New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

[iamthunderman]

Here is the scenario. I have never owned a boat, but have always wanted one. We live near some awesome lakes in Arkansas so I want to get out on them. We have 3 kids, 5,3, and 1, they all LOVE water. I grew up surfing in SoCal so wakeboarding is a must.

I want to have a boat that is good for wakeboarding, but can fit at least 4 adults and 5-6 kids on it. I don't want a new boat, I guess don't feel comfortable spending 30+k on a boat when I don't really know what I am getting yet. It is mainly for cruising, swimming off of, tubing, and wakeboarding. I also don't want to shell out a ton of money...... yet. I will do that after a few years of experience and know exactly what I am buying.

What are some good boats or brands I should research and look for. So far in my target is Tahoe, Sea Ray, Crownline, and Four Winns.

Any advice?

 

[marine4003]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

For a family starting out boating i suggest a 20-24' bowrider,easy to handle,room for all the toys,easy to trailer, get an outboard instead of an inboard/outboard,less maintenance,of the brands you posted SeaRay-Crownline - 4winns are good starting boats..Tahoe doesn't have a great rep.When you find a boat that you like...get it surveyed,or if your buying from a dealer GET A WARRANTY, if you buy a As-Is, boat and start having trouble you'll never fully enjoy boating. Then take a good safty course,read Chapmans..(boaters bible) do everything in your power to be educated prior to cruising the waters,your kids lives depend on you knowing what your doing out there.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

look on craigs list.

 

[Chip73]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

Here is the scenario. I have never owned a boat, but have always wanted one. We live near some awesome lakes in Arkansas so I want to get out on them. We have 3 kids, 5,3, and 1, they all LOVE water. I grew up surfing in SoCal so wakeboarding is a must.

I want to have a boat that is good for wakeboarding, but can fit at least 4 adults and 5-6 kids on it. I don't want a new boat, I guess don't feel comfortable spending 30+k on a boat when I don't really know what I am getting yet. It is mainly for cruising, swimming off of, tubing, and wakeboarding. I also don't want to shell out a ton of money...... yet. I will do that after a few years of experience and know exactly what I am buying.

What are some good boats or brands I should research and look for. So far in my target is Tahoe, Sea Ray, Crownline, and Four Winns.

Any advice?

My number one piece of advice would be research dealers, find the best one and buy what he sells.

 

[Zamboni]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

It's a buyers market with the economy-a buddy is looking and seeing 1-3 year old boats at great prices.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

i agree one a used boat, but with the ages of your kids, you need a place they can get out of the sun, either a closed bow, they can get under, and maybe nap. there is nothing worse than a sun burnt child at 2am. voice of experience.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

Thanks to all who answered. My wife does not want a closed bow, she claims she will get too sea sick..... on a lake LOL.

What is the difference between a bowrider, a runabout, and a deckboat?

 

[triumphrick]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

Welcome aboard and glad to see you are trying the forums to help you decide.; Have you made it to any boat shows, just to get a feel for what is out there? Doesn't mean that you will be buying new, but most models are carryover for a number of years.
If you want to see the details on deckboat, bowrider, runabout just google them. You will get pages of each of those designs.
As far as manufacturers, hang on because we all have our favorites. Use our search function and read what some of us have had to say about boat problems. Usually, the higher priced boats are better built, however there is a post right now about a 45k 18 foot runabout that was delivered with a ton of problems.
One more thing to consider is joining a boat club that uses a variety of models. There you will get some first hand knowledge of which model will suit your family.
There have been some good experiences with craigslist, iboats and Boat Trader, but you need someone knowledgeable to be with you to check these boats out.
Good luck!!

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

Been to the local boat show here in Little Rock for 3 years in a row. Love them! Now it is time for me to get serious since I have targeted this winter to be the time to buy

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to boating, would Love some advice on what to buy

runabout is a general term for any open boat, same as speed boat. Bow rider, is where there is a small area in the front to sit. usually 2 to a very crowded 4 people. a deck boat is a wider better laid out version of a bow rider, usually porta potty and sink facilities, bigger bow as stern seating areas. and usually an inboard outboard. we have a 1999 23 ft Chris Craft deckboat, 5.7 Volvo Sx drive, it is rated for 13 people, great all around boat, we fish, ski, wakeboard, (great wake), and also dive from it on the reefs in the FL Keys. we paid $17,000 3 years ago, it is a $40,000 boat new.