Looking for help with boat purchase

[lonjangan]

I am looking to purchase my first boat in the next few months. I have grown up having boats my whole life but this is my first. I have been looking at them for about the last year and I think I am starting to just overwhelm myself with information. So I was hoping to get others opinions on what they would get in my shoes.

I am not wanting to spend more than $13,000 and was hoping to get something over the year 2000. I am looking for something over the 20ft mark as I have been told time after time with our lakes you feel beat up on something smaller than that. I would like to get something with a small cuddy that my wife and I could sleep on if we wanted to. I want to be able to pull skiers / wake boarders.

I have been focusing my searches to looking at Crownlines with MerCruisers. But I wanted others opinions as to brands, motors, and recommendations on where and when to buy.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Looking for help with boat purchase

Welcome to the site....I can see why you are feeling overwhelmed...that's a decent budget for a used boat so you could probably find a late 2000 20' or an earlier 2000 24' .....If you like the Crownline why dont you just stick with finding the best one you can find and not open up to other brands to not get so overwhelmed....Maybe try to settle on a length you want...the bigger they are the more expensive they will be to slip or trailer and operate.

I dont know if anyone can help you I think its a personal thing....only 2 things I would advise....if you want to spend no more than 13k, buy a boat for 11k and leave yourself the extra to do the things you will want or need to do. and most importantly...once you find the ONE, stop looking because you will find a better one the week after!!!

Good luck.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Looking for help with boat purchase

Welcome aboard.

A few suggestions for you:

1. Seems like you have a budget which is good. Just decide if it's a hard budget or a soft one because sometimes a little stretch can mean a lot more boat. On the other hand, if you can't control yourself you may buy something you shouldn't have.
2. Figure out exactly how/where you're going to use it (please fill out your profile for location so we know more about you).
3. Budget for maintenance, especially on a used boat you should expect a few things once you buy.
4. Get a survey no matter what. You want to know that what you bought is a good boat and not a good boat anchor.
5. Make sure you have a tow vehicle up to the task (assuming you aren't putting/leaving it in a slip)
6. Research, research, research.
7. Have fun.


Cheers.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Looking for help with boat purchase

Welcome..lots of knowledgeable folks here who are more than eager to help. Keep in mind at the top of our categories are "stickys"...topics that get asked here often.

And guess what??? Your question happens to come up often. So, I am including a link from one of our esteemed moderators. A man with over 46k posts on this forum concerning everything from Anchors to Zincs......

From Tashasdaddy...http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300510

Good luck with your search!

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Looking for help with boat purchase

All great advice above especially about remembering to keep in mind the tow vehicle capability and keeping a "reserve" in the budget for survey, unexpected repairs / maintenance, needed safety equipment and insurance. Besides that.... (1) have fun searching (2) good luck and (3) welcome to IBoats!