First time boater...need some advice please!

[eagle_eye411]

So I've finally decided to quit standing on the sidelines and jump in the water. I have never owned or even operated a powerboat so needless to say I've got a lot to learn. First of all, can anyone recommend a guide book that is well written for beginners which covers all of the basics? These forums are great and I've learned a lot just by reading here but I'm looking for a little more detail in some areas.

As far as buying my first boat goes, I'm looking for something that my family (up to 8 adults) could use for tubing, sking, cruising, and some light fishing on the many lakes around north Texas. I am looking to spend between $10k to $13k on a used boat that is ready for the water.

A co-worker of mine has put me in touch with a friend of his looking to sell his '99 21' Rinker BR (fuel inj 305 V8 with ~300 hrs). He is the original owner and is a mechanic so it been very well maintained. I do know the trailer needs new tires. He is asking $12k. Based on NADA this seems pretty reasonable.

Can anyone tell me if this seems like a good deal? My co-worker who is familar with the boat has told me he doubts I will find a better boat for this price. I am going to see the boat this weekend but honestly don't know exactly what I should look for or what I should ask. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[5150abf]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

Welcome to inboats.

Rinker builds a nice boat, I would certainly run the boat on the water and since you don't know anything about boats find someone that does.

The only thing boats and cars have in common is a steering wheel and they both burn gas, beyond that they are very different.

If you look at it and are really interested have a local marina do a boat survey, they know what to look for and will tell you everything that is wrong with it.

If you actually get the boat call your local DNR and ask about boating coarses.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

take safe boating course before you hurt yourself or someone else.

read this > http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300472

 

[woosterken]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

like Tash said take a safe boating course and get the Chapmans book.

woosterken

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

Ditto above,

Take a safe boating course, the worst thing is not what you don't know, but what you don't know that you don't know.

See USPS.org for info on where you can take a course.

Best wishes, and welcome aboard!

 

[smclear]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

I had a '96 Rinker Captiva 212 open bow that the family purchased new. Had it until last summer when we sold it to purchase a '74 Century Resorter. There was nothing wrong with the Rinker, we just wanted an inboard (grew up with inboards and love them). The Rinker never gave us any trouble. It was a good boat. It had a 350 in it with an Alpha I drive. It was very clean, no tears in the upholstery, no blemishes in the hull. Sold it privately for $6,200. and thought we did well. For a first boat, I think you'll be pleased with the Rinker. I do agree with the others that you should seek out a boating safety class.

 

[capt sam]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

ditto on the boater safety class, there's so many people out there without a clue. Also see if the owner would be willing to spend some wheel time with you going over the basics, like launching, docking, maintnenance, offer him a small fee, no-one knows that boat like him.

 

[Sharkfighter]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

When planning your budget be sure to include all the additional items you will need.
You can get complete lists but 8 life jackets in various sizes and a few more for kids, anchors and ropes, flares, fire extinguisher if he doesnt give you one, flares, first aid kits, boat lettering, the tubes and things to ride on etc.

The "toys" we get for our boats can become a significant part of our purchase price especially when starting from scratch.

I assume you have been on friends boats before and are at least familiar with basic boat operations. However, before I bought my first boat I rented a boat a few times and went out with the family on the rented boat. Made sure that it was something we wanted to do and would do often enough to make the purchase worthwhile. It is VERY different being on a boat as "CAPTAIN" and sitting there on someone elses boat drinking a Sam Adams.

Safety course is a must!

There are references with complete lists of what to look for when buying a boat. You can get one at the local bookstore. Be sure and check out all Electronic stuff like depth finder, radio and GPS if it has one. That stuff is expensive. It is replaceable if it is not working so not necesssarily a deal killer but needs to be factored in to budget.

On my first boat the fuel gage did not work. On current boat speedometer does not work but one on gps does. Certainly not deal killer items but things that would have been nice to know before i bought boats.

On my current boat I had a proffessional survey done of boat. He checked a LOT of things I would not have trusted myself to check. Tapped boat hull to check for wood rot, proper wiring, engine compression, stress points etc. Cost me about $500 but the $17K i spent on the boat was a large investment for me and the piece of mind I got from it was well worth it.

Flat tires on a trailer are not a huge deal but are they indicators about the rest of the trailers conditions? Also it is advisable to do a sea trial on the boat before purchase is finalized and that is hard to do if you can't bring boat to water. Your standard car jack can probably jack up the boat you are buying but you will need wood blocking and bracing to make the jack high enough to lift the trailer most likely. (I did for my last boat) and of course most of us just dont carry the bracing with us when we travel which is where the trailer is likely to get a flat.

The boat I have now was bought at a dealer and my Surveyor determined that one of the tires was in bad shape and the dealer replaced it prior to me taking the boat.

Oh and do you have a car /truck that can really tow the boat? My explorer is undersized for pulling my boat. Luckily I launch from a place that is 10 miles from the house and I just drive slow. I probably should have checked that more before I bought a boat this size :redface:

Sea Tow / or Boat US tow service, unlimited coverage!! You WILL get either STUCK on a SAND BAR, Kill a BATTERY ( a spare battery or one of the portable battery jumpers they sell is a purchase you can add to your list tp puchase and have on boat), run out of fuel, have a breakdown or have a combination of the above in your new to you boat.

Just my opinions

Rob

 

[rusirius]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

While nothing can replace a hands on course where you can get personal attention, a good place to start is "www.boat-ed.com" It's a pretty good resource, plus has some information that will be specific to your state. All the info is free... You CAN opt to pay a "fee" ($29) if you pass the test and get your certification direct through them.

 

[ziggy]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

i'll second, or third or 4th the take a boater safety class. i was a member of the us power squadron for 4 or 5 years. took many classes and had a great time doing that. plus meeting others that were interested in boats too.

i'll also second, or third or 4th the chapmans piloting seamanship and boat handling book. man, if you do nothing else. get this book. it's a boaters bible... has info on most anything you can think of relating to boating... very thick book. very expensive too. maybe check it out at the liabray 1st. then you'll want to buy one... a great resorce..

 

[David Greer]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

You have to think of a boat not as another 3 year old car you can just drive and park, but like a 30 year old British sports car. It's a hobby and requires a lot of work before and after driving, and lots of tinkering, working, and dealing with stuff that doesn't work. You should get your whole family/regular guests engaged in the care and feeding process or you will spend the 2 hours before and 2 hours after boating by yourself. Likewise, you need to tell them what to do on a boat; I am always astounded how non-boaters just sit there when you approach a dock or whatever when I instinctively would fend off, take a line, whatever; worse when you are fishing, skiing, whatever. Make them work or you will wear yourself out.

Understand double redundancy for all systems and equipment. Have a spare everything. Count on everything failing or falling overboard at some time and you will be prepared. Anything that is waterproof isn't, including trailer bearings and lights. My children float tested my cell phone so you don't need to (float test: unsat). Put yours in a ziplock.

You may find that your boat insurance includes towing--mine does. Speaking of insurance, get lots of liability insurance and if you alerady have an umbrella policy be sure your boat limits reach it.

Get a good anchor and proper chain and line. Most important safety device.

I'm not saying you should be afraid; you should be respectful. There are no rewards or punishments, only consequences.

 

[skargo]

Re: First time boater...need some advice please!

While nothing can replace a hands on course where you can get personal attention, a good place to start is "www.boat-ed.com" It's a pretty good resource, plus has some information that will be specific to your state. All the info is free... You CAN opt to pay a "fee" ($29) if you pass the test and get your certification direct through them.

I just got my certificate in the mail yesterday! I had SOME experience boating growing up, but am 42 now and it's been a LONG time.
MD requires those born after 72 to take the test, I was born before that and did it anyway.

I did it online, it takes awhile but you can stop and come back and it saves your progress.