Newbie begining first boat search.

[augualoged]

Hey guys. Wife and I are moving to a lake front neighboorhood! WOOT! And i have the green light for a boat as soon as we move. We plan (as long as everything goes well) to close in may. So i have atleast then to search.

I am an avid water enthuiest and am into skiing/tubing/ and water fun. We also like to entertain friends etc. We also have a baby and the wife is leaning tawrds a cuddy cabin boat for the little one when ever she is a bit older. Thing is we will be on the lake ALOT (I hope). Im not against a cuddy because the lake we will be on is busy and choppy so the cuddy will probably ride better. How ever, a cuddy will of course cost more in fuel to run all day long. SO that leads me away from a cuddy. Not to mention with more than a few people a cuddy will probably be crowded.

So since i want everything and I want it cheap where should i look. I have been all over craigslist and have some ideas. What are yall's thoughts on cuddy's and lakes with skiers etc? Would we just be better off with a tahoe style boat or something?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Welcome aboard!

Lots of considerations when you're lookin' at boats. One of the first ones the realize is the Swiss Army had knives, but not boats ... there ain't one that does everything well

Where are ya'? What kind of water (inland lake, ocean, great lake, etc.)?

How avid a skier are you? A cuddy will be a crumby ski boat (it'll pull ya' fine, but will be a bumpy ride), though it'll pull a tube as well as anything else.

My personal opinion - a cuddy is really designed for 2 or 3 people to cruise on, and occasionally overnight if they gotta'. Unless you condition the inside air, it'll be stuffy and hot (most of the summer anyway) and a bimini over an open cockpit will produce a better shaded ride. You lose a buncha' space for folks to sit by having the forward chunk of the boat covered and closed. I don't care for 'em myself, though some folks really like 'em.

What kinda' budget range are ya' talking? Cheap means different things to different people.

Have y'all tried renting anything to see if you like it? Looked around boat lots (window shoppin') just to see what appeals to you?

Lotsa' questions, but they'll help narrow some ideas down.

 

[augualoged]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Were in texas and near Houston. Its going to be inland lake exclusively. Im into bowrider boats but like i said, wife wants a cuddy. They just dont have the room. We don't need anything over night because the house we are moving to is 300 yards from the water and we will be keeping it in a wetslip. I defiantly want a bimini. Never experienced one until i went offshore with a buddy.... Yea never will do without again! Maybe avid was the wrong word to use. I like to ski.... I love to ski.... Thats the main reason for the boat and house. NOt to mention i really want to raise my daughter away from electronics and ipads and technology and figured a lake would be a great start.

I haven't considered renting but thats a great idea. Like i said i really like the Bow riders. She likes cuddies. I think maybe if we just go to a boat store and she can climb aboard both of types, she will see how much nicer a bow rider can be (hopefully). Plus i wont have to have a 454 in it guzziling fuel all day long. WHat i cannot decide between is an inboard/outboard or outboard.

AS far as motors and stuff everyone has their brand.... Im a dodge cummins brand guy myself. So what is maybe the easiest to work on at home and has the cheaper of the parts. ANyting i should really avoid.

Cheap is subjective. It looks like around here a nice used bowrider can be had for 4000-8000 bucks. Im thinking 18-20 ft would be about right but i wont know for sure until im aboard one (hence the trip to the boat store).

 

[Stimulated!]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Im thinking 18-20 ft would be about right but i wont know for sure until im aboard one (hence the trip to the boat store).

Hi, I have a Crownline bowrider 18ft, had it 4 years since new and we love it - the kids wakeboard, kneeboard and tube behind it and even my wife has got into wake and kneeboarding too. We use it on the sea and inland lakes. There's lots of different makes of bowriders eg Sea Ray, Four Winns, Bayliner, Monterey, I recommend you have a look at all of them and enjoy browsing! I guess some aspect of your choice might be what dealers are around your area.

If you JUST want to do wakeboarding or skiing then maybe consider a specific wake/ski boat - these are a lot more specialised eg Nautique, Malibu, Mastercraft. More money too.

Here's a few photos of our boat to inspire you -

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Welcome to iBoats. . . .

I like cuddy cabins more than bowriders, but that is because I do ocean waters rather than lakes. Not a fuel difference, really, just a matter of having a place out of the sun and more storage.. People generally prefer bowriders in the smaller boats as they have additional seating capacity. For family boating, you will want something with a port-pottie. So, that is something to keep in mind.

For water sports, more passengers needs a bigger engine. Also I/O engines are preferable to outboards for water sports and the like. Mercruiser and Volvo-Penta are the major engine producers. They both use GM base engines and integrate them with their drive mechanisms. The dedicated 'ski' boats have full inboard engines, and they are specifically designed for water sports.

18-20 feet is kinda small for a family and friends boat, so look to see if you can find anything in the 21-22 foot range. As you indicated, look at some boats, lots of boats. If you see them on land (on the trailer) will seem smaller once they are in the water.

Also, you mentioned fuel . . . be ready to spend a bit of money on fuel.

Since you will be looking at used boats, you will want to be aware of the pitfalls of boats as they age. Many/most have wood structures and decking that can rot as it ages. So, you will want to make sure that any boat you choose, is free from those issues. The sellers of used boats will put a positive spin on things, so do not rely on the word of the seller. You will want to know things for yourself.

Plenty of stories here on iBoats of people buying their first boat and finding out the hard way.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

forget the cabin and get an open boat. You will find, unlike the day-trailer situation, that your boating will be a series of short trips rather than an all-dayer. Some of the crew will hang at the house while others go skiing, then maybe all will go for a cocktail cruise. With a new baby, your wife will rather nap at the house than in a nasty hot cramped hole.


So maximize roominess (hint-put the motor outside the boat).

Great idea to have a wet slip; you will use the boat a whole lot more.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Having grew up on boats, and operating everythign from a 6' inflatable to a 40' cruiser, I can offer my opinion

Wife wants a cuddy, probably for changing the baby, as well as the port-a-pot
you want to ski.

you can ski behind a cuddy, however its not as fun or functional as a bow rider is for water sports, cruising, and pulling up on the occational beach.

If I was in your shoes, I would get a 20-21' bow rider with the small bathroom compartment in front of the passenger console. There generally is a storage locker in front of the drivers console.

that way, you get the ability to ski, ability to cruise, a place for the wife to use the facilities. on a lake, probably as close to a swiss-army-knife that you can get.

regarding fuel, if it doesnt have oars or sails, it will cost you in fuel.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Yep with the house sitting right on the lake, there is no reason to drag the bedroom around while boating. Just head back to the house and enjoy that convenience. You are paying for lake front, makes sense to use it. Then go buy the boat that fits your boating needs. $4-$8K does put you on the water, but it doesn't get ya much, better make sure you have that used boat checked over with a fine tooth comb. Lots to check, because at that price point there's tons of junk, polished up really nice. Turn key boats are usually not cheap.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

From what I have noticed is that most cuddies are very hot on the inside and just get turned in to a storage locker. Go for the bow rider. As for drives and engines you have Volvo/Penta VS Mercruiser. Ford VS Chevy type thing. When you find some boats that you are interested post them here and people will let you know what the skinny is.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

We do some of our boating on big rivers and some on a small lake where we own a cottage. For the lake boating, a cabin/head would be a big waste of space. If someone has to use the bathroom, just head back to your slip. A bowrider is great for that sort of use.

For day trips it might be different, especially if you have a little one that needs to nap or be changed, or a wife that wants some privacy for using the head. I'm not sure what advantages a cuddy would have in your situation, though.

You absolutely on target with the bimini idea. Those really make life a lot more comfortable on a boat.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Spend a little time looking at the dedicated ski boats - if you're really into skiing (it's what got you to the house, right?), then it's a pretty big consideration. Something like a Mastercraft, Natique, or other inboard ski boat may really be worth looking at. You'll sacrifice the on-board potty and cabin area, but in the long haul it'll be the boat that fits skiing.

You won't like skiing behind a cuddy cabin if it's a primary consideration in boating. <=== Rinse & repeat. So, if you stay on the cabin route, be mentally prepared for that.

As a newbie, I'd steer clear of OMC sterndrives, Force & Chrysler outboards as a general rule (outta' business and a little tricky to take care of).

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Welcome Aug........lots of good points.. being a cuddy owner myself.. I would offer the following... 20ft minimum would be wise what ever you decide on, you will appreciate that on windy days... the cuddy gives you a spot to get out of a rain shower, storage so you dont trip over those boat items you'd rather not trip on... of course, on those really hot days when the cuddy is an oven.. that's what the bow is for ...get a couple of those sleeping bag mats, ie- 2 inch foam ones, roll those babys out, the windshield makes a nice spot for the ladies to crisp in the sun

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

I say look into an open bow. If your house is on the lake, you wont need what a cuddy will give and you will have more room for passengers.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

A cuddy on a Houston summer day will be like the hot box they threw Cool Hand Luke in. If skiing is your love get a ski boat. Otherwise a 20-22 ft bowrider with a V8 will be the best all around boat.

 

[augualoged]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Well after not trying to hard she agreed to a bow rider. So no cuddy! She agreed with the points ive brought up with her. Then when i said a cuddy isnt air conditioned, she changed her tune right quick. So looks like we are in the market for a bow rider. Any pointers for finding one? Thanks guys! Ive been on alot of forum sites before but this one seems instantly friendly

 

[Gyrene]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Well after not trying to hard she agreed to a bow rider. So no cuddy! She agreed with the points ive brought up with her. Then when i said a cuddy isnt air conditioned, she changed her tune right quick. So looks like we are in the market for a bow rider. Any pointers for finding one? Thanks guys! Ive been on alot of forum sites before but this one seems instantly friendly

This site isn't just friendly, the depth of the knowledge base here is awesome!
Top of this page has boats for sale - by me there's a free Boat shopper at supermarket - find ones you're interested in, and come back and post for opinions.

 

[Gyrene]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Welcome aboard!

Lots of considerations when you're lookin' at boats. One of the first ones the realize is the Swiss Army had knives, but not boats ... there ain't one that does everything well

I love that! :lol:
I think of boats like cars - all cars/boats are compromises - size, appearance, upkeep, cost, utility, performance - there is no panacea.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

I am another fan of the Crownlines. Another thing to consider on a boat is the beam not just the length. Ours is 8'6" and is feels much bigger than most boats our size because it is so wide. It also gives you a rating for more people. The USCG rating we have is 12 people. Most in this size are 8-9.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Nearly anything 18 - 22 foot, in good condition with a bigger engine will do ya'. Condition is key in buying used. Some of the inboard ski boats have a bow rider, but not all of 'em. Might be worth it to go visit a couple dealers and climb up on some.

 

[augualoged]

Re: Newbie begining first boat search.

Question, In my searches there are alot of the 3.0 4 cylinder boats. Are these things even big enough to pull a skier well? Should we just avoid it and opt for a 4.3 minimum?