Looking for a boat I can handle

[Mark42]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I tow and launch/retrieve my 16 foot hard top myself. Its not hard, and I feel very confident doing this all by myself.

When the wind picks up a bit, and its time to dock, I have a real hard time. No one to grab the dock with a 10 ft boat hook, no one to tie off a line, all the things that need doing while the wind is trying to push the boat away from the dock, or push you into other boats.

Then, after a rough time docking, the boat has to be loaded. Once again, its not easy to control the boat and winch it on straight with the wind pushing it off or over the trailer bunks. A rather stressful time. And you are tired from a day out on the water.

So, although launching and retrieving a 20ft boat is not a problem in perfect weather conditions, it may be nearly impossible to do by yourself if the weather turns.

Just something to keep in mind. Hope you find a boat that fits your needs.

Regards,

Mark

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

A 20'er with more that 20 degrees deadrise will cut chop best. If you get an outboard you can still get one which has some heft to it. Lighter boats get bounced around more than the heavier ones but can run at higher speed using less fuel. I say get a heavier boat which can take a beating better, it will use a little more fuel but be more comfortable. My daughter (14 y.o.) and I like to hit medium chop at higher speed, but our boat is for that very thing.
If you want to try launching and retrieving tell the person you are buying from and make it a condition of the sale. You had better be doing a sea trial, so have it include a solo launch & scoop. If you buy private party the seller will likely know any quirks the boat/trailer may have and show them to you.
If your favorite ramp is steep you could get a power winch so you don't have to strain a gut bringing the boat up to the snubber on the trailer.
Outboards are really easy to get onto a trailer, if the trailer has no guide-ons get them. Those are the upright pieces that help "corral" your bow onto the rollers or bunks. They are a big help when single retrieving.
I have a 21 degree deadrise hull, it rides pretty well. It's heavy for a 19'6" boat due to the construction and the bigger iron block engine. I singlehand it when I go to a local puddle near home to check my repair work. The main thing is to put out lines from the bow eye and a stern cleat on the windward side. Boats float, and floating things are (relatively) easy to move. So once you get it moving it will go where you pull or push it, except for the effect wind and current will cause to your boat's direction. It's basic physics, a body at rest tends to stay at rest, a body in motion tends to stay in motion...blah blah blah. Since you skippered the other boat, a lot of this info is just tucked away in your mind, you just may not realize it!
If you are trying to retrieve in a wind that comes from the side or stern you may have some problems, but watch the weather and avoid those conditions. In a pinch you make the best decision with the information you have. Sometimes that involves getting help, like dropping the anchor to ride out a problem or waiting for a storm to die down. If a hurricane is coming and the ramp is unusable go to a marina, pay the man and save your big toy (boat).

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Hello all,

First of all I am overwhelmed by all the responses! Thanks so much. After reading everything this is what I'm getting from you (and what I think),

- A lighter boat is easier to handle but will ride more rough
- An outboard motor is more salt resistant
- A bow rider or dual console is heavier and might ride better
- Maybe 20 feet is too much for me to handle (I'm a woman but not a weakling!)
- A center console was suggested but I have seen them and there's not much room to lay out
- More deadrise is better for the ride
- No wood, get all fiberglass
- Don't forget I used to help launch our Sea Ray which was like 20+ feet meaning I would either back it/pull it out or back it off the trailer and pick the ex up at the dock, so I'm not totally inexperienced...
- I should be able to get a good boat for 15K or less...about what year should I look for? What brand of boat? What brand NOT to look at?
- Did I miss anything?

Also, I am not intimidated to be on what is probably mostly a male forum, I am aware of this but really I am more comfortable asking these questions here since most here I'm sure are very knowledgable...so thanks home cookin for your comment!

Thanks again!
Jenn

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Jenn,

Try this:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...-LOW-HOURS-2240820/Pensacola/FL/United-States

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

ditto on a roller trailer w/ a power winch. Also helps solve the cross wind issue b/c the boat will right itself as it rolls on, with a little guidance.
My sister and mother did fine with this rig, although the largest is 17'.

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Thanks, I will add a roller trailer and a power winch to my list.


Many thanks,
Jenn

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I have been boating the ICW since I was 15, from New Smyrna Beach to Jacksonville, and have been around/thru St. Augustine more times than I can remember. Although the inlet can get rough during bad weather/heavy tide changes (as all inlets do), the ICW certainly is protected enough for pleasent boating. The ride from St. Augustine to Jax is very serene.

Not knowing your experience, I've mentioned the following to assure your bases are covered.

Feel free to venture out the inlet, but make sure that you have:

1) A decent GPS if you venture far enough out that you lose bearings or sight of land
2) Knowledge of the local waterway and channels/markers. Up-to-date maps are a great help.
3) Experience leaving/entering the channel during incoming/outgoing tides

As far as launching and retreiving solo, I say go for it. I always launched/loaded my 21' deep vee by myself. It's not a question of strength, but a matter of technique. My wife has done it, our friends wife has run their 20' solo, and I see solo female boaters in similar vessels on the water all of the time. Find the right boat that you're comfortable with and have the owner show you how they do it.

Trailer guides are a great help, as mentioned. Either a roller trailer or one with glide on bunks will work. It's more a matter of properly placing the trailer in the water at the right depth and final loading with a winch. Heck, my son loaded the boat when he was 16 just to prove to me he could!

Best of luck with whatever you decide. Post a thread in the Destinations forum and all the local boaters will get together for an outing!

 

['96 Charger]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I can't let this slide. What exactly makes launching and retrieving a larger boat more difficult? As long as you have a keel guard and do it under power it can be easier than a smaller rig depending on what it is. On top of that a bigger boat with a nice sharp V will always ride better than a smaller boat with the same sharp V.

Or maybe I just got fed up with how my dad launched and retrieved his 19' Spectrum and learned the easy way to do it from my bass fishing buddy who also preaches about putting in and taking out in 30 seconds or less as a team (we do it every trip) or under two minutes solo.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

I can't let this slide. What exactly makes launching and retrieving a larger boat more difficult?

imho

wind, waves, current (river or tide) and a heavy boat that reacts slowly to input from a line being pulled on. the more wind and more waves and current, the harder loading becomes. especially solo... best trick i've learned is to use the wind and the waves to your advantage for how ya plan on loading, but sometimes the situation don't allow ya to pick and choose as to where your loading and ya can't take advantage of the wind, waves or current.... i know i've driven home with my boat crooked on the trailer before for a hard time loading do to circumstances beyond my control..

i went from a jetski to a bigger jet ski to a 16' boat to a 19' boat. any or all of them could be a drag to load with trying circumstances, but the boats are harder and take more effort to control...

that said, i off load in seconds and load in a min. or two, usually, when things cooperate with me.

 

['96 Charger]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

imho

wind, waves, current (river or tide) and a heavy boat that reacts slowly to input from a line being pulled on. the more wind and more waves and current, the harder loading becomes. especially solo... best trick i've learned is to use the wind and the waves to your advantage for how ya plan on loading, but sometimes the situation don't allow ya to pick and choose as to where your loading and ya can't take advantage of the wind, waves or current.... i know i've driven home with my boat crooked on the trailer before for a hard time loading do to circumstances beyond my control..

i went from a jetski to a bigger jet ski to a 16' boat to a 19' boat. any or all of them could be a drag to load with trying circumstances, but the boats are harder and take more effort to control...

that said, i off load in seconds and load in a min. or two, usually, when things cooperate with me.

I have to bring mine in somewhat sideways to counteract prop torque. If I don't get it straight on the first stab I can always fix it with the motor turned. That said now that I think about it the side runners have saved my butt a couple times. Whitecaps at the ramp made for a white knuckle retrieve.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Guide-on's for the trailer will be a big help. They center the boat and negate a lot of the affects of wind. Going to put some on my trailer soon.

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Mark42,

Yes we had those on the trailer of the Sea Ray so for sure I will have them. Without them how could I see the trailer when coming in? Ours had lights which I think is extra, I don't think I saw many that had them on other trailers. Thanks for reminding be about that. My list keeps getting longer and longer! Also does anyone have any suggestions on brands to look at and ones to avoid?


Thanks,
Jenn

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Looking for a boat I can handle

Mark42,

Also does anyone have any suggestions on brands to look at and ones to avoid?


Thanks,
Jenn

I would say select a boat that you like, then avoid the one that doesn't check out after a full marine survey. Most boat manufactures are making good quality boats these days..