New to boating question for the PROS

[appellstriping]

I am new to boating and I am in looking for a boat around the $10,000 price range... The biggest thing I need is something with a cabin/small kitchen. Im using it as kinda a second home at a marina.

Any suggstions on what type of boat I can buy?

 

[robert graham]

Re: New to boating question for the PROS

Probably the best bang for your buck could be a smaller, older houseboat or enclosed pontoon boat, maybe with an outboard motor that you could work on, repair or replace easily. Check around for some for sale by folks that's been doing similar to what you want to do, live aboard at the marina mostly with some short cruising. Good Luck!

 

[edu01jose]

Re: New to boating question for the PROS

I was looking at around that price for my first boat and exactly your description. Small kitchen and with cabin for my baby girl.

I ended up with a 23' Wellcraft excel boat. It is my first boat and I cannot be happier.

 

[emoney]

Re: New to boating question for the PROS

Your info doesn't say where you're located and I"d imagine that would have a large effect on what 10K buys. Around here, there's tons of older Cruisers and/or Sailboats that are perfectly suited as liveaboards in that range. Assuming this is your very first boat, if nothing else take this piece of advice: Do NOT purchase anything in the 10K range without having a boat survey done FIRST!!!! A survey will allow you to see the boat from the inside out. You'll find plenty of threads here in this forum of new boaters that sink their savings into an absolute, useless money pit. THe key to any type water vessel is what lies underneath, not the surface.

Having said all that, I can't imagine that you wouldn't be able to find a perfectly suitable boat for your needs. It's still a buyer's market, even if it is summer, because lots of would-be buyers don't have the money and can't obtain the financing. THe market is still strong with inventory so good luck and keep us posted. Update your location, etc. and I'm sure someone will weigh in with advice on how to get started in your area.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New to boating question for the PROS

in my area there are always tons of small cruisers (26-30') for sale for next to nothing--but they are usually worth very little. You don't want to confuse "project boat" with "problem boat."
so since you are new to boating, be careful, be suspicious and be well-advised. There's a reason why people can't get rid of them and they are the most frequently abandoned at the marinas.