First time boater and need some advice for a boat that will suit my needs...

[cjg117]

Hey guys hows it going? I am really starting to get into boating and looking for one that should suit my needs. I currently have a sea-doo jetski that I have had fun putting around on for the past couple years but I think its time to move up into something else. I am looking for something that will seat about five people and can pull a water skier. It needs to be able to go out on the ocean but only when the water is calm as it will be used mostly for lake/large river use. My budget is around $4500 because I am 21 years of age and my pockets are not huge. I understand that the boat might be a little older...currently I know little to nothing about boat styles. I do have my boating license so I just need the boat. Thanks in advance for any of the help.

Been searching through craigslist and have found tons of boats but without pictures I have no idea what type of boat they are.

BTW: I do very little fishing so the boat does not need to be suitable for that.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: First time boater and need some advice for a boat that will suit my needs...

Best advice I can give you (Bro) is to go to a busy launching ramp on Sunday afternoon and talk to folks and look at their stuff. You will usually get honest answers.

Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First time boater and need some advice for a boat that will suit my needs...

i have 3 pwc's, and many boats, addicted. if you want to ski, tube, and cruise. i suggest a 16-18ft bowrider. engine in the 115 -130 range. if you want to do some ocean crusing, you can make a cover for the bow, in case of rough weather. you will get more speed with an aluminum boat, as they are lighter than the fiberglass. when looking require a test drive of 1 hour, check the floor for any soft spots, tilt the engine all the way up, and shake hell out of the engine up and down, watch the transom, there should not be any flex. compression check on the engine, the higher over 100 psi the better, and the cylinders should be within 10 % of each other. check the lower unit oil for water. remove the bottom drain plug, if milky it has water in it.

 

[cjg117]

Re: First time boater and need some advice for a boat that will suit my needs...

i have 3 pwc's, and many boats, addicted. if you want to ski, tube, and cruise. i suggest a 16-18ft bowrider. engine in the 115 -130 range. if you want to do some ocean crusing, you can make a cover for the bow, in case of rough weather. you will get more speed with an aluminum boat, as they are lighter than the fiberglass. when looking require a test drive of 1 hour, check the floor for any soft spots, tilt the engine all the way up, and shake hell out of the engine up and down, watch the transom, there should not be any flex. compression check on the engine, the higher over 100 psi the better, and the cylinders should be within 10 % of each other. check the lower unit oil for water. remove the bottom drain plug, if milky it has water in it.

Exactly the information I was looking for. Looked up bowrider and that looks like something that should suit my needs pretty well. Great list of stuff to check for when buying a boat. Would of never thought to check some of the stuff you mentioned. Appreciate it very much, Thank you.