Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

[airdvr1227]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

I'm thinking 24-25' is on the ragged edge of what's comfortable on Lake Erie. There will be plenty of days that boat is going to feel small on the water.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

I'm thinking 24-25' is on the ragged edge of what's comfortable on Lake Erie. There will be plenty of days that boat is going to feel small on the water.

Yup would agree even though I have never been out there but I have had mine in some big water. They look so big on the trailer but in the water is another story. You learn where the good places are. With that said it can always change. I was on the Chesapeake bay and it was great weather turned and it was really really bad.

 

[Matty13198]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

The boat he linked is already SOLD.

http://www.***************/boats/20...1372/Cincinnati/OH/United-States#.UyCzpaPD_4Y


Try this link below, I bought two boats from this dealer, one was a Four Winns 268 Vista many moons ago.

Used 2002 Four Winns 248 Vista, Spring Lake, Mi - 49456 - BoatTrader.com

That boat is really sharp. I love the cockpit layout. I did notice that it only has the 5.0 engine in it. Is that enough power? I gues Lake Michigan is still too frozen over for a test run right now!

As for the 23' or 24' boat on Erie...I wouldn't think of going smaller. When I was living in MN I almost bought a 21' yamaha jet boat but backed out at the last minute because I found out I was being transferred to Sandusky area. That would have been a fun boat and perfect for the norther inland lakes but not made for big water. I did look at a 24' Yamaha when I first moved out here, but the wifey and I decided we wanted something we could have "adventures" with but still tow with my truck.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

Well, knowone on here will agree with what I have to say, but here goes anyway.

I have 3 friends that have or currently own 248 Vista's with 5.0L engines. With the duo prop, the power is adequate for an express cruiser of
it's size and weight. I have been on their boats with 2 couples and 2 kids, never had a problem getting on plane, or maintaining cruise speed
with that engine/drive combo. Sure a 5.7L would be a little better, but will be harder to find. And there is no big block option for that boat.

It's a cruiser, not a ski boat, and should not be expected to perform like one.

Running for cover.......

 

[Matty13198]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

I agree that they are hard to find. I have been to just about every website in the past week and can't find one withing 200 miles of me. I did find this one Used 2001 Four Winns 248 Vista, Edgewater, Md - 21037 - BoatTrader.com down in Edgewater, MD (about 400 miles away from me) that I am considering sending my Dad (retired Navy Commander/boat owner/enthusiast) to check it out. The price seems to be right and if the deal is right(after survey of course) , I can run out there and pick it up. It might be a bit far to tow with my truck though. Shipping would be about $2K more, but saving the wear and tear on my vehicle could be worth it.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

Well, knowone on here will agree with what I have to say, but here goes anyway.

I have 3 friends that have or currently own 248 Vista's with 5.0L engines. With the duo prop, the power is adequate for an express cruiser of
it's size and weight. I have been on their boats with 2 couples and 2 kids, never had a problem getting on plane, or maintaining cruise speed
with that engine/drive combo. Sure a 5.7L would be a little better, but will be harder to find. And there is no big block option for that boat.

It's a cruiser, not a ski boat, and should not be expected to perform like one.

Running for cover.......

I tend to agree with you because I am in the same boat. If I found a boat that everything on was great and it had a 5.0 then I would not pass due to just that but if I was looking at boats and there were things that were not great and it did have a 5.0 then I would pass.

You are right its a cruiser not a ski boat. Would just perfer a larger motor if possable.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

I know exactly where that boat is. Any ways if it makes you feel better I had to travel about 320 miles each way to get my boat. Totally worth it to get the right thing. I have already forgotten about the weekend I gave up to pick her up any ways it was fun.

 

[Matty13198]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

I still remember when I went with my Dad to pick up his Silverton (mentioned in beginning of thread). I was young (about 15) and we were going to cruise it around NJ from Pt. Pleasant to the Deleware River. We ran aground on an uncharted sand bar (according to my dad, but I still say that he drifted out of the channel). Had to over night in Atlantic City. The next day we made it to the Deleware bay with no issues and then threw a screw. Limped up the deleware to Philly. The trip was memorable and I still teasew and joke with him about it. Great father son bonding. On second thought...maybe I shouldn't trust him to go and look at that boat in MD!

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

7500 sounds about right for F150. It will be rated higher, but it will struggle at 8000+. Should be fine to Michigan, MD thru the PA mountains with wife and kids would be a white knuckler for sure.

Sandusky is a great place, one of the best family oriented areas there is. So you are going to have a lot of company and can use a docked boat for the overflow/you and kids.

So sell the truck, get a bigger boat with a slip. :facepalm:

If the wife is a stay/work at home mom, she will spend the summer at the marina. The only time the family will go to the house is bad weather days, grocery shopping, etc.......

It is a life style change. The friends/neighbors that have taken the plunge, the wife loves it more than the husband. :lol: Who wouldn't, pool, showers, pool side Tiki bar, restaurants, all at your finger tips.

Cedar Point Marina is 1st class and priced to reflect it. Others are very, very nice and a little less money, just a ton of options in your area.

Within a month there will be a lot of bigger boats with docking for sale. For that matter all along the North Coast the deals will be coming out, be ready.

Good luck
huts

 

[Matty13198]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

Thanks Huts. I would sell the truck to get a bigger boat but I use the truck for work! As a matter of fact, I had to buy the truck to use for work.

I am considering slipping it for this year is the deal is right. Could be a lot of fun and bring back memories of when I was younger. My wife loves to camp (at campgrounds) and a marina would be the same but on water.

We can't wait to hit the islands this summer. Any recommendations for how to do them with little or no stress?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

If your going to look at this boat, i would have it surveyed before buying. If you notice in the add it says it is flushed with fresh water. That means it's a saltwater boat. I would wonder what kind of condition the exhaust is in. You notice there are no pictures of the drive. Everything but.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

We can't wait to hit the islands this summer. Any recommendations for how to do them with little or no stress?

ferry then a bed and breakfast :facepalm:

Sorry it's just way too busy for this old man anymore.

Last time over by boat was a family member, so he handled it. They had 2 slips, CP and Kelly's and just move from one to the other every other week or so. Their last boat, 36 ft. Chris Craft, aft cabin, old but perfect condition, (Winnebago on the water). There were 10's of couples around them that had been doing the marina thing for decades.
They did it for over 30 years, now the boat is gone and they moved south. :Cry:
They still boat, just a lot smaller boat for fishing. Still slip at a marina, with a golf cart for transportation to and from.

If you need help in anyway, we're close,
huts

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

30' Slip at Channel Grove is $1150 for the season with electric. You'll spend more than that in gas hauling your toy around. It's in E. Harbor, about a 20 minute ride to South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay) on a good day. We actually try to dock at the State Park on Middle Bass. Nice facilities. You can take a ferry over to PIB. Kelly's Island has some great places to go. Get some charts and start familiarizing yourself with the shallow spots. I have a collection of props...you'll probably buy a couple too. Enjoy.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Considering 24' pocket cruisers...

Just another voice to say that a 5.0L for a 24'+ boat will produce anemic performance. I have a V-P 5.0 GXiB with Duoprop in a 21' deckboat. With a full tank and six folks (13 person capacity!), performance is pretty sluggish until more than 3,000 rpm is achieved.