Decisions.. Decisions..

[benscott]

Ok, so I've been shopping for a used boat for a while now, primarily looking at bowriders and deckboats. I've come across a great deal on an '89 Sea Ray Sundancer 200da which has really piqued my interest. A small cruiser such as this seems ideal for family (I've got a 1 and 2 year old). It would enable us to (theoretically) spend all day out on the water. The boys could nap when they need to and with having a head onboard it would make it convenient when potty training them. Anyone out there want to share their family experiences in owning a boat like this?

Cheers!

 

[90stingray]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

Where are you located? Do you have other friends with boats? Have you owned a boat before? I think you are living in a dream world if you think you will be able to stay out all day with 2 small kids. I don't see that happening. Wife will be watching them the entire time unless she takes the wheel once in a while. And she will get tired of keeping track of them. Kids will get bored and hot. But.... it might work.... I don't know.

I am just speaking from experience, our kids are good for about 3-4 hours and that's it. I am ok with that because its better than not going to the lake. Also our lake is 20 minutes away... so that makes it real easy to come back home for whatever. Pack lots of snacks and drinks... seems kids like to eat and drink more than usual while on the water.

Hope it works out for you!

 

[benscott]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

I'm in NWA, about 15 minutes from Beaver Lake and have a couple of friends with boats in the same area the boat is located. Sure, "all day" trips my not be realistic but to my point, a small cruiser has the potential to be a friendlier vessel for a family such as ours compared to say a bowrider or deckboat.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

Small cruisers/cuddies rarely work out as well as the owner intended. Yes there are some people that are perfectly happy with them, but what usually happens is that they end up selling and either getting something smaller but with more room, or they go to a 26' class at a minimum.

The small ones are cramped with any more than 2 people on board, and don't have the amentities that a larger one would. You also are very limited with topside seating if you take friends out, and nobody wants to ride around in the cabin for long.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

Nice style boat. A cabin does work well to get out of the sun, place to crash, etc etc.

Cabins also get real hot in there..... And they quickly become the storage area... Just something to think about.

My experience is.... the kids won't sleep b/c they are too stimulated from all the boating activity. We have 2 yr old twins at our house, so we boat from 10am-3pm. They sleep in the car ride home.

Getting into boating is a good idea, so give it a shot. Just have low expectations for how and how much you'll use the boat. My boat dreams and my reality are much different with the little kids --- hahahahaha.

 

[hivoltg]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

I have a 77 wellcraft suncruiser cuddy...very similiar boat. I have kiddos and it works great for our family. Small bed, sink, and toilet down below (weekender setup). If the kids get tired its great to have a place for them to lie down and get out of the sun. My wife likes to do that also and read a book while the kids swim off the back. Privacy to use the bathroom. Im glad I went with this style over a similar length bowrider. It handles waves better imho. If waves splash over the front it doesn't affect anything. The kids love the escape hatch and climbing up on top of the front to sunbath or dive off into the water. For my family its worked out really well. Im kind of glad they are not more popular since I got the boat at a great price.

 

[benscott]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

I have a 77 wellcraft suncruiser cuddy...very similiar boat. I have kiddos and it works great for our family. Small bed, sink, and toilet down below (weekender setup). If the kids get tired its great to have a place for them to lie down and get out of the sun. My wife likes to do that also and read a book while the kids swim off the back. Privacy to use the bathroom. Im glad I went with this style over a similar length bowrider. It handles waves better imho. If waves splash over the front it doesn't affect anything. The kids love the escape hatch and climbing up on top of the front to sunbath or dive off into the water. For my family its worked out really well. Im kind of glad they are not more popular since I got the boat at a great price.

This is pretty much how I envisioned our family using it. If after a season or two if we find it's not meeting our need we can sell it or hand it off to my newly retired parents.

 

[hivoltg]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

This is pretty much how I envisioned our family using it. If after a season or two if we find it's not meeting our need we can sell it or hand it off to my newly retired parents.

I went into this current boat purchase with the same mindset. I wouldn't mind a bigger cabin cruiser with more amenities but this 20' boat is easy to trailer, low fuel costs, and it pulls a skier/tube so its really the perfect mix for us.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

The boat was where my parents put me to sleep. I always slept well on the boat! Kids get used to what the parents do and are comfortable with. If both you and your wife are comfortable all day on the boat, the kids will probably be also. But if one parent is uptight, expect the kids to not do as well.

Your usages very amenable to the little cruiser. Just expect an upgrade or a change as the kids get older and want to get into water sports, taking friends with them, etc. If you have friends with that type of boat, see if you can go with them for an "extended stay" (more than a couple hours) with them to see if it really does fit your needs/expectations.

You can't go wrong bringing kids up on the water, but the right boat for your needs will make it a little more enjoyable.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Decisions.. Decisions..

I have a 20' Cuddy and 4 young grandkids. When moving they like to be in the cabin - 30 minutes ride to the swimming beach - 45 minutes swimming - 30 minutes back home, and they've had enough!! Porta potty never been used. Seating for 5 adults in the cockpit - 7 if you count the cushion over the engine cover. Cabin great for storing stuff as boat is moored at a dock all season. Love the boat - it works well for us, but like others have said - the reality of owning a boat doesn't quite live up to the dreams