Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

[Nolefan 90]

I've been considering purchasing a boat, 1st time experience, for some time now and am getting closer. Found this forum website and have cheated my boss out of productivity today because I've spent so much time reading and learning. That said- I'd like some input from you seasoned boaters, especially in similar climates to mine ( Central FLA) re: a good beginner boat for me to get started. I know I want a bowrider between 17 and 20 ft for cruising and playing with the family, ideally in local lakes as well as nearby intracoastal and brackish rivers. I want to spend 15-17K for boat and trailer. I am getting stuck on a couple of questions: 1) do I go with outboard or I/O? What should determine this? 2)Do I go new cheaper boat such as Tahoe or Bayliner or a newER used boat? I'm not a mechanic, no time to become one. I'll have a flurry of other Q's down the road but these seem to be the key points to get me started. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

My morning routine at work:<br />Check voice mail, boot computer, check work e-mail; go to I-Boats. That's productive, right? I bought my first boat in early April. I was lucky because I knew what I wanted and a neighbor was selling it. That said, you are in FL where there are literally thousands of used boats to choose from. That's what I would recommend. Get wet in a good used boat and get some experience. You can always move up. Was your first car brand new? Invaluable help in these forums and it's all free. Happy boating!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

My suggestion, an outboard. You will be boating in some fairly shallow water, the outboard is much lighter and subsequently weighs down the stern much less allowing a shallower draught. The boat you will want will really be determined by the activities you will be using the boat for. In our area, you will have a pretty good selection of good used boats in the price range you specified. You will get more boat for your money going used, and you may find that you want to upgrade after a season or two, you'll retain more value on a used model. I would suggest going with at least an 18' boat as the 17' ones tend to be much narrower and can really crowd your family in. You will want an adequate sized motor to push the boat, for that sized boat I would go with something at least 115HP or larger; it's really nice to have the power to pull a skier up easily, or get that tube o' kids on plane quickly.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

I think if this is your first boat, go with an out board. In my opinion, they are less fussy, and and seem to have less (just alittle) problems than an I/O. And like everyone here says you can upgrade. Once you get a feel of the boat, You'll be in a boat with twin 454s before you know it

 

[KCook]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

Your homework assignment (for now )<br /><br /> Dilemma..... Should I compromise? <br /><br /> I/O vs outboard <br /><br /> runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

my opinion is i have owned 1 i/o never again. i can stand on the ground and due routine maintanance on and outboard, no oil changes, no gimbal bearings, no bellows, no torn up knees trying to change spark plugs. if it blows up you take it off and just put another one on. you don't have to take the whole boat apart. an alternative to the bow rider is the deck boat, not a poontoon, they are roomy and perform like a bow rider. they are numerous in south Fla as the snow birds by them and get to old to use them. my sister just bought a $35,000 2 year old Chris Craft Deck boat for $12,000.

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

Used boats, used cars, used golf clubs: good shopping in Fl. <br />My granddog is Maya, a sweetheart of a Siberian.

 

[KRS]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

Used!!! Without a doubt. The entry price is better, you get more value, and let's face it... boating is a learning experience and you're bound to have a mistake or two that will cause a scratch and it won't hurt as bad in a used boat <br /><br />I would thing an I/O would be the best, because maintenance is very similiar to a car... but if you plan to hire it all out then I don't know... I've never had an OB and don't know much about them.

 

[Nolefan 90]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

Great homework assignment- more cool reading- Thanks!!!<br /><br />

Originally posted by KCook:<br /> Your homework assignment (for now )<br /><br /> Dilemma..... Should I compromise? <br /><br /> I/O vs outboard <br /><br /> runabout vs. Ski/wakeboard boat differences <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[hal2814]

Re: Starting from scratch, pretty ignorant

1. As far as I/O vs. Outboard, if you're not going to do any backyard mechanicing, then your best bet is to see what the mechanics around you work on. In my neck of the woods, everyone works on Mercruiser. In Florida, outboards seem to be more popular on the sized boat you're looking into so maybe Johnson, Mecrury, Yamaha, etc will be easier to service. You don't want to be beholden to the only mechanic in a 50 mile radius that services your kind of engine. Who cares how hard it is to work on if you're not doing the work?<br /><br />2. I would spend $5K on a used beginner boat. It's cheap enough that you'll get back most of your resale when you determine what kind of boat you will really want as opposed to the kind of boat you think you will want. A lot of people don't end up getting the right boat for them the first time around. Just make sure to have a mechanic inspect it before purchase and make sure you're not getting something that will be hard to service in the future. I might step on some toes here but as a first boat, I'd avoid setups no longer in production like OMC I/Os, L-Drives, etc.