buying first boat

[gdplaya]

Hi to all... This is my first post so be gentle I am in the market for a fishing/family boat. I live in Puerto Aventuras, south of Cancun. The water here can get pretty rough quickly. I am looking for something family friendly but also that can take some good waves smoothly. Also one that on smooth days would let us wake board. I also would like to be able to get pretty close to the beach. A porta-potti would be nice for the girls. So... please any and all suggestions welcomed. I was thinking about something around 22ft. I will most likely buy it used.

Thanks
Gerry

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: buying first boat

22 foot cuddy cabin. would give protection in rough water.

 

[gdplaya]

Re: buying first boat

Thanks Tashasdaddy,

Do you have any brands in mind? I was wondering about the cuddy. Does it get very hot in there? It sounds great for a nap for kids or adults. Thanks for the input. By the way, I do have a limited budget..

 

[marine4003]

Re: buying first boat

For a first boat i suggest a walkaround with a bimini top,cuddy cabins get HOT, i have a Scarab that has a real nice cabin with a deck hatch & it gets way too hot in there to sleep comfortably,with a open deck boat water (waves) can come into the boat and the water goes right out the back,with a cabin style the water goes into the bilge and if theres any trouble with the pump...your in trouble. Also a bimini top keeps the sun off the kids,along with a breeze .kids sleep like..baby's.For a first prehaps something about 20-24 feet with an outboard motor,big enough to get into the Gulf,have plenty of room for the kids,easy to handle..and safer than a cabin style. Hasta Leugo,Amigo.

 

[gdplaya]

Re: buying first boat

Thanks Marine,

You read my mind. Any brands or models you suggest? Thanks
G

 

[jevery]

Re: buying first boat

For open water fishing I?d love to have something like this.

http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/best_deal_ever.htm

Not much protection from the weather, but looks like it?d ride well in rough water.

 

[gdplaya]

Re: buying first boat

Jevery,

It does look nice, thought I think it will be over my budget. I don't want to spend more than 20k. Any other ideas?

Thanks

G

 

[Dakota47]

Re: buying first boat

SeaRay makes a very good boat, so does Wellcraft.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: buying first boat

Please take a boating safety course.
It will make boating a lot more fun for you and your family and other people out there on the water with you.
I would suggest, whatever boat you look at and are serious about, get a boat survey done.
A few bucks now might save a lot later.

 

[gdplaya]

Re: buying first boat

Thanks Spinner,

Good idea on the course. I am not sure if they offer anything official like that down here, but I do have some friends who have been boating for many years and are very safety conscience. The boat survey sounds like a good idea. Is it basically a local mechanic making an inspection on the boat? Are there companies that do these surveys? Thanks

Gerry

 

[gdplaya]

Re: buying first boat

Thanks Dakota,

I have seem a few. Do you think a Cabin Cruiser will handle the swell well? I was thinking of more of a fishing hull because it can get pretty rough quickly.

Thanks

Gerry

 

[marine4003]

Re: buying first boat

GD,
I would look at a used Wellcraft or Searay..both of these boats are well built,easy to get parts for and due to the craftsmanship easy to maintain,both have good bluewater hulls,solid sturdy boats.for ideas look on craigslist.com for your area also e-bay,or search Google for used boats in your area, then when you find something your interested in,with the right price..spend the extra money and get a marine survey,its worth the money and will insure that your not throwing away 20K on a boat with alot of unseen problems.
Good Luck,and happy hunting. Steve.

 

[gdplaya]

Re: buying first boat

thanks Steve,

I will keep an eye for those. When I find something I will post it.

Thanks for all the help,

G