Help-boat for wife

[boatneck]

My wife wants a runabout to check out the rivers and creeks around the chesapeake bay. We've looked at new and used boats about 18' and less with various engines. We narrowed down to outboard engines only, and safety as a requirement. This is a boston whaler ventura--very, very pricey. Any lower cost alternatives? Thanks for any advice.

 

[JB]

Re: Help-boat for wife

Ahoy, Boatneck. Find a 17 or 18 Classic Whaler from the 80's that is in the hands of a Whaler enthusiast. It will be a better boat than a new one at less than half the price. I suspect that an 18STX or a 17 Newport would fit the Runabout description, though my personal favorite is the Classic 17 Montauk.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Chum Slick]

Re: Help-boat for wife

Any specific rivers and creeks in the Chesapeake Bay area you want to navigate, Eastern or Western shore? There are litteraly thousands of them and which ones you are interested in depends a lot on the type and size of boat. If you are going to venture out into the bay consider a larger boat. I know a lot of people navigate the bay in smaller boats and I've seen numerous occasions when the smaller boats get into trouble because of the storms that blow down the bay with not much warning. I have had water crash over the bow of my 24 ft Mako several times in the Chesapeake. I also have a Thunderbird Formula 18 deep V that I run the Potomac or Patuxent River almost every weekend with no trouble as long as I know what the weather is going to do. Just keep an ear and eye out for the weather changes around the bay area to be safe. As far as type and style of boat, don't be too hasty on purchasing a new boat. There are more boats for sale in the Chesapeake Bay area than you can shake a stick at. I bought my 24 ft Mako WalkAround Cuddy with twin 115 Johnsons sitting on an excellent twin axle trailer for $5200.00 and she is in great shape. That was complete with all electronics, outriggers and downriggers. I may be able to direct you to some good sites for boats in the bay area if you let me know where you are. Good luck with your boat shopping and be safe and have fun around the bay.<br /><br /><br />Keep the Bait in the Slick........

 

[boatneck]

Re: Help-boat for wife

Thanks for the tips. We tried to buy a used Boston Whaler but by the time I called (2days after the ad), it was sold. This convinced us that re-sale of a Whaler was never going to be a problem. What is about the Classic Whaler that makes it better than a new Whaler?<br /> <br />We live off a creek of the Great Wicomico River and have looked at a number of used boats, but most are stern drives. The few outboards were a Force which I rejected based on what I read on this forum, and others which were too old and looked like more care and feeding than I could provide.

 

[DP]

Re: Help-boat for wife

boatneck<br /><br />The discussion as to whether a classic Whaler is better than a new one will never be answered. It depends on what you <br />like. The construction of the new Whalers is just as good as the older ones. I have a 1999 17 Montauk and a classic 13', there is no difference in the construction.<br />You can't beat the safety and re sale value of a Whaler. The 17 Montauk is a very stable hull and runs well with low HP but it will beat you up in rough water. The Outrage, Ventura and Dauntless hulls require more HP but will give you a much better ride when it gets rough.<br /><br />Won't take up any more space here, but if you would like any specific information on Whalers pleas feel free to e-mail me.<br /><br />****

 

[JB]

Re: Help-boat for wife

Howdy, Boatneck<br /><br />I wont disagree with what BW17MT has to say, except that I consider a Montauk, whether made in 1976 or 2001, a Classic Whaler.<br /><br />The Dougherty designed Whalers (the ones I call "Classic", with the "smirk" at the bow) were lighter, faster, more economical to operate and safer that any boat in their size ranges made.. . then or now. They didn't have a Cadillac ride, more like an E-Jaguar, and that is part of the pleasure of operating one.<br /><br />The new Whaler designs have the traditional Whaler fit and finish, but they are heavy and sluggish by comparison. . . and they have neither teak nor mahogany trim!!! What kind of Boston Whaler doesn't have brightwork to love and burnish???<br /><br />If your wife would rather drive a '59 Caddy than an E-Jag, get her a new style Whaler, but.. . well, you know the rest.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Help-boat for wife

Hey this is some worthless info, but here goes! One of my customers just brought in a 94 24 foot whaler, 200 merc, nice shoreline trailer, all same year. I asked where he bought it, and he said he found it at the salvation army! It was on the back lot, and they didn't know how much it was worth, so he offered them $3500, and they took it! Unfortunately, his brother didn't understand what that warning bell was going off for, and disconnected it. Well, it was an oil injection problem, it's costing him 2k to fix it. <br />Anyway, the moral of this story is, look around, the deals are here around the bay area, just keep looking. You have all winter!

 

[boatneck]

Re: Help-boat for wife

I really appreciate all the info you all are giving me. At the risk of offending Boston Whaler people, is a Hurricane deck boat an option? As you probably guessed by now, I'm a newcomer to power boats and welcome the help this forum is providing.

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Help-boat for wife

Boatneck, here's what I would do, since it sounds like you and your wife are pretty new to the saltwater boating game. In fact, it is what I did about 20 years ago.<br /><br />I went to the boat ramps nearby whre I planned on going, and I got talking to the guys that came in. I explained to them that I was new to boating there, and I really did not know what kind or brand of boat I wanted. I then asked to pay the guys (most would not take anything, but I made them take gas money anyway) to take me fishing next time in their boat.<br /><br />I ended up going out in 15 or 20 different boats, and was very happy with the one I eventually got. I also learned a lot about the waters too (like where shallow spots are, what winds NOT to go out in, etc.)<br /><br />DON'T RUSH INTO BUYING A BOAT IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE WATERS YOU WILL BE USING IT IN. You will probably end up trading it sooner than later (or worst, get in big trouble with it) if you are hasty.<br /><br />Also, enroll in the $20 to $30 Coast Guard Auxillary class in your area. You will gain years of experience from the class.<br /><br />Just 2 more cents worth.....

 

[boatneck]

Re: Help-boat for wife

SeaDawg, thanks for the idea of fishing, but I'm not new to boating, just new to power boats. I've been sailing the Bay with a 25-foot keelboat for the past several years, and my wife is the one who wants to go out and tour the area with the powerboat. She doesn't like sailing, so I want to be sure she has a safe and reliable boat. I've been out trolling with my neighbor on his 30-foot trawler, and out cruising with my other neighbor on his Bayliner. And both of us have had the Coast Guard auxiliary course which was very good.<br /><br />She probably will start out cruising locally, and as her confidence and experience grows, will go out to the Potomac and Rapahannock rivers as well. She seemed to feel that bigger than an 18-footer was too much boat--especially since the cost goes up so quickly. Sorry, but I should have posted this info in my first query for help.

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Help-boat for wife

Gotcha, sounds like you have those bases covered well.<br /><br />Incidentally, the boat I ended up picking back then was a Bayliner 1910 Trophy CC, with a 125 Force Motor. I got my commercial hook and line license, and I fished it 5 and 6 days a week for 2 years. Put over 700 running hours on it, and it would still hit 35 mph when I sold it. Never really had a problem with it, even though I hear it is an exception.<br /><br />I think the best thing I had going was I was using it daily, so nothing could corrode. I would WD-40 the outside of the engine nightly, and hose the salt off. I ran my engine oil at 1 quart to 10 gallons of gas, and never fouled a plug either. I changed them twice a year, and along with the lower unit oil.