Advice on the boat purchase

I

igurtin

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Mar 19, 2012
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Hi Everyone. I'm new to boating. We've been boating around few times the past two years with friends and really enjoy it.

My question is,

1. What Kind of boat should I buy for a 1st time owner? (we're a family of 3 with a 12yr old son)

We live in NY Staten Island and plan on using it in Ocean and Lakes only for general enjoyment. We plan to use it for water, tubing, scuba diving and fishing etc...
Is a bowrider 18-20 good choice ? If yes which one ? What name ? What engine, outboard ? Is it possible to drive with this boat to the lake for example ?
I have an Acura MDX and I'm planing to kep my boat on my backyard.

Thank You for advice.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

The word "ocean" throws up some red flags and requires some special equipment. As opposed to a bowrider, you're going to want to look for a "dual console". DCs should typically have self bailing decks and more deadrise to better handle rougher water. I'd be going for the 20' for ocean use. Not sure the weights on that size for towing considerations. Center consoles should work for your family also.
 
Philster

Philster

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

MDX is good for 5,000 lbs from 2007 forward. All MDX's are equipped to tow (aside from the hitch, the vehicle is ready to tow 5k lbs).

If the hitch isn't there, it still has the trans cooler and same towing capacity as an MDX with a factory hitch.
 
The Famous Grouse

The Famous Grouse

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

More details would help. Once you throw ocean use into the mix, it becomes significantly more complicated.

- Say more about how and where you intend to use the boat. It may help other members who live near you to reply if you would name specific lakes or talk more about what kind of ocean use and where.

- Do you have any experience with boats at all? Did you own one in the past or come from a boating family?

- Describe your back yard storage. Can you drive your vehicle back to where you intend to store the boat and hook it up?

Grouse
 
Philster

Philster

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

Can't beat a 21' center console as an all-around boat for what was described given the size limits.

The problem is that boat brands are like a religion, so recommending a brand is akin to witnessing.

Safe, middle-tier recommendations are Hydra-Sports and Wellcraft.
 
The Famous Grouse

The Famous Grouse

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

Center console boats MIGHT be a good choice, but I'd like to hear more about the anticipated use. If the OP plans 95+% lake use, a CC is an awkward choice. There is a lack of wind/sun protection for more than just the driver/codriver, and many CC's are biased toward fishing utility rather than family comfort. While creature comforts are improving, they still aren't on par with a dedicated pleasure or watersport boat.
Storage could also be an issue if the CC has a hardtop because of overhead clearance.

Also, we don't have a budget and budget will drive choice of powerplants. Many used CC's in the mid to lower price bracket will have older 2 stroke outboards. Obviously, fuel consmption can be a major issue with these motors and especially for water sports. If the budget will cover a HP 2 stroke or 4 stroke, then it's not such a big deal.

I'm not saying it's not a potential option, just more needs to be said about the uses, storage, etc.


Grouse



Grouse
 
dvtran

dvtran

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

The Famous Grouse said:
More details would help. Once you throw ocean use into the mix, it becomes significantly more complicated.

- Say more about how and where you intend to use the boat. It may help other members who live near you to reply if you would name specific lakes or talk more about what kind of ocean use and where.

- Do you have any experience with boats at all? Did you own one in the past or come from a boating family?

- Describe your back yard storage. Can you drive your vehicle back to where you intend to store the boat and hook it up?

Grouse
Click to expand...

this ^
 
tpenfield

tpenfield

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

18-20 feet is a bit small for ocean use . . . so maybe 20-22 feet. As the size goes up, it contends with the tow vehicle limits.

As mentioned, a dual console might be good. For day long family use, definitely you will want a head/porta-pottie.

An I/O bowrider is also a possibility. My advice is to look at lots of boats and become familiar with the pros/cons of each type.

Are we buying new or used? . . . then there is the price/quality/reputation spectrum of boat brands to consider.
 
H

hostage

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

It seems your biggest limitation is your Tow Vehicle. I also have a MDX (2005), I tow my boat 19ft Cuddy that weighs most likely over 3500 w/ trailer. I am also a Scuba diver. Keep in mind when you trying to figure out what boat you want, that scuba tanks and weights can add up. Also a few people have advised me against using my boat for scuba as people can really bang up your boat. So if you are using it for scuba go used as you might defriend someone who damages your boat and doesn't bother to offer any help on repairs. A center console might be a good idea, though not as luxurious or comfortable as a bowrider or cuddy. I have yet to use my boat for scuba, though if I did I would go out with 4 divers total, 2 would stay up top and then we would switch it up for the surface interval.

On a side note, there are some places that don't charge that much for dive trips.

Also the more info you give, the better suggestions we can give you.
 
I

igurtin

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Mar 19, 2012
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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

Thank You for the advice.
I?m looking to get a used boat with a budget approximately 5K.
Primary use:
Fishing in the ocean bay area ? 60%
Lake fishing ? 10%
Scuba diving, lake and ocean ? 15%
Tubing lake and ocean ? 15%
 
R Socey

R Socey

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

I would get the biggest center console with cuddy that you can tow, with dual outboards.
 
Philster

Philster

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

All ya need is money! Double the budget!

We like spending other people's money. :D
 
H

Home Cookin'

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

just say no to bowriders. There's no room in them to move around for the active boating and equipment on your list. But stick with outboards.

If it weren't for scuba diving in the ocean, I'd be sending you to a smaller boat, like a 15-17', for a starter boat for your size family. A 17' scout, palm beach or whaler or any similar center console OB would be perfect.

Scuba, however, requires a lot of gear, so you need a lot of room.
ocean use requires a bigger boat with bigger engines and fuel tanks, and dependability.
For those two needs to be met, you have to go way over $5K.
You will see lots of used boats under $5K that are long enough, but not designed for it or reliable enough.

Now, if by "ocean" you mean the bays around Staten Island, and short ventures off the beach on calm days, you could get away with 19footer, and it would be easy to trailer, good for the lakes, good for family use. Scuba diving (v. skin diving) adds a specialty use that makes many boats a hard fit; tubing and fishing is what you do on any decent family boat.
For example, a 19' Parker is a great boat for inshore use like scuba but less comfortable (no seating) for family use. Not that you want all those padded seats and rugs, but you want some built-in options.

Go walk around the marinas and look at different styles, sizes and models for your intended use.
 
I

igurtin

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Mar 19, 2012
Messages
18
Re: Advice on the boat purchase

Thank You very much
I was talking about bays.
Say if we will remove scuba diving from the list and stay fishing and tubing?
What is the option?
What so bad about bowriders?
It’s just 20’ bowrider less expensive than 17’ center console.
Thank You
 
D

drrpm

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Re: Advice on the boat purchase

A bowrider is designed for use on sheltered water. If things get rough its easy to have a wave come over the gunwales and fill the boat with water. The next big wave will be likely to capsize the boat. An 18 foot boat will be pretty tight with scuba gear if you bring any extra people. A bowrider could be used but for your stated purpose its not the best choice. It seems like the concensus is a 20 foot + daul or center console.
 
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