poor mans cruiser

[QC]

Re: poor mans cruiser

Then buy an old houseboat and don't move it . . .

 

[lucid484]

Re: poor mans cruiser

thanks for all the response! that 24' bayliner hardtop is what i have in mind. im thinking rent a slip for the summer and trailer my bowrider. kind of a cheap summer cabin.

does that hardtop bayliner have all the internal room as the link I posted? Im not sure if it has the 2 berthes and all the amenities....which I believe you are looking for.

 

[eastont]

Re: poor mans cruiser

I don't know where you reside Lucky7, but around upper NY state there are lots of 25' cruisers available for under $5000. I know of 2, one 1984 25' Sea Ray for $3400 obo, and a 24' 1987 Wellcraft for $5000obo.

People are getting rid of everything that is gonna cost them money in the next couple of years, boats especially, so keep your eyes open.

 

[roscoe]

Re: poor mans cruiser

All things considered, Keep the bike. Buy $400 on camping equipment and camp on shore, boat in the day time.

 

[lucky7]

Re: poor mans cruiser

we have the camping stuff, do that 2-3 times a year. kids really enjoy that, last time we stayed at winnipeasaki and had the boat in every day. i put maybe 1000 miles a year on the bike and its paid for, i think i would be just as happy with an old enduro that i could pick up for 500 to 1000. if this year is at all like last, i am guessing i can find a deal on a 24' cuddy. upun further reflection i can do without a shower and galley for an overnight. would like some headroom though, and a table, not afraid to spin a wrench on the motor / drive, but a solid hull is a must, dont need to do any fiberglass work. im thinking a pump out head would be lots better than a portapotti. thanks for all the thoughts, has anyone got one of these?

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/976201905.html

smaller than what i want, but i like the hardtop/roof.

happy new year!

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: poor mans cruiser

.....get the Wally 118, it comes with a free hairstyle and open shirt.
BP

 

[ziggy]

Re: poor mans cruiser

but i like the hardtop/roof

for sure on the hardtop..... once ya get one, i think it'd be hard to go back to one w/o....

i'm camping on my boat in this pic.... the hardtop and full encloser sure did help out on a few mornings that it rained. nice and dry inside and still enjoying a day at the lake.......
do get a hardtop if ya can....

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: poor mans cruiser

Lucky - I sent you a PM

 

[lucky7]

Re: poor mans cruiser

has anyone got one ot these?
http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/986244480.html

75 glastron caribian hardtop, 25 foot.

its a hundred miles away, might go take a look...

 

[oops!]

Re: poor mans cruiser

i like the glasstrons.


however.........you said you could do without the galley and the shower.....

can your wife?.....there is also 3 other passengers that might not be able to do with out a small galley if the weather turns.

there is lots in your price range .........'ell .....ya just missed cb's rig by a year ! .

seriously......with things in the dumpster right now.....i know you will find the perfect boat for your family in the price you can afford.

cheers
oops

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: poor mans cruiser

I have the same size family that you have, and we have a 94 Bayliner 2655. Certainly not available at 5 grand, but to give you real world feedback, you could get an older similar boat for close to 5 grand in today's market. We do all sleep and camp on the boat, but we are hoping to move up because it does get tight - esp. more than one night's worth of gear etc. Other thoughts

1) Multiple boats - even if you take a bit of a loss, go down to one good boat. I dont understand owning a 20ft bowrider and a 25ft cruiser. We have the 26' and a jetski. perfect combo. This will allow you to get a much newer nicer cruiser.

2) if you stay cheap, there are great deals right now on mid-late 80s boats but many have OMC drives, do you own searching and reading here on that. The cheap boats I like (depending entirely on condition) are usually larson, renken, sunrunner - because they used merc or volvo power.

3) hardtops are kindof hard to find, save for the Bayliner 2452 - which is a pretty snug boat. Small dinette and v berth. Too small for your crew, plus very limited cockpit seating.

Get a nice mid cabin cruiser, my 2655 does more than 30mph, not too bad on gas, pulls water toys nicely. Great all around boat.

 

[lucky7]

Re: poor mans cruiser

thanks for the input, i really like my bowrider, and i am thinking any overnights my wife and daughter might be happy to skip. so that would leave me and 2 boys, so a smaller boat than 26' may work.

 

[rcmickey]

Re: poor mans cruiser

Hey Lucky 7 their is a lot of good advise here. I looked at Craigslist in your area and you have a few boats that with some work would fit the bill. On a side not to Tashasdady. I was at the game Thursday and Tebow was unhinged. We tailgated untill three in the morning.
Long Live the Gator-Nation!!!!

 

[redfury]

Re: poor mans cruiser

Just keep your eyes peeled. The right boat will show up after you've seen a couple dozen listings. Go to a boat show if you have one. January is the boat show here in MN. I go just to look at the new innovations and to get ideas on how to improve my boat...the salesmen don't care for me all that much because I'm fixing up an old boat from the 70's ( buy a new one, save the trouble! they say..bah! ). But it's neat to see some of the stuff I'll never own.

In your case, you can get a real world idea of the feasibility of your ideas.

Some manufacturers show that you can sleep 10 in a tent, but you need another tent for everyone's gear!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: poor mans cruiser

This is a few pics of mine. Tri-axle Float-On trailer and 2750 Bayliner Victoria 1977. I got both for $4000 in 2001. Of course there was lots of work involved, but the rewards were and are worth every bit. This site was my savior for the project. My wife and I spend every weekend on it during the season. It can sleep 6, but hopefully at least 4 of those are kids. It does sleep 4 adults comfortably.

A few others at my dock have 24'ers. They both wish they had gone a bit larger. If you plan on doing every weekend, here is a list of the things I look for.

1. Seasonal slip - Saves money on the tow expense and worry

2. Pump out station - Porta pots ok, but fill up quickly with more people on board.

3. Good fresh water supply - Been in some places the water is nasty, you don't want to contaminate your water holding tanks.

4. Shore power - The single most amenity that makes life on board better TV/DVD/Games ( I even have satellite dish for TV)

5. On board Air Conditioner - Helps keep the humidity down inside the cabin. I have found that it helps with keeping your food from extreme heat that speeds up spoiling. This also prevents things from mildew/mold. With my cabin locked up on a day that is 80* out, temps in the cabin will climb to about 115*F. I have my AC on a programmable thermostat. Boat is always nice and cool when arriving.

6. Parking - You want to make sure there is adequate parking for guests and yourselves

7. Security - You want to make sure your investment is not going to be broken into while your gone, or your car/truck broken into while out on the boat.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: poor mans cruiser

Roscoe thats exactly what i was thinking, camp on land near the lake with the boat tied up or anchored.

There is a lake upstate ny called swinging bridge. People do that all the time there.

Or buy a cheap motor home those are all over the place a nice 27 -31 footer and pull the boat with it.

Second option is better has all the things you want right in it wherever you stop you have a home.

Too bad about the bike though, i had to sell the trans am when i had the second kid.

 

[lucky7]

Re: poor mans cruiser

i feel for you, sold the 94 z28 lt1 6 speed when my second was born, toys come and go.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: poor mans cruiser

You'll never know if you will like a motor home till you rent one for a week just to see if the wifey likes it.

A happy wife makes for a happy life.

We rented one about 19 years ago to go to fl.

Loved it and they closed 95 in South Carolina, thank the lord we were in that.

People had to sleep wherever you were no hotels cause they were all booked up.

We pulled into a little food place and ate and the lady said down the road is a rv park, 25 bucks with my v.a discount.

Stopped at a supermarket and bought food and gave the baby a bath had dinner heat, was really nice.

Watched tv on cable.

And you can pull the boat to any lake you want and just fire up the generator.

Try it one time might be the option.

And if you wait a little bit gas prices go back up the prices go back down.

I'm still kicking myself cause i could have had one 2 years old with 9 thousand miles on it, class a 31 footer forget the name but had slide outs
the works.

Guy needed money bad cause they were foreclosing on his house.

Could have used it this last trip to fl oh well.

 

[Sea Raider I]

Re: poor mans cruiser

I paid $6500 for our vessel here in Californina (one of the hardest housing crash areas).

I bought her knowing the water system wasnt working, windshield wipers, trim tabs leaked and that was pretty much it. Motor started up and ran just fine, transom and hull in great condition. I couldnt pass her up at this price!! Former owner completely restored the upholstery (my worst nightmare).

Anyway, after a voyage under the Golden Gate bridge I planned to head to Monterey. I did a quick compression check (didnt do that before I bought) and found one cylinder at 0 compression.

Fixed the heads, and all other minor issues and now I have the best boat I have ever owned. She sleeps my whole family comfortably ( 2 daughters, 8 - 6 and my son 2 yrs old and the wife), of course the "camper enclosure" helps.

Frankly I stole this boat due to economic crisis - former owner was a house architect!!!

Never looked back!! I prefer the older boats anyway, they simply built them better back then!!

Cheers.....

 

[lucky7]

Re: poor mans cruiser

BAYLINER EXPLORER
27'
120hp single screw

will this even plane?