Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

I am thinking about purchasing a boat and figured I would ask and get some opinions. First thing first I am stationed at Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC. I have a wife and two kids and had pretty much made up my mind to hate this duty station. Got over myself and decided to make the best of my time here. I have never owned a boat (actually looking for a basic boat course in my area) and decided it would be very cool to branch out into something fun for the whole family. I am definitely a tinkerer and am in the midst of putting a 2004 5.3 chevy engine in my '68 LeMans. I basically want a boat with space for the family, something under $6k, with enough oomph to pull a skier(whoever that lucky volunteer may be) I like the ones where you can enter the hull and it has seating, maybe a porta-potty and a few basic amenities for having fun while on the water(large fuel capacity). Doubt it will be used for fishing and may be mostly used for lakes though I am not opposed to taking it out to the sea. I had my wifes '07 GSXR 750 for sale and the guy in the ad below wanted to trade his boat for it. She seems a tad bit old, but what the heck do I know. Looking forward to hearing from anyone with an inkling.

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/2738935209.html

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

I would keep looking, Kainedogg, I don't care much for that one.

Welcome aboard......This group will find you one.

Good Luck!

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

First, Welcome to iboats. Now, the boat, 1989 had a lot of wood in the construction, could be a lot of rot, or not. OMC engine and drive, not made anymore, some parts hard to come by. If it was me I would look further.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

OMC drivetrain is really obsolete. I'd look for a cuddy cabin or cruiser - seems to be what you're describing. How big are you willing to go/how fast do you want to go (acceleration v top end speed?) will it be trailered? where will you be boating, lakes oceans?

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

I have been on many forums and never have I received such positive, intelligent feedback. You guys must be ex-military or something...lol. I will pass on the boat because I see the logic especially with the obsolete power-train and age. Zopperman, I have no idea what a cuddy cabin is but google it I shall. I am willing to go as big as the deals that are out there. The base has a huge lot for RV's and boats and its fenced. I have an '05 Dodge Ram 3500 that really hauls so that base is covered. I think 40mph+ is a fairly decent clip, as long as I can actually get up to speed fairly quickly. I think for a fun vehicle acceleration is the key. Would hate to hit a wake at 70mph with the kids on board...lol. Once I am familiar with boating then a twin-turbo 6.0 speed boat may be in order...in about 10 years...lol. The boat will be trailered and be in my driveway if I don't feel like storing it on post. I may be getting orders to Tampa next year so I guess I want the option of lakes and oceans.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

welcome aboard

A couple things to consider:

trading used stuff for used stuff seldom works out well as it limits you; I'd look for a boat to buy and if it's a good deal, then bring up the trade.

here, military personel can rent boats at the Navy base. You might have something like that available. there is no better boat to have than someone else's. And it's a great way to try different kinds.

Having a portapotty on your list severely limits you. Once you think about having one you then want a cabin for privacy. They aren't necessary for small children or guys; most women can adapt to the options. Think about camping--do you limit your family to a site with flushies? Just something to think about and I hope you haven't already mentioned it!

You're not far from the coast now and may be moving to it. Skip the lake boats that can't handle real boating and get something durable and seaworthy, so you will be set when you get to Tampa, but also to give you options to explore the great boating on the SC coast and marshes.
If your children are small, look at a 17' Scout, or a Carolina Skiff. Easy to trailer and dump in the water anywhere.

Start shopping by looking at new boats on line and in dealerships; walk around the docks and marinas, and decide on your hull design, features and size. Then start shopping used. That way, you make the boat fit your needs, not the other way around.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

For $6k you can find yourself a decently sized family cruiser, in really nice shape. Its definately a buyers market right now. I would follow all the above advice, take your time and get something you will be happy with.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Kainedogg said:

I have been on many forums and never have I received such positive, intelligent feedback. You guys must be ex-military or somethingboard...lol. .

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Yup.....Myrtle Beach AFB, '77 to '80. TDY Shaw AFB for a month.

This looks better

http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/boa/2737574359.html

Check her out...and talk 'em down a couple big ones.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

here's a good starter
http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/boa/2701654947.html

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

I definitely like the cuddy in Myrtle Beach, now that I know what a cuddy is...lol. Home Cookin, the bathroom is not mandatory, I just thought it may be cool to have especially for the wife and 7yr old daughter. I know the base has RV rentals but I will look into boats as well. That starter boat is a little sparse for my taste and I would rather have an engine I am familiar with; hence once you guys said the OMC was obsolete it was easy to keep on looking. I may be pushing my luck and may have to look a bit longer, but I was hoping to find one with a trailer as well.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Kainedogg said:

I definitely like the cuddy in Myrtle Beach, now that I know what a cuddy is...lol. Home Cookin, the bathroom is not mandatory, I just thought it may be cool to have especially for the wife and 7yr old daughter. I know the base has RV rentals but I will look into boats as well. That starter boat is a little sparse for my taste and I would rather have an engine I am familiar with; hence once you guys said the OMC was obsolete it was easy to keep on looking. I may be pushing my luck and may have to look a bit longer, but I was hoping to find one with a trailer as well.

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Time is on your side. If you can spend between $5K & $8K there is plenty out there. Take some time looking - even at new ones - to see what you like. Maybe rent a boat or two to try them out and see what works and what doesn't. Look an hour or two away as well - a weekend road trip to a place with a wider selection may be worth while (I'm in Nashville, TN so I check Louisville and Atlanta pretty regularly).

Welcome aboard!

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

If you don't get a headache searching, and you don't have a folder full of potential boats that you constantly revise and update, you've not looked hard enough!

For the potty: On newer, more expensive bow riders you can get a head under one of the consoles. So, you might see this configuration out there, but I don't know if older bow riders ever had this, but if they did, it was not common, so you get steered towards cuddy cabins.

Other viable options include center console boats, because there is often room under the center console for a potty.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Underpowered and overpriced.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

I am definitely taking my time guys. Unlike a car, the family has to really be in the mood to just head out on the water. Why rush to buy something that I may not like in short run much less the long. My base doesn't rent decent size boats so I may have to befriend of my neighbors. Can you guys recommend some brands as well? What motors do you favor and what is a good size boat as far as stability and comfort? NYBo you mentioned underpowered. What is a good power goal and powertrain to look for? Does anyone here ski? Sorry for all the questions, just eager to learn.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Do any of you gentlemen have a fuel injected boat?

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Rent before you buy. That way you can 1) decide if you and the fam really do want to join the boating lifestyle full time, and 2) will help you decide what you like/don't like in a boat.

Not sure about Shaw, but I know Fort Jackson MWR rents boats: http://www.fortjacksonmwr.com/marion_st_station/pdf/pricelistJuly09.pdf

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Kainedogg said:

Do any of you gentlemen have a fuel injected boat?

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I've had carbed and injected. What's up? Fuel injection is more reliable and less fussy on startup (IMHO).

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Philster said:

I've had carbed and injected. What's up? Fuel injection is more reliable and less fussy on startup (IMHO).

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and carbs handle bad gas better, to a point. but that doesn't mean I wouldn't by injection. I buy used boats and whatever is hanging off the back is the one I like.

Kaine it is impossible for any of us to recommend a boat size for you since we don;t know you or your family; we can only recommend the size we like. A Wisconsin lake boater and a Maine islander and a Florida flats runner have different ideas of what fun is.
Lots of people have a great time with the family in a 16' and lots are cramped in a 23'. Interior design and hull shape are as important as length. If you go to above about 19' you may need a dual axle trailer with brakes--more $$ and headaches--and a bigger motor --more gas $$, and it may present challenges for trailering, launching and storing.
Non-boaters may be less comfortable operating a larger boat and you want everyone in your family to operate it. Small boats are great for shallow water including beaching.
On the other hand the larger boats gives you a wider range of use because you are safer or more comfortable in bigger water. You can carry more stuff, including the head. chuildren can bring friends.
As for water sports, serious skiiers need one thing; most recreational boater can use about anything. 16' is perfect because it's manueverable, but that might be too small for the family. I see people trying to pull stuff behind big honkin' pontoons, barges and cuddy cabins, and it's a real chore.
Buying a boat is nothing but a series of trade-off's and compromises. If you worry too much about it, you won't be happy with what you end up with. Don't over-think it. Go look at real live boats first, in the marinas and boat dealers, get an idea of size and style, then and only then shop the used market.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Kainedogg said:

NYBo you mentioned underpowered. What is a good power goal and powertrain to look for?

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I was referring to the boat in your original post. For that size boat, I think a 5.0L would be the minimum for decent performance

I'm not touching the OMC debate with a ten-foot pole. I'll let Summer Fun weigh in on that if he happens to read this thread.

Re: Good afternoon friends; New guy here looking for a boat...

Thanks for the information guys. It is a lot to digest, especially since I don't know the first, second or third thing about boating. I don't want to treat it like a car purchase, because usually I end up being misguided and buying something fast and impractical like a C5 Vette that barely idles in the cold, yet I swear to my wife its a great daily driver. Home Cookin your information was spot on, and I will be checking out boats this weekend with the wife. I definitely wont go beyond 22ft since I want my boat in my yard, on the trailer so I can keep an eye on it. The 16' makes sense because I can't see my family on the water all day. 4 hours at the most and that's pushing it. Daughter is 7 and son is 17, but 6' 8" and still growing (I hope not) Might do a little fishing, but mostly skiing and puttering around. Never really liked carbs unless its in a sandwich. My old mechanic use to call them controlled fuel leaks...lol. However for what I am trying to spend and the compromises I am willing to take, I don't care if it has 4 Mikuni 33mm down-drafts. What kind of mileage does one get per gallon on average? I know that is way general, but just trying to find a guesstimate so I can factor in fuel tank size. Philster, what kind of boat is that in your sig?