be shallow in places on the Great South Bay so I suppose outboard is what I need but ????

I have a dock space at my condo and so trailer issues are not a concern. I just want something very fast, easy to wash down, big enough for a family of 5... and inexpensive. My budget can be anywhere up to the $15K range and I would also appreciate any suggestions for where to buy this beastie.

Thanks all!!!!

Sashua

 

[5150abf]

Re: Complete NEWBIE needs pro advice...please~!

You don't ask for much, Fast ,cheap, low maintanence, you are gonna have a bit of a problem finding all that for 15K.

You can certainly get a good boat for that but it probably won't be a 28' big block with a cuddy.

One thing to watch for is the price range you are in is prime for rotted out glass boats, they look good to look at them but everything below the deck is rotted out.

Start looking, Graigs list and the paper and see what is out there and what it costs and maybe realign your priorities cause I really don't think you can find everything you want for the money you have.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Complete NEWBIE needs pro advice...please~!

Bennington pontoon w/ a yammi 250.....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Complete NEWBIE needs pro advice...please~!

Big Order for the price, even used.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Complete NEWBIE needs pro advice...please~!

Hi, Sashua- welcome aboard.

I do the trip from my dock in Bayshore to Kismet on a regular basis. True, you have a lengthy list of requirements, but they can be met with some searching.

Couple suggestions- a cruiser like the one in my sig (cost me $17K at the end of last season) will give you the accommodations and power you're looking for. Hole shot with a full load of passengers and gear is adequate, I think, for wakeboarding. I'm not personally familiar with it.

You won't find sleeping for 4 in less than 23' or so. You'll be hard-pressed to find an outboard boat that'll sleep 4, IMO. My draft (with I/O leg down) is 3'- same as a comparably sized OB boat. Low maintenance? If you mean the hull, that's easy. Fiberglass. As for the rest of the boat, there's no such thing

If you want to e-mail me I might be able to give you some advice. The buying season here really starts in another month to 6 weeks. That's when you'll find your best deals. I don't know how badly you're itching to get on the water...

Take a safe boating course over the winter. I'm also a member of the Captree Power Squadron. Great source of help and advice.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Complete NEWBIE needs pro advice...please~!

Bennington pontoon w/ a yammi 250.....

Ya, thats the ticket, maybe talk your freinds into get one too.