Looking To Buy A Boat.

[TehDerek]

I am in looking into buying a 20ft bowrider. I am still open to having an open or closed bow.
I am some what new to boating, I've driven a boat before, my parents 30ft Carver. The boat would be purchased within the next year, year and a half. I wanted to narrow down my choices, get an estimate and educate myself more, with maintaining a boat, and knowing how to fix it, if something goes wrong.
The boat will mainly be on the river, and maybe on the lake, on non choppy days. I am looking at an all fiber glass boat, with an overhead arch, by the back, for speaker mounting.




Thanks.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Welcome to iboats.
Please take a boating safety class before you make your purchase.
It is invaluable information for you to have.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

I went through the same thing and ended up with a 20' open bow, decided it would be best for our family of 4, with the bow rider we have more seating room for bringing guests along, we have lots of fun tubing/ski'n. Now as for cool factor like for a single guy with a girlfriend cuddy all the way, or even a young family with a toddler and a baby perhaps would appreciate the protection of the cuddy, each design has it's place. bow rider=fun cuddy=cool IMO. Oh, I'm not even going comment about speakers, some guy's here can be rather abrasive on that subject.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

price range? what use? how many people on usually outing? inboard, i/o, or ob? trailering, or slip? these are basic questions, before even considering looking.

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Most bowriders now have a wakeboard tower option, which includes speakers. Maybe a few cuddy models, not so sure about those. But such a wakeboard tower will always be located up by the windshield, not in the back of the boat as you requested. If you stick with that back arch requirement, then you are headed for a custom boat. Or one a lot bigger than 20'.

Kelly Cook

 

[TehDerek]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Thanks for all the responses.

I already planned on taking a safety class, and thank you for the reminder.

I wouldn't have a lot of people on the boat at a time, maybe like, 5 or 6 at the max. With the cuddy, would there be more deck space, like behind the captains seat? I'll have to way the pros and cons out, since I think both look nice. And the boat will be in a slip, maybe I might trailer it out, but only if it needs to be worked on. I am not sure on a price range, only because I don't know the average price of something like this. With the open bow, can't that be a bit more dangerous, with massive amounts of water coming on? And as you said, custom, would that be more money, like a lot more? Or just a decent amount to mount a wakeboard tower. And, as you said, it has to go by the windshield, thats what I pictured. Is it possible to get the tower is fiber glass?



Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

i had the pleasure of test driving these before release, the 2008 Bayliner 205, a great wake board boat.

hereee's the thread on the boat. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=198208&highlight=test+drive

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

A 20' cuddy will have space in the cockpit for 5 or 6 people. The bow compartment on bowriders is basically a kiddie ride. In the 20' size I think the bowriders look a lot sharper. The danger of swamping a bowrider with water over the bow is not great. Usually when a boat swamps, the wave came in over the stern, not the bow. Here is another thread on the bowrider vs cuddy topic -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=203424

A custom boat would be a whole lot more. But no need for that if a wakeboard tower over the windshield is Ok. There are lots and lots of those to choose from. Fiberglass towers are common on cruisers, 25' and up. The only boats I know of near the 20' size with a 'glas arch are wakeboard brands like Malibu. Which are very nice boats, but more $$ than yer garden variety bowrider.

Kelly

 

[MikDee]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Generally a bowrider has more usable space then a closed bow, or cuddy cabin, and also more cockpit area then either also, Plus if it's an outboard, rather then an I/O it usually has even a bit more cockpit space. Taking water over the bow of a bowrider is not a common thing, only ocassionally if you're sitting still, or idling against heavy seas, once your on plane it usually is not an issue, unless there's too much weight in the bow. I presently have one now, and I've had a total of 5 bowriders over the yrs, and a few closed bows, & cuddy cabins, but I prefer the bowriders.

 

[TehDerek]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Alright.
I've been thinking about the two different types, and haven't made a decision. Though, I have time to make the right decision. I'll read that bow vs cuddy thread, and see if it can help.


The open bow would be nice to have, for when friends and family come on, or for just relaxing. I wouldn't use the cuddy much, like I wouldn't sleep down there. Whats an average price for what I am looking for?



Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

new $25-35,000 depending on what you choose, and power plant.

 

[whipcracker]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

I was in a similar situation about three years ago and I finally settled on a used 22' fiberglass boat with a closed bow. I really like it as I don't have kids and with an eight foot beam it seats six comfortably in the cockpit and has lots of power and a sundeck.
Used boats are incredibly more affordable but they do have less features and you have to really hunt to find one that has been taken care of decently (garaged when not in use).
I actually started with a fairly cheap 20 footer with a cuddy cabin and then I sold it because it helped me to see what I really wanted without spending a lot and then changing my mind. Not a bad idea to start used or go along on a friends for a while before purchasing.

 

[TehDerek]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

I was reading that thread, and I noticed that the cuddy would be cramped if my boat was under 25' and that it could get hot. But where I am its not always hot. How big of a wake does it take to get the bowrider wet? Obviously I wouldn't be on the lake on a rough day. But I'll mainly be on the river, and I wouldn't want to get my passengers wet. I also noticed a Bimini top, in that thread, for shade, which sounds nice. Would that interfere with the fiber glass wakeboard tower?



I am now leaning more towards the bowrider, like in the beginning.



So I dont have to make a new thread, where is a good place, or good books on learning how to maintain a boat? Cause if something goes wrong, I'd like to know how to fix it.


Thanks.


Derek.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

You seem to worry a lot about swamping. In a boat in the size you are talking and being in the river and lakes I doubt you will swamp it. Where do you boat or plan to boat? There is a lot of information here that will help you narrow down to what you think you want. But nothing will replace first hand experience. My advice will be that whatever you choose as far as cuddy or bow get a smaller used boat. Get the feeling of it, the maintenance and bang that one. Then your upgrade will be easier as you know better what you like dont like, how are you going to use it, how expensive is the maintenance, etc...

 

[TehDerek]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

I have experience with boating, and driving a 30ft boat. And some knowledge on docking it. I plan to mainly boat on the river, go fast and overall enjoy. It will just be new to me seeing how I am use to driving a 30ft boat, opposed to a smaller, open bow type boat.

I've pretty much made my decision. I am staying under 20' so I am going with an open bow.

I was at the bookstore, looking for boating books, only found books on sail boats.
Any recommendations? I want to be able to solve any problem that may occur. I joined a computer forum, to learn how a computer works, and built my own, so if anything goes wrong, I can fix it. And thats how I want to get with boating.



Anyways.


Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

coast guard safe boating course is your first, priority. you will learn a lot there. even as a refresher.

 

[TehDerek]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Yeah.
I attended a class, once, but I am going to take the course and other boating classes.


Whats a good way to learn how a boat works, and how to fix problems that may occur.

Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

keep reading here. decide what boat you want, and read the forums. there is more info in these forums, than you can find anywhere.

here's one to start: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=138594

and another: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=169555&highlight=water+skiing

 

[TehDerek]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Alright.
Thanks.


I've narrowed it down. Since I am getting a boat under 20' I'll get a bowrider. Do I want an outboard engine? If I wanted it to be powerful, would I want two, or one decent one.

I was thinking outboard, since it would be easy to maintain. Are there any advantages or disadvantages?

I'd also want a trailer, so I can move it around occasionally. I can leave the trailer at the boat yard, and use it when I need to.


And I may actually buy the boat to use next season, 2008.




Thanks.

 

[jevery]

Re: Looking To Buy A Boat.

Do I want an outboard engine?

Now you've opened a can of worms. This question arises regularly and there are passionate advocates for both types of drives. There are numerous advantages/disadvantages for each of drive for each type of application. Do a search for i/o vs outboard or sterndrive vs outboard and consider the arguments presented. I've owned numerous boats with both types of drives, and I'll tell you that I've permanently settled on outboards, but my current application is Fish and Ski, and I insist on hydraulic steering and 4-stroke motors. My all time favorite boat was a 21 ft Bryant bowrider with a 5.7 sterndrive. A beautiful machine with power and room to spare, but a maintenance headache - particularly to prepare for freezing weather. Do your homework and hopefully you'll end up with a good choice for your particular application and preferences. Good Luck