new to boats, what should i get?

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

Do what I did....I have a 23' I/O for partying and running big lakes..and an '93 Nautique inboard for watersports.

But seriously...Dispite what everyone says if you do a lot of looking and get a lil lucky you can find an inboard for a reasoable amount of money. I gave 5k for my '93 with 470 original hours and interior perfect...glass was perfect but just needed one hell of a buffing!!

You just really need to decide what you are going to primarily do with it...and like others have said inboards are WAY easier to work on. My 08 inboard will prob. get traded in when the 5yr warranty is up cuz the newer inboards are such a pain to work on!!

Good luck....let us know what you decide!!

 

[bowler]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

+1 on the inboards. i wanted one originally but had to comprimise with the good lady who was more interested in comfort and seats etc. older ski boats we looked at had the seats at the front but no rear bench. all i was interested in was wakeboarding. after a few years i'll def be going inboard. the idea of no wood in the construction is also a big plus for me.

 

[doityourselfer]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

Hello, if you are gonna be skiing, boarding, tubing, you are gonna need some horse power. My boat is a 16.5 foot starcraft, pikemaster with a 60 horse johnson (bought new in 1986) it did very well for skiing, and tubing, etc. but it was very hard on the engine.
I just restored the boat (replaced floor and carpet) and rebult the motor (bottom piston rings went..this was a johnson screw up vro oil line squished between engine and cowling) anyway, total for floor and motor was $1,400 - $1,500, just doing it my self.
I'm sure you can find a decent used outboard setup with at least a 90-100 hp, but i think you will definitley be over $2,000. good luck

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

I dont think the question has been answerd, The question was what kind of boat should i buy for my money and needs. Then it was took over by inboard guys. To me ( I am new to boating too ) there are many choices out there. I see people with outboards, I/O, Jet boats, Ect on the lake. Some are 4 bangers, Some are 6 bangers and some are V-8s. Every time we are out, they are all doing the Water Sports thing some more than others. They all seam to be having a blast. Now i am no expert on boats, but i would think any kind of motorboat that is above $6 grand would be a very nice boat to do the things you are talking about. It all depends on your resurch for that pictular boat before you buy it. Dont just jump in and hand someone CASH. What i am saying is do alot of resurch and Water Test Drive a USED BOAT before you hand them the cash. There is alot of people on iboats that will help you out with all your questions. Just ask before you buy a boat. One last thing if you can afford a INBOARD go for it. But Read up on it so you know what you are getting into. I wish i did this before my son bought his Checkmate. I would have probley passed on it, but now that we have it and have worked on it to fix it up, I am glad he did it. This has been a very rewarding experience for the both of us and i could not have done it with out the help of iboats. We are planning to do a complete restore on the boat. We did buy another Boat from a original owner, it is a 1986 Celberty I/O with a 350 V-8 21ft lotsa room boat for less than $5 grand. This was a turn Key boat with no problems so far except for Reg Maintance. So we are lucky we have a Hod Rod and a Family boat. If you look and be selective you can find the one that fits your needs and budget. Hope this sheds some Light on your question

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

I wanted an inboard badly... but my boating locations wouldn't allow for it. Rocky bottom lakes with shallow shelves near shore are not very forgiving.

Trim/tilt is a must have for boating the Great lakes and smaller lakes in NY. The finger lakes are an exception, which was an odd feeling being in 210ft water 50yrds off shore.

 

[WildH2Oskier]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

I wanted an inboard badly... but my boating locations wouldn't allow for it. Rocky bottom lakes with shallow shelves near shore are not very forgiving.

Trim/tilt is a must have for boating the Great lakes and smaller lakes in NY. The finger lakes are an exception, which was an odd feeling being in 210ft water 50yrds off shore.

Is there some bit of magic that keeps I/Os from hitting rocks? If the magic fails is it cheaper to replace a lower unit than just a prop, drive shat strut and maybe rudder? The whole I/Os are better in shallow water is mostly a myth perpetuated by I/O manufacturer and dealers.
The only thing that is going to save a boat, ANY boat in the conditions that you list is paying attention to your surroundings and situational awareness.
Why is trim/tilt a must have for boating in those lakes? I'm not flaming I just wonder what is the magic?

 

[kyle f]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

They think that their tilt/trim allows them to reduce their draft... or well maybe the underhang below the draft. However, the truth is that most I/Os I know over 18' have their props setting lower than my inboard. THey can only tilt up so far and still function.

I think its a myth as well and still depend a lot on the hull and placement of the prop. My Sear Ray 195 needed 36" of water to run in off plane and in neutural, or even, trim position. My MB takes 26"... I have a 14" prop just inches below the hull, and you can see that when ballast is empty only about 10-12" of hull sits in the water... less from chine to waterline.

One advatage an I/O or outboard does have, is you can build momentum, shut off the engine, and tilt the lower unit or motor completely up and beach in areas an inboard can't.

 

[fossill]

Re: new to boats, what should i get?

If you're looking to attract the babes you definately want at least a 20 something foot Mastercraft with all the goodies.