Advice for first time boat buyer...

Strike_King

Cadet
Joined
Aug 9, 2003
Messages
11
After years of wanting to,I have decided to take the plunge so to speak..Any advice for a first time boat buyer?I am looking for a pre owned 15-18' CC.Is it true that the two happiest days of a boater's life are the day you buy it and the day you sell it?lol..
 

Spidybot

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2002
Messages
1,734
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

Oh-no!! There's plenty of fun in between!!<br /><br />My 2 cents for a new boater: Do your homework. Find your needs. Visit marinas and ramps, speak to people. Search this forum.<br /><br />Next, make up your budget.<br />Then consider your needs. Then reconsider your needs. Then check the market & reconsider your budget.<br /><br />By then you'll know more :cool:
 

magster65

Commander
Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
2,573
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

For some people those are the happiest days but that's only if you buy a 'lemon'. Great advice from UU there. Take your time, do some shopping and enjoy what you'll learn. This forum can be a great source of unbiased opinions... happy shopping :)
 

mellowyellow

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
5,327
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

don't buy anything unless you get to test it on<br />the water. only way to know for sure it will<br />perform as expected.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.
 

DaveM

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 27, 2002
Messages
308
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

I've got 2 stories that may help answer your questions. I asked my brother about "the 2 happiest days" after he sold his boat. He agreed, except for the selling part. Said he missed it every single day. As for choice of boat, a friend wanted a boat in the worst way. He waterskis every day and mentioned he was looking for a 17' OB. I kindly asked him how he would be using his boat. After much thought, he now is the proud owner of a tournament ski boat and could not be more pleased. The moral is to chose something that best fits what you want to do.<br /><br />My 2 cents is to determine what you want to spend and find an older, quality boat that fits your price range, instead of a newer, el cheap-o boat.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

Have fun looking and dont buy with emotion.Take you time and buy when you are ready to buy.If you miss out on a boat there is always another one.A great used cc boat to get is a Mako.A very good boat and very easy to sell next year when you decide boating is for you and you want to get something bigger.Stich with brand name outboards for your first boat.Evinrude,johnson,yamaha,mercury,honda.Less popular outboards like suzuki,force are not good for resale and are not as reliable as the others.When you think you have found THE boat,post it here and get some valuable opinions.There is a wealth of knowledge and experience in this forum---use it!!!--- Charlie
 

Strike_King

Cadet
Joined
Aug 9, 2003
Messages
11
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

Thanks for all the wonderful advice.I spent the day going from marina to marina and everywhere in between (got to surfcast for bluefish too!). It seems a bit overwhelming with all that is out there.Any good factors for determining what boat is best for a first time owner such as make,model reliability??Would it be best to buy a boat that has been primarily used for freshwater as opposed to both??Thanks in advance as I am sure these must seem like stupid questions to some of you....
 

tad7777

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 20, 2003
Messages
49
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

i would buy a used boat,,since so many people buy a boat ,then end up selling it,,you can find a really nice used one ,alot cheaper,,unless money is'nt a care to you,, most boats dont have alot of hours on the motors.. & have somone check it out for you,,take it to a boat dealer or repair shop to get it checked, or somone who knows what to look for Tad
 

dkwalker

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2003
Messages
96
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

nosing in... what does cc mean in the description?<br />Cuddy cabin?<br /><br />and as for my two cents worth... as another mentioned, don't buy with emotion. I was so glad to finally see what I wanted after shopping fruitlessly for three weeks, I let my judgement get clouded at the last.<br />End result... I got the boat I wanted with an undersized o/b hanging off the back. I shouldn't have paid quite as much as I did for it.<br />beware!
 

cobra 3.0

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
1,797
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

There's a lot of gabage out there to siphon through before finding a true gem of a boat. If you look at this forum and the amount of crap and $$$ a guy can go through with a poorly maintained or worn-out old boat, better to have it looked at by a an expert boat dealer/service center. Pay a little more and get something that looks clean inside.(i.e.no torn seats, carpet still looks good, etc.) A messy,dirty boat is a sign of a slob. <br /> Outboards cost more to run, are noisier, generally faster, but are easier to maintain. Inboards are quieter, smoother, cheaper on gas and nicer for water skiing.<br /><br />If the lakes in your area are shallow with rocks everywhere, as is in my area, beware of hulls and outdrives that had to be fixed.
 

Strike_King

Cadet
Joined
Aug 9, 2003
Messages
11
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

Thanks to all that have replied.You people are a wealth of info.The CC in my original post stands for center console.I am leaning this way as I primarily intend to just use it for fishing.I live in the Boston area,so saltwater use is an option down the road,but I would primarily use it on fresh water first to get used to it..Thanx again to all who have replied..
 

Strike_King

Cadet
Joined
Aug 9, 2003
Messages
11
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

Thanks to all that have replied.You people are a wealth of info.The CC in my original post stands for center console.I am leaning this way as I primarily intend to just use it for fishing.I live in the Boston area,so saltwater use is an option down the road,but I would primarily use it on fresh water first to get used to it..Thanx again to all who have replied..
 

Spidybot

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2002
Messages
1,734
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

See - already closing in
I am leaning this way as I primarily intend to just use it for fishing
So, you're on the way :) <br /><br />There's a lotta truth in everything said here.<br />At the end of the day it is your decision and your money.<br /><br />Used versus new: It is a matter of value as defined by the relation 'what you pay/what you get'. It is beyond doubt that a well maintained good quality second hand boat is better value than a new cheap-o-liner that looks a million and is worth zero after the first season. But that goes without saying and I take it for granted you wouldn't fall into that pit anyway.<br /><br />You should not buy by emotion only - you MUST have your heart with you as you'll end up loving the thing
 

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

bring your significant other along for the searching/purchase. women seem to be a bit more reasonable and level headed than us guys (ex- explain again why you need 20' outriggers on that 15' boat???). you'll probably get a better valued boat with her help.
 

Spidybot

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2002
Messages
1,734
Re: Advice for first time boat buyer...

matt got that one right!<br /><br />A boat entering a family tends to either do part or unite!<br /><br />Your happiness with the boat depends on her happiness with you having the boat :cool:
 
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