Guidance on "the right" boat

[Harry_Pluta]

After 20 years and raising four children my wife and I are at a point where we will have the time to enjoy a boat again. Our last boat was a 60's vintage Chris Craft Cavalier. At the time this boat was a perfect combination of size and amenities, but wood maintenance was a never ending job with it.<br /><br />We plan to take some boating classes this summer and fall ( I am sure I forgot most of what I once knew )and then purchase in the late fall or winter. We would like a boat to allow us the following pleasures: Weekend trips on Lake Michigan, watersports (skiing, tubing, swimming), entertaining ( no more then 10 people total ), in the summer the boat will live in a slip on Lake Michigan, but I need the ability to trailer it on trips to Wisconsin and Ohio behind our Tahoe ( or possibly a Suburban ). A head is a must, with shower would be nice, a fridge a must, a microwave also nice. <br /><br />From the little I have looked at I am thinking the 23-25 foot range would be about right. I would like to find a nice used turnkey package with trailer and canvas in the 10-15K range. But I have no idea who makes what anymore nor what boats are right for the Great Lakes. I also need to know what the key inspection points are on the more modern boats.<br /><br />So who wants to take the first crack at this?<br />Thanks, Harry

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Guidance on "the right" boat

Big, big order, Coach.<br /><br />Great Lakes boats are special. You'll get some good suggestions here, I'm sure, but I'm betting you'll get the best information by visiting the boat sales yards in your area and looking at some of the boats they have for sale. Ask a bunch of questions...and look at the new boats, like you're thinking about buying one.<br /><br />Once you find what you think will fit your needs, then start looking at used ones with similar specs.<br /><br />Whatever you do, though, in that price range, hire a marine surveyor to check out any boat you're considering. It's way too easy for someone not in the business to miss a critical thing, and that could be really dangerous on Lake Michigan, I'd think.<br /><br />Be careful about buying a boat in the late fall or winter. With any boat in the size class you're looking at, you absolutely, positively, need an on-the-water demo ride. That gets more difficult in late fall or winter.

 

[KCook]

Re: Guidance on "the right" boat

Weekend trips on Lake Michigan, watersports (skiing, tubing, swimming), entertaining ( no more then 10 people total ), in the summer the boat will live in a slip on Lake Michigan, but I need the ability to trailer it on trips to Wisconsin and Ohio behind our Tahoe

Seems to me that a boat big enough for weekend trips on Michigan and entertaining 10 people will be too big for skiing and trailering. Might want to prioritize this stuff.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[Straightup]

Re: Guidance on "the right" boat

Welcome to iboats!<br /><br />You're the exact reason many manufacturers are offering a 24' deck boats with huge open bows. Unfortunately they're not cheap. Most are in the 45 to 55 thousand $ range. I'm not sure that you are going to find all the boat you want and still safely take on Lake Mich. with that price range.

 

[Harry_Pluta]

Re: Guidance on "the right" boat

I don't know if it makes a difference, my intention is not to wander off into the deep end, but travel the shorelines to different weekend destinations. I currently kayak on the Lake Michigan and have a very healthy respect for that body of water! <br /><br />I'm thinking watersports and weekending would be the main priority for the next three years, then once my youngest goes off to college we will be able to spend much more time on the weekending (YES). At that point it would be smaller groups 4 to 6 adults at a time. Sure would be nice to haul it around from time to time though.<br /><br />Thanks for the input so far. I guess it would be wise to start scheduling some time to visit the marinas before fall hits.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Guidance on "the right" boat

still unclear if by weekending you want to stay on the boat (many people still cruise, but then stay at hotels near the marinas).<br /><br />if you don't want to stay on the boat, a 24-26' deckboat is the answer. you can find a used one in your price range.<br /><br />if you need the cabin, you're talking about a 24-26' cruiser. watersports almost go away and trailering becomes a little tough.<br /><br />don't think they make a boat that meets all your needs, unless you can find a used one of these....<br />(bet noone else thought of this)<br /><br /> http://www.suntrackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?fuseaction=boat.boat&nav=16&boat=1391

 

[Dyna]

Re: Guidance on "the right" boat

I spent many many summers on lake michigan with my Jetskis. Plenty of folks on the lake with smaller boats..16' & up. They just dont venture too far from shore.

 

[Big Foot]

Re: Guidance on "the right" boat

Yeah, entertaining 10 people and weekending are requirements that are working against water skiing and trailering with a Tahoe.<br /><br />Sounds like you're in the sportboat category. Generally, there are 4 lines of sportboats in the 23 to 25 range (bowriders, cuddy's, cruisers and deckboats). The cruiser (mid-cabin, aft-cabin, or whatever you want to call it) is going to do the worst for water sports, and the deckboat will have the worst time with mother nature. I think you're basically looking at either a bowrider or a cuddy, with the bowrider being better for entertaining and cuddy being better for weekending.<br /><br />I agree with checking out the new boats just so you can gather information. One place to start is with a dealer that sells Four Winns as they carry all four types of sportboats. From what you have described, I think a cuddy fits the best.<br /><br />Also this link may help you get a better idea of the types of boats that are available today:<br /><br /> http://www.rbbi.com/links/pbl.htm#power