Total newbie ?'s

Ok interested in a boat any tips on purchasing first boat and trailer. Where does one actually look at the boat we like. I know dealers can't possibly have all types. Actually like a boat but don't have a truck big enough to pull it so that's another problem

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Consider Aluminum boats, cheaper, lighter to tow, no rot, almost no maintenance. Check: Sea Ark, Express, Triton, web sites, lots of styles, sizes, etc....Maybe consider a smaller pontoon boat...lots of room/bang for your buck!.....Web Sites will give location of nearest dealer. Good Luck!

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Welcome to iBoats . . .

You should think about the type of boat that you might like. Visiting Boat shows are a great way to see many different boats in a short amount of time.

You should think about how much money you have to spend on a boat. Does that get you into the 'new' or 'used' category of boat purchases?

You should also think about how much money you will have to keep the boat running (maintenance & stuff). Often it can be a significant amount of money.

You should also enroll in a boating safety course (coast guard or power squadron)

Then you should start looking at boats with the intention to think about buying.

So, let us know a bit about your preferences and budget once you have thought about all that stuff and we can give you some specifics on the process of buying and owning a boat.

It only looks like fun.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Awesome thanks looking at a sun deck 2200 sd I/O as it is on a small lake. 20 to 30 k maintenance shouldn't be a problem. Took a safety course years ago probably have to update.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Volito, there are many people willing to help, but you're going to have to invest a little more time and energy in outlining everything about you, your boating dreams, where you boat, etc.

Invest some time in a paragraph or two and you'll get much better responses.

Tell us a little story... paint a picture... and let's get you into a boat. We love spending other people's money.... wisely.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

As others have said, the more info you give us the better we can help guide you to the right purchase. You made the first right choice by coming here.

1) What lake/area do you live near
2) Do you want to fish, ski, wake board, cruise, camp out, and etc?
3) Budget, how much do you want to spend?
4) Lots of people have boats and no towing vehicles. You can work it out with a Marina so they launch and store your boat. You just go out on the dock and ride it

Good luck!

-Hostage

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Check out that Sea Ark Big Easy model...big, roomy, functional, not bad lookin'!...

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Lake Beltzville in PA believe it is 19 miles long I live in NY and have a summer house in PA and looking to add a boat for me and wife to have some fun . I am 45 she is 38 we both like outdoors , like fishing , rafting on a modest level. Looking to go out and cruise, fish , maybe some rafting, sun tanning, taking friends out maybe 8 to ten the most but 8 is safe. I like some speed and good maneuvering also something that doesn't rock to much. That's why we looking at deck boatsaybe 22 or 24 anything larger will be overkill I think on this size lake. Or maybe in wrong dunno that's why I came here

O ya thanks for opinion and help

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Are you talking about a pontoon boat? I have been to that lake a few times and it is a decent size like but if you are talking about a 24 foot speedboat I think that is a bit too big for there. I do not recall there being a marina there where you can leave your boat in the water because I do not see too many pontoon boats being trailered to a lake.

I think if you add a little bit more detail about what you are looking for the people here will be able to help you out more than you imagined. Just reading through the posts I learned a good deal.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Not a pontoon boat. The hurricane sun deck boat listed above. I thinking the 22 i seen a lot of 22 and 24 footers there but mostly smaller. Don't know how much more details I can add then the above fishing , swimming , cruising, hanging out , sun tanning, pulling tube, overall fun days

Biggest thing I see now is actually seeing the boats before purchase. How does one do that. I see it's not like car dealers and we can see any car any day

Re: Total newbie ?'s

What is your tow capacity?? That should be a deciding factor too on any boat.

Here is a resource to use http://boats.iboats.com/ and you can drill down to your area in NY or PA to see what is for sale.

Good luck.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Bob_VT said:

What is your tow capacity?? That should be a deciding factor too on any boat.

Here is a resource to use http://boats.iboats.com/ and you can drill down to your area in NY or PA to see what is for sale.

Good luck.

Click to expand...

No tow capacity have three 2 cars n a jeep that can't tow I it's life depended on it . That's one thing I'm working on might trade in one to get a truck that can tow.

Think im going to look at some bayliners at dealer this week to start my journey.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Yup, every time I buy a boat . . . a new tow vehicle is soon to follow. It really increases the overall capital outlay $$$$$

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Beltzville will pose a problem if you don't have a tow vehicle, as there is no long term mooring at the lake. Also the launch lanes are pretty tight there, and for some reason the folks around beltzville have little patience. However just up the road at Lake Wallenpaupack there are a number of marinas that you can moor your boat for the season, or at least until you get the tow vehicle issue resolved. If you need anymore info on either of these two lake please don't hesitate to hit me up

Volito said:

Lake Beltzville in PA believe it is 19 miles long I live in NY and have a summer house in PA and looking to add a boat for me and wife to have some fun . I am 45 she is 38 we both like outdoors , like fishing , rafting on a modest level. Looking to go out and cruise, fish , maybe some rafting, sun tanning, taking friends out maybe 8 to ten the most but 8 is safe. I like some speed and good maneuvering also something that doesn't rock to much. That's why we looking at deck boatsaybe 22 or 24 anything larger will be overkill I think on this size lake. Or maybe in wrong dunno that's why I came here

O ya thanks for opinion and help

Click to expand...

Re: Total newbie ?'s

bryanwhite said:

Beltzville will pose a problem if you don't have a tow vehicle, as there is no long term mooring at the lake. Also the launch lanes are pretty tight there, and for some reason the folks around beltzville have little patience. However just up the road at Lake Wallenpaupack there are a number of marinas that you can moor your boat for the season, or at least until you get the tow vehicle issue resolved. If you need anymore info on either of these two lake please don't hesitate to hit me up

Click to expand...

Thanks I'll look into Lake Wallenpaupack little further but not much. It sems like a pretty big lake so I assume same rules as motors and boat size. thanks again for all the help. pretty sure i'll be around forums for awhile LOL

Think a Baja 23' is over kill ? just trying to get an Idea on this boating.I don't want to buy a boat then in a few months wish I got something else as did this my whole life with cars.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

There is no HP restrictions at Lake Wallenpaupack, and it is much bigger than Beltzville

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Volito said:

Thanks I'll look into Lake Wallenpaupack little further but not much. It sems like a pretty big lake so I assume same rules as motors and boat size. thanks again for all the help. pretty sure i'll be around forums for awhile LOL

Think a Baja 23' is over kill ? just trying to get an Idea on this boating.I don't want to buy a boat then in a few months wish I got something else as did this my whole life with cars.

Click to expand...

23 Islander from Baja? A Baja cuddy under 24' is only good for four people, of which two won't be happy. The Baja Islander makes it do-able for six, and four will be happy.

Performance boats push the cockpit back and most of the boat is nose/bow. Has to do with hull lift and offshore-style performance. If the bow is open, all the better for people space.

My boat can be towed with anything rated for 5000 lbs, just as a reference.

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Philster said:

23 Islander from Baja? A Baja cuddy under 24' is only good for four people, of which two won't be happy. The Baja Islander makes it do-able for six, and four will be happy.

Performance boats push the cockpit back and most of the boat is nose/bow. Has to do with hull lift and offshore-style performance. If the bow is open, all the better for people space.

My boat can be towed with anything rated for 5000 lbs, just as a reference.

Click to expand...

Thanks Just a question on Checkmate "use this as an example" Betwwen the 2000BRX and 2400BRX besides the two feet legnth difference I see it sits higher in the water. Question is are low boats only good for salt water "big waves" and one that sits higher good for both. Asking cause I might want to trailer it to different locations possibly salt and fresh.

hope this makes sense....So far looking at Bayliner, Baja and Checkmate "deckboat -round abouts-open front "

Re: Total newbie ?'s

Look at Mariah also...

BTW, Philster, when I googled "2007 Mariah DX212" your shakedown pics were in the results. I guess everyone admires your new Mate!

Re: Total newbie ?'s

It seems like you are every where with what you want. I guess might be best to find out what you don't like to help narrow it down. The large fast boats can very noisy and my fiance hates them. Also I really can never go fast as the bay I ride on has a 25mph limit. In addition to that if we go on larger bodies that don't have speed limits the g/f speed limit hits in around 35mph.

I would almost say that boats have a trinity of the following:
1) Speed - boats that are meant just for speed
2) Comfort - boats that can hold more people more comfortable
3) Purpose Built - Fishing, Wakeboarding, etc.

The more you have of one the less you will have of the others.

If you want a boat that can hold 8-10 people you are looking really big. A 19ft cuddy I own is roomy with me and my fiance, comfortable with 4 adults, add some kids on top of that it starts to get a little cramped. Also my plate says 8 people or 1200lbs including gear. That would be no gear and 8x 150lb people that are an endangered species in the US.

I agree with your idea that a deckboat might be the best idea for you. Also your idea of fast can be a relative term. On the water it feels like you are going a lot faster than you actually are, compared to a car.

IMHO you have two options with boating
1) Get a tow vehicle, which can add a lot of costs
2) Park it in a Marina, which also can cost and let them worry about launching and storing

The question, is what will be cheaper and what will you like more.