New to boating - Need some advice!!

[im4darush]

Hello everyone,<br /><br />My family and I are moving to Tampa FL next month and are very interested in purchasing a boat to use for family activities. This would be our very first boat so I would appreciate any advice you can provide. First, a little bit about us and how we plan on using the boat. My wife and I have a boy who is 2.5 years old as well as a 3 year old yellow lab. Not sure if the dog will enjoy time on the boat but figured I would throw him in to the mix for good measure. Being in the Tampa area, I think the boat will be used in salt water, primarily in the bay as well as the open ocean. Most likely kept in a marina. I myself have been into classic cars for a very long time and do all the work myself including complete engine rebuilds. Since most boats come with the chevy small block, I am pretty comfortable with that aspect. That being said....I have no clue about the rest of the boat. <br />This being our first time, the boat will be used and about $5000-$7000. I really like the configuration of the Sea Rays in the 20'-30' foot range. Love the cuddy of the 30', but am concerned it is too big for a first time boat. What do you think? The 20'-25' look alot smaller and easier to handle for a first timer, though the size of the 30' would be great for us. I really like the older Sea Rays from the late 70's and early 80's with the wood paneling as opposed to the new ones that are all fiberglass. Have found a few examples selling in our price range in all sizes that look to be in pretty nice condition. <br />So in short....I am looking for advice on the type and size of boat that would be best for a first time boating family. Also interested in advice on what to look for on the boat when purchasing, as well as what we should expect to pay. Any other advice would be appreciated as well. Thanks everyone.

 

[burp]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

I'll start with a couple of suggestions .... hire a surveyor, and take a boating safety course! <br /><br />Older boats may be priced right for your budget, but they can also come with problems that your eye can't see and the previous owner doesn't want to fix ($$$$'s), so hire a surveyor to check out the boat that you are interested in. You don't want to be buying someone elses problems.<br /><br />Take a boating safety course first! The information taught can be the difference between an enjoyable experience/outing and your last outing.<br /><br />Think about what you want to use the boat for before you make the purchase. Do you plan to trailer the boat? Do you have a tow vehicle that can handle the size/weight of the boat?<br /><br />A 30' boat is a lot of boat for a 1st boat but a 20' bow rider boat could be a recipe for disaster in larger bodies of water.<br /><br />Take your time making your decision, do your research first (it looks like you are doing that), but remember SAFETY has to come 1st.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

Well you asked for advice, here it is for what it is worth. I have no idea what the waters are like up there. We are in the ft, myers/cape coral area, most boating is in the pine island sound port charlotte area. <br /> Purchase some charts of the area waters and note the dephts. If it is anything like around here you might steer away from a boat that draughs a lot of water. Saying here is if you have not run aground you dont do any boating. You should have no problem finding a nice boat in your price range. 30 ft. seems to large for a first boat. Consider 18-22 ft. As it will be a used boat, avoid an i/o. ( my opinion only). Spend some time at the marinas and ramps and notice the what the majority of people are running. <br /> Dont buy a neglected boat and think you will fix it up like a classic car. The salt enviroment will beat you back big time. I like the idea that you will keep it in a marina as trailering is the last thing you want to do around here. If you have an o/b tilt the motor up and then rest it on the trailering latch when not used. If you do go with an i/o, leave it down to stop the bellos from taking up a set. Ideally you want to get it right the first time but rarely is that done, that why you want a used boat. Bigger is not always better, keep the size down but at least 18 ft. <br /> Am sure a lot of other people will jump in and share there views, lots of good people here at I BOATS. regards fred

 

[JasonJ]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

Start as small as will be safe in the waters you will be using the boat. Find someone who can give you first hand boat handling lessons, a boat does not operate like a car so there is a different learning curve. The bigger the boat the bigger the costs. If you are dealing with 5-7k in money, that will get you a decent 20 footer, but will probably get you a seriously degraded scow of a 30 footer. Think of fuel costs, a 30 footer would bankrupt the average person, but if you have a bunch of disposable income, then the $300+ to fual that 30 won't be a big deal. Have a pro look the boat over if you are not savy with boats. There are a ton of hidden pitfalls that can cause that boat to be unusable for years. Just go to Project Boats forum and look at what people have endured. Good luck, there is a lot more info to know before you dive in...

 

[Realgun]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

Get a POS 20 footer and come back here and do a lot of posts begging for help in what you need to fix. <br /><br />All of the above is what you realy want unless it is a project boat.<br /><br />Outboard will be best imho for the salt water environment.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

There is a good book by J.P. Lammy about buying a boat I suggest you read.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

Few more things occured to me. You are going to find a lot of boats for sale. Lots of cases where the owner died or can no longer use the thing. Lets take a case! Owner died last year and widow does not want the boat. Look at the registration sticker, might be 3 to 4 years out of date. Owner was sick for a long time and boat really has not been used for years. Not neglected but not maintained. Wiring corroded fuel system turned to varnish. Look at the car they drive , house they live in, is it taken care of? Boats are usually the last thing that get attention. Boy I could ramble on and on and not say anything important. <br /> Since you are handy with classic cars consider a bare hull as a starting point. Lots around for a few hundred and some just given to you. Do the wiring , steering , bilge pump , hang a NEW motor. Enjoy the boat, later on you can put the motor on something else and take a sawsall to the hull. My favorite of 3 cost me $250 plus equipment and a brand new MERC. <br /> Get into the habit of your wife or children or dog to challenge you , IS THE PLUG IN? And of course, dont go where the birds are standing. Keep us updated. regards fred

 

[goatherder]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

When you get to Tampa, look for the US Power Squadron, they teach boater safety courses and it is a great community of boat people. My mom and step-dad were in the one in Navaro Beach (not sure of spelling) until his death. They really enjoyed it.<br /><br />You are moving in October, so take a boater safety course or two over the winter, and when the Spring starts you'll be ready to look for a boat. Seasons down there aren't the same as in the rest of the country, but they do have seasons.<br /><br />I think you can find a boat you'll enjoy. I'd look toward outboards.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: New to boating - Need some advice!!

Get a copy of the well know book, "Getting started in Power boating" by Captain Bob Armstrong. The early chapters will help you decide which type and size boat is right for you based on your goals. The later chapters will teach you all the important things you'll need to know. It's well written and easy to understand which is why it's so popular and stood the test of time.