New Member with first boat

[murf e]

Hi folks,
Just signed up after lurking for a couple of weeks. I've recently "retired" from racing dirtbikes in Cross Country and Hare Scrambles races (45yrs old with two worm out knees). Started racing with my son when he was 5 and he's now 18 and joined the Army so if I quit now MAYBE I'll still be able to walk when I'm 60. I've been promising my wife and daughter for years that when I quit racing I would get a boat and we'd hit the lake. Well since I know NOTHING about boats my plan was to start shopping for a boat now to learn a little and buy one by next summer. Well, I bought the first one that I looked at! It's in really great shape and the price was right so I dove right in. It's a 1995 EBBTIDE 182SE and so far I LOVE IT!

http://http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy191/BigDaddy866/EBBTIDE%20182SE/

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and plan on doing much of my own maintenance and repairs but again, I know nothing about boats. I have a million questions. Thanks for allowing me to be a member here.

 

[NYBo]

Re: New Member with first boat

Thanks for allowing me to be a member here.

Sorry, we had our weekly membership vote and you didn't make the cut.

Welcome to iboats!

Nice, clean boat you've got there.

 

[mlrman]

Re: New Member with first boat

Welcome from a fellow boater AND dirtbike rider! I haven't hung up my motocross helmet, but man is my Honda CRF450 lonely this summer, lol.

I bought my first boat this year, too. Too many hobbies, not enough time, sigh....

Anyway, good luck, have fun, and be safe. Use the "search" feature here and you will learn LOTS.

P.S. Looks like a real clean boat you have there.

 

[livendive]

Re: New Member with first boat

Ha ha...too many parallels. I've been lurking here for a bit but just registered today. 41 years old and been running my own skydiving school for the last several years, but figure it's time for me to give my body and stress level a rest so am about to buy my first boat. I'll still play around with it, but I suspect I'll spend more time underway than in flight next summer.

 

[kurtaiden]

Re: New Member with first boat

been running my own skydiving school for the last several years, but figure it's time for me to give my body and stress level a rest

HMMMM you should look into parasailing! Its a great mix of boating and skydiving!

Good Luck and B E A utiful boat!

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: New Member with first boat

Welcome to iBoats...

That's a nice boat you got there...it's exactly the size and type of boat that many on here would recommend to a boating newcomer. Be prepared for "twofootitus" to slowly creep up on you, as it has on me. I just got done glancing at 19.5' - 22' boats (dreaming, mostly).

Get used to handling the 18 footer and when you do upgrade to a larger rig, it won't be a big adjustment.

I recently had an opportunity to pilot my brother's 25' cabin cruiser and it was, well, different, but the basics I learned from my 18 footer were the same. Before I get pounced upon...I am not saying that if you can pilot a jon boat, you can pilot a yacht...I'm not going that far.

Here's to many relaxing hours of boating and twice as many hours doing maintenance and repairs on it...just kidding...sort of.

Happy boating.

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: New Member with first boat

Welcome and congratulations on your new boat. Looks nice and clean. Treat her right and she will do the same. Happy boating.

 

[hunter0527]

Re: New Member with first boat

Nice boat! Congrats! You'll love it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Member with first boat

Well, I bought the first one that I looked at!

That could have been ugly However, it appears that you've purchased an exceptionally maintained boat with a reliable Mercruiser powerplant. Good choice. Welcome to the forum!

 

[wakeondude]

Re: New Member with first boat

Hahaha, bought my first boat this year after having knee surgery last February. Been riding for years too but not sure if I'll be able to give it up now that my knees are 'as good as new'!

Congrats on the new boat, looks clean.

 

[PWH1]

Re: New Member with first boat

Welcome... Really nice clean boat that was obvioulsy well cared for. I purchased my first boat this year as well and we have had a fantastic summer on the water.

Enjoy...

 

[trejac]

Re: New Member with first boat

Ha ha...but figure it's time for me to give my body and stress level a rest so am about to buy my first boat. :

Been boating four years now. Boating contains allot of stress. espeically after you get stuck on the lake with a broken boat. Everytime I go out I always wonder will this be the day the boat breaks again????? With that said.... I just got back from the lake and I'll be out again on Saturday.

 

[Texas Parrothead]

Re: New Member with first boat

Welcome to the wonderful world of boating! As you probably already know this forum is a tremendous wealth of knowledge!

I bought my first boat 2 years ago and have learned 80% of what I know about boating from this forum.

I know you and your family will create some wonderful memories on the lake.

And thanks you your son for serving!!!

 

[AndrewsArk]

Re: New Member with first boat

Welcome! I bought my first boat this year as well and most of what I know came from right here. Enjoy!