Potential new boat owner

[njsarge]

Hello all. We recently moved near one of South Carolina's larger lakes. In the process of trying to figure some costs associated with purchasing a boat (ie boat storage and maintenance).

My projected budget is 30-50k. We are looking for a bow rider, preferably something that can fit 6-8 people comfortably and have enough power for water sports. I was looking at some boats that are 2010 and newer. Was looking for something that is ready to go in the water not a project. I am new to boating and plan on having it serviced at a local marina.

I am just looking for boat hunting tips as looking to purchase in the spring. Just any advice you could pass on from your boat hunting experience. I have read the buyers checklist and plan on using that along with someone who can assist in checking the boat out.

Thanks

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard: Start by reading this topic if you haven't already - https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-topics-and-questions-not-engine-topics.10/
Next, I would suggest three things: 1) A boater's safety course, 2) a trip to local marina and see what people on the lake you will use tend to own and 3) if available rent a couple of boats to try it out.

6 total people, and will pull a tube is a pretty easy bill to fill. 8 people and will pull a slalom skier outta' the water is a different boat, will be a larger boat and need lots of power. Water skiing uses a different kind of wake than wakeboards or surfing, so again - different boats. Do you know what type of water sports you'll mostly use?

Then trailering vs. docking it at a rented slip becomes a part of the equation too.

 

[emoney]

My first piece of advice is to no wait "until the Spring", because you and every other new boat buyer will be shopping at the same time. Even down here in Florida, the market slows considerably in December, and I, for one, think that's ideal for the buyer....not so much the seller. Your budget should easily allow you to find a quality boat that will meet your needs. For $50k, I'd expect you to get a 2020 or newer boat, buying used. Follow southkogs advice above as it pertains to which type boat to buy. Slalom skier/wake surfing means something much different than tubing. I can pull tubers easily with my center console boat. Wouldn't attempt it for a wake surfer.

You'll spend as much "per month" on maintenance and storage as you will for your boat, so be prepared for that. If you plan to keep the boat on a trailer, then you'll need to do quite a bit of practicing the process of launching and retrieving. High and dry storage is a great alternative, but can get costly depending on your location. Near me, for my 21' boat, it would run me around $375.00 per month, but it makes the hobby a lot more enjoyable if you spend most of your time on the same body of water. Those folks call up and say, "hey, we're going out tomorrow at 10a" and the boat is there, in the way, fueled up and ready to go. More importantly, when they pull back into the dock after a day on the water, they just toss someone else the keys and they handle the cleaning/storing part. As for me, I get to spend about an hour after we get home, flushing my motor, washing off the saltwater on the boat, etc etc.

 

[njsarge]

Welcome aboard: Start by reading this topic if you haven't already - https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-topics-and-questions-not-engine-topics.10/
Next, I would suggest three things: 1) A boater's safety course, 2) a trip to local marina and see what people on the lake you will use tend to own and 3) if available rent a couple of boats to try it out.

6 total people, and will pull a tube is a pretty easy bill to fill. 8 people and will pull a slalom skier outta' the water is a different boat, will be a larger boat and need lots of power. Water skiing uses a different kind of wake than wakeboards or surfing, so again - different boats. Do you know what type of water sports you'll mostly use?

Then trailering vs. docking it at a rented slip becomes a part of the equation too.

Thank you! Going to try to get into a boaters safety course soon. Most of the boats here are pontoons. I've been on a couple and they are nice but I wanted something different. We would be pulling tubes not skiing or wakeboarding.

 

[njsarge]

My first piece of advice is to no wait "until the Spring", because you and every other new boat buyer will be shopping at the same time. Even down here in Florida, the market slows considerably in December, and I, for one, think that's ideal for the buyer....not so much the seller. Your budget should easily allow you to find a quality boat that will meet your needs. For $50k, I'd expect you to get a 2020 or newer boat, buying used. Follow southkogs advice above as it pertains to which type boat to buy. Slalom skier/wake surfing means something much different than tubing. I can pull tubers easily with my center console boat. Wouldn't attempt it for a wake surfer.

You'll spend as much "per month" on maintenance and storage as you will for your boat, so be prepared for that. If you plan to keep the boat on a trailer, then you'll need to do quite a bit of practicing the process of launching and retrieving. High and dry storage is a great alternative, but can get costly depending on your location. Near me, for my 21' boat, it would run me around $375.00 per month, but it makes the hobby a lot more enjoyable if you spend most of your time on the same body of water. Those folks call up and say, "hey, we're going out tomorrow at 10a" and the boat is there, in the way, fueled up and ready to go. More importantly, when they pull back into the dock after a day on the water, they just toss someone else the keys and they handle the cleaning/storing part. As for me, I get to spend about an hour after we get home, flushing my motor, washing off the saltwater on the boat, etc etc.

Thank you! Looking at storage at the marina. My hoa will not allow storage of the boat or trailer at our home. What does typical maintenance entail and how much does it cost?

 

[southkogs]

We would be pulling tubes not skiing or wakeboarding.

That opens a lot up for you: just about anything can yank a tube around.