First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

[bublik]

Guys and gals,

First off I must say this is a fantastic forum, and I enjoyed searching and reading the FAQ about boating/saftey/tips&advice. Thank you all for contributing. I do have a few more specific questions I wanted to ask if anyone could help out or make suggestions.

Plan: Planning on spending roughly $10-15K on first boat, hoping to see something in the 23-27' range possibly over the year 2000 if needed. Not to concerned about power, but rather maintenance and longevity. I come from an automotive background, and have a decent understanding of mechanical components, but do not understand all boating components yet. The boat can or will be towed by a BMW X5 3.0 (not the V8, so towing capacity is lower). I am located in the city of Chicago, and want to have the ease of boating on the weeknights, weekends.

Ok here are my questions:

1. Choosing the boat? I would like to have many friends on and do not plan on spending nights on the boat. The boat will be on Lake Michigan near in the downtown area.

What size do you think is sufficient for the boat, granted my vehicle choice? Any name brand suggestions? Engine size etc?

(sorry about the poor formating, I'm writing this before work)

2. Year round storage:

This one really puts me in a pickle. I am trying to weigh out the best possible solution for economical storage. What ways have you guys found thats economical, yet its not a hassle to go boating every weekend? Should I pay or rent a slip for the summer, or is it better to trailer it? If trailer, I have a garage 40 minutes from downtown area. Or do you find it better to just pay to have the boat dropped in year round. I have seen rates of $9.95 per square foot, yikes!

3. IL/Chicago stickers etc:

Where can I obtain all stickers needed? Its a stupid question since I will be taking the course required regardless, but a heads up would be great.

4. General yearly costs:

The idea is that a few of my friends use the boat and split all costs. Aside from fuel, how much do you chicagoans spend on your boats per year with doc fees, stickers, storage, maintenance, winterization etc.?


In general, other than the FAQ, just looking for suggestions for those that took the plunge. This is a birthday present to myself and for the family, so I would really like to make sure everyone has a great time!

Thanks in advance,


Eddie

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

Found this one so far that I really like:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/boa/1250707913.html

 

[Silvertip]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

While I'm not very familiar with the towing capability of the BMW the 3.0 will very likely be put to the test towing a 23 - 27 foot boat. Small displacement high horsepower engines may sound very capable but they generally lack the grunt (torque) required to tow a boat that large. Weight of the boat is not what you are towing. Boat weight, trailer weight, and everything in or on the boat as well as inside the BMW adds to the towing weight so this vehicle ready to go may be well over the towing limits. Hills and wind resistance take a toll rapidly on power. As for the boat itself, I feel a 27 foot boat is a little much for a first timer. I assume you will be heading into the lake so although the size is right for that, I feel you need as a minimum, a coast guard boating and navigation course and for the first several trips, you have an experienced skipper with you. Off-season storage is an issue with any boat. In Minnesota shrink wrapping with outside storage common. One more thought on towing is that a 27 foot boat is very likely going to have more than an 8.5 foot beam which makes it illegal to tow without proper permits. Width restrictions are 102 inches (8.5 feet).

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

Thank you very much. I will be staying then in the 22-24' range. As much as I am not concerned with power, I do understand a larger engine breathing better since it creates more power and is under less load.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

I agree with silvertip. First, you should think about starting with something MUCH smaller until you are comfortable handling a boat. Second, you need to find the boat you want, then find a tow vehicle that is suitable for it. a small suv is in NO WAY the right vehicle for anything over 19-20 ft.

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

I would do a 19-20 ft as suggested, but i feel lake michigan near chicago will destroy something of that size. Am I wrong? As well, anyone else with the non-trailer based questions such as maintenance or storage costs?

So for 23' sounds in the middle.

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

anymore thoughts on storage in chicago? I should probably just make a new post

 

[J. Howard]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

I'm in Chicago and pay for a slip for the summer. Yes, it's expensive compared to trailering, but to me it's so worth it. I use the boat so much more this way, and I can just head to the harbor straight from work and hang out for a bit. Taking the boat out during the week is much more doable if you don't have to take the time to trailer. Very often I'll hang out down at the harbor even if I'm not planning to take the boat out -- we'll fire up the grill and listen to a concert at Charter One Pavilion pretty regularly without leaving the dock. My wife and I will often ride our bikes to the harbor too, which we really enjoy.

I never actually trailer my boat. I store it at a marina on Lake Michigan (in Michigan City, Indiana) during the winter. At the end of the season, I just take the boat across and drop it off with them; they take it out of the water and winterize it and store it indoors.

Again, the above is not cheap, but I figured if I'm going to be using the boat in Chicago and on Lake Michigan, I might as well get as much use out of it as I can. If you've got a few guys to share the cost with, that helps a lot too.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

I think this is impossible. If you find one you are buying nothing but trouble--something a new boater doesn't want.

<<Plan: Planning on spending roughly $10-15K on first boat, hoping to see something in the 23-27' range possibly over the year 2000 if needed.>>

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

I think this is impossible. If you find one you are buying nothing but trouble--something a new boater doesn't want.

<<Plan: Planning on spending roughly $10-15K on first boat, hoping to see something in the 23-27' range possibly over the year 2000 if needed.>>

So this one won't work? Its 2000 and offering at $15k, which can be brought down:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/boa/1250707913.html

 

[H8tank]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

That boat is 20'. But yes, at the right price that would be a perfect starter boat.

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

That boat is 20'. But yes, at the right price that would be a perfect starter boat.

Even better! I will talk the price down and this should be perfect. Does anyone have a free checker for the HIN?

Eddie

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

you had three criteria: $10-15K, Y2000+ and 23'-30'. You hit the limit of two and not close to the third.
Personally I wouldn't buy that style boat but I know that others like them. I can't speak to its power, either, or quality of engine. But your activities are limited by the style, so you would have to assess that factor based on your intended use.

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

you had three criteria: $10-15K, Y2000+ and 23'-30'. You hit the limit of two and not close to the third.
Personally I wouldn't buy that style boat but I know that others like them. I can't speak to its power, either, or quality of engine. But your activities are limited by the style, so you would have to assess that factor based on your intended use.

I am looking to just go out, relax, but not spend nights hence I do not intend to sleep on the boat. What activities do you see this boat being a limit to?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

fishing. You can sit in it and ride, but that's about it; you can't stand up and move around easily once you put a couple of people in it. You can't really go exploring shallow waters. It's not as condusive to having dripping wet swimmers or skiiers climbing around. You're confined to comfy sofa seating, rather than spreading out like on a porch swing. It would be hard to stand up and drive, which you need to do in rough or crowded waters. All this is probably OK since you're in cooler temps and, I assume, rocky bottoms.
As I said, some people love the design for their activities; to me, with a more open design you can have both cruising and sporting, but every feature is a trade-off from another feature. I am from a land different from yours, so this is not advice, just opinion you can disregard with no hard feelings. Enjoy whatever you get.

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

I can you see the utility of your use, but ours is a bit different. Now, I pm'd J. Howard and he was really helpful. One thing he got me thinking about is whether I want to have something to stand on. The point of the boat is to relax and enjoy the city with friends. If we are always confined to sitting in one position and not being able to get up, then maybe I should be looking for something in the 25' range that you can hang out on.

Eddie

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

You're asking the right questions and getting some good opinions. Keep asking...

As you know, when you start something new, you have an image in mind. As you explore the facts and possibilities, that image changes. You need to keep looking at boats and possibilities while continuing to ask all the questions.

One of questions regarded towing... Maybe that has been resolved (casually) with dry/wet storage year round. Much more convenient to make that phone call and get in the boat then to go home, get everything together, hook up and tow to the ramp, wait.... launch, park trailer and then take off. Returning is simply the reverse and then you go work.

Another question is style/use/size... Many boats, many boaters and many more opinions regarding how we use our boats and time. Glad to share. But, you need to keep asking yourself what it is that YOU intend to use the boat for now and while you own it. My advice is always, if possible, rent different types from a local marina and explore their use while gaining valuable experience. Note, start small. You may have friends that have provided this valuable source of research.

Last question is cost... Most will say "pay me now or pay me later". Boating is not low cost. It doesn't have to be high cost either. But make sure you get a good deal and expect to have to maintain the boat in or to good condition. Working on them can be very stress relieving (or, stressful...).

Again, keep asking questions and exploring the various options and possibilities. Good Luck.

I bought a large bow rider because I wanted to be able to hang out with friends and have room on the boat. I bought it in South Florida (West Palm) and used it in the ocean. The larger boat handles the waves and rough ocean water better. I dive off the boat and occasionally fish (when my wife isn't looking ). Again, the size allows me the extra room to perform these activities. I kept in dry storage at a local marina and it was soooo convenient. Now, I live in Vegas and tow it to the lake. Not so easy. But I am fortunate to have a truck capable of pulling the boat given its a changed condition from when I bought the boat. I bought new so maintenance costs are low.

That's just my opin...

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

You're asking the right questions and getting some good opinions. Keep asking...

As you know, when you start something new, you have an image in mind. As you explore the facts and possibilities, that image changes. You need to keep looking at boats and possibilities while continuing to ask all the questions.

One of questions regarded towing... Maybe that has been resolved (casually) with dry/wet storage year round. Much more convenient to make that phone call and get in the boat then to go home, get everything together, hook up and tow to the ramp, wait.... launch, park trailer and then take off. Returning is simply the reverse and then you go work.

Another question is style/use/size... Many boats, many boaters and many more opinions regarding how we use our boats and time. Glad to share. But, you need to keep asking yourself what it is that YOU intend to use the boat for now and while you own it. My advice is always, if possible, rent different types from a local marina and explore their use while gaining valuable experience. Note, start small. You may have friends that have provided this valuable source of research.

Last question is cost... Most will say "pay me now or pay me later". Boating is not low cost. It doesn't have to be high cost either. But make sure you get a good deal and expect to have to maintain the boat in or to good condition. Working on them can be very stress relieving (or, stressful...).

Again, keep asking questions and exploring the various options and possibilities. Good Luck.

I bought a large bow rider because I wanted to be able to hang out with friends and have room on the boat. I bought it in South Florida (West Palm) and used it in the ocean. The larger boat handles the waves and rough ocean water better. I dive off the boat and occasionally fish (when my wife isn't looking ). Again, the size allows me the extra room to perform these activities. I kept in dry storage at a local marina and it was soooo convenient. Now, I live in Vegas and tow it to the lake. Not so easy. But I am fortunate to have a truck capable of pulling the boat given its a changed condition from when I bought the boat. I bought new so maintenance costs are low.

That's just my opin...

Thank you again for your input. I would love to rent a boat on the lake that I want, but I have not been able to find anything on Lake Michigan near the downtown area of chicago. So far, I have only gone out there in a friends 15' jetboat, which was a pain because it got tossed around like no other. I was thinking something with a deep v and around 20'.

FYI for all those looking at the Crownline LPX I posed above. I called the owner, and its a dealer via repo/theft recovery. He knows nothing about the boat, and said "well, you know, it runs and the gel coat is in great condition". Should I stay away as I really like the LPX?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

Buy a repo and buy the previous owner's troubles. Do you think he maintained it when he couldn't pay his bills? That's for experienced boaters only.
Look into a boat club there. Even though I am a live-long, die-hard boater, with more broken ones than running ones, I seriously considered them. It can be a good set-up and no maintenance and docking worries. Ask any boater other than a retiree or pro, after his first year, how often he really uses the boat and it will be "not much and not as much as I'd like to."

 

[bublik]

Re: First time aspiring boat owner | Read FAQ just have a few more questions

Buy a repo and buy the previous owner's troubles. Do you think he maintained it when he couldn't pay his bills? That's for experienced boaters only.
Look into a boat club there. Even though I am a live-long, die-hard boater, with more broken ones than running ones, I seriously considered them. It can be a good set-up and no maintenance and docking worries. Ask any boater other than a retiree or pro, after his first year, how often he really uses the boat and it will be "not much and not as much as I'd like to."

I appalogize, I could not break down your advise. So 100% stay away from a repo boat correct?

The second part was the suggestion on where to keep the boat correct?