Hi all,
I've done quite a bit of online research over the last month or two (including lurking on this forum), but don't seem to be getting any closer to that first boat. Boy, could I use some help that's not from a guy at a boat place looking for a sale!
A little background: we moved to the Keys several months ago and are renting a house on a deep canal. We have hoist-type davits and plenty of room.
We're looking for a boat 24' or less. We're newbies, and more than that I don't want to handle at first.
Our other criteria are:
1. the boat *has* to be capable of being raised by davits from the get-go, meaning whatever boat we get *has* to come with eyes fore and aft that are rated for that purpose. Right now I'm 'between trucks,' and my little 350z isn't going to haul anything behind it. We'll get another truck in a few months, but not before a boat. Frankly, we'll get 1000% more use out of a boat anyway if it's sitting right next to the water instead of on a trailer in our driveway.
2. single-engine is preferable (for both initial cost and ongoing care reasons).
3. We are snorkelers and cruisers first, fishermen a distant second. 90% of what we'll do will be with a max of 4 people.
4. a marine head would be nice, but not a deal breaker. However, it would be *very* nice.
4. The reefs here in the Keys are all on the ocean side, so a boat that's not scary in choppy waters would be a good thing. I don't *plan* on touring around during storms, but things can whip up pretty fast down here.
4. a boat that likes saltwater and is easy to care for. I'm not averse to washing the boat at all, I just don't want to have to practically dismantle it to clean it every time we take it out of the water.
Since I have no pleasure boat experience (I was a deckhand on a towboat for awhile, but that was a lifetime ago and a completely different set of skills), I'm wary of buying used. Doesn't mean I won't, as long as it's late model and still under warranty. Or practically 'disposable' cheap (ie less than 8 or 9k), so I could chalk up a bad decision to the ol' learning curve.
So....amount I'm willing to spend. Boats cost more than I thought. Imagine that! We've had to recalibrate since we started looking. Now, we are looking for, basically, a new boat that's <$60k total (so, probably $50k before taxes and everything else), OR a solid late-model used boat that's significantly less than that. Or again, a VERY inexpensive boat that I wouldn't mind too much if it just up and died on me.
So for those patient few of you who've managed to slog all the way down to here: what kind of boat would best fit my particular needs? Thanks for your time.
TqV
I've done quite a bit of online research over the last month or two (including lurking on this forum), but don't seem to be getting any closer to that first boat. Boy, could I use some help that's not from a guy at a boat place looking for a sale!
A little background: we moved to the Keys several months ago and are renting a house on a deep canal. We have hoist-type davits and plenty of room.
We're looking for a boat 24' or less. We're newbies, and more than that I don't want to handle at first.
Our other criteria are:
1. the boat *has* to be capable of being raised by davits from the get-go, meaning whatever boat we get *has* to come with eyes fore and aft that are rated for that purpose. Right now I'm 'between trucks,' and my little 350z isn't going to haul anything behind it. We'll get another truck in a few months, but not before a boat. Frankly, we'll get 1000% more use out of a boat anyway if it's sitting right next to the water instead of on a trailer in our driveway.
2. single-engine is preferable (for both initial cost and ongoing care reasons).
3. We are snorkelers and cruisers first, fishermen a distant second. 90% of what we'll do will be with a max of 4 people.
4. a marine head would be nice, but not a deal breaker. However, it would be *very* nice.
4. The reefs here in the Keys are all on the ocean side, so a boat that's not scary in choppy waters would be a good thing. I don't *plan* on touring around during storms, but things can whip up pretty fast down here.
4. a boat that likes saltwater and is easy to care for. I'm not averse to washing the boat at all, I just don't want to have to practically dismantle it to clean it every time we take it out of the water.
Since I have no pleasure boat experience (I was a deckhand on a towboat for awhile, but that was a lifetime ago and a completely different set of skills), I'm wary of buying used. Doesn't mean I won't, as long as it's late model and still under warranty. Or practically 'disposable' cheap (ie less than 8 or 9k), so I could chalk up a bad decision to the ol' learning curve.
So....amount I'm willing to spend. Boats cost more than I thought. Imagine that! We've had to recalibrate since we started looking. Now, we are looking for, basically, a new boat that's <$60k total (so, probably $50k before taxes and everything else), OR a solid late-model used boat that's significantly less than that. Or again, a VERY inexpensive boat that I wouldn't mind too much if it just up and died on me.
So for those patient few of you who've managed to slog all the way down to here: what kind of boat would best fit my particular needs? Thanks for your time.
TqV
My choice would be a Hydra-Sports 202 DC with a 4-stroke 175HP (or higher). Great all-round boat with nice lines. I like dual console better than center console because everyone can duck behind the windshield for a comfortable ride when it's cool or wet.