1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

[ErieOhio]

We just bought a place on Lake Erie & are now looking at purchasing our first boat....the rest our family has owned many boats, but this will be our first. We are looking for something reliable, efficient & at a reasonable price. I know some will say to buy used, but I think we are looking at buying new.......our dock is 30' , but we want a boat that is in the range of 17'-20' & something that can handle Lake Erie.

What would be the Honda Civic of boats in the 17'-20' price range? 2008 boats only....

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

The best answer I can give you regarding a cheap to operate and ultra reliable boat is that there is not one. Boating, by nature, is utterly unpredicatable and there is always money and/or time to be invested in maintenance. I don't mean to rain on your parade, just being realistic.

 

[Expidia]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

Since you only have a few months left to your season I'd be more inclined to wait until Feb or Mar when the various boat show start. I'm sure boat dealers have had a tough season due to gas prices and I would think they will want to clear out any 2008 models at the show.

I say wait for the show because you don't even know what style you want yet. Most boats and motors are pretty much the same. But there are many different styles by many companies.

You might even get a great price on a 2009 at the show in order for them to keep their factories running.

If you order new, Feb/Mar is when the get most of their orders from the shows and they are delivered from 4 weeks to around May/June from those shows once you order one.

I'd look at Bayliner first. They have improved on their quality and owned by Brunswick, one of the largest boat companies in the world. Bayliner probably the best bang for your buck.

It's not a Lexus, but it is closer to a Honda "Civic" as long as you are looking at 08/09 models.

And I agree with you on the buying "new". I bought new because I just want to turn the key and not worry about breaking down. I have a 6 year warranty on the motor. Especially on lake Ontario, you don't want to buy some else's headaches or lemon. Buying used is OK for some but it's best to be handy as you might wind up doing a lot of tinkering with it.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

The easy answer would be just about any boat with a Honda Outboard hanging off the back.

I would be looking at "salt" water dual console boats for your application. Check out Triumph boats.

 

[ErieOhio]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

The easy answer would be just about any boat with a Honda Outboard hanging off the back.

I would be looking at "salt" water dual console boats for your application. Check out Triumph boats.

we were thinking Boston Whaler.... what do you think of those boats? pretty solid?

 

[tmh]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

If you're looking at 17-20' I hope you have a place on a BAY on Lake Erie, because little boats, rookie owners and great Lakes may not be the best mix, IMO.

At any rate, the "Honda of boats" isn't enough to go on. You need to tell folks what it is you want the boat for....fishing? Cruising, Tubing, Skiing, Wakeboatrding, Entertaining, Overnights, etc. THAT is what determines the right boat for you.

Most boats have but a few engine choices so from that standpoint fairly similar reliability for new ones. However, there are certainlty better boat builders out there. Sounds like you want one that's welll built but maybe not the fanciest, right? So.....give us more on what you plan to do with the boat and where and you'll get some good answers.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

we were thinking Boston Whaler.... what do you think of those boats? pretty solid?

Fantastic choice. JB here has owned quite a few of them and he will attest to their value.

As far as what you hang on the back (wanting it to last) is really a personal choice and just about any of the big brand outboards will last with properly applied maintenance.

To answer the question the right way...... Honda of boats..... a rowboat!

 

[ErieOhio]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

If you're looking at 17-20' I hope you have a place on a BAY on Lake Erie, because little boats, rookie owners and great Lakes may not be the best mix, IMO.

At any rate, the "Honda of boats" isn't enough to go on. You need to tell folks what it is you want the boat for....fishing? Cruising, Tubing, Skiing, Wakeboatrding, Entertaining, Overnights, etc. THAT is what determines the right boat for you.

Most boats have but a few engine choices so from that standpoint fairly similar reliability for new ones. However, there are certainlty better boat builders out there. Sounds like you want one that's welll built but maybe not the fanciest, right? So.....give us more on what you plan to do with the boat and where and you'll get some good answers.

our condo has a private dock in the back of a canal.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

we were thinking Boston Whaler.... what do you think of those boats? pretty solid?

not very much. my brother in law took us for a ride across long island sound and back once in a 18 ft bw and it was the most uncomfortable ride we have in a boat. that pluse when you would cross a wake from the ships in the sound it was kind of scary.
for large lake use like your wanting i would think you would want to start at 21 ft and up for a safe easy riding boat. most likley a deep vee hull. as was stated you could go with honda out boards with more of a off shore rig.
if you want a honda civic boat look at PWC they have a line of these also
if you go CHEAP chances are your not going to be happy in the long run.
look for value and then shop prices

 

[marine4003]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

You have to consider just what makes a boat a "Honda civic" is it relialability...low maintaince....a get-in-and-go with a minimal amount of bother,well then exclude the things that make a boat time consuming as far as maintaince goes. First No Gelcoat to wax & clean,so your next option is Aluminum, Then seating...eliminate vinyl seats,solid plastic. then canvas to keep out the rain ect....S.S.poles supporting Sunbrella canvas. The motor....anything 4 cycle....Yamaha/Honda/ Suzuki....most of the other brands are made by those companys anyhow...So what are you left with.......http://www.responseboatproject.net/characteristics.aspx

 

[ErieOhio]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

You have to consider just what makes a boat a "Honda civic" is it relialability...low maintaince....a get-in-and-go with a minimal amount of bother,well then exclude the things that make a boat time consuming as far as maintaince goes. First No Gelcoat to wax & clean,so your next option is Aluminum, Then seating...eliminate vinyl seats,solid plastic. then canvas to keep out the rain ect....S.S.poles supporting Sunbrella canvas. The motor....anything 4 cycle....Yamaha/Honda/ Suzuki....most of the other brands are made by those companys anyhow...So what are you left with.......http://www.responseboatproject.net/characteristics.aspx

it will be used mainly for boat rides/cruising around..... sometimes fishing & sometimes tubing/water sports. so i need a jack of all trades boat basically... Lake Erie gets rough at times, so it needs to be wider.

$24k or below

 

[salmonee]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

we were thinking Boston Whaler.... what do you think of those boats? pretty solid?

I've been looking for 3 months. The boston whaler are nice boats but they are more expensive. Currently I'm looking at a Triumph dual console as the other person suggested. I'm also looking at Wellcraft and Seaswirl.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

that budget look used.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

we were thinking Boston Whaler.... what do you think of those boats? pretty solid?

They are fine boats for their intended purpose.

I would take what Marine4003 into account. Again I say look at Triumph boats. They are the epitome of low maintenance in an all around boat.

I don't know if you can pre-rig it for a Honda but a Yamaha is probably just as good. I woud say their 195DC is what would fit your initial inquiry the best. http://www.triumphboats.com/index.cfm?page=modelIntro&siniterx=195DC

 

[EricR]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

Honda of boats?

Well by that description you want something that is very doggy out of the hole (compared to a two stroke) burns oil, and the nearest dealer is an hour away and doesn't stock anything anyway....

OK so that's my impression, based on the fact I have a very used 45 Honda outboard on back of my 15' Glasspar. Sucker burns a quart of oil every eight to ten gallons of gas, actually uses more oil in that respect than if I had a two stroke and was mixing! Then again, $650 used (VERY USED) corroded saltwater motor from a rental skiff, what did I expect?

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

honestly if you want to spend 24k - not a small pile of dough - an get a lake erie boat with no hassles, probably work a dealer hard on a Rinker or Starcraft, Larson, Glastron brand as big as you can get. I run on Lake Ontario sometimes and you really need a pretty big boat sometimes, but there are small boats all over the place. So really, a 19 - 21ft runabout would be fine. Mercruiser power is reliable, service easy to find, etc. For the intended use I dont think a fishing boat like a triumph makes sense.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

I would think a Seaswirl has probably the most freeboard of the more popular big brand name vee bottom boats, for it's size. A decent vee bottom, & a lot of freeboard is what you should be looking for I think.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

OK, I was in your situation a few months ago. I know what you mean by teh "honda" of boats. Basically comes with eveything you need, is reliable, low maintenance, and somewhat "cool".

I decided on the Yamaha SX230.

People will tell you that it uses more fuel - but don't let that sway you. Its simply not true. Jet boats, in the past, were inefficient but there have been improvements. My engines are fuel injected. I have TWO engines which is nice redundancy if needed. My engines dont have props to damage.

Anyway - people buy jets over props for any number of reasons... aside from that, the Yamaha was an 'easy' buy. There were no add-ons. The stereo with swim deck remote was standard. The swim deck and ladder were standard. The depth finder was standard. The trailer was standard. Adjustable cpt. chair and steering wheel is standard. Table is standard. Bimini is standard.

Just take a look - it was a lot like buying a honda or acura.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1st Boat....What is the "Honda" of Boats?

You asked a question that can't be answered rationally. As you have seen, opinions are like "butts" -- everybody has one. Boats themselves rarely have serious issues. yes - performance, ride, handling, and features vary all over the map so only you can determine what you want the boat to do for you. Where the Honda Civic connection enters the picture is in the power plant selection. If you buy an I/O your choices are far fewer than if you selected outboard power. Each of those options has another set of criterea to ponder. In my view the power plant requires far more consideration than worrying about the durability of the boat itself. I suggest you spend a great deal of time reading the posts in the I/O forum. If you prefer outboard power, go to the forum for the applicable outboard manufacturers. And just so you know -- the acronym BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand. I also agree with a few of the other responders -- if your boat will spend most of its time on Lake Erie, 17 feet is not enough boat. 20 would be the minimum I would have.