another new boat looker...

[ckone0814]

{sigh} I know, sorry !

Anyway, here are my details:

Am in SE-Central PA and never have owned a boat.

Would be used mostly in lakes, rivers, and occasionally the bay or back water.

Most of the time two adults, sometimes 4, seldom any more than that.

Will be used for fishing, and fun, including to ski and tube.

Towing isn't an issue, using my Dad's turbo deisel p/u.

Prefer new cause I don't know what to look (but I would take a chance on used if the right thing comes along).

I'd like to limit cost to $15k but... ?

FWIW local dealers sell Bayliner, Glastron, Tahoe, Four Winns.

ANY advice is appreciated! This site is great by the way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: another new boat looker...

you are going to get more, in a 2-3 year old boat, for the money you are talking. all 3 boats are decent quality, basicly in the order listed. do you have any kids, to consider?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: another new boat looker...

There's a much more effective way to do this than just asking us what to buy. Go shopping. Look at the various "styles" of boats. This means look at Bow Riders, Cuddys, Fish&Ski, Skiffs, etc. Narrow your "style selection" down to just 1 or 2. Once you identify the style of boat you like we can argue about which brand, power selection, and options you should have or consider. Otherwise this thread will recommend everything from a row boat to a 32 foot cruiser.

 

[ruf1967]

Re: another new boat looker...

Start window shopping and don't buy the first one you see.

 

[KCook]

Re: another new boat looker...

"I'd like to limit cost to $15k but... ?"

In my view that budget does not go with a new boat. Will work very well for used boats however. To get a new boat worth keeping expect to spend in the low $20k range.

Kelly

 

[ezmobee]

Re: another new boat looker...

To echo what everyone else said $15k will get you a base model new boat with few accessories. That same money can get you a very nice, lightly used boat with accessories and maybe even a larger motor. Whereabouts in SE PA are you? I'm in York and boat on the Susquehanna in two different areas.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

Great responses!

1) no "kids" per se... i have two young adult children that would probably use the boat with or without us. As I said, will have 4 adults on it most of the time.

2) I have been researching and window shopping. Seems like a fish n ski or runabout fit my needs... deck boats look interesting but probably not conducive to bay use. I want a size (incl hp) that's flexible enough to get onto a good range of water - 17-19 foot boat is what I am thinking.

3) Yup, I know that my budget puts me in range for a good quality used boat BUT I can go higher if I can slip into new (assuming discounts).

4) Berks County, near Adamstown.

Again, thanks.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: another new boat looker...

Although I did not do it by design my evolution of boat ownership came by trial and error. I wanted to buy a boat but was at first intimidated by ownership being a newbie. Bought a small 14 aluminum Grumman with 15 HP for $2K. Quickly realized there was way more to boating that I could not experience with this boat , sold the Grumman for a $500 profit and bought a $2500 18' bow rider...Liked it, used it but didnt feel comfortable outside protected areas and was not practical for fishing which I discovered I liked. Sold the bowrider for what I paid for it and bought a 4K Wellcraft V-20 with cuddy...better for the kids....Really love it. My plan is to keep it for 3 or 4 years at least to be sure I'm good with size and function and then hope to make the spring up to new or almost new boat that will have all the things I wish I had on my current boat or already have

Point is If I spent big dollars on new or used first boat I'd be stuck with it probably for a while not wanting to lose $ on selling them.

Just a thought....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: another new boat looker...

Ah, I looked up where you were after asking you in your other thread in boating activities. It looks like you'd be closest to the Susquehanna at Lake Clarke and Lake Conowingo which is the two places I boat. Both are great places. You do have to know where you're going on the very most up-river parts of Conowingo but it's a cool area to explore.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

OK, for instance... locally there's a very nice 99 19 ft. Seaswirl Striper dual console. Looks like a fish n ski (but seems to lean towards fish more). 90 hp outboard. It seems to cover the fishing side but would that be able to pull a skier or tube?

 

[krakatoa]

Re: another new boat looker...

Well, just look into a bowrider, between 17 to 19 feets, with a 125HP I/O. Hope this helps.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: another new boat looker...

OK, for instance... locally there's a very nice 99 19 ft. Seaswirl Striper dual console. Looks like a fish n ski (but seems to lean towards fish more). 90 hp outboard. It seems to cover the fishing side but would that be able to pull a skier or tube?

That sounds like a nice boat, but that's pretty under powered. For example, I have an 85 on my little 16' aluminum. And it's not exactly a rocketship. If that boat had a 150+ on it, it would be nice.

In my opinion, for an I/O boat 16-18 ft. in length a 3.0 liter 4 cyl. is sufficient. Anything larger and you'll want a V6 or V8. For an outboard boat 16-18 ft. in length a 90 is about the minimum. Anything larger and you're going to want 150+. I'd have to imagine that more high-sided bay boats are heavier and you'd want close to 200HP.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

In my opinion, for an I/O boat 16-18 ft. in length a 3.0 liter 4 cyl. is sufficient. Anything larger and you'll want a V6 or V8. For an outboard boat 16-18 ft. in length a 90 is about the minimum. Anything larger and you're going to want 150+. I'd have to imagine that more high-sided bay boats are heavier and you'd want close to 200HP.

Thanks, I'm getting there...

2007 Maxum 1800 sr3 with 3.0 135hp is "sufficient" but a big motor is preferred? Local person is selling this boat for $16,500. Very low hours.

 

[109jb]

Re: another new boat looker...

You really need to consider what you want. You said you wanted something for fishing, skiing, tubing, but you need to assess which one is the main use. You can find boats that are better for fishing than skiing but can do it all, and vice versa. In any event, with a $15K budget you can find a really nice used one.

I also see that the last two you mentioned flopped between an outboard powered boat and an I/O. Nothing wrong with either, but they are different. I/O's require more routine maintenance than outboards, particularly 2-stroke OB's. Outboards have a motor sticking up in the back. I/O's have a motor in the boat..... I personally prefer outboards, but that is my personal preference. You should decide for yourself what is important to you before you go arbitrarily looking for boats. There are plenty of boats for sale out there and finding the perfect fit for you is very possible once you decide all the things you desire in a boat.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

Thanks, that's what I'm trying to do !

I was a pretty avid fisherman at one time and I plan to take that back up. I also will be using the boat for fun so, at this point I'd say, 50/50 use. I know that helps me out a lot but it is what it is.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

I've pretty much determined that a bowrider or fish and ski is probably the way to go. Since I may be on the bay, I assume 18 foot minimum. Now add to that different brands, used vs. new, prices, horsepower, features, etc. and I end-up back here asking you all dumb questions.

For example, one week ago I would've been happy to have a nice 18 ft Bayliner, now I'm onto used Sea Rays, Glastron, etc. or new Tahoe's etc.

Unfortunately, asking people who are into boating is the only way to find out stuff. I don't think asking a salesman, Bayliner or otherwise, will get me solid info.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: another new boat looker...

Your last post is showing that you are on a good track! In that boat size 125 to 150 ob would be a minimum.
Since you don't have a lot of experience it will be important to have someone knowledgeable to help with a sea test.
There is a great search function entering "buying used boat" and seeing all the posts for such. Tashasdaddy is a moderator who has a lot of knowledge concerning used boats. His posts are pretty thorough.
I am also about to buy my second used boat in the past six months.
I have no doubt about selling my first boat.
I realized that I needed something a little bigger, so back on craigslist I went and found another rig.
Keep shopping. Get a feel for what these boats are selling for and you will become aware of the real value. Good luck!

 

[109jb]

Re: another new boat looker...

With 50/50 use, you are about where I am. Right now I have a 1988 Sea Ray Seville, but I'm going to be gutting it and making it how I want it to be. Like I said, I like the outboards, and especially for knocking around in the weeds for bass and whatnot. A boat I have always liked the layout of is the Nitro Sport (see picture). I'm not sure how well built they are, but it sure is a nice layout for a 50/50 use guy like myself. Other manufacturers have similar, and you could always do like me and make one like it. Sounds like you want turn key though.

Here is a Nitro I found on E-bay just to give an idea:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: another new boat looker...

If fishing was seriously going to be 50% of my usage, I'd go for an 18' aluminum fish & ski such as this: http://www.lundboats.com/1850tyee_2008.html

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

With 50/50 use, you are about where I am. Right now I have a 1988 Sea Ray Seville, but I'm going to be gutting it and making it how I want it to be. Like I said, I like the outboards, and especially for knocking around in the weeds for bass and whatnot. A boat I have always liked the layout of is the Nitro Sport (see picture). I'm not sure how well built they are, but it sure is a nice layout for a 50/50 use guy like myself. Other manufacturers have similar, and you could always do like me and make one like it. Sounds like you want turn key though.

Here is a Nitro I found on E-bay just to give an idea:

That, I like and it seems to cover the bases - although my wife may need more "comfort" for lounging while I fish . Alos, my limited knowledge tells me this may not be a good bay boat?