33'-42' Size Newbie Needs Tips
I have 40 years of experience with fresh and saltwater boats to 26', none bigger, except my son has a '48 Cabo, but the full time crew runs it; it has a tuna tower, does 50 mph and cost $1.5 million; beyond that all I know is that its out of my league.
I am in the market for a late model 33'-42' freshwater cruiser and in my area 95% of the boats on the market are SeaRays and 95% of those are on lake of the Ozarks. Most seem to have twin, gasoline inboards, a generator, air conditioning and a mini-galley and I know what the benefit is nearly all optional items.
I see all kinds of category names being used such as "opens", "convertibles", " day crusiers", "aft cabins","hardtops", etc.and frankly many with different names look the same to me. This is where I am confused.
I am 58 and will be selling an expensive tournament bass boat mainly because I'm getting too old to haul it, put it in and take it out by myself. After some accidents and illnesses I can't fish from dawn to dark anymore.
I want a boat I can keep at a marina, have someone there keep it maintained and then enjoy a long weekend on the water 15-20 times a year (instead of the wife blowing several thou at a casino). i don't plan to chase Marlin in tournaments in the Gulf, nor pull water skiers, but then again I would like a top end in the mid to upper 30s.
Here's the main requiement and maybe someone can tell me what "category" I need to look for. I want an inside helm where I can run the boat and be out of the rain, with heat in the dead of winter, and with air conditioning in the height of summer and definitely not in some snap on or zip up plastic enclosure. I want a hard top and real windows (hopefully that willat least tilt open ). A second open helm would be nice, but is not absolutely required.
Any recommendations?
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