First time boat purchase..

[captaincruisin]

Just a quick question. We are looking to get a boat that we can cruise and stay on while cruising. Not a liveaboard but one we can stay on comfortably while cruising. Our question is what size boat should we look for that is big enough for what we want but small emough to stay with outdrives on the boat? Not comfortable with thru hull shafts and props.. Thanks for your advice and help.

 

[roscoe]

Re: First time boat purchase..

Welcome to iboats.

Gonna need more info.

ocean
great lakes,
trailered,
moored


The short answer is:
as big as you are comfortable with, that has the amenities you want.
You can go with a 21 footer on up to .........

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: First time boat purchase..

Not a liveaboard but one we can stay on comfortably while cruising.

Thise 2 criteria can be mutually exclusive. I have a 23' Cuddy that I can overnight on but I wouldn't want to stay onboard for an extended period.

Define comfortable. If I'm getting you right you're gonna need a fairly large rig with a bedroom and a head. Of course, that size rig isn't something you'll be able to trailer easily. You can get a rig that size with an I/O.

Just some random thoughts...

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: First time boat purchase..

you also left out how many people.... adults/kids .... I can cruise comfortably on my 17 footer, but with 4 friends, I would want a 21-23 footer, as mentioned above there are a lot of factors needed to determine the size of boat. the lake / ocean / river you choose to cruise in is the next big factor.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First time boat purchase..

I would want a 24-26' with an aft cabin and single V8 for power. Single motor is half the headaches of twins.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: First time boat purchase..

but small emough to stay with outdrives on the boat? Not comfortable with thru hull shafts and props.

Do you mean Ouboards?

You don't say why you aren't comfortable with thru hull shafts and props.

If it is due to a fear of leaks, you should be even less comfortable with an I/O. An I/O relies on a seal around the transom assembly, a rubber bellows around the driveshaft and pure luck to keep water out.

If if due to shallow water operation then it makes perfect sense....however, if you are operating in shallow enough water that a direct drive inboard boat won't work then an I/O boat will only be marginally better.

If you meant outboards that change the reccomendations for the type of boat you are looking for considerably.

 

[Philster]

Re: First time boat purchase..

If you like camping in li'l campers, then up to 28' might work.

These will be inboard/outboards. Engine in boat, when an external transmission/prop out of the boat.

Once you push 30-plus feet, then you might start to feel 'comfortable'.

Now, here comes all the 21-24 foot boat owners to tell me/us how 'comfortable' they are.

You can get outboard engine(s), but choices are limited.

 

[tmartin]

Re: First time boat purchase..

Whatever you do, don't buy new! Nowadays there are too many awesome deals buying used. Never again will I ever buy new....


1. Buy outboard or inboard
2. Size 26+ for sure
3. Money or your budget

You won't be able to get an outboard cuddy for under 50K. (used)

But, If you opt for inboard, THEN, there are some are some GREAT deals.

SeaRay 30+ is what I would own .

 

[mike343]

Re: First time boat purchase..

You don't say how long you want to cruise. If it's only a couple of days and two people, a 25 foot cuddy or aft cabin would do. I'd opt for the aft cabin because you can use it for storage and can accommodate additional folks in a pinch. In some ways living space is less important than storage space.