First time boat buyer..... Help!!

[SeaRay175]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

Well now, with that being said, that chafes the game completely. Now were talking bigger boat, bigger trailer. I'm sure my f150 would handle it ok. Being a first time boater, I really need to decide if I start out small or go big or maybe there's not that big of a learning curve. Am I am going to take a boating class. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Especially when so many people are involved. Again, thanks for the advice!

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

Mine works great for tubin' , 150 is a capable tow rig too

 

[southkogs]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

kogs...

Wow ... my dad was known by that nickname for YEARS! Funny how that pops up!

... i had a 4 banger in my old ray......i dropped it in after the in line 6 was deemed a total loss.....

the boat did great with 4 people and a person draging on a rope... it was actually just fine...i dont race..but i was happy with the power.

Actually, no complaints on my folks boat at all. It's a "something"-liner and despite some electrical glitches, it's a nice boat. It rides well, and for the uses we had (3 adults and a pile of kiddos - pulling tubes/skis) it was plenty.

 

[southkogs]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

Well now, with that being said, that chafes the game completely. Now were talking bigger boat, bigger trailer. I'm sure my f150 would handle it ok. Being a first time boater, I really need to decide if I start out small or go big or maybe there's not that big of a learning curve. Am I am going to take a boating class. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Especially when so many people are involved. Again, thanks for the advice!

Again, in the FWIW category: We use our bowrider LOTS. In fact, I'm very regularly asking a couple of people to move back to trim out some. I have also found (personal opinion here) that cuddy cabins don't appeal to me for overnighting. Once and a while wouldn't be too bad (heck, I've slept in the car once or twice), but I would be more inclined to save the deck space and seating.

And because I value my opinion so much I'll make the suggestion that you run around to a few dealerships and climb into a couple bowriders vs. cuddys. It'll give you an idea of how much space you're talking about.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

+1 for the space for overnighting, it is cramped for adults but the girls use it for changing and getting warm after tubing.

 

[oops!]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

IMHO.....a cuddy in anything under 20 is just a big pfd stowage

small kids can use it...and you can sleep in it...but most of the time....it is just used for the pfds

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

Again, in the FWIW category: We use our bowrider LOTS. In fact, I'm very regularly asking a couple of people to move back to trim out some. I have also found (personal opinion here) that cuddy cabins don't appeal to me for overnighting. Once and a while wouldn't be too bad (heck, I've slept in the car once or twice), but I would be more inclined to save the deck space and seating.

It's all about your use and preference... as they say your results may vary

And because I value my opinion so much I'll make the suggestion that you run around to a few dealerships and climb into a couple bowriders vs. cuddys. It'll give you an idea of how much space you're talking about.

Stellar advice! Most people see, buy, then shop. Instead shop, shop, shop, think a bit, shop some more and THEN buy..... spend hours sitting in various boats.... also understand that not all BR's or Cuddy's are equal.... one might be comfy and the next horrible... being able to sit upright in the cuddy while changing or just relaxing is HUGE and you can barely lay down in some.

Your 150 if in good shape should handle most boats to about 25'

 

[richvr6]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

It is not an easy thing especially with so many different styles of boat out there. I just purchased my first boat a 96 bayliner Capric 1700 LS and had to drive 4 hours to pick it up. I was looking all over the place and found this one from a marina and the marine mechanic was selling the boat. Take your time and if they are not willing to budge on the price something is not correct. The guy wanted $3700 and I got if for $3000.

 

[SeaRay175]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

Rich
That's a very good point. Once I mentioned inspection on the celebrity, I haven't heard back from him. Gentleman with Sea ray was asking $6000 and that includes all best, tubes, skis yadda yadda. He is down to $5500 now but that's with him keeping all the yaddas. I think that's a FAIR price, not a GREAT price. NADA list it for $5850. He said he turned down $5300 last weekend. I'm still looking! Lol

 

[tpenfield]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

He said he turned down $5300 last weekend. I'm still looking! Lol

Well, if you decide to make an offer, you know where to be (under $5300). There is that old saying . . . 'your first offer is usually your best offer'. FWIW - I'm not sure I'd ever tell anybody what I "turned down" for offers.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

87 searay cuddy only 19' but maybe worth a look

 

[SeaRay175]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

Ok, here is where I'm at. I've decided for my first boat, I'm getting a bow rider and I want a 18'. I've talked to a bunch of people, and have decided to look real hard at the 2000 Celebrity. It's 18ft. Serviced in spring and fall. Retired couple bought it new. It's a 4.3 6cyl and only has 120 hrs. I'm going Sunday to look at and my friend is very knowledgeable about boats and service. I've scheduled to meet at the lake to take out. Weather is going to be in 50's. Asking price was $7500 and we have negotiated what I feel is a fair price of $5300. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

make sure you run it at least half an hour.... look VERY closely for any signs of cracked block... water dripping around engine milky oil etc.... The boat should be winterized and will need to be winterized right away after the test drive whether you buy it or not...... cost $5 - $50 depending on if diy or not.

Read up in the sticky's in the I/O section on winterizing and then ask the owner how to winterize... gives you a good idea on whether they do it and do it right

good luck.

 

[drrpm]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

There's a good 5 months until prime boating season. Take your time and you can find a good deal on a good boat. When I got my first boat 5 years ago, I started looking at 18 footers but eventually decided on a 20 foot bowrider. The 18's are narrower as well as shorter and the difference in usable space is significant. The V6 is a decent engine, but I'm not sorry I went with the V8 for water sports.

A cuddy that you can comfortably overnight on is a completely different beast.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

I have to say Fellas, WELL DONE!! very good thread for the New Guy!

Only thing I would emphasize to SeaRay175 is look at it another way and that is you want to get the most value for your investment on a pure monetary scale, Here's why, As others have stated you will most likely have this boat for a couple years, its your first, as your family becomes comfortable with boating and your experience grows you will be better trained to what you really want, maintaining your boat should be very important to you as you will want to take as little a loss on your first boat as possible since thats money that will most likely go into your next boat right! Almost everyone goes bigger for their second boat in fact I almost said EVERYONE goes bigger but then that one guy on the Forum will come on and say he didn't, the one thing we tell experienced boaters getting back into Boating is to get the largest boat they can afford, but your completely inexperienced and we know that smaller boats are less intimidating and easier to maneuver, therefore a much better platform to learn from.

My personal opinion on Cuddy vs Bowrider is that under 20' your kids had better be small for it to be worth it, or you can just fold them in half your choice, they are kids and can take it but they do grow...

Don't forget to take a safe boating course as soon as you can and good luck!

 

[wgl333]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

I want to echo what ooops said regarding the owners other toys. I bought a 95 Wellcraft Eclipse 236 last year at this time of the year from a seller in Northern NY. Obviously, a sea trial was out of the question. The day I looked at the boat, it was -5 degrees outside and a fresh foot of snow had fallen overnight. The owner took the time to meticulously clean the snow off before uncovering the boat. Did my visual inspection then went back to his house to "chat". His garage was spotless. As was his 4 wheeler, pickup and all the "extras" for the boat that he had laid out for me to see. He had every piece of paper from the prior owner and all the work he had done himself (2nd owner). Spent an hour detailing any of the work that he himself had done on the boat. Even though I knew it was a risk to purchase without even being able to turn the motor over, the boat AND the owner passed the "look test" and I am quite happy that I followed that instinct.

 

[jkust]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

I'm a bit of a dissentor on Sea Rays. The made nice small boats in the late 90's and really got low budget for the money they charged throughout the mid to late 2000's compared to many of their cohorts. I think their 'Sport' models are a disgrace to the name for most of the years. If you're going to sell me a Camry and think I'll like it so much I will buy an Avalon when my income and status pick up, at least make the Camry as good or better than the competition. IMO can't compare or use the platitude that Sea Rays are nice boats without distinguishing small ones from their much nicer large models. Large Sea Rays, very nice seemingly always, small Sea Rays, good years and not so good years. I'd have passed on the 4 cylinder as well.

If I am totally ignorant and new to boating and I don't know a Lexus from a Suzuki, I'd look at the dry weight of each boat I consider on the NADA site. Heavy boat = Lexus, Light boat = Suzuki. For example two 18 foot boats with each a 4.3 liter in them one weighing 2100lbs dry on NADA and the other weighing 2700lbs dry, the heavier one isn't heavier because they added 600lbs of bricks inside it. This rule of thumbs gets less useful as boats get more modern since even Bayliners have really upped their products.

 

[shout]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

FWIW, I have a 20' sea fox (light boat) with the 3.0 Mercruiser, 4 cyl, it's just barely enough power to wakeboard behind with more than me and a spotter in the boat. wish I'd bought the 4.3 6 cyl

- Shout

 

[SeaRay175]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

Drive 120 miles one way today to look at what was suppose to be a great boat. Was really excited to go. When we got there, the boat was not even close to as described. Owner stated on a scale of 1-10, the 2000 Celebrity was a high 8. I gave it a 4. There was mold all over the seats, that would not ever come off, boat looked like it had never been waxed or cleaned in years. Lower unit was loose. It was all I could do not to lose my temper. I told the owner you said this boat was in excellent condition. He said for a 12 year old boat it is. I guess my ideal of excellent and his idea of excellent is two different things. He still asked me if I wanted to take it out for a run, and I told him " look, I'm not here to waste your time and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't waste mine". So, with that said, I said thanks for your time but this boat is not what you said it was and I wasn't interested at this time. So, the hunt for my first boat is still on. Learned today that I may need to ask more specific questions or use buzz words like Mold, filthy, discussing, rips, tares, MOLD, MILDEW, MOLD in my questioning. Haha. So 240 miles and almost a tank of gas, I'm back home looking again. I have a few months, and I know I WILL find me a great boat for what I'm looking to spend. I even stopped and looked at a couple on the drive home that people had parked on the side of the road. I guess the hunt is just as fun as the find!! Lol

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: First time boat buyer..... Help!!

I bought my first boat 2 years ago (21' with a aft cabin & head, Sink, Etc.) and it took me a while, Looked at a few skunkers and found this boat -(400 mile round trip) More that I was looking to spend bit it had everything fresh - Fresh mercruiser 260, Fresh outdrive (alpha 1) cockpit & cabin interior new, Brand new mooring & camper tops, Brand new tires & wheels, winch & braking system on trailer - I figured it was worth the extra money.

My point is, Keep looking and do not settle for OK - Get what you want the first time. The only thing I would have done different is to buy a bigger boat right off the bat. I had not even driven a boat before this one but am learnig quickly, Now I have "footitis"

Good luck & hang in there.

LK