So... I want to buy a boat, but I know nothing about them.

[the_kaku]

We are moving close to a lake and after doing some research, it seems the lake only allows 21 ft long boats. That is a shame because I was toying around with the idea that someday I'll get a boat which I can commandeer down rivers, canals, etc.., to the ocean which I would think would require a boat more substantial to combat waves, no?

I'm throwing this out there to see what information can be thrown back (googling hasn't helped).

Are there any boats that fit the following 3 criteria?

• 21 feet
• stable enough for the ocean
• live-in (weekend excursions, nothing long term)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Earl Cordova]

You are truly day dreaming.

 

[hugh g]

Are you looking at new or used?
There are numerous boat manufacturers out there that offer 21-22 ft cuddies.
If you're buying used get a survey or take it to a trusted shop to get an evaluation or you can get burned big time.
You're not going to live aboard a 21-22 ft. cuddy cabin. Unless you want a divorce. There's just no room.
If you plan on some ocean cruising an OB is a better option. And if you do, you better know what you're doing. Stick to lake cruising until you get plenty of experience.
Take a boating safety course that includes navigation, chart plotting, boat maintenance, safety, etc., etc, etc, etc.

Thete's a sticky on this forum on buying a boat. Look it over & good luck.

 

[JimS123]

Your criteria are mutually exclusive.

 

[the_kaku]

Are you looking at new or used?
There are numerous boat manufacturers out there that offer 21-22 ft cuddies.
If you're buying used get a survey or take it to a trusted shop to get an evaluation or you can get burned big time.
You're not going to live aboard a 21-22 ft. cuddy cabin. Unless you want a divorce. There's just no room.
If you plan on some ocean cruising an OB is a better option. And if you do, you better know what you're doing. Stick to lake cruising until you get plenty of experience.
Take a boating safety course that includes navigation, chart plotting, boat maintenance, safety, etc., etc, etc, etc.

Thete's a sticky on this forum on buying a boat. Look it over & good luck.

All good points. Yes, this wouldn't be a live in. Just a boat where my wife and I can stay on for a few nights. Oh yeah, and a 34 pound dog.

 

[the_kaku]

Your criteria are mutually exclusive.

Really? I was hopeful there might be some overlap.

 

[the_kaku]

You are truly day dreaming.

You gotta start somewhere!

 

[hugh g]

All good points. Yes, this wouldn't be a live in. Just a boat where my wife and I can stay on for a few nights. Oh yeah, and a 34 pound dog.

At least a dog won't argue with you when it's 90* in that cuddy cabin.

 

[the_kaku]

At least a dog won't argue with you when it's 90* in that cuddy cabin.`

Looks like I may need central air too.

 

[25thmustang]

Almost any 21' cuddy will be extremely cramped inside the cabin.

Sea Ray, Bayliner a couple others made 21' boats with small heads, galleys and even bunks under the helm (typically called an aft cabin). These will be 1980s, possibly early 1990s boats. With that said, A/C is almost certainly not going to be feasible. I have found a battery powered fan (I have a Dewalt one), will run all night and works to keep me sort of comfortable. I keep 3-4 5AH batteries charged ready to go for it.

 

[the_kaku]

Almost any 21' cuddy will be extremely cramped inside the cabin.

Sea Ray, Bayliner a couple others made 21' boats with small heads, galleys and even bunks under the helm (typically called an aft cabin). These will be 1980s, possibly early 1990s boats. With that said, A/C is almost certainly not going to be feasible. I have found a battery powered fan (I have a Dewalt one), will run all night and works to keep me sort of comfortable. I keep 3-4 5AH batteries charged ready to go for it.

I understand it will be cramped... maybe I can research 21' boats that are wide. Would you know if Sea Ray or Bayliner have them wide?

 

[JimS123]

I understand it will be cramped... maybe I can research 21' boats that are wide. Would you know if Sea Ray or Bayliner have them wide?

New boats are a couple years out since the demand now is quite high. Regardless, cuddys are few and far between since most manufacturers have dropped them from the line.

Used boats are hard to find as well. The few that are available are cheap and for a reason, that being they are not seaworthy any more.

 

[the_kaku]

New boats are a couple years out since the demand now is quite high. Regardless, cuddys are few and far between since most manufacturers have dropped them from the line.

Used boats are hard to find as well. The few that are available are cheap and for a reason, that being they are not seaworthy any more.

I see. Why don't manufacturers make them anymore?

 

[JimS123]

I see. Why don't manufacturers make them anymore?

Its all supply and demand. Hardly anyone wants them any more. My son had a 21' Cuddy that he bought to sleep on weekends. Then he found out that he couldn't invite as many friends over during the day because the cockpit was too small. The hot boats right now are 25-27' bowriders with twin or more outboards.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Tastes change. Many small cuddies went away because most people with a 24 foot or smaller realize they were too cramped to be useful

Over 24 feet, and you get a better layout with a pocket cruiser

The cuddy was unique. They made sense only from 24 feet to about 28 feet

More money to be made in bow riders as they sell 20 bow riders to every cuddy

 

[the_kaku]

I see. Well, I guess I just need to find an alternative 21' boat that is not a cuddy then.

 

[Earl Cordova]

I see. Why don't manufacturers make them anymore?

As mentioned by others there was very little demand.
It was hard finding one in 2005 when we purchased ours new.
AFAIK there are none being made now.

FWIW we have had a cuddy cabin since 1987 and they are exactly what we need.
If we had to find a replacement I don't know what I would do.

 

[H20Rat]

First piece of advice is look at what all your neighbors have. Chances are many of them have had the same plans, made the same mistakes, and what they have now is the result of years of lessons.

Don't buy new, or at least don't buy something with a 10 year note on it. Don't get underwater on a loan if you take one, and you can always sell the boat and buy another one. It isn't hard to make money on boat flipping, I have yet to lose money on a boat. (and I buy and sell A LOT!)

 

[briangcc]

About the only 21' boat I could think of to sleep aboard would be a pontoon with a full canvas enclosure...which isn't going out on the ocean unless its dead calm.

Basically a 21' floating tent at that point.

 

[Sprig]

We are moving close to a lake and after doing some research, it seems the lake only allows 21 ft long boats. That is a shame because I was toying around with the idea that someday I'll get a boat which I can commandeer down rivers, canals, etc.., to the ocean which I would think would require a boat more substantial to combat waves, no?

I'm throwing this out there to see what information can be thrown back (googling hasn't helped).

Are there any boats that fit the following 3 criteria?

• 21 feet
• stable enough for the ocean
• live-in (weekend excursions, nothing long term)

Thanks in advance.

The lake only allows 21’ boats? Not 20’ or 22’ ??? This makes absolutely no sense. Please pray tell can you provide the name and location of this lake? I am quite curious.