Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

[iamthunderman]

I have the opportunity to buy a beautiful 25 foot Regal bowrider. I have never owned a boat before and am wondering if this is an appropriate boat for a rookie?

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

that is pretty big. Our first one growing up was a 17'. that was overwhelming enough. a few years later we got a 24' though. dad still has it, actually.

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

If you are a responsible adult, with a fair amount of common sense,and will take the time to get educated about boat owner ship, I say go for it. Starting out big will eleviate the need to upgrade for a while.

 

[Adamf24]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

Better to buy a big boat now than end up trading in your smaller boat for one later.

25' is a decent size boat, but nothing overwhelming. I started on a 23' with absolutely no knowledge whatsoever, but I read alot about handling a boat and I practiced as much as I could and I became pretty good after a few months.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

I've been driving (skippering?) a 15 footer for 10 years now. I have a pretty good feel for it, but it took a few years to get used to "steering in reverse" - that is, unlike a car, where the steering affects the front of the car, and the rear wheels follow, in a boat the prop and/or rudder is at the back of the boat. On the open water you don't even notice the difference. But fitting into a "parking place" - a boat slip - is a whole 'nother experience, let me tell you. Add wind and currents, and, well, you can imagine.

The first time my brother let me dock his boat, I came in too fast and brushed the dock a little too hard - left a nasty gash in the paint that he never forgave me for(until he sold the boat ). I've done the same with mine, but I've learned to use fenders! Last year, backing out of a slip in a marina, I almost hit another boat, but fortunately just dug my prop into a rubber tire on the opposite dock. (My excuse: my shifter ain't great and it grinds going in and out of gear.)

Embarassing to say here, online. But my point is, it's tough enough with a small boat. I'm buying into a 24' cruiser and I'm scared to death - about 3 times the weight and 3 times the momentum.

May I suggest several paid lessons from someone who knows their stuff and knows how to teach. Figure a $200 investment for 4-5 lessons, I'm guessing. But repairing one good scrape will cost you at least that much...

And this is all assuming that you're not trailering the boat. Towing something that big is difficult. Again, not so much going forward. But remembering that it's behind you when you change lanes, giving yourself double the braking distance, and, for many, the absolute horror of horrors - backing that rig -

Invest in a $3000 smaller boat, first. You'll be glad you did.

Dave

 

[marine4003]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

I have the opportunity to buy a beautiful 25 foot Regal bowrider. I have never owned a boat before and am wondering if this is an appropriate boat for a rookie?

There's a whole lot of "depends" attached to the answer..the issue isnt the actual driving part..its the navigation & safety parts that are VERY important, consider it like gun ownership...first you learn safety,then component..then how to shoot.first thing is classes..not the silly 2 hour courses..but go for the ones associated with obtaining a license..25' isnt the problem..its knowing what to do under ANY circumstance with that 25' that matters. good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

25' bow rider should be ok, compared to a 25' cabin, which would be hard to see what you are doing when docking. REVERSE is not a BRAKE. never approach something faster than you want to hit it. safety courses are a must!!! get a friend who is knowledgable about boats, to go with you the first couple of times.

read all of this: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300472

 

[JB]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

Would you want to learn to drive in a semi?

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

25' is way to big for a first boat. I think you should buy it and trade it with my 20' so you can get a little practice for a couple of years and then we can trade back!

25' bow rider should be ok, compared to a 25' cabin, which would be hard to see what you are doing when docking. REVERSE is not a BRAKE. never approach something faster than you want to hit it. safety courses are a must!!! get a friend who is knowledgable about boats, to go with you the first couple of times.

read all of this: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300472

Just kidding. I agree with TD. I think you will be ok if you take your time and learn the boat and as much as you can about boating. Take the USCG safety classes. And take a freind out the first few times. Take it slow.

I know someone who bought a 40' cabin cruiser for thier first boat and handles it just fine. A lot depends on the individual. If you are a fast learner, have some commone sense and take it slow, you will be ok.

Good luck!

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

I know a guy who bought a 24' cabin cruiser as his first boat (other than row boats when he was young). Watched him struggle, run it aground, and bump into a bunch of things in my time spent with him. Needless to say he was a smart guy, from what I saw was sort of handy, but the boat thing just never caught on quick. Even the last time I went out with him, you would swear it was his first... He never could figure out turning the boat around in a narrow lagoon (there were 40'ers that could do it, so not too narrow), he never could keep the boat straight, and couldn't dock it with help from others, let alone by himself...

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

Thanks for all the responses! I have been looking for a bigger bowrider than most for several reasons. I have 3 kids, and we have a very close family we do a lot with. We are major campers and we plan on using the boat for overnights on little islands where we live (near Lake Ouichita in Hot SPrings Arkansas). I needed a boat with a potty and a sink, with lots of storage for tents and other camping crap. I was about to jump on a 24 foot regal in Florida when at the last minute this one popped up. It is perfect and can't wait to drive her tomorrow!

THanks for all the advice

 

[JoLin]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

Thanks for all the responses! I have been looking for a bigger bowrider than most for several reasons. I have 3 kids, and we have a very close family we do a lot with. We are major campers and we plan on using the boat for overnights on little islands where we live (near Lake Ouichita in Hot SPrings Arkansas). I needed a boat with a potty and a sink, with lots of storage for tents and other camping crap. I was about to jump on a 24 foot regal in Florida when at the last minute this one popped up. It is perfect and can't wait to drive her tomorrow!

THanks for all the advice

After one year of boating I recently upgraded from a 21' outboard to a 24' I/O cabin boat. Know what? The new boat is EASIER to handle than the old one was. Between the increased weight (doesn't get blown around as quickly) and the improvement in the drive (duo-prop vs single propeller), my docking ability immediately improved 100%.

As others have already advised, take your time, learn as much as you can from reading, and consider hiring or getting a learned acquaintance to help you learn the ropes. The simple fact that you're concerned that it might be too much for you to handle, is a good indication that you'll be okay.

You WILL feel like a total buffoon when you first start. You will hit things. You will make bonehead moves that will have others shaking their heads in amazement, 'cause your screw-ups always happen in front of a crowd. And the very first time you make a picture-perfect approach, deftly bringing your boat to a dead stop precisely where you meant to place it... there won't be another soul around to see it.

 

[stormy weathers]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

the first couple of times you need to take if out with one person. Set some simple tasks. make small movements, slowly move it around some piers. And remember at the launch 1. Don't forget the PLUG!! And find a time at the launch when it is not busy, watch the other boaters.

Get Right or Get Left.

 

[n2ostroker]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

That big of a bow rider I think you'll be fine. Your not stuck way up in the air. My dad was scared to drive my 20' cuddy let alone dock it. Forget him trying to run 60 down the lake.. He just bought an 87 Bayliner 2450 cabin cruiser. Picked it up from the owner and drove it to our dock by himself just fine. Even backed it in to the slip with help from 2 people on the dock without hitting anything.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Is a 25 foot boat too big for a first timer like me?

I have driven several boats from 17ft bass boats to 30-foot cruisers. I don't find them any different in most respects. The heavier boats don't drift as much, but they do take more forethought when in tight spaces. There's nothing different about it until you start messing with twin engines where you can use them to spin the boat on it's axis.

If you are docking with appropriate speed and care, you shouldn't band a big boat off of the dock any more than a small boat. The major difference is that with cruisers, you will pay more for a mistake made, like coming in too fast.