I don't know anything about boat but I want one

[cluelessBoat]

Hello, I live about 2 hrs from Galveston Beach. I'm interested in owning a boat that I can use for fishing and "relaxing". So I want one with a small cabin. My budget is $100k to $200k (i plan on applying a loan).
I really don't know much about boats. Is there a course online that teach basics about owning a boat?

 

[909]

Get a license. It will cover a lot.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Take a USCG course

 

[airshot]

Take any instruction you can find !!! The more you know, the better off you will be !! Boats are great fun, but a lot of work, and when and if something goes wrong, it can go really wrong fast !! Get a basic boater education, even hire people to help you. Once you decide on a boat, hire a skipper to give you first hand instruction on your boat !! Starting with a bigger boat is way different than starting with a small runabout, and the liability and responseability are much greater.

 

[dwco5051]

Take any instruction you can find !!! The more you know, the better off you will be !! Boats are great fun, but a lot of work, and when and if something goes wrong, it can go really wrong fast !! Get a basic boater education, even hire people to help you. Once you decide on a boat, hire a skipper to give you first hand instruction on your boat !! Starting with a bigger boat is way different than starting with a small runabout, and the liability and responseability are much greater.

In addition to taking a few classes I would recommend getting a copy of Chapmans Piloting and Seamanship. Take your time but read it cover to cover. Probably more in there than you may ever need to know but much better than knowing less than you need.

Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 69th Edition (Chapman Piloting and Seamanship): Chapman, Eaton, Jonathan: 9781950785490: Amazon.com: Books

Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 69th Edition (Chapman Piloting and Seamanship) [Chapman, Eaton, Jonathan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 69th Edition (Chapman Piloting and Seamanship)

www.amazon.com

 

[ahicks]

I'd do a few charters, maybe quite a few, to get a lay of the land prior to buying something that just might scare the beejesus out of you.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Hello, I live about 2 hrs from Galveston Beach. I'm interested in owning a boat that I can use for fishing and "relaxing". So I want one with a small cabin. My budget is $100k to $200k (i plan on applying a loan).
I really don't know much about boats. Is there a course online that teach basics about owning a boat?

Suggest you attend a US Coast Guard Auxiliary ( https://cgaux.org/ ) or Power Squadron safe boating class. It is cheap, in person and very informative.

Maybe even join the auxiliary to really learn boating first hand / hands on while on the water. More training than one can imagine and once a member, costs zip (except for the $40 a year dues).

 

[racerone]

Rent a boat for a weekend.-----Not sure you are serious about making payments on a $200,000 loan !---That will make expensive relaxing if you are 2 hrs away

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .
There are a variety of video resources online, but I don't think you'll find everything in one place. So, look around.

+1 on the boater safety course. Do an in-person/live class as it should be more interactive and you can learn from the instructor or other 'boaters'.

Boating is dangerous, it only 'looks' like fun.

Boating is expensive, be prepared to learn how to do your own maintenance and repairs to manage cost. Also, getting things fix at dealers & repair shops is a time consuming process (lots of waiting for your boat to be 'looked at', etc.)

I would recommend spending a smaller amount of money first (maybe around $50K) to see if you actually like boating and get a better idea of the type of boat that is right for you. Then, if all goes well, your $200K purchase will be much more on-target to your needs/wants.

If you are 2 hrs away from the waters you plan to frequent, then you will be either renting a slip/local storage, or having a trailer and haul your boat to/from. If that be the case, factor in your towing vehicle needs.

It seems like very time I get a new boat, I end up buying a new tow vehicle too.

Feel free to ask questions as you go.

 

[dingbat]

Do yourself a favor and join one of the local Offshore Angler’s Clubs. Great place to met like minded people and learn a lot along the way.

Most have monthly meetings where they bring in industry experts to discuss the topic of the day. Everything from weather forecasting, sonar, radar, fishing tackle, boat maintenance and repairs, navigation, etc.

Our group had a USCG boat inspection day every year. Quick and easy way to get your annual CG inspection out of the way before season started.

Not only will you learn the “tricks of the trade”, you will also met lots of like minded people from all walks of like.

Our club has a number of member only, multi-day tournaments a year. Members have boats ranging from 20’ to 48’ (most 24-28’) so we pick “protected” locations to allow the smaller boats to participate as well.

We also do a week long, travel tournament every year. Last year we had 24 boats with 4 man crews.

Fish hard during the day…. play even harder at night…. 4:30 am comes early…lol

 

[racerone]

They say it takes 10% of the purchase value to operate it every year.-----So $20,000 to run it + payments.-----But perhaps still cheaper than a waterfront property.

 

[JimS123]

After you take your boating safety course, grab a lawn chair and six pack and go hang out at a launch ramp. Then talk to other people that have boats that might interest you.

First off, you'll get some ideas. Secondly, watch carefully because you'll also get edumacated on how to NOT launch a boat.

 

[cluelessBoat]

Hello, thanks for all the replies. I saw one that said to join a club so I googled one near my place and saw this. What do you think of this place? It says I just join them and I can use any boat. I guess it's a good way to start learning about boating. I plan to retire in about 5 yrs and this is one of the things I just want to do when I retire.

Welcome To Freedom Boat Club of Galveston

Welcome to Freedom Boat Club of Galveston

www.freedomboatclub.com

 

[cluelessBoat]

Do yourself a favor and join one of the local Offshore Angler’s Clubs. Great place to met like minded people and learn a lot along the way.

Most have monthly meetings where they bring in industry experts to discuss the topic of the day. Everything from weather forecasting, sonar, radar, fishing tackle, boat maintenance and repairs, navigation, etc.

Our group had a USCG boat inspection day every year. Quick and easy way to get your annual CG inspection out of the way before season started.

Not only will you learn the “tricks of the trade”, you will also met lots of like minded people from all walks of like.

Our club has a number of member only, multi-day tournaments a year. Members have boats ranging from 20’ to 48’ (most 24-28’) so we pick “protected” locations to allow the smaller boats to participate as well.

We also do a week long, travel tournament every year. Last year we had 24 boats with 4 man crews.

Fish hard during the day…. play even harder at night…. 4:30 am comes early…lol

Can you link me the website for Galveston location? I tried googling it but can't find it. Thanks

 

[JimS123]

We have one in my area too. They advertise stress-free boating. For me that would ADD stress. But that's just me. I want to be in MY boat, which is well maintained and clean.

However, for your objective, it may be a good start. Just don't sign any long term contracts and read the fine print. Be sure that after 2 times out and you find out it isn't what you really want, that you can get out of it without any cost to you.

 

[tpenfield]

Freedom Boat Club are all over the place. So, it would probably be a good choice if you go the boat club route. Probably a good thing to do for a year or 2, but you'll have to figure any up-front money to join into your overall boat budget.

 

[dingbat]

Can you link me the website for Galveston location? I tried googling it but can't find it. Thanks

Welcome - Houston Big Game Fishing Club

www.hbgfc.com

About Us

rhfishing.org

 

[SkaterRace]

They say it takes 10% of the purchase value to operate it every year.-----So $20,000 to run it + payments.-----But perhaps still cheaper than a waterfront property.

Does this apply to used too? Meaning Say I bought a boat for $100k but it was $200k new, would be yearly costs be $10k or $20k? I ask since only boats I've ever owned were either super old as in 1960's and 1970's or brand new, my 2018 Glastron. I found the older ones I was paying $2-8k a year in engine repairs which was more than those boats were worth and then the Glastron was about 12%. I pick up a 2019 almost new boat in 10 days and am expecting almost exactly 10% of the new value of the same one today. Just curious what others are seeing for costs as I am looking at going up in size/cost in maybe 5 years and trying to model out affording it.

 

[racerone]

You have to pay fuel / dockage / storage / insurance / more maintenance as boat gets older..----Just the same as new.------Once the novelty of the new boat wears off you might use it less often.----Once met folks with a 42' power boat.-----Keep track of all expenses.-----Booze is always the biggest amount.

 

[SkaterRace]

You have to pay fuel / dockage / storage / insurance / more maintenance as boat gets older..----Just the same as new.------Once the novelty of the new boat wears off you might use it less often.----Once met folks with a 42' power boat.-----Keep track of all expenses.-----Booze is always the biggest amount.

Hmm never really thought of it like that more so had the idea got cheaper compared over time but I guess yeah most of the cost is things that go up so you might actually pay more for a 5 year old boat than you would if you had bought it new - maintenance and insurance tend to be much more for older boats I've found.