$7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

[Kuuner]

I've been lurking here for months and my wife catches me "Surfing boat porn" every day. I've been seriously looking, and asking myself what I am trying to accomplish, for months. Every time I think i've got a good direction, I wake up the next day, unsure! HELP!!!!

If you could opine, i'd be appreciative. I'm alone in the decision at the home so, i'd really appreciate some .02 from the board.

My situation:

1) - Married, two girls, 9 and 11. Big arse Newfie (140 lbs.). All of us want to go on the boat. (Dog doesn't HAVE to go). Would like to bring one or two friends of ours or of the girls if possible.

2) - Budget necessitates used. I'm capped at 7,500-10,000 tops. Would probably LIKE to spend a little less to hold some reserve for "Unknowns". I'm mechanically retarded but, good with wood and glass. Not looking to tear a boat down to rebuild transom, stringers and such. I don't do mechanicals, or electric work but, with guidance, would try anything.

3) Live in Northern California. I have Lake Shasta, Lake Tahoe, Lake Folsom and Lake Oroville all within 2 hours (Ok, maybe 2.5 for Tahoe). I will only "Lake" the boat (no saltwater) but, there is also the Delta in Sacramento. Don't know if that means anything but, pointing it out anyway.

4) We are campers. Have a 31 foot toyhauler (2010 Keystone Energy). Sold most of the dirtbikes to have the funds to buy the boat with no financing. Point in mentioning this is that we'd LOVE to camp at night, boat during the day if possible. Not sure if that makes one kind of boat better for us or not.

5)I can ski. Uh...it's been a while but, before someone surgically implanted a beer gut in me while I was sleeping, I could slalom with the best of them back in the 80's! Kids probably won't ski but wouldn't rule it out. Wife definitley won't ski. She's a diva and the boobs are too big. Kids would tube, wife would tube, i'd wakeboard. I'm 5'10", 220 so, it would take more than an oar to get me out of the water I think. Don't NEED a ski boat is what I'm thinking?

6) We would NOT care about livewells, rod holders or anything like that. We aren't fishermen. Don't need a fishing boat for sure.

7) I don't have any fantasy to shoot across the lake at 90MPH but, would like to pull a tube, a skier, a wakeboarder or both? I won't have 20 people in the boat but, would have my family and maybe a friend or two.

So...with that in mind, what friggin boat do we buy!? i know I want at least 18' and because I don't know any better, I think I would like up to 26'!

Cuddy - (Like the Wellcraft Eclipse 23)
Like
Respite from the sun when needed.
Extra storage out of the way.
Like possibility of icechest, fresh water, possible toilet
Downside is layout? Older boats?

Cabin Cruiser - (Like the Bayliner Ciera)
Like
It's like our Travel Trailer on the water. Can sleep in it. Really like the thought of that
Downside is, the one I can afford was someone else's nightmare. Is it too big? Do I need to camp in it if I have the toy hauler?

Day Cruiser
Like
place to get out from sun
good looking boats
I'm THINKING it's a good cross between cuddy and speed boat but, don't know better.
Downside is that they are all older boats. All outdrives that i've seen (Is that good? Bad? Indifferent?) Mostly all rootbeer brown with orange vinyl interior!

I love the old Mastercrafts but, we aren't going on the family ski travel circuit so, would that be a wise choice to buy a purpose built boat, put a tower on it and a bimini and try to hang out on it all day with 5 people and a dog?

I love the old Wellcraft/Scarab boats from 19' and bigger but, do I need to get my Don Johnson sandals out of the closet so I can relive my 80's in style again? Or am I buying some inherent nightmare. Will that long closed bow be ok to crawl under to rest from the sun?

If I don't get a cuddy, I think I would prefer an open bow so people could be in more than one section of the boat at a time (I assume that's a benefit).

Anyway, I'll quit rambling but, would love to hear what you guys think.

 

[impatico]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

wow really nice to see someone who has given us a bunch of info to read instead of " I want a good boat that I can ski in" or some brief thing like that lol

Sure wish I could help you but I am into a different type of boat and WAY up in BC Canada so I wouldn't be much help lol sorry
just had to comment on the good first post!

 

[impatico]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

one thing I would ask is have you had any boats previous? if so what did/didn't you like about them? what were they? do you have any friends whose boats you've been in? what did/didn't you like about them?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

Ok here's my situation, I have a wife and 3 daughters, forget the cuddy and the toilet idea, get the biggest boat you can with a sundeck, you want a place to hide from the sun? That's for YOU and YOU ALONE the girls will be out in the sun plan on a towel for your beer belly. Girls are a strange animal, your looking at a Bow rider with filler cushions in front to make another sundeck, your dog is hosed to big and to much hair to soak up water, at 140 LBS just wait until you try to pick that miniature horse up with a soaked coat. Get a Bimini for you and the wife, your likely to use it once or twice a season. Motor wise your looking for a 4.3L minimum I/O, is your toy hauler a fifth wheel? can you triple?

I'm not trying to kick you in junk just trying to let you know whats in your future, as I try to tell all new boat owners your looking for the best return on your investment, the best boat for your money so that in a couple years you can sell your first boat and upgrade or get out and go back to Bikes. Girls are great on the boat but to be honest they are kinda wimpy, a moderate inflatable and a couple skis and a wakeboard all can be had total less then $500 off craigslist used, Vests are another problem girls want what looks cool so your looking at neoprene, they can also be had on CL for about $50 all told your looking at a grand to get started with toys but you can stretch that out a bit if need be.

Your looking at pretty decent sized lakes with a temper, they can get rough in a hurry so I think your ideal boat is a 20'-22' Bowrider, 10 years old or so in nice condition but not a "Queen". 4.3L or bigger.

As for your choices I think ultimately your going to find that Cuddy's, Cabin Cruisers and Day Cruisers are all just to small of layout for what your going to find your kids will want as they get bigger, the cabin/cuddy will just be wasted space since your not going to spend the night on them anyway, may as well go for the open floor plan of a bow rider as i said before look for something with Bow filler cushions women like their sunbathing space!! If you can't find Bow Fillers I would make a set up they are well worth it for us guys that have multiple Female Psycho's on board.

Pretty simple philosophy, you gotta pee? get in the water!

Looking at bigger boats is going to cause you some issues, first even if you can triple in Cali you will be over length with anything bigger then a 22' boat I think, plus your price point is not going to work on a bigger boat unless you check out some repo auctions which isn't a bad idea either, low priced boats come with issues, there are deals to be had but either you are boat savy or you need a boat savy friend to look at boats with you to find one.

 

[Kuuner]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

I haven't had boats previously but, I've had Jet Ski's and a Zodiac or two in my time.

Spent a week in Catalina on my buddy's old cabin cruiser that ran great and functioned great. If i knew the previous owner (and how he kept the boat), i'd look into one like that. I think it was an old 70's Reinell, fishing boat. Maybe 26' but, his was kept at a slip in Long Beach...not what i'm trying to do.

Bow riders seem to give a lot a room with a given floor plan. Looking at those.

Can't triple the boat. My toyhauler is a 31' bumper pull. Smooth as glass for a bumper pull but, bumper pull nonetheless. I live ten minutes from Oroville. We could go set up the trailer, go back and get the boat and spend the weekend.

Dealing with the "Girls" is a challenge. Although my 11 year old daughter rides a 250! Won't go back to riding as a family though...they are all burnt out on that and want to try the boat thing now.

I'd even do a project boat if the wife would let me but, she won't.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

Being that your not planning on any ocean boating, I think my buddy, Lipp pretty much nailed for you... With diplomacy, eloquence, and finesse, too!!!

Don't be afraid of 10 years or older, as long as you buy a very well maintained boat. With any older boat, the way it's been maintained is more important than the brand. An impeccably maintained 30 year old Bayliner will be safer, more reliable, and have less problems than a 10 year old neglected Cobalt.

As you search and find possibilities, post pictures and full descriptions of the boats you're thinking of buying.

You may want to add your location to the info under your avatar. With threads such as this, there are usually members with a lot of boating experience and knowledge, not too far away(maybe even really close), who would be more than happy to check out some boats with you. They'll show you what to look for, what to avoid, and why. You may very well end up with a new group of friends who'll "show you the ropes" of boating.

I would strongly suggest a boaters safety course.

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

no get a project out of your mind, please let me introduce you to my buddy Jay AKA friscoboater here on Iboats he is a masochist http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=454460, this is why you are not ready for a project right now but in the future there you go. You have daughters so your a victim, I have three daughters so I'm an idiot for not learning my lesson the first two times. I hear you about the 11 yr old but believe me she will turn girly in short order my oldest did but not as much as the middle one, it was one of the hardest hits to my ego ever. If you have to maybe get the wife into hauling the boat and you haul the trailer? give her the chance, she is going to need to be involved anyway, your oldest is almost ready by law to get involved driving the boat. I bet you will get back into bikes though Boating is mostly about the "Relax" factor Some carnage but you will find yourself napping like never before(remember the sunscreen!). Towing a boat is actually pretty easy, my wife does fine until its time to back up and then she punts, I back the boat into the water and then disconnect she starts the boat and backs off and loiters while I go park the truck and trailer then she comes and gets me, having two people able to drive is soooo much easier, boat launching and retrieving in less then a couple minutes. She will need your patience but once you try to load the boat you will realize how easy she makes it look while its actually pretty difficult.

Check out Jay's thread, its far and away one of the best rebuild threads you will ever see and a wonderful way to gain knowledge in rebuilding a boat, The hook to this is its his second boat he had to rebuild!LOL

 

[veritas honus]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

I haven't had boats previously but, I've had Jet Ski's and a Zodiac or two in my time.

Got news for ya, pal... My first boat was a Zodiac. I used to take her off shore in the Atlantic, diving, when I lived in New york. A Zodiac isn't just a boat... It's an awesome boat. There are a lot of inflatables out there which truly are "toy" boats. Zodiac is not one of them. There are many inflatables which are absolutely not toys.

Maybe you had a small tender with a pair of oars and only the inflatable floor with no wood or aluminum deck; but you did indeed have "a boat or two" Maybe you only messed around with them on small ponds or at the beach and have no true boating experience; but that will come with time. You also had jet ski's. As long as you were a responsible jet ski owner, you've got some boating safety experience. You're off to a good start.

Stick with this forum, use the search button to learn all you can about the questions you have. When you can't find the appropriate information with searches, start a new thread, or ask the question in a thread you've already started if it's on the same subject.

iboats has a lot to offer. Enjoy your time here; and again, welcome aboard.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

generally speaking, I think it's better to have an open cockpit design than one closed in by a cabin, cuddy or even too much fixed seating, padding, built-in coolers, etc.. Add shade with a bimini.

I also think the best way to shop is to start looking at new boats and walking around the boat lots/marinas to pick your size and design. Once you have decided, THEN start looking at the used boats. If you do it the other way around, you tend to shoe-horn the "good deal" into your boating needs; it should be the other way around.

 

[Maclin]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

I have read where a good Bimini or other top is the difference between having a good day on the water and just enduring one.

Cuddies are not very comfortable as a camper, just my opinion. You can get a portapotty that fits under a filler cushion in the Cuddy, but that cannot be much fun.

I have a small Cuddy, and while it may seem like a good way to get out of the sun it can get kind of stuffy, and the low ceiling in most (mine is 4 foot doorway and maybe 4.5 foot ceiling) means you can only sit down (adults), not really stretch out. Having typed that, the younger kids (5-9) like to ride up there.

I found a convertible soft top that made ALL the difference in the world to me as I am sun sensitive. It is like a porch roof for the Cuddy. I sit at the wheel all day under it only moving to get a beverage! It is mounted tall enough to walk under it without stooping, that makes a big difference. I can sit under it and see thru the windshield, and open the center windshield section for breezes. In the attached pic you can see how much it shades the cockpit. Most of my passengers like it in the sun so this one works out very well for me and my situation.

Previous posts have given great advice, and along with those I recommend the 19-25 foot Bow rider or Deck boat config with good power (19' = 4.3 minimum, longer 5.0 minimum). Get a good Bimini, long enough and tall enough. The "tall" dimension depends on how high the gunwales (sides) are. I like boats with the taller gunwales myself. Swim platform is a must.

Also. for camping type excursions you can get full enclosure type canvas tops with clear sides that zip up all around. Makes the whole boat into a tent for overniters or inclement weather. The top I have can zip to a Bimini as an extension, just food for thought there.

I feel your pain on the choices! $7,500 can buy a nice used boat though, good luck on your decision!

 

[HCMQA]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

I have 12 and 5 year old girls (And a 17 year old boy) and the 12 is a freak on the water. She wants to do everything from jumping off every part of the boat while anchored to getting flung off the tube at 30 mph.
My wife loves the bow and will stay up there all day. My boat is a 19' and is old so it is smallish but for a first boat works great for us. Real easy to tow and launch and retrieve.
My buddy has 3 girls and he just bought a 21' maxum bowrider and it is awesome. Has a toilet, 3 thrusters a B3 and a fuel injected 5.7. Lots of room and a smooth ride. He also has a travel trailer and it is a pain having both if traveling more than an hour away.

My point is I would look in the 20' + range bowrider with 4.3 - 5.7 with a good roller trailer.

 

[Kuuner]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

Gathering info here gang! Loving it.

Bow Rider seems to be a good fit so far.
20' plus.
swim step a plus.

Here are a couple i've seen. Comments?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/2815151735.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/2818507642.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/2807141704.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/boa/2768786589.html

This might be a bit out of my price range but,
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/boa/2796685957.html

Also, I thought I mentioned in the beginning. I'm in Northern Cal.

I'll add that to a signature line/Avatar

 

[Philster]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

Just adding a little tidbit since others are already all over this. With a budget in mind, I post this:

Cabin is for getting hot or warm, not for cooling off! Best way to cool off is outside in shade or in the drink!

This is a great option if you want to anchor and have some shade. Get two: One for boat and one for beach. We have two. One is for the 17' Alumacraft when we fish and crab, and one is for the beach when we take the other boat out.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

I think I would be most interested in the last one, I have alot of respect for Reinells my buddy has one and its a great boat after that probably the Arriva but its over priced and he will come down

 

[Kuuner]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

Just noticed your signature line ...i just moved here from Douglas County. Parker, Co in, The Pinery. Know the place?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

Yeah I know it well, I live in Castle Rock, been here for over 20 years! Small world, to bad you took so long to get into boats!! did you and your family ride bikes up on Rampart? I bet we probably crossed paths!

 

[Maclin]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

The #1 is interesting, kind of pricey but a big nice boat with lots of stuff.
The #2 has a yamaha outdrive, not a good idea to get stuck with one of those due to parts and maintenance availability.
The #3 is the favorite of mine out of that group, ready for watersports.
The #4 is ok, just that #3 is more watersports ready.
The #5 is good if you can get the price down, but again not as watersports ready so you would have to add some options there maybe.

By watersports ready I am really talking wakeboarding, you really need the tower as wakeboarding is best with some lift in the pull.

Insist on an on-the-water test first on anything you are thinking of buying. Most of those look like they have been on the water recently. Gotta watch a Repo, due to logistics sometimes the water test is just not gonna happen.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

You mention ' bumper pull only " . A bumper should severly restrict your towed weight limits ? Why no frame, full capacity hitch setup ?

I do not know what to pick with just a possible bumper pull only. Aluminum only ?

Rich

 

[Kuuner]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

Yeah I know it well, I live in Castle Rock, been here for over 20 years! Small world, to bad you took so long to get into boats!! did you and your family ride bikes up on Rampart? I bet we probably crossed paths!

Sure did. Rainbow falls more often though. We miss Colorado. For boating though, the lakes there are like being in a big bathtub aren't they?

 

[Kuuner]

Re: $7.5k to spend, researching for months, still can't narrow it down.

You mention ' bumper pull only " . A bumper should severly restrict your towed weight limits ? Why no frame, full capacity hitch setup ?

I do not know what to pick with just a possible bumper pull only. Aluminum only ?

Rich

Upgraded crew cab F250 Diesel. By upgraded, I mean bigger turbo and ARP Head studs. I've pulled 10,000 lbs over the Vail pass forgetting I had anything behind me.

I should have said travel trailer.