Newbie: Looking for Advice/Recommendation on 1st Family Boat

Hi, I bought a house on the lake late last year and I am looking to buy a boat for cruising around the lake with my family (3 kids and a wife), and for some watersports (tubing, skiing). The lake is not overly large (700 acres) and is private to those who have homes on it. I have my own dock. This will be my first boat - and I want to buy a good used one.

I am sure that I want a bowrider and I have been thinking for my first boat and the size of my lake an 18 - 21 foot boat would be good. I have been searching online for different bowrider boats and I come across different manufacturers (Caravelle, Stingray, Sea Ray, etc.) - but I do not know what boat manufacturers to 'stay away from' and/or what years or models are not good models for me to consider.

I am looking to spend $12K - $18K and want as new of a boat as I can afford - so, I am looking for any advice/recommendations on what would be a good first bowrider boat for me to consider checking out. And when I check them out, what are some key things I should be looking at/for?

Thanks so much in advance!

NH Lakeman

Re: Newbie: Looking for Advice/Recommendation on 1st Family Boat

First, Welcome to iboats. When you are looking at boats you need to be able to do a sea trial, put the whole family in the boat and then see if it is big enough, how long does it take to get on plane, how does it ride in the water, rough, smooth or in between. If your lake gets rough on windy days or from boat traffic then you may want to go on the large side of what you have listed. I have a 2004 SeaRay 185Sport, dry weight of 2650, so loaded it is 3200 to 3400 lbs, the rough waters in the sound can still beat you up pretty good. The bigger the boat the better the ride, get the bigger engine in whatever you get, the big engine will not burn much more gas than smaller one, does not work as hard to move boat. Check your area for mechanical support for the engine package you get. Think of what all you will want to do with the boat, water sports, fishing, cruising or some combination of the three. Make sure there is room for family and all of the gear you may want to take on the trip. On a 700 lake you may get by with a little smaller boat, you can run back to the dock to change out gear if need be. You want a boat that has been well cared for, it will probably run better, will definitely look better, probably will last you a lot longer and allow you to get a little more out of it should you decide to sell at a later date, that is as long as you continue to take good care of it.

Re: Newbie: Looking for Advice/Recommendation on 1st Family Boat

for a first boat, I'd start on the small side, maybe 17, and an outboard. The problem with the typical lake bowrider is that they are cramped in the cockpit for their length, An outboard give you more room, and many agree it is easier to maintain/repair than an I/O. And easier to learn on.

Here's why I recommend a smaller boat:
Since you have a house and a dock, your boating needs and habits will be very different than those of the regulars here who trailer their boat for a day at the lake with the family. My set up, all my life, it similar to yours--boat's in the water with a good land base. Plus you are on a relatively small body of water.
So consider this: seldom if ever will you pack the whole tribe in the boat for an all day excursion. More likely, a few of you will go out at a time, to tube, or fish, or cruise, and return to the house. Thus you don't need a boat to hold everyone comfortably* at the same time, and you won' be carrying a day's supply of food, beverages, clothing and boat toys. A smaller boat is better for tubing, and your children will be able to use it themselves at a younger age. They are cheaper to buy, to run, to store and to maintain--and if you are in NH you have a very short boating season, but taxes and insurance don't know that.

As your children learn boating, you may want to get more boats--a 12' jon when the oldest is 12, maybe a jet ski, canoe, kayaks, a small sail. If you are invested in a big honkin' 22' bow rider, that may not happen. Childrenhave a lot less to do on a big boat and so the learn less. We (and the folks on my river) have great fun with several boats coming and going from the home base.

* a boat, especially a heavily padded bowrider, rated for X is seldom comfortable for X. So to be comforable for 6 you have to buy one rated for 8-9. Since that would be too big for you, consider just how often you will need the room for all of you.

Re: Newbie: Looking for Advice/Recommendation on 1st Family Boat

I agree with the advice about getting an outboard bowrider. Four Winns has been selling 170 and 180 O/B bowriders to NH lakers for years. Check them out. a 180 with a 150HP O/B is a great setup for a 700 acre lake. A 21 footer is a little big for 700 acres.

I recommend having an experienced boat owner with you when you look at boats. A test ride is a must too. Where in NH are you?

Re: Newbie: Looking for Advice/Recommendation on 1st Family Boat

my in-laws have a 18' center console with a 150 merc on it. Been on serveral lakes big and small with it. Looked at bayliners myself, if i was going to spend 12 to 16k, that would be the way i would go. My first boat was a 21' four winns deck boat. My kids loved the boat and the water, unfornately i cracked the block in it due to my lack of experience with inboards. I would recommend getting a boat with a outboard untill you get used to winterize a boat every year. Then maybe go for that small inboard later on. The 4.3 and the 3.0 mercs are great on gas and have plenty of get up and go