Re: What Boat to buy?
There are a couple of things that I think it's improtant to consider for a first time owner. You've stated your needs pretty clearly, but a little more information would help.
First, I'm assuming you plan on keeping the boat on a trailer? In that case, what kind of vehicle do you plan to use for towing? Keep in mind, fiberglass boats tend to be anywhere from fairly heavy to VERY heavy. I also own a cuddy like Badkins, for pretty much the reasons he states plus a cuddy can handle rougher water. However. . . my Welcraft and the trailer weigh very close to 5000 pounds with a mostly full load of fuel. That means I have to have a mid to large sized SUV or a pickup truck to tow it. In fact, even many bow riders are over 3000 pounds which is beyond the capacity that most cars and other light vehicles can tow.
The bottom line is that your vehicle situation may restrict what you can consider for options.
Another consideration is your overall mechanical ability. All boats require maintainance. Some boats require a little, others a lot, but generally it is porportional to the age of the boat. Naturally, you can pay to have someone else do it, but paying $100 an hour to make simple repairs can add up very quickly.
Finally, have you ever taken the helm of any of your friend's boats? How experienced are you at actually handling a boat?
Also, have you towed and backed up with a trailer and/or launched a boat?
In general, smaller and lighter boats are easier to handle and you can make up for minor mistakes by simply pushing them around. I found myself in a bit of a pickle last year when I accidently got a little far out of the channel and ran aground on a sand bar. With a bow rider, I could have simply gotten out and given it a good push. Sadly, this is not the case for a 22+ foot cuddy and at 4500 pounds. Also, bigger, heavier boats are not very tollerent of beginner mistakes like bumping the dock at a bit too high of a speed.
In general, for your needs and assuming you have the vehicle to tow it, I'd suggest it might be good to start looking at bow rider somewhere in the 18 foot range plus or minus. You could also look at smaller cuddies just to get a feel for what you like.
Outboards and inboard ouboards (I/O) both have advantages and disadvantages. Once you narrow down your choices we can get into that a little more.
Finally,there is the budget. How much do you have to spend? Boat isn't a noun, it's actually an abbreviation for Bust Out Another Thousand. That refers to both buying and maintaining. Keep in mind the boats need fuel--in some cases large quantities of same--insurance, and maintainance, so the whole budget cannot be blown on just aquiring the boat.
Good luck and don't be afraid to ask more questions.
Grouse
), especially in the used boat market. That gives you a lot of flexibility. Depending on how you want to approach things, you might even consider shaving a little bit off that budget and renting a couple of different types to take out for a day and see if you like 'em on the water.
