What size boat do I need for family of 6?

NomadRx · Jun 22, 2011

Hi all,
I am looking to purchase my first boat for crabbing and fishing the back bays and channels of South Jersey. May do a little crusing, but will stay close to the shoreline.

I have a family of 6 (two adults, and four kids between 5 and 14). I was originally looking at 15 and 16ft bowriders, but I think they are probably too small for a full day out on the water with all of us in it.

So... any suggestions?

17ft, 19ft, or 21ft are my next choices up. I am looking for something used, if that's helpful and makes a difference in model or type of boat you would suggest.

Friends have all offered different opinions. V-hull, tri-hull, bowrider, cuddy, etc. All I figured out so far was it probably needs to be between 17-21ft and it should be an outboard and it's gotta float :facepalm:

Thanks for any input and seaworthy advice.

reddogg · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

Thats allot of people to fit on a boat, with that many you might want to consider a pontoon or a deck boat. Get atleast a 20' with a big engine as thats allot of weight it's gonna have to push.

red

AndrewsArk · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

I have a 19" cuddy cabin and any more than 4 of us and it's quite crowded. I'd say you're looking at 24" and up for 6 people all the time. You can do it, but it's going to be quite cramped. You'll also want a V8 with that much weight.

A pontoon would be nice as well, but I just love my deep V.

LippCJ7 · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

I can't speak for the crabbing and fishing part, I have no idea, but 4 kids on a bowrider isn't 4 kids on a bowrider, its more like 6 or 8 kids on a bowrider, your kids will want to have friends onboard so were at 8 or 10 people on board total, just that number alone tells me that if you want to be comfortable your in the 23'+ area, the pontoon is an interesting idea as well lots of open space so that may be an option as well, and a deck boat would certainly be a good choice, but sheer numbers your gonna need to go bigger otherwise its going to be a traffic jam onboard the boat(pontoon would be the exception)

Navigator_Victory · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

Not to mention those kids never stop growing......so the weight will keep increasing......I say 25 plus myself cabin makes life more comfortable also......what is your budget?

trejac · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

"4 kids on a bowrider, its more like 6 or 8 kids on a bowrider, your kids will want to have friends onboard so were at 8 or 10 people on board total" LippCJ7 that was what I found with my first boat. Chinese fire drill everytime we stopped.

I would not think it would be the best for your situation, as they are very shallow and ride rough in chop, but I went with a wakeboard boat. It has wrap around seating that I can put 8 or 9 LARGE people in, easy! Some of the newer wakeboard boats have deepr V's and can handle the choppy water better, but they are expensive.

haulnazz15 · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

I'd say 20' is a minimum for myself personally for a bowrider. That allows each person plenty of room to sit/stretch out if it's an open-bow. I wouldn't go for less than a v8 with that much weight (especially as the kids grow). Is your family interested in water sports (skiing and wakeboarding)? If so, I'd rule out the pontoon in favor of a deck boat or v-hull runabout as the pontoons have a hard sime pulling skiers and wakeboarders under a heavy load unless you have a large outboard on it.

Knowing your general budget would help narrow down some choices, and the type of tow vehicle you own.

jmarty10 · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

I got a 18 foot bowrider with a family of 5 which includes 3 kids. I have a 4.3l merc in it and the power is good. No problems tubing. Usually have two in front, me at the helm and wife and 2 kids in back. We allow 1 friend on max each outing if someone wants to go. Its manegable now but my 2footitis is kicking in when thinking about kids becoming teenagers on this boat. I'd say with six youre going to be in the 20 foot range, a toon or decboat.

Andy'sDelight · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

Do not buy a deck boat or a pontoon if you plan on leaving the bay. I'm up in the Sandy Hook area so I know your waters pretty well. That's just not a good idea at all, especially with kids. Center consoles in the 21-23 foot range can handle 6 of you but it will be tight, you may not have a head, and there is no relief from the sun. I have a walkaround cuddy that is 23'. While 6 would be crowded, we'd fit. I'd rather have more boat though if I were regularly taking 6 people. 16-18 feet bowrider, cuddy, anything for that matter is out of the question.

NomadRx · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

Ok, budget is under $6000, hopefully less(I had been hoping to get something for around $2k, but I know that's not possible with a large boat). I am really want a starter boat...to see if the kids even like it as a regular family function. Usage will range from 4 to 6 of us. Please don't laugh too much, but I was thinking about something like this...am I off mark? Reminds me of a pontoon but its a trihull...old...1975 with an 85 HP outboard.

Home Cookin' · Jun 22, 2011

Re: What size boat do I need for family of 6?

The most important thing is the waters you will be on, and Andy nailed it. You do not want a lake boat, so skip the pontoons and most deck boats.
You want roominess, and you don't want carpets, built in cushions and non-durable surfaces. So skip the bow riders. Plus IMO they aren't safe with a crowd if it gets rough.
You don't want to take up space in the boat with a cabin (what, take turns who has to sit down there in the stuffy mildewy hold?) or an inboard.

You want an all fiberglass, high-sided outboard with lots of room to move around. That will be a center console with bow seating. You may be able to do with a 19' especially if you find a good deal on one (but they are popular so people don't get rid of them like they do the bowriders and cruisers). It's a good size to learn on and then move up if needed; my sister has one (family of 4 incl 2 teens who use it by themselves w/ friends). But if you come across a good deal, a 21' CC will be more than enough room. I have one (family of 4).

Look at the capacity of the Bayrunner, Skimmer, Palm Beach and especially Carolina Skiff. You will be astounded how many they hold (esp, the skiff) and they are inexpensive. Lots of families like yours love the DLX series.

My boating area and use is same as yours: inshore saltwater general family boating. That's the fiberglass center console outboard 10:1.

Home Cookin' · Jun 22, 2011