Buying first Cruiser need advice!

[Mhaskamp]

I would love any advice that you are willing to share on my next boat purchase.

I have been boating my whole life, currently have a 1989 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 that was purchased new by my dad. I have been using this boat for 30 years but have limited experience with a cruiser. My family loves the water but we would like to step up to a cruiser that could provide us a little more lake life opportunities. I am a very confident with my boating skills and knowledge but again, limited to my Whaler.

Here are a few things that are a must:
-Easily sleeps 4 or more (me, my wife and two daughters) plus dog
-Decent bathroom access
-Bimini, camper cover
-trailerable, we will go annually from TN to lake erie
-big enough for Lake Erie but an tow without a permit (not opposed to getting a permit if it isn’t too much trouble
-quality is key, not opposed to an older boat but I want a boat that has a strong safe record and engine or engines that are reputable
-Small kitchenette
-generator, Hvac system
-easy to maintain, I do all mechanical on my outboard now and would like to do the same with our new boat.


With all this being said, here are some questions.
-What makes should I consider and stay away from.
-Engines? Same question how many hours is too many on a cruiser?
-What records would you require prior to considering a purchase?
-What options are a must in a smaller cruiser?
-Budget is less than 50k

any and all advice is appreciated.

 

[jbcurt00]

For New Members Needing help buying a boat. A Buyer's Checklist.

All of the Iboaters know that we frequently have new members checking in and asking about wether or not to purchase this that or the other boat. After speaking to a Mod (Thanks BobVT) I have decided to use a previous post to create a check list of things to check when purchasing a new boat...

forums.iboats.com

 

[mr 88]

If and when you run across a boat that you want to buy , strike the deal based on it passing a survey and water test ride , probably have to put a deposit down , make that refundable if it fails survey. Many insurance companies require a survey and you want a pro looking it over. I am not a fan of Bayliners , the cruisers all seem to have a high center of gravity and the ones I have been on are not laid out that well. There are a ton of them out there so I am sure you will run across a few of them. You will more than likely be looking at a Mercruiser I/O drive system or Volvo , both decent setups.

 

[Mhaskamp]

Thanks! Bayliner was on my do not buy list. I I sell my whaler and buy a bay liner my dad would haunt me forever because he hated bayliner!

 

[Commander_47]

There are so many to choose from. You really need to look around and find a layout that you like. It sounds like you will be overnighting on the boat if you drive to lake Erie from TN. Will there be younger folks on board who will want to ski or tube? Do you need serious electronics for navigating and such? How much room do you need for the four folks on board?

I have a 26 foot, 33 year old Marathon, that I absolutely love and will not part with. It is a cuddy with a fore and aft cabin for sleeping four. I completely rebuilt this boat over the years. And I like it because of all the teak wood trim and swim platform it came with. Basically, they don't make-em like this anymore.

I have a Mercruiser Gen 1 with a 5.7 liter Chevy Small block. Is this motor reliable? Is the Pope Catholic? It's a Chevy and, IMHO, one of the most dependable engines around with plenty of power. Parts can be had at almost any Auto Zone. The Carb is a Rochester 4 barrel and the power steering pump, starter, alternator et al are standard Chevy. If you feel you need to buy the higher priced "marine hardened" parts I suppose you can. I have not had a single problem with standard parts in 20 years of lake boating.

Like myself, you sound like someone who likes to work on the boat yourself. I work on my boat a lot simply because I'm retired and I enjoy it. I enjoy the work and maintenance as much (my wife might say more) as taking the grand kids on the water.

If so, you might want to make sure you have good access to all your systems. Like the engine compartment, tracing wiring and such.

I'm not saying this is you! But in my experience many people go out and get a nice boat, use it energetically a few times then it sits for years just rotting away with no maintenance.

If you plan on using the kitchenette, you really need to consider what you are doing with it. On smaller boats, like mine, the kitchenette is not meant for gourmet meals. At best it can be used for heating canned goods, bacon and eggs and coffee. I only use the reefer and a small microwave when on shore power.

You have a good budget for a really nice boat. Take your time and get a late model with all the features you think you will actually use.

And don't forget the trailer. Make sure it is big enough for your boat and properly balanced. If you are driving from TN to Erie, torsion axles, disc brakes and a Titan model 10-20 hitch.

I will end by saying that I have been drooling over the Sea Ray line for years. If I decide to move up, it will most likely be a Sea Ray.

 

[Scott Danforth]

towing without a permit limits your beam. so that is 8'-6" wide max.

that puts you in about a 26' range.

generator and HVAC on a boat that small are few and far between

hard pressed finding a pocket cruiser that sleeps 4 plus a dog in the cabin. you may need to have sleeping accommodations on deck.

some of the searay weekenders claimed to be able to sleep 4, however once you get 2 in there, its a bit cramped. so do not buy on specs alone. get the whole family in the boat before you buy

as far as motors go, if you are looking I/O, Mercruiser, Volvo Penta and Ilmor

you will want a boat made within the last 15 years or so. buying older means you are most likely buying a project.



get a survey

 

[tpenfield]

Formula (27 or 31 PC might be a good choice)
Regal
Cruisers Yachts
Chris Craft
Chaparral

engines are going to be either Mercruiser or Volvo-Penta. Mercruiser is probably the better choice.

 

[Mhaskamp]

There are so many to choose from. You really need to look around and find a layout that you like. It sounds like you will be overnighting on the boat if you drive to lake Erie from TN. Will there be younger folks on board who will want to ski or tube? Do you need serious electronics for navigating and such? How much room do you need for the four folks on board?

I have a 26 foot, 33 year old Marathon, that I absolutely love and will not part with. It is a cuddy with a fore and aft cabin for sleeping four. I completely rebuilt this boat over the years. And I like it because of all the teak wood trim and swim platform it came with. Basically, they don't make-em like this anymore.

I have a Mercruiser Gen 1 with a 5.7 liter Chevy Small block. Is this motor reliable? Is the Pope Catholic? It's a Chevy and, IMHO, one of the most dependable engines around with plenty of power. Parts can be had at almost any Auto Zone. The Carb is a Rochester 4 barrel and the power steering pump, starter, alternator et al are standard Chevy. If you feel you need to buy the higher priced "marine hardened" parts I suppose you can. I have not had a single problem with standard parts in 20 years of lake boating.

Like myself, you sound like someone who likes to work on the boat yourself. I work on my boat a lot simply because I'm retired and I enjoy it. I enjoy the work and maintenance as much (my wife might say more) as taking the grand kids on the water.

If so, you might want to make sure you have good access to all your systems. Like the engine compartment, tracing wiring and such.

I'm not saying this is you! But in my experience many people go out and get a nice boat, use it energetically a few times then it sits for years just rotting away with no maintenance.

If you plan on using the kitchenette, you really need to consider what you are doing with it. On smaller boats, like mine, the kitchenette is not meant for gourmet meals. At best it can be used for heating canned goods, bacon and eggs and coffee. I only use the reefer and a small microwave when on shore power.

You have a good budget for a really nice boat. Take your time and get a late model with all the features you think you will actually use.

And don't forget the trailer. Make sure it is big enough for your boat and properly balanced. If you are driving from TN to Erie, torsion axles, disc brakes and a Titan model 10-20 hitch.

I will end by saying that I have been drooling over the Sea Ray line for years. If I decide to move up, it will most likely be a Sea Ray.

Thanks for the replay. I have definitely been leaning toward the seaways and Chris crafts. I like the layouts and design the most also, very reputable. The kitchenette is certainly not a huge deal. Reheating items sometimes. In all reality I see it beibg a bonus not a must have. Thanks again for the advice on having access to the systems. I do plan on doing most of the maintenance in it myself just as I have done for my whaler. This is a great point because things can get cramped very quickly. I really don’t think skiing or tubbing is important we bring the skis and tubes now but they have more fun swimming in the coves and cruising around the lakes. Thanks again!

 

[Mhaskamp]

towing without a permit limits your beam. so that is 8'-6" wide max.

that puts you in about a 26' range.

generator and HVAC on a boat that small are few and far between

hard pressed finding a pocket cruiser that sleeps 4 plus a dog in the cabin. you may need to have sleeping accommodations on deck.

some of the searay weekenders claimed to be able to sleep 4, however once you get 2 in there, its a bit cramped. so do not buy on specs alone. get the whole family in the boat before you buy

as far as motors go, if you are looking I/O, Mercruiser, Volvo Penta and Ilmor

you will want a boat made within the last 15 years or so. buying older means you are most likely buying a project.



get a survey

Scott great advice gettibb by g everyone on board first. Fact is if they don’t like the layout and comfort it’ll be a hard sell. Thanks again!

 

[MaddisonWells]

I would love any advice that you are willing to share on my next boat purchase.

I have been boating my whole life, currently have a 1989 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 that was purchased new by my dad. I have been using this boat for 30 years but have limited experience with a cruiser. My family loves the water but we would like to step up to a cruiser that could provide us a little more lake life opportunities. I am a very confident with my boating skills and knowledge but again, limited to my Whaler.

Here are a few things that are a must:
-Easily sleeps 4 or more (me, my wife and two daughters) plus dog
-Decent bathroom access
-Bimini, camper cover
-trailerable, we will go annually from TN to lake erie
-big enough for Lake Erie but an tow without a permit (not opposed to getting a permit if it isn’t too much trouble
-quality is key, not opposed to an older boat but I want a boat that has a strong safe record and engine or engines that are reputable
-Small kitchenette
-generator, Hvac system
-easy to maintain, I do all mechanical on my outboard now and would like to do the same with our new boat.


With all this being said, here are some questions.
-What makes should I consider and stay away from.
-Engines? Same question how many hours is too many on a cruiser?
-What records would you require prior to considering a purchase?
-What options are a must in a smaller cruiser?
-Budget is less than 50k

any and all advice is appreciated.

I think it is up to you to decide which boat you want to buy. You need to look at the cruiser market and choose the right brand and model for you. And only then make the purchase.