1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

[salmonee]

I went on my first boat test run last night. It was an '08 Maxum 17.6' long with 130hp I/O. It was about 6 in the evening, we waited for the crowd to die down and went out on a larger lake. The weather was nice, it wasn't windy at all, there were still quite a bit of people out boating though. Anyhow, we were probably out maybe 20-30 minutes top. I started to get "seasick", i think? I got dizzy anyways. The water wasn't calm but I wouldn't consider it rough either. Can't really gauge it as I'm new to this. While we were out, all i felt was...thunk...thunk...thunk...thunk...as the boat rode over the water. The I/O was loud. I'm asking myself how is this fun??? I'm trying to find a boat for tubing the kids (13yr and 2yr) and some fishing. I'd like to know a couple of things from this experience:

1. If I move up in boat size, say 19' or 20' would the ride be "significantly" better. I'm a car guy, so I would say this maxum is like a geo metro and would I would like to be in a lexus or even toyota camry. Nothing fancy, just a nicer ride.

2. I looked at the spec on the bigger 225hp 8 cylinder engine and the gas mileage is like 1/2 that of the 130hp 3.0. The 6 cylinder didn't fare very well as it was within 10% of the bigger V8. I noticed that the 8 cylinder cruising speed was about 10 mph more than the 3.0 though. Anyways, will the bigger engine be more quieter and better built? I don't need speed but didn't like the loud engine on that boat. The reason I ask is that I saw a 20' bluewater with a v8 5.0 (i think). It was real nice but I was turned away because of the engine size. The price was like 13k for a 2001. I'll try to find a picture of it and post it.

3. My other option I'm looking at is re-considering a "bay type" boat. It was a searay walkaround with a 90hp etec outboard. I forget the length, 17-18'. I really like the outboard option. My problem with this boat was that it was tad too tall by 1" to get into my garage but this problem looked like it could be resolved. That 1" is with the trailer level to the ground. I figure this boat would fare better on the rough water as the bay would be rougher than a lake??? I seen detail picture of the boat only, and will post it here later as well. My only issue is that the boat is farther away and will cost me like $100 get to the boat and see it.

Please help a newbie realize the fun boating experience as many of you have expressed so much.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

Welcome, I'm sorry about your bad first boating experience, but maybe you're not cut out for it! My oldest son has the same issues, getting dizzy, & sick, on the boat, or after aggresive driving on hilly, curvy, roads in a car, he takes after my wife, I think motion sickness is inherited? If you think a 4cyl I/O is loud, don't bother checking out outboards, they're normally louder, and if the bouncing bothers you on that vee bottom boat, try riding in a semi-vee, or flat bottom boat. Also, for a smoother ride, I'd suggest you start off with at least a 24' boat, especially on a Bay. Boating is what it is, but I think you can get used to it, lying in the quiet, & lulling waves, on a warm sunny afternoon, or a warm summer night, when slow cruising, anchored, or drifting, is just what the Dr. ordered, you're like a baby in a cradle, paradise for most boaters. So, beat that or join us, lol,,, Good Luck, Mike

P.S. 1, 2, or 3 feet bigger in a boat, don't make much difference in ride, & handling, and a bowrider, or cuddy is more useful or attractive then a walkaround fishing boat to the wife, & kids.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

i don't think boating is the right sport for you. it is not like riding on a smooth highway, more like a rutted dirt road. every boat is effected by the water. my 23 ft, deck boat with 5.7L volvo, even bumps. the 3.0 is a crusing motor, not a water sports motor. 4.3L inho, is the minimum, for water sports. i think you would be better off, joining a rental club, to take the kids out, until you decide you can handle it. if you are worried about fuel cost, again you are looking in the wrong place. if you were an avid boater, looking for a certain boat, $100.00, to find the right boat is a drop in the bucket. boating is a very expensive hobby.
also take a safe boating course, prior to buying. operating a boat is totally different, than an auto. 1st NO BRAKES, reverse is not a brake. docking, loading.etc. how to hit a wave at the proper angle. rules of the road, and most important safety.

 

[salmonee]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

I used to have a 10' aluminum fishing boat and had no problem being out on the water all day. Then again, I wasn't going 20+mph either and most of the time was anchor. My thinking is that it has to do with the cockpit sitting view. It wasn't so bad, when I stood up. My thinking is that in a bay boat, you get a larger view of the water and the breeze in you face, you won't get that dizzyness feeling. Anyhow, below is a picture of the bay boat I was looking at.

A friend of mine has a 90hp honda outboard and he tells me that his motor is so quiet, you can't tell whether it's on or off? This seem like a big disconnect. As far as the bump is concern it wouldn't be so bad if it was subtle, but knee jerking bump for 30 minutes??? It felt like driving over back to back speed bumps at 30mph.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

I went on my first boat test run last night. It was an '08 Maxum 17.6' long with 130hp I/O. It was about 6 in the evening, we waited for the crowd to die down and went out on a larger lake. The weather was nice, it wasn't windy at all, there were still quite a bit of people out boating though. Anyhow, we were probably out maybe 20-30 minutes top. I started to get "seasick", i think? I got dizzy anyways. The water wasn't calm but I wouldn't consider it rough either. Can't really gauge it as I'm new to this. While we were out, all i felt QUOTE]


Salmonee,
You mentioned you "started getting seasick" one of the first signs of CO poisoning is the feeling of getting seasick. That comes from the exhaust from your motor. Did anybody else feel that way?

 

[salmonee]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

I went on my first boat test run last night. It was an '08 Maxum 17.6' long with 130hp I/O. It was about 6 in the evening, we waited for the crowd to die down and went out on a larger lake. The weather was nice, it wasn't windy at all, there were still quite a bit of people out boating though. Anyhow, we were probably out maybe 20-30 minutes top. I started to get "seasick", i think? I got dizzy anyways. The water wasn't calm but I wouldn't consider it rough either. Can't really gauge it as I'm new to this. While we were out, all i felt QUOTE]


Salmonee,
You mentioned you "started getting seasick" one of the first signs of CO poisoning is the feeling of getting seasick. That comes from the exhaust from your motor. Did anybody else feel that way?

Nope. It was just me.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

Sorry you had a bad evening. Sometimes, the combination of boat and water conditions are just wrong. Sounds like you encountered that.

As for the banging, well, try a different design of boat. Some boats ride the rough water like a truck. Others have a smoother ride. Sorta like the difference between a Caddilac and a Miata on the road.

Find a boat that does what you want, the way you want it, and your problems will probably just disappear.

I have just the 12' aluminum boat now, but have had lots of others. Every single one was different.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

Doesn't sound like most people I know who are in love with boating. The first time they went they fell in love and never looked back. If you did not get that feeling, the rest of the experience (read $$$$) will be nothing but a PITA to you. There is no rationalization in boating, you will throw money at it and the only payback is the experience.

 

[salty87]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

you're a step ahead of most by shopping around before jumping on a 'deal'. keep trying other sizes and engines to see what you like.

difference between 18' and 20' can be pretty noticeable. a 4 cylinder will have to work harder and at a higher rpm but a v8 will have a deeper rumble. gas is a pretty small cost compared to everything else like maintenance so give it some serious thought.

you might also try something like a pontoon. outboard to save on gas and a big floating living room to take the rolling feeling away.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

I would agree that if noise is an issue then an I/O is a better boat for you. As for outboards, two stroke or four, at wide open throttle there is not much difference in sound levels -- it's just a different sound. The four stroke does have a noise advantage at slower speeds however. I would agree also that boating may not be an activity that suits you. Boating is also an activity that can be very costly if you cannot do or don't want to do even the very simple maintenance tasks. Lastly, if you decide to buy a boat and need to trailer it, make sure you have a tow vehicle that can handle the load. Dealers would have you believe you can tow a house boat at freeway speeds with a lawn mower so do your homework. On the other hand, you will have people tell you that dually diesel is necessary to tow a row boat.

 

[tommays]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

Even my 24' Sailboat rated for 13' seas and 40 MPH wind will give you a pounding in a short wind blown chop

 

[fishingdan]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

There are several items worth commenting on in your post. Much of what you mentioned is managed as you learn about boats.

A typical 17' runabout will not have a great ride when running at or near full throttle. Most of the deep v of the hull is out of the water at that point and you are running on the shallower v and wider aft portion of the hull. This is by design. You can often manage this by changing the running attitude of the boat by using the outdrive trim controls and the cruising at a slower speed that is optimal for the conditions you are running in. I don't know if you were running flat out, but I'm only guessing.

As noted above, a 19' boat with a similar hull design won't significantly improve what you experienced.

There are 17-19' boats that have a better ride. Because the boat has a deeper v from bow to stern, the tradeoff will be that you will need a much larger engine and the boat will probably weight nearly 1/3 more than the boat your ran.

Engine noise in any small boat is about the same. Inboard/outboard sterndrives like you drove tend to be a bit quieter than an outboard. Your friends etec is a great engine and at idle they are very quiet. I would guess that the engine on the boat you tested was also fairly quiet at idle. At operating speed, you will hear both. Without the engine noise, a boat moving through water is still quite loud all by itself. Both of these styles of engines don't have mufflers. The exhaust is ported right into the water and the water acts as the only muffler.

A Bay boat will not have a significantly better ride than you experienced. Most are designed to run in shallow water and, as such, they have a hull that is designed primarily for stability at rest.

I too like the standing position when operating a boat. This automatically gives your body a softer ride because of your legs. It also gives you a better view as you noted. Again with all things related to boat design, there is a tradeoff. A small center console boat doesn't always make the best boat for family water sports. You can use one and I did for a number of years. Now my family wants a more comfortable interior and we have moved to a 19' bowrider.

Nearly any style of boat can be used for water sports. The 3.0 engine that you tested is perfectly adequate for a typical families tubing and skiing fun. My suggestion is that you take your time and look at a lot of different types of boats. It could be that you are are a little vulnerable to motion sickness, but this can be managed.

 

[salmonee]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

By running the boat flat out, I assume you mean when the boat is at cruising speed. If so, yes we ran the boat at different speeds. We ran it at 5mph, cruised at 20mph, 30mph, 40mph. We gun the thing a couple of times just to see the acceleration.

The outdrive was lowered to the very bottom position, as the sales guy was showing me the ins/out of the boat.

I was on a ski boat about 10yrs ago and after about an hour on the boat had to get off because I did not feel well. The boat was very similar to the one I test drove. Then again, I maybe one of those guy that just can't take the up and down motion on a boat while it is going through the water. I'll test drive a 19' later this week just to make sure it wasn't that boat and/or combination of being on a large lake. Thanks for all the helpful insights.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

I believe that I have the same boat you tested and the ride is definitely rougher at cruising speeds and it does tend to "thunk" when crossing wakes or rougher seas. Masterful manipulation of the throttle can relieve this (I'm still working on mastering it) but it's still a small and light boat which is more at the mercy of the water than a heavier vessel. This is a very lightweight boat and the 3.0L is very well suited to it even towing a tube with 3 kids ages 4-12 and carrying 3 adults on board.

Regarding the noise, the engine is somewhat loud but no worse than the outboards I've owned. My last boat was a 21' I/O with a v8 and was louder than the 3.0L but that could be in part because the engine compartment of the Maxum is fully enclosed and the other was not.

I don't think you tested a bad boat just one that's not right for you. I agree that continued testing will yield better results but (just about) any planing hull is going to have many of the same ride characteristics so it's going to be varying degrees of the same.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

By running the boat flat out, I assume you mean when the boat is at cruising speed. If so, yes we ran the boat at different speeds. We ran it at 5mph, cruised at 20mph, 30mph, 40mph. We gun the thing a couple of times just to see the acceleration.

The outdrive was lowered to the very bottom position, as the sales guy was showing me the ins/out of the boat.

I was on a ski boat about 10yrs ago and after about an hour on the boat had to get off because I did not feel well. The boat was very similar to the one I test drove. Then again, I maybe one of those guy that just can't take the up and down motion on a boat while it is going through the water. I'll test drive a 19' later this week just to make sure it wasn't that boat and/or combination of being on a large lake. Thanks for all the helpful insights.

On a point, growing up with boats, I've learned a lot. A skiboat is usually a semi-vee bottom boat , meaning it is a vee in the front, flattening out to an almost flat bottom at the back. It is not one of the smoothest riding boats, all boats previous to the mid-60's were semi-vee boats, and could probably take the fillings out of your teeth with the pounding, if on rough water at high speed. The skiboats have basically one purpose, and they do it well, on a calmer lake. They're not your average runabout, most of which nowadays, are all similar design vee bottoms, Thank God for modern technology! Sure they still pound some, but it is cushioned by the vee. There are a few disadvantages to a vee bottom, 1) they lean, & rock more with the waves 2) they require more power to match the speed of a semi-vee bottom, that's about it! The Four Winns, SeaRay, & Wellcraft, are some of the more popular, better, deep vee boats, there are many more good ones to choose from, all you hafta do is look at the bottom design, as one criteria for choosing a boat, but remember a deeper vee may rock too much for you, unless the boat is substantially bigger.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

By running the boat flat out, I assume you mean when the boat is at cruising speed. If so, yes we ran the boat at different speeds. We ran it at 5mph, cruised at 20mph, 30mph, 40mph. We gun the thing a couple of times just to see the acceleration.

The outdrive was lowered to the very bottom position, as the sales guy was showing me the ins/out of the boat.

I was on a ski boat about 10yrs ago and after about an hour on the boat had to get off because I did not feel well. The boat was very similar to the one I test drove. Then again, I maybe one of those guy that just can't take the up and down motion on a boat while it is going through the water. I'll test drive a 19' later this week just to make sure it wasn't that boat and/or combination of being on a large lake. Thanks for all the helpful insights.

Sounds like once every ten years on a boat is a bit too much!

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

Doesn't sound like now is the right time for you to get into boating.

When the time is right, you won't need any encouragement.

Boating is very demanding, in many ways. Good luck.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

Yea give it up.. Boating is just not for you,,send me the boat and i will make sure it gets used real good.. Thanks..

 

[zach103]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

i say go with the rental idea.. that way you can see whats right for you.. see what fits your needs and have fun with the kids at the same time

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1st boating experience...Did not see the FUN in boating

Someone above mentioned a pontoon. Have you considered one of those? They cut right through the chop and tend to ride very well in just about anything.