First Time Boat Owner?

[KirkDarch]

Ok I can mislead you I have owned a 14? aluminum boat with a 9.9 for the last 25years?

Questions for you ?all knowing forum members? and I have a lot of them?

Background I am heading over to the dealership tomorrow morning to finish paying for a used (2006) Senza 206 with the Volvo 5.0L MPI engine. It is honestly a little bigger boat than I had wanted for my first boat but at least used I am hoping to not get to upset the first time I scratch it. The boat itself seams to be in very good shape though it does have one small tear in the drivers seat (very small and it needed to get pointed out to me because I did not see it), and the stickers are pealing.

What I will be using the boat for? hauling around tubes and water ski?s with my wife and I and our 4 children (oldest is 14). We don?t have a cottage or live on a lake so it will be trailered everywhere, and yes my wife thinks I am crazy.

Questions:

1. Do you think this is to big a boat for my first one?
2. Any suggestions on fixing the seat or stickers (I was wondering if there are places that can paint graphics and then clear coat it? if I just peal off the stickers it will look to bland).
3. What should I look out for? do you have any advice for a first time boater?
4. What are the goods and bad?s of this year and make / brand of boat?
5. What do I need to do to transfer the hull warranty or is it even worth it?
6. I did not get an owners manual or any other info with the boat and have not been able to find one on line? do you have any suggestions where I might procure one?
7. I am so out of my depth here (yes this was a bit of a snap decision) that I am not really sure what else I should be asking? but any and all info you can provide would be helpful.

Thanks,

Kirk

 

[albs]

Re: First Time Boat Owner?

The only thing I can really answer regarding your questions, is that the boat is not too big. With 4 kids you can never have too much room especially when they start bringing friends. Its all a matter of what you get used to. This year was my first boat Larson SEI 210 with the 5.0. I never felt like this boat was too big. Usually has 2 adults and 3 or 4 kids aboard. The most I've had aboard was 4 adults and 3 kids, it never felt uncomfortable. Even with all the gear. The best purchase I ever made was a 12 volt inflator for the tube. I always keep the tube stored and inflate and deflate as needed. It takes about 2 minutes. Have fun

 

[Uncle Albert]

Re: First Time Boat Owner?

Hi Kirk,
Form one newbie to another, I have just bought my first boat, a 240 Cabrio here in the UK. So I have very little knowledge and no experience but for what it's worth here are my thoughts on some of your questions:
I thought my boat was too big when I first steped aboard but I have to agree with albs, after a few hours I felt very comfortable with it.
If like mine your seats are vinyl you may be able to find someone who does vinyl welding. We have guys here that do repairs to car seats in that way.
Hull warranty; I'm still trying to find out perhaps we can keep in touch on this one.
I got an owners manual with mine which does nothing but state the obvious. There is a generic wiring schematic that bears no resemblance to my boat, a suggested service schedule for the engine and about 20 pages telling you not to breath in carbon monoxide, not to put parts of your body near the running prop and don't dangle the live end of the shore power cable in the water.
Lets hope some of the more experienced guys here can help more than I can.