thegoodlife
Cadet
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2012
- Messages
- 20
Yep its another buying a first boat question.
First let me say the site is great and I have done a ton of searching around on here and there is a ton of great information. I haven't quite found all the answers I am looking for so here I am.
I have family with smaller bow riders and this is the extend of my boating experience. I am looking to get into something around 23' and a bow rider as it will mainly be used for cruising, the occasional tubing or other water sport, and we have no children or any need for a cuddy. It will be used here outside of Boston, and the large lakes in NH. No fishing is in my plans but I bet a clean live well makes for one hell of an onboard cooler! My friend with a decent amount of boating has been stearing me towards Sea Ray's. This brings me to my first question and its a little different then I usually see it asked. What boats are good used boats. Obviously depends first on the condition, but all things equal what brands stand out better than others in this catagory. I have read a lot of poeple say that its the boat you like, but I would think like cars there are better ones. I would rather have a 15 year old honda then a 15 year old KIA.
I am at a price point of around 10K. I have been told this should get me a real nice boat, but looking around and reading horror stories about boats being rotted from the inside out I have backed off a bit and thought some more. Am I a lot better off saving another 5K and getting a boat in the upper teens? I understand newer is almost always better.
Are there specific things I should stay away from or go towards? I would like a boat with EFI and the snap in style carpet floors. I don't really want to be rebuiling carbs.. been there done that. I feel like the boats without the wall to wall carpet have a better chance of not being rotted on the insides.
As far as getting the boat looked at. If its local I don't see that being much of a problem, but if I am driving 5 hours to NY then how have people arranged that? Do you just search boat mechanics in the area and have them meet you? How can you be sure they know what they are talking about? I know a few auto mechanics that don't always know whats going on to put it nicely..
I know these questions get old for the guys that have been doing this for a long time, but I am trying to get educated before I just go out and buy the first shinny boat with a big motor.
Some more quick info: I have a powerstroke so towing isn't an issue. I live south of Boston. I plan on trailering the boat and have room in the yard for it. I am mechanically inclined (and I don't mean I just know how to do an oil change... I can do spark plugs too ).
Long winded post but I am sure there is tons I forgot! Thanks!
First let me say the site is great and I have done a ton of searching around on here and there is a ton of great information. I haven't quite found all the answers I am looking for so here I am.
I have family with smaller bow riders and this is the extend of my boating experience. I am looking to get into something around 23' and a bow rider as it will mainly be used for cruising, the occasional tubing or other water sport, and we have no children or any need for a cuddy. It will be used here outside of Boston, and the large lakes in NH. No fishing is in my plans but I bet a clean live well makes for one hell of an onboard cooler! My friend with a decent amount of boating has been stearing me towards Sea Ray's. This brings me to my first question and its a little different then I usually see it asked. What boats are good used boats. Obviously depends first on the condition, but all things equal what brands stand out better than others in this catagory. I have read a lot of poeple say that its the boat you like, but I would think like cars there are better ones. I would rather have a 15 year old honda then a 15 year old KIA.
I am at a price point of around 10K. I have been told this should get me a real nice boat, but looking around and reading horror stories about boats being rotted from the inside out I have backed off a bit and thought some more. Am I a lot better off saving another 5K and getting a boat in the upper teens? I understand newer is almost always better.
Are there specific things I should stay away from or go towards? I would like a boat with EFI and the snap in style carpet floors. I don't really want to be rebuiling carbs.. been there done that. I feel like the boats without the wall to wall carpet have a better chance of not being rotted on the insides.
As far as getting the boat looked at. If its local I don't see that being much of a problem, but if I am driving 5 hours to NY then how have people arranged that? Do you just search boat mechanics in the area and have them meet you? How can you be sure they know what they are talking about? I know a few auto mechanics that don't always know whats going on to put it nicely..
I know these questions get old for the guys that have been doing this for a long time, but I am trying to get educated before I just go out and buy the first shinny boat with a big motor.
Some more quick info: I have a powerstroke so towing isn't an issue. I live south of Boston. I plan on trailering the boat and have room in the yard for it. I am mechanically inclined (and I don't mean I just know how to do an oil change... I can do spark plugs too ).
Long winded post but I am sure there is tons I forgot! Thanks!