First Boat...looking for advice.

[jreach72]

I am getting ready to purchase my first boat. Now I have grown up on boats as a kid, but this will be my first purchase myself. I live in SW Florida so boats are all over the place.<br /><br />A few questions.<br /><br />First, I am looking for something between 16' and 19' so I can pull it behind my small size pickup truck. (Toyota Tacoma). I am wanting to spend between 4k - 6k on the boat as I am not sure how well my wife will take to boating.<br /><br />I was thinking about a runabout as I know she is not into fishing.<br /><br />What are some of the things I should look for/avoid while looking for something to fit in the above spectrum. Can I expect to find a moderately dependable boat for that price range.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: First Boat...looking for advice.

Welcome to iboats If you are gonna do day stuff, and not go too far....My buddy in N.Y. had a 17 foot Sea-Ray 140 hp Mercruiser, circa 1989...It was a bow rider & was pretty quick. It was a neat little, & very reliable boat. Being in Florida you would probably want an out-board though.....There a a bunch of boat motor combo's....If you do go i/o stay away from anything OMC....JK

 

[Solittle]

Re: First Boat...looking for advice.

Spend a few hours here reading older posts and try the red search function at the top of the page. That question is asked often.<br /><br />We do our boating in south Florida (35 yrs) and are not fisherman. I will become one when sirloin steaks have gills and fins though. The best boat in my book for south Florida is an outboard powered center console in the 19-23' range. I would not go less than 19' as wind and rough water will keep you on the trailer.<br /><br />You should have no trouble in finding a rig within your budget. Another great resource is Boat Trader magazine available at most convenience stores.<br />Go to the ramps on weekends and talk to other boaters and get their input. Might even try a couple of rentals to get an idea of what might work for you and your wife before you buy.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: First Boat...looking for advice.

Welcome!, come on out to pine island, spend some time. Some of the boats you see will be given to you if you show interest. Center consol outboard seems to be the boat of choice. 18 ft. is a good size. Dont know how long you have been down here, first advice is DONT GO WHERE THE BIRDS ARE STANDING. regards fred PS no i/os down here.

 

[jreach72]

Re: First Boat...looking for advice.

Hey Fred,<br /><br />What did you mean about giving boats away on Pine Island????<br /><br />Great advice from everyone, and I think we will try a rental in the next few weeks to see what we like. All my previous boating experiance has been fresh water so I do like the idea of going outboard (Though on freshwater we always had I/O's except on our bass boats). <br /><br />The only concern I had with a 19' is the trailability of the boat. I live about 35 miles from the pine island area (Lehigh) so I don't want something that is a hassle to tow every weekend. And the cost to keep one at a marina down here is insane.<br /><br />I will do more searches, but thanks for the advice.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: First Boat...looking for advice.

Am at FLAMINGO BAY on pine island. Plenty of rentals out here and ST. JAMES CITY. Not exagriating, lots of give aways in good condition. Owner dies off, widow want to get rid of it. Or illness and boat is no longer of use. For trailering, MATLACHE or ST.JAMES CITY or PINELANDS is a good location. give call, RUKOWICZ in phone book. regards fred

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: First Boat...looking for advice.

if i would buy a o/b dont buy a force motor.im not knocking the motor but no re-sale vaule im wanting a bigger boat cant sale mine with force motor cause of the bad rap.i live in kansas and the wind blows a lot here to.keeps me at home to.i wish i had a deep boat.i have a 17.3 triton boat 120 force motor.its in good shape for a bass boat.