Good "First" Boat?

[catfishjoe]

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for viewing (and hopefully) weighing in on my concerns.

I've been shopping for my first boat, and honestly still undecided on the type I'll eventually purchase. Other members on iBoats have been extremely helpful in assisting me so far, as such I'm beginning to strongly consider a dual console.

Here is one in particular that is within my price range, and relatively close by:

http://www.chatleeboats.com/Page.aspx/diid/7117067/list/InventoryList/pageId/27756/view/Details/1998-Neptune-Dual-Console-201DC.aspx

With that said, here is my list of thoughts specifically regarding this (potential) buy:

• I'm looking to fish and do a bit of day cruising with my family of 4 (wife + two small children). This would seem to seat them all.
• We may even bring the dogs (3 medium sized dogs)
• I would assume a boat without carpet may be easier to keep clean?
• Seems to be a good price. I have a max budget of 8k
• A bimini top is a bit of a must with small children. This one comes with one included.
• I need to stay under approx 3000 lbs. I will pull it with a small SUV 4WD

If I'm delusional, please let me know! Thanks for reading!

 

[Philster]

Re: Good "First" Boat?

That is a good type of boat: dual console.

Can't see it or inspect it. I like 2-stroke outboards for first boats. I don't like the corrosion on that outboard. Maybe it's me, but an outboard should be corrosion free.

Carpet in a boat like that is like putting fur lining in your sink or bathtub.

Bimini tops and covers mean almost (almost) nothing in pricing a boat (in my opinion). You are buying an engine, hull, and various mechanicals.

 

[catfishjoe]

Re: Good "First" Boat?

That is a good type of boat: dual console.

Can't see it or inspect it. I like 2-stroke outboards for first boats. I don't like the corrosion on that outboard. Maybe it's me, but an outboard should be corrosion free.

Carpet in a boat like that is like putting fur lining in your sink or bathtub.

Bimini tops and covers mean almost (almost) nothing in pricing a boat (in my opinion). You are buying an engine, hull, and various mechanicals.

Thanks for the input.

By the way, small world. I was born and raised in Delaware. My father even owned a house in Dutch Neck Farms for about 5 years I guess.

 

[Philster]

Re: Good "First" Boat?

Wow... now that is a small world. I'm still a DE newbie, even though I've been in DE a few years, I boated in other areas.

Keep hangin' 'round these parts. Great resource.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Good "First" Boat?

Looks like a nice rig, reasonable price. Best thing to do is go take it for a test drive!

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Good "First" Boat?

You, wife, 2 kids, and 3 dogs plus a days worth of gear (water, pops, food, etc...), yer gonna need a bigger boat.

Good luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Good "First" Boat?

Perfect. Pletny of room, good rig and design, OB and no carpet. A boater's boat.

Get the dealer to give you 30 days warranty, esp. if you can't, or he won't, do a test drive. But since it's your first boat try to get a test drive or even pay him for a maiden voyage (and leave the family home when you do it).

 

[catfishjoe]

Re: Good "First" Boat?

Wow... now that is a small world. I'm still a DE newbie, even though I've been in DE a few years, I boated in other areas.

Keep hangin' 'round these parts. Great resource.

Looks like a nice rig, reasonable price. Best thing to do is go take it for a test drive!

Born in Wilmington, raised in New Castle. Lived in the Long Neck, DE (Sussex county, right on the bay) for 5+ years. Most of my family still lives in New Castle.

I relocated the my immediate family 7 hours south to beautiful NC just about 2 years ago. More house for the money, better education systems, less crime, generally nicer people -- we haven't looked back.

I'm definitely sticking around these forums, lots of great help so far. Can't wait until I can return the favor.

You, wife, 2 kids, and 3 dogs plus a days worth of gear (water, pops, food, etc...), yer gonna need a bigger boat.

Good luck!

If it gets too crowded I'll drag the wife behind in a tube. It's all about compromise in this household.

Perfect. Pletny of room, good rig and design, OB and no carpet. A boater's boat.

Get the dealer to give you 30 days warranty, esp. if you can't, or he won't, do a test drive. But since it's your first boat try to get a test drive or even pay him for a maiden voyage (and leave the family home when you do it).

Funny but it's clear that I'm turning into my father faster than I anticipated. He owned boats his whole life. He's probably owned a dozen, but always seemed to come back to the center consoles. Now that I'm older I'm starting to understand why. I'd be fine with a center console but then I'd have a hard time keeping the wife on board (literally and figuratively). Dual Console feels like a compromise.

Also, this particular dealer apparently has a massive selection, and I've heard great things about them. Another bonus is that they take every serious buyer for a test drive (they apparently have a small lake near by).

Regarding a warranty, I'll keep that in mind. Haven't contacted them yet, but I think they offer some type of guarantee.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Good "First" Boat?

Re: "Funny but it's clear that I'm turning into my father faster than I anticipated. He owned boats his whole life. He's probably owned a dozen, but always seemed to come back to the center consoles. Now that I'm older I'm starting to understand why. I'd be fine with a center console but then I'd have a hard time keeping the wife on board (literally and figuratively). Dual Console feels like a compromise."

Yes, the DC is a compromise. I maintain that a center console with built-in bow seating is the best all around design for family and general recreational boating, and, living in a community of boaters, see that opinion shared all over the river. But I also have a 24 year old DC my father bought new as our family boat, and it has been fine. It's been used for everything from grown-up cruising to teenagers' craziness, activities from fishing to skiing to hunting, beaching and for transportation.

The important difference between what they call "dual console" and what they call "bow rider" is the hull design--the DC is on a seaworthy hull and usually the same hull that brand uses for its center consoles and even cuddy's. Same goes for what they call "fish'n'ski" which IMO is a silly way to describe a boat--you have to look at the hull design. Compare, too, the hulls on "bay boat" and "deep V" since either can be rigged as a CC or DC, but it's a world of difference: my DC is on a bay boat hull, and very different from a same-sized DC or CC on a deep V.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Good "First" Boat?

I'm with HC on the dual console vs. bowrider. I'd take a DC any day. Generally not as plush as a comparable BR, but more seaworthy and easier to keep clean.

I'm not sure that's corrosion on that motor, btw. Looks to me like barnacles or the remains of them.

[PS- I just looked and see that Sanford, NC is well inland, so could be wrong on the barnacles thing]