1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - Keys

[xp8103]

Not looking for jet boats or pontoons. A small cuddy would be desirable. Cruiser. Not going to do any more skiing at my age. Something that I can take out every day for a short or long cruise and not have to take out a fuel loan.

Go!



Nik -
in Maine (for now)

Yep. That's my first post here.

 

[hostage]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

I lived in Texas and now in NY. I own a Cuddy up here, though would never want one down South. Might as well stay in a sauna. TBH it would be cheaper to own a boat up in Maine, then sell it and buy a different one for the Keys. Also most people who have potties never use them as they aren't so fun to clean. Some larger 23'ft boats have a small potty compartment across from the helm.

Also how small is small? I own a 19ft Cuddy and I would call that a small cuddy.
Welcome aboard!

 

[xp8103]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

In Maine, most of the activity would be on lakes, in the Keys it's the bay side and the reefs. We did the reefs in my friend's Whalers and that whole flat bottomed, 2 degree deadrise doesn't make for a comfy ride. I'd rather find something that will work in the Keys for when I want to use it there as anything that works there will be more than adequate when used up here.

As for the potty, you obviously haven't met my wife!

Seriously tho, we own a slide-in camper and I'm no stranger to the task. It's a cost of doing business, literally.

Regarding the cuddy size, really a place to sleep. I don't need to entertain a dinner party down there!

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

How about something like a Chaparral 240, Regal 242. Full head and a small place to cook up a cup of tea.

 

[hostage]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

Is it just the two of you or are you having any friends? If it is just the two of you a small cuddy like mine would be great Maxum 1900 SC (2000 model). It has a pump out head, though I haven't used it. If you go with a little larger cuddy ~23 you will get a sink and maybe a stove.




Do you plan to use a slip or trailer it? Trailer will depend on your tow vehicle.

If you want a small Cuddy and plan on using a head look for the following options:

1) Pump out head
2) Built in stairs to the deck (helps a lot getting to the anchor)


-Hostage

 

[OllieC]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K



I have one of these. Has a potty, built in cooler, v-berth etc. I have a land-n-launch at my marina. Basically it's a parking spot for my boat and trailer. You can get a used Weekender with low hours between $20-$30K.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

View attachment 152518

I have one of these. Has a potty, built in cooler, v-berth etc. I have a land-n-launch at my marina. Basically it's a parking spot for my boat and trailer. You can get a used Weekender with low hours between $20-$30K.

Those 215s are great boats. They feel much bigger than a 21 footer.

 

[Restless22]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

My 1988 Wellcraft Aruba 232 has a small head, sink, shower, stove, refrigerator and A/C. I will use a Honda EU2000 Inverter to power it on weekenders. It's enough room for our family of 4, for now.

The 350 Mercruiser in mine, is reported to be a good all around engine.

 

[DC20]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

A cuddy in Florida becomes a junk closet. Get something with an outboard for here. A dual console works well for a family.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

A 28- to 30-foot flybridge with a dual Diesels.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

I second the vote for OUTBOARD power.

Now to find something that will fit your budget and desires.

What you said you want:

$20k
Potty
Friend capacity...overnight or just for the day?
Cabin/cuddy
Fuel economy

Hmmm. A C-Dory? maybe? Their prices are high new...a little better used.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

Stingray has made lots of cuddy models... From 19 feet and up. Here's mine (a 19 1/2 footer)

You could find a used 192 or 195 well within your budget... Though I will agree with those who have advocated outboard power for use in salt water.

 

[xp8103]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

Let me answer as many of these as I can:

Is it just the two of you or are you having any friends?
Do you plan to use a slip or trailer it? Trailer will depend on your tow vehicle.

I'd like space for friends, not necessarily overnight. Looked at a 1998 Regal near here 19.5' with a 2yo rebuild in it. Was surprised at how SMALL the deck seating area was.

As for trailering, my slide-in camper rides in the bed of an '11 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD so trailering won't be an issue in the range I'm looking for.

If you want a small Cuddy and plan on using a head look for the following options:

1) Pump out head
2) Built in stairs to the deck (helps a lot getting to the anchor)

Thanks for the note. I've seen many with the built in steps. Now I know what they are for!

View attachment 152518

I have one of these. Has a potty, built in cooler, v-berth etc. I have a land-n-launch at my marina. Basically it's a parking spot for my boat and trailer. You can get a used Weekender with low hours between $20-$30K.

Interesting you say that. My son and I stopped in at Port Harbor Marine yesterday and walked through their boat storage (the were closed of course ) and paused at a 215 on jacks. We both thought that it was a nice combination of size and looks.

A cuddy in Florida becomes a junk closet. Get something with an outboard for here. A dual console works well for a family.

Why do you say that? And I really hadn't had the I/O vs OB debate with myself yet. What I have noticed is that, in the small cruiser market, OBs are pretty scarce??

 

[hostage]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

My 19ft Cuddy is roomy with just the two of us and comfortable with 4 adults. Anything more it can require a little bit of shuffling as you don't have that deckspace in the bow that you can send the kids, etc. We also have yet to really take full advantage of our cuddy cabin and we use it more for storage. After two years we have yet to go "camping" on it. I thought a trip down the canal would be fun, till I found out the speed limit and about v-hull wonder. I want to see about going to a lake for a weekend using a transit slip, though we might be hard pressed to find a place that has a nice bathroom and shower. Don't get me wrong I love my boat, it was a great first boat and it gives me a better idea of what boat I should look for next.

If you still want a cuddy, you might want to look at a 21-23ft boat w/ Arena seating. Those look a lot more roomy than the back-to-back lounge seats I have.

Also how long until you move to Flordia? In all honestly you might really want to consider two different boats. If you buy used a boat, it doesn't decline as much in value compared to buying a new one. Instead of trying to find a compromise it might be best to buy and resell, you really don't want to have the worst of both worlds.

-Hostage

-Hostage

 

[xp8103]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

Hostage -

I guess it doesn't HAVE to be a cuddy. I've seen a number of rigs with a perfectly adequate head in the mid-deck. Heck, even my buddy's 19' Whaler has one beneath the center console. It's the head that is the key. In fact, something like this
2007 Sea Ray 240 Sun Deck

Would be, I think, the ultimate. Of course, at a 2007, it is newer than I'd be looking as it's past the upper end of my budget. But I like the look and the configuration. And it would serve well in both Maine and Fla. We have no set date for moving yet. My son has 5 more years of school. After that it's all bets off. In the meantime I want something I can trailer easily when necessary.

 

[hostage]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

The item was removed from the auction

The Deckboats have lots of room and a lot of 23ft+ boats come with a small compartment w/ a head. Though they are known for being a bit more rocky in rough water than a deep-V. My next boat will be a deck boat as my fiance doesn't look chop or speed, so I might as well have room.

-Hostage

 

[xp8103]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

Hostage -
Try it again, I muffed the darned copy and paste for pete's sake! It's ctrl-c ctrl-v... How do you screw that up??

And yes, a little more deadrise would make the chop easier to take. But after diving the reefs on both my friend's whalers (17' and 19'), ANYTHING would be smoother!!

 

[maagee79]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

My buddy has a 270 searay it is by far the most comfortable boat I have been on cuts the chop well plenty of room inside and out lots of different motor options. His has twin 350s not great on fuel but I have heard of others with twin 4.3s and some single 350s or 454s. I love that boat. For 20,000 you can find a real nice one

 

[Slide]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

I have a 97 Maxum 2300SC. We paid $12.5k for it with a trailer in great shape, 23' long, 5.7L Mercruiser with an Alpha drive. It has a roomy cuddy with an icebox, stove, and removable head. Plenty of space in the cockpit too, it's an awesome camper boat. We removed the head because I don't want to carry the damn thing out full, but it's a great boat that fills your needs. Check em out!

 

[hostage]

Re: 1st boat shopping, ~$20k+-, potty, friend capacity, for eventual use in S.Fla - K

It looks like heads can be easily upgraded to pump out. There an adpater you replace the waste cap that has two tubes. One is a vent, the other one sucks out the black water. You then have two hoses which go to the outside of the boat. One goes to a vent, the other one goes to a "waste" that looks like a gas tank cover, though it says waste, instead of gas.