I would like to start out by saying this is a great and informative site.I am thinking about getting a boat. I have a small 13 foot fiberglass tri hull with a 1975-25 hp Evinrude, that is driving me crazy right now. (I'll hold that for one of the other forums). I am not sure if I am better off buying a new or a used boat. This is a lot different to me than buying a car. I want the boat for a combination of reasons, the 2 main reasons are to water ski (with family, no more than 4-6 people) and fish. I am going to need a boat I can take in the salt water and fresh water. I don't even know where to begin looking or what to look for...What type-bass or flats?? How long should I be looking at? How big of a motor? What's the oldest I should consider with my limited mechanical skills? What price range am I going to be looking at? Help please... Mordecai
Howdy, Mordecai.Don't do anything yet. Spend time here and on the THT and FLS forums.www.thehulltruth.comwww.flsportsman.comI think you need a Center Console boat. Quality. Outboard. be prepared to spend 8 to 10 grand for a good used boat.Let us know when you think you know what you want.
Here's an idea,Spend an hour or two on a Saturday afternoon at the boat ramp on the water you think you might be on the most.You should see a bit of everything and get some ideas on what boats a common for you area. You'll also get some ideas on what boats hold six people nicely. They always look bigger in the showroom.Besides, boat ramps are an amusing place to hangout and learn a lot This is especially a good place to learn how to (or how to not) dock a boat on windy days. Enjoy
Darn...had a nice reply and the stupid touchpad on laptop made me lose it. Anyway, here goes again. I in similar position. I've got a 17' fish & ski from Procraft. I love it for fishing but its a tad ruff ride in bad chop for wife and kids due to shallow V. I've found 3 styles of boats that try to be a fishing and family recreation boat. They are:1) bass boat style - check out Procraft, Triton, Skeeter, etc. (standard bass boat mfrs).2) Bowrider style - mfrs take standard BR and add livewell, a little rod/tackle stoarge, front/rear fishing seats and viola. Might not be best fishing machine, certainly much slower than a bass boat but hardly any difference between them and normal bowrider. A few I'm considering are Crowne, Glastron, Larson, Stingray. Seem to be limited to 17 - 19 ft.3) Saltwater dual console - made by typical center console mfrs like Scout, Pro Line, Boston Waler, Angler & Sea Fox. Interior is more rugged than a BR (no carpet, seats are less plush, etc) but look like they would be easy to clean. Most have self bailing hulls and OBs. Seem to be 18 or 20 fters with a few mfrs offering a 17 and 21 fter. For serious salt water usage, probably best bet by far.On new vs used...Wife wants us to buy new. Current '84 models requires a little "tinkering" now and then but overall is in great shape. She wants my time spent on home renovation . But, I see the depreciation hit a 2 or 3 yr old boat takes and think that would be best option. Might get better financing on new boat offsetting depreciation. Haven't ran numbers yet.Whatever you do, post your questions and keep us updated.BL...
I'll add my vote to JBs for a center console. Depending on where you do your boating I would go for a 19-23 footer, outboard powered (hp depends on weight). I have a 23' 1988 Wellcraft CC with 2 OMC V4s that I run in south Florida. Ideal for that kind of water.My personal preference were I to buy a boat today would be to look for a used solid (no rot) boat with a sick but repairable motor. While I have had mostly OMCs over the years, I am seeing more Yahamas on the water now and if you spend a bit of time reviewing the motor problems at this site you will see few complaints on the Yahamas. This will get you the best value for the $.Don't forget to gather info on your towing vehicle. I have seen 26' boats rolling down the turnpike being pulled by a Toyota 4 banger pick-up. I have also seen Ford F 350 dualies pulling 13' boats.
JB & SoLittle, how practical/comfortable is a CC for recreational use? I can definately see the fishabilty factor. If one split the percent time spent fishing vs recreational boating, is there a point where the DC becomes better option than the CC? i.e., I figure about 2/5 outings are for fishing while 3/5 for recreation with family. Would a CC still be practical? I ask because there I find many, many, many more decent looking CC's than DC's at boat trader.Thanks,BL...PS - Mordecai, sorry for posting Q: on your thread. Hope answers will benefit you to!
Thanks for all of the input. All of it is really good advice. I am definitely going to go to the boat ramp and check that out. I hadn't even thought of that. It's like when you start looking for a car and you really don't know what you want, you notice every car on the highway. So it only makes since you would go to the water to do the same for a boat. Also the point about the towing vehicle was a good one. I have Dodge Neon with a trailer hitch, I guess if I get anything bigger than my 13 footer, I will need to use something different, huh? By the way JB, I have a lot of time before I buy anything. This is one of the few times in my life where I am going to exhibit a little patience and do some research and take in as much advice as I can. So everyone will be seeing me around. It amazes me how much information is contained in these forums. To me it's been more valuable already than any combination of books that I could have bought. Thanks again to everyone, and I'll definitely keep ya'll posted on what my intentions are, and I won't buy until I run it by the forum. Mordecaip.s. BLifsey, I definitely don't have a problem with you posting that question within this thread, it goes right along with my original question.
Well fellas, I hope I get a response on this. Have any of you heard of Triumph. There is a dealer close to my house and I just happened to stop in. I was looking at the 170. It's 17 feet with a 70 HP Johnson. Center console. It looks real nice. Brand new it's only 12,500. They also have center console, 17 foot, flats boat by Aquacraft. It has a 60 HP on it. They only want 9995 for it. So what do you think???
that 17 ft. witha 60 hp is under powered. as far as cc in my opinion a cc in the 20 ft. range or so is wasted space. the cuddy is just too small. a br will give u more room to fish etc.
Take the Lady out and look at some new cc's and see what she thinks. Just for layout and size, when it comes to buying you'll have to buy used. It is a radical departure form the wood, vinyl, and carpet world of the Bayliner. However, once you go cc, you'll never go back. For the full effect, get a tee top as well. They are great.Functionality? Let's see. I have fresh water washdown, any mess from the kids runs right out the back. No upholstry to worry about damaging. I store it in my driveway, water runs right out of it. Electronics are up high and waterproof. I can stand and dive right off the gunwales or bow with no concerns. Oh yea, a hand grab (tee top) to steady or when mommy wants to do a flip. More durable than any fresh water boat. 100% stainless. Positive flotation. Good cooler mounting. Lots of storage. Fast. Manueverable. Outboards pull really well for skiing. High resale value.Anything from a "large" 18 foot to a 20-21 foot ought to do. A true 22 foot cc is a BIG **** BOAT. lol. You'll see what I mean when you walk up to one. Something like a 20 foot w/ a 150. Big enough yet easy to trailer.Even w/o a tee top you will not likely put a cc in the garage. With a tee top, racking can be difficult anywhere but near the coast. Too tall.If the Lady is agreeable, cc's are a blast. Get some cushions for it.Good Luck.jocko
Advice for a new or used boat
. But, I see the depreciation hit a 2 or 3 yr old boat takes and think that would be best option. Might get better financing on new boat offsetting depreciation. Haven't ran numbers yet.
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