New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

[security6]

I'm looking to pick up my first boat soon, and am looking for some advice. Here are my parameters:

1. Boat will be used for day use only - tubing, wakeboarding, etc.
2. Would like to keep the price around $10k
3. Would like to be take 4 adults and 6 to 8 children at the same time (big families)
4. Don't mind getting something used. I'm pretty handy with fixing cars and expect it will

My folks had a boat when I was a teenager, so I am experienced with boating (I used to take it out by myself with friends). However, I do plan to take a boating safety class before the ice melts.

One question regarding capacity - is the number of persons capacity on the yellow sticker a hard and fast rule? I ask because my kids are little and the three of them combined weigh less than 100 lbs. So I don't anticipate the weight on the sticker being an issue, just the number of people.

Are my expectations out of line? Do I need to raise my budget or lower the number of people I want to take? If you were in my shoes, what would you be looking at?

Thanks.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

yep the rating is for x number of persons not to exceed x weight whichever is more restrictive

you need a boat rated for 12 people and around 2000 lbs

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

You're going to need a lot of room. I would look at deck boats.

I would not exceed the number of persons on the capacity plate.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

I parted out a 27' century cuddy and that's about what it was rated for..... a really big toon might fit the bill too

 

[jt224]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

I've seen a lot of people ski/tube behind a pontoon boat. It's not ideal for that but thats probably the best way you could get that many people on the water and still do what you want to do.

 

[Bearfan]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

I have a 24' triple tube pontoon with a 200hp on the back that is plenty fast for tubing and easily seats that many.

 

[Bucks45]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

I'm a LEO and also work part time on a private lake as water enforcement, w/arrest powers. One of the things that we observe is the number of persons on the boat vs. the rated capacity for number of persons allowed. We typically don't cite people for it, but definitely make you lighten your load. Just a thought. I would look towards a deck boat.

 

[JimMH]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Look on I boats and boattrader depending on how far you are willing to go there should be a deck boat that will fit your needs. A quick look and I found a 1999 Hurricane with a 200 Yamaha for 10,900.00 with some negotiating you should be able to stay within budget. Keep looking, good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[Craigmri]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Deckboat or Pontoon for a party that size. Are you trailering? Dry storage?

Craig

 

[cr2k]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

One thing to consider with small children is a boat with high freeboard.
Kinda acts like a playpen and helps accidental falls overboard.

My name is Craig, I guess you know yours.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Pontoon or deck boat. With small children, you will want the flexibility of the large deck area. For a big family, a pontoon is awesome. Put a grill on the front deck and picnic on the water. Given your willingness to add sweat equity, a pontoon might be ideal. Look for one that needs a new deck and furniture. Make sure the motor has suficient HP and is in good condition. Redo the deck first, then add some portable furniture. Then you can add fixed furniture as you like. None of this is rocket science.

Negatives of a pontoon... Won't turn on a dime. You won't be able to make it throw the kids (or adults off the tube.) It won't take off like a jack-rabbit. It is going to take a lot of room whereever you park it, if you trailer it.

So keep it for a few years and then trade up to a deck boat or ski boat.

Just my opinion,

TerryMSU

 

[mike343]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Deck Boat for sure. Lots of room in the bow and that's where the kids like to ride. And some deck boats provide a lot better rough water handling at speed than toons. There are a lot out there, ours is a Glastron DX235, used for hauling three sons and their families--can't get them all in though at 13 capacity. Check the Glastron website just to see for comparison, They have been in production since 2002. If you go with a 4000lb boat I'd want a 5.7 not a 270 hp 5.0

 

[security6]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Wow, lots of great responses. Check on the "do not exceed number of people on the plate." I wasn't sure if it was important to follow the plate or if it was put there to make some lawyers happy.

The plan is to trailer it and store it in the garage in the summer and a storage facility in the winter. Tow vehicle is a Chevy Suburban that is factory rated to tow 8800 lbs. Garage length is no problem (31 feet), but door height might be an issue with some boats (I've got a 7 foot door).

I'll investigate deck boats. I'm not sure about a pontoon boat. While I don't think we'll do a lot of slalom skiing, I do enjoy it and hate to get a boat that I can't ski behind.

What about a big runabout (say 22 or 23 feet)? What about an older inboard, aren't those usually rated for a good amount of people?

Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Where are you boating at? How big is the lake? To me, your situation is screaming for a 20'-25' tritoon with a 200+hp outboard. You'll easily be able to ski and tube behind it. Don't forget the bimini top with that many kids on board!

-RW

 

[marlboro180]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Something like a big Viking deck boat- but BIGGER!

 

[roscoe]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

iboats member eeboater picked up a beautiful Bayliner, 20', with a 305 and a rebuilt outdrive, for under $5000. I think the seating capacity is 8 or 10 people.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Your best choice will be a deck boat. Getting a pontoon that is big enough for all hands and have the ability to ski behind while under load will be hard to find within your budget that is worth buying. A large bowrider would seat everybody but would have difficulty getting up on plane with a full load, let alone be towing at the same time.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

I also vote for a deck boat. Big toons suck to trailer.

 

[security6]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

Thanks again for the advice. I've been looking around and found a run-about that seems to fit what I am looking for. It is a 2002 Chaparral 196 SSI with a 5.0 Mercury EFI motor and the Coast Guard plate gives it a capacity of 12 people. I need to go see it in person, but it looks like it is a good fit for what we need.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: New Used Boat Advice - Lots of Small Children

FWIW, my 19' (21' with swim platform) has a capacity of 9 people / 1200 lbs. The 4.3 alpha 1 performs great for cruising, tubing, boarding, skiing and the platform is a big plus for helping to keep cockpit dry (place to dry off) and very easy access in / out of water. You might need a bigger boat for capacity but a bowrider might fit your needs.