Looking for a boat I can handle

[Jenn by the Sea]

Hi All,

Many thanks for those who helped me get rid of that eyesore (old junk boat) in my driveway. Now I am looking for something that is in good shape. I have been looking at one called a Hurricane. It's 20 ft which is a good size for me I think. I want something I can tow and launch myself. I like the layout cause there's room to walk around and places to lay out and such. I want to make sure it doesn't ride rough if it gets a little windy or choppy as I don't want to be limited to only going out when its calm. What would be a good motor also? I think at first I would go in the intercoastal and maybe in the ocean a bit but not far out. BTW I'm in St. Augustine, Florida for those of you who know the area. I appreciate anyone's opinion. Of course I would have the boat checked out by someone qualified before I buy. I'm hoping not to spend more than 15K, maybe someone has an opinion on that too.

Many thanks
Jenn

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

A Hurricane is most likely a deck boat as that's what the company is known for. They are stable and spacious. This comes at a cost of ride quality in chop. They typically don't have a lot of deadrise so I would expect one to beat you pretty good on anything but calm days. I also think a 20' is going to be a handful to launch and retrieve by yourself. I know lots of people on here do it solo with boats that size and larger, and I have done it, but I personally think an 18' would be easier to handle alone. I'd look for an 18' bowrider with a 100+HP outboard. I'm unabashedly biased against I/O's but they do have their fans. If you prefer an I/O you can't really go wrong with a 3.0L or 4.3L Mercruiser or Volvo.

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Thanks ezmobee. It has been suggested to me that I should look for one with an outboard because I will be out in salt water which has less problems with corrosion than IO. Is this correct? Also what do you recommend for the brand of bow rider? I certainly don't want to get beat up when it's not calm. How can I tell the deadrise of a boat? Can you tell by just looking at it or is it a published spec? Is there a certain number that is good? Sorry for the questions, I'm just trying to learn...

Thanks again,
Jenn

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

For saltwater I'd lean even more towards an outboard. Deadrise is a published spec. It's "the measurement of the angle between the bottom of a boat and its widest beam. A vessel with a 0? deadrise has a flat bottom, high numbers indicate deep V shaped hulls." As for what numbers correspond with a smoother ride....not sure exactly and hopefully others can chime in. As for brands, that's largely a Ford/Chevy type debate and for used boats it's really all about condition. I'd rather have a well maintained low-end boat than a neglected high end one. That being said, I personally would probably not consider anything they sell at BassPro (Tracker, Tahoe, etc.) as I just haven't heard much good about them. Bayliners are also on the low end but from what I've read their quality has significantly improved from the 80's/early 90's when they earned their poor reputation.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I'm not familiar with the ICW and the other waters you're planning on boating in. If we're talking BIG water there (which it kinda sounds like), maybe I was off-base earlier and you should consider a 20'. Perhaps, in reality you won't often be boating alone. Launching a 20' by yourself is a chore but even adding a single unskilled person would make it a LOT easier. There's a BIG difference in seaworthiness between an 18' and a 20' (heck I went from a 16' to an 18' and difference there was amazing). Again, hopefully someone more familiar with the area will chime if with what you really need there.

I typically boat on lakes and rivers and my 18' is perfect. However I did have it out on the Chesapeake Bay once this year and while it was capable....it did feel small.

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I agree that a 20'er will be a handful for an inexperienced boater to launch and recover by themselves. Most boaters start small then work their way up in size, power and speed as they gain experience.

Start with something in the 16' to 18' range and pick you days carefully if venturing into "bigger" waters. Gain experience then slowly and carefully push your limits in a condition that's as controlled as possible; like having an experienced person with to bail you out and show you how to handle the boat if you get in a situation that could get out of hand and turn truly dangerous. Take it slow and in a few years you can be out there with the best of 'em.

Now for what type of boat, it sounds like you have evaluated your needs pretty good, but, bow riders, deck boats and the like are primarily designed for sheltered waters like the ICW and lakes and rivers. Their open bow design combined with non self draining (overboard) decks can lead to disaster if you stuff the bow into a wave while in heavy weather. it's not that you can't take them out into bays and very close to shore in the ocean, but pick your days VERY carefully!

I could write a book about the trade-offs that contribute to ride comfort verses stability when sitting still. Basically, the sharper and longer the "V" in the hull is the better it will ride in choppy conditions. Ie, a "deep V" hull (one that has a sharp "V" hull design from bow to stern) will cut through wind chop and wakes more comfortably than a hull with a modified "V" (sharp "V" in front tapering to a very mild "V" or flat bottom at the stern) like a bow rider or a deck boat and much more so than a flat bottomed boat such as a skiff or john-boat. The trade-off however is that a "deep V" hull will rock and roll with the waves when not moving whereas the other designs will tend to be more stable at rest.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Jenn,

How about some thing like this style.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Launching and retreiving by yourself can be a real challenge, although as previously mentioned, it can be done. You should be fine with just about anything in the ICW, although you need to be careful venturing out into the Atlantic in a 20' boat. Personally, I wouldn't do it. Period. Yeah, I know I will get a bunch of crap from others for saying it, but I wouldn't be comfortable. Especially if you do not have a lot of experience. That said, I've owned a boat for about five years now but would still not consider myself "experienced".

You might take a look at a center console. Some of the newer ones have decent seating or could be modified to entertain (seating, cockpit table, etc). It might be a stretch in a 20'er, but start there and be sure you like boating enough to invest a lot of money.

Another thought would be to look into a boating club. Then you get to abuse someone else's late model boat and can try out several different options. They typically have cruisers, fishing boats, etc. I'm not sure what it costs to join, but it might also be a way to meet fellow local boaters.

 

[hostage]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I live in near Lake Ontario and the lake can get a bit choppy. I was first looking for a open-bow for the seating, but then I ended up getting Cuddy for it's better handling in choppier water (less likely to get swamped than an open bow). Even though we live near Lake Ontario, we seldom go out on the lake as it can be a little much for a small boat. I know my g/f doesn't care for Ontario at all. My Cuddy is a 19ft'er, I don't think I have ever launched it myself, but I know it wouldn't be as easy than having someone else help you. That doesn't mean someone at the launch wouldn't help yah.

Also do you have a a vehicle that is capable of towing? If you plan on trailering your boat, you vehicle needs to be able to tow it. Even a full size pickup might not be properly equipped. You need to make sure you know your towing capacity when properly equipped (coolers for transmission etc, hitch, and wiring harness).

There is also another option of getting a boat a little larger and putting it in a wet slip. Don't have to worry about launching it all by yourself, towing it and you can have something a little larger that can handle the sea better.

As for $15k budget, it isn't bad. I got 2000 Maxum 1900 SC Cuddy w/ a 4.3L motor and trailer for $7500. I love the boat and it is in very good condition.

Cuddy: Uses the hull design of the standard open bow, but with a enclosed cabin with usually a small porta-potty and v-birth bed.

I hope this helps,

Hostage

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Hey Jenn,

I have a Hurricane 202, and the deadrise is ~ 16 degrees.

On a rough day the boat does tend to be a tad rough, but I counter this by jammin with or into waves at WOT. The boat is very stable, and is best suited for inland lakes on calm days. Hurricanes also make deckboats with greater deadrise than my modifies V hull... Check them out on line...

This boat has a much larger deadrise than my 202

http://www.hurricaneboats.com/boats.cfm?model=sd2000ob

 

[ziggy]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I don't want to be limited to only going out when its calm

i like going out in the stuff. it's exciting to me. i'm on my first closed bow vhull. i really like the sea worthiness of the closed bow. it makes me feel more secure when i'm in the 'stuff'
i know you'll lose some walking around room but with varying different kinds of boats, there's always trade offs.
maybe a cuddy cabin of some sorts. they 'generally' closed bow boats.
another thing to consider is how enclosed you can get. i'm on my first hard top boat and i love it. i just can't begin to explain how good it is to get out of the elements sometimes. wind can really fatigue me and i can get out of the wind. i don't care if it rains. i can get out of the rain. heck, i got hailed on this past summer and ya should have seen everyone high tailing it back to the launch. myself. i put up an aft curtain that comes with my boat. i become fully enclosed. i just sat there and watched everyone run. had the whole lake to myself in nothing flat that day.

while a closed bow boat or cuddy may not be what ya were thinking about. they do have certain advantages. lots of walk around space isn't one of them though.
cuddys lots of times have a head too. this is a major + too. while mine don't have a head. the bailing bucket works wonders and i (or my gf) have privacy w/ the hardtop.
just some food for thought for ya..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

A good search term for you might be "dual console". Dual consoles are basically bowriders with (typically) higher freeboard and self bailing decks. They also usually have fiberglass decks as opposed to carpet.

Dual console:

Bowrider:

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

We are in ST. A. quite a bit.

I would definatly do outboard over I/O, for a ton of factors, maintenence and shallow water abilities. We have rubbed a few bits of paint and gelcoat off with our I/O. A Hurricane deck boat will work, with all the sheltered water around. Hurricane is a good boat, there are a ton around here on the Suwannee. But don't limit yourself to only one brand, there are lots of boats around. A dual console boat might do the trick too. Kinda like bowriders but set up for bigger water and better for salt. my 2 cents.

Watch your conditions, especially if you are going out into the open ocean. That inlet out of the bay can be VERY tricky even if the ocean is very calm.

That being said there are tons of great places in the area to go. My personal favorite is the back side of Guana River SP. Beautiful and sheltered from most bad weather.

Good luck on the search. Let me know if you need ant additional info for ST. Augustine. We have a place over there, maybe we can meet up for some boat drinks.

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Wow, I never expected all this response! Thanks for all that...

I will try to give you some more info. I am not totally inexperienced when it comes to boating. I drove our 21 ft Sea Ray many times and helped launch it on many occasions but very true that I never did it alone. Also it is not my intention to take it out alone but would not rule that out forever. I have a Tahoe with a towing package so I suppose that would be good for towing? I like the idea of a dual console or a bow rider instead of a cabin boat. I think I would miss the extra open space. Thanks for the technical answer about what deadrise means. I will try to keep that in mind. I guess what that all means is that the bigger the v the better it takes the waves. I don't think I can afford a new boat so what are good brands and what isn't assuming all other things being equal?

Many thanks,
Jenn

 

[QC]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

My .02 on deadrise is 20 degrees for a decent ride, 18 minimum. I lived with a 17 footer with 20 degrees for a long time. Upgraded to a 16 degree 20 footer and the 17 footer was much smoother. We went to 23 ft. and 20 degrees again and she is perfect.

I disagree some about the need for a sharp entry at the bow. It is helpful if you trim down into larger chop under some conditions, but typically, in chop and trimmed up, the entry is pretty far aft under most conditions. The most important angle for 30 MPH and chop is deadrise at the transom IMHO . . .

This deadrise discussion changes at around 28 ft. and heavy, but I believe it is reasonably sound from 16 - 25ish. Especially in a light boat. Some weight low like an I/O can offset shallow deadrise. OBs with their CG higher and overall lighter weight seem to pound more with the same deadrise and the same length.

 

[hostage]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Looks like the tahoe should be good it is rated at 8800lbs

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Walk around the marinas and boat stores to get an idea of hull designs you like for your use. Then start shopping.

I 100% agree on outboard/center console for you, one with built-in seating in the bow and comfortable bench seating at the helm.

20' is a lot to handle alone unless you leave it in the water all the time. And centers and OB's tend to be lighter than bowriders (or others with a lot of built-in structure) and I/O/s. So I'd look at 17', maybe 19'. Look at a 17' whaler (used, due to $$$) or the carolina skiff DLX series, or something similar. A lot of bang for the buck.

A CC will be roomier inside than a DC or bowrider of equal length.

If you are a typical leisure/recreational boater, you won't be going out in big water when it's rough, so don't worry about rough rides--you need the boat to be able to handle it, though, if you get caught. I mean, when.

Don't take this the wrong way, but posters here who indicate they are female, not experts, and/or single get a lot of good advice and rsponses. It's not a "pick-up" thing; it's a brotherly/fatherly gentleman thing. You are in good hands.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

fwiw. for the solo part of yer needs. ya may want to consider getting a roller trailer. i'm on my first one and i like it (and i do launch my 19'er solo often enough). get the trailer in the water, unhook the bow strap and safety chain and give it a push. the launch is over in seconds. be sure to have a line in hand. i launch that fast. two lines actually. one bow, one stern for total control. retrieving is about the same. very easy to crank the boat onto the trailer when it's on rollers.
i don't know what bayliner that is in the pic. but the last boat show i went to the smallest bayliner, a 17 footer i think it was. was the only boat that had any appeal to me at that particular show.. i think it was it's simplicity that i liked. everything else looked the same to me at that show. nothing unique.

if i was buying, i'd be thinking i would want no wood construction too if i could get it. wood rots. composites or glass don't. even my '75 is mostly no wood, so they can be found.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

The solution is a deep V tinny with at least a 35 hp outboard. It is light making it easy for one person to launch. A closed bow and the deep V will let you ride out the bigger waves safely and being a lighter boat you will get as much power from a 35 hp or slightly larger than a much bigger engine on a heavy glass boat. The trips I make by myself are never a problem . see pict

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I have a 19' Hurricane, and would not hesitate to recommend it. I typically boat on lakes but got the Hurricane so that I could use it in the sound (the salt water behind the barrier Islands here in NC.

From my perspective the Hurricane is a great boat for my purposes. It has a very low draft (the sound can get shallow), an OB motor, and the deck is self bailing which means if I do get a wave over the bow the water drains overboard rather than into the bilge. I feel very safe in the boat as long as I watch the weather and don't lose sight of land.

The dead rise is not optimal, but if things get dicey I head in anyway.