One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ... :)

[Alwhite00]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

We regulary sleep on or boar and there is plenty of room for sleeping, 4 of us - I would rather have a larger cockpit for entertaining than a huge cabin, If I have room to lay down that's good. It looks like you are taking your time and doing the research, Great job.

I love boat shopping, When I bought my last one when it was all over I was like, Now what do I do? All the internet searching, Driving, researching - All fun stuff and you learn a lot in the process. I kind of miss it but not that much.


Good luck

LK

 

[coolbri70]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

had a 87 bayliner 2655, had a queen size bed aft but i found i could not sleep there, i felt cornered i think because only 1 way in. i could sleep up front though, under the hatch

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

Thanks LK. I really like your boat. How much you got yours for? I looked for sea ray but they're all out of my budget.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

Thanks LK. I really like your boat. How much you got yours for? I looked for sea ray but they're all out of my budget.

Low 20's - It was exactly the boat I wanted so I might have paid a little more. I have seen them in your price range though. I know a 250DA is not going to be for everyone but I wanted a trailerable cruiser with a cabin and a nice cockpit layout and this fits the bill great. Would I like a bigger boat? Sure, Who wouldn't but for now and the forseeable future this is my baby. And it's hard to beat the re-sale on a Sea Ray. It only took a week to sell my last one. (210 Seville mid cabin)

LK

Couple more pics.

 

[jestor68]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

Thinking outside the box; have you considered a "trailerable house boat"? This 25 ft Nomad retractable is cool. The cabin raises/lowers 2 feet for trailering. Much lighter than your average cruiser; at about 3500 lbs. Full 6'2" headroom throughout. No pointed bunks. Made for boat camping. Outboard powered; no stern drive hassles.

Google "trailerable houseboats" for several different brands 25-28 ft.

Another good brand is Adventure Craft(28 ft).

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

Ensign, I think I'll stick to trailable express cruiser for now .

Thanks for the pictures LK. It only makes me wanning sea ray more. I see some nice clean low mileage near me but they all in $20-$25k range for a 94-99, at least.

Nhi

 

[chris.j.marshall]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

Maybe I'm missing something here, but didn't you say you'll be taking both the boat and jet ski to the lake with you? Unless you plan to "triple tow" you'll need two tow vehicles. An F250 and a Highlander sound like the perfect solution for transporting a 26 footer and a jet ski to the water.

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

That's for when we go in a group. Each year I take all the guys and their family in our construction company out for a weekend on the lake. Haven't done so in the last 4 years because 3 of us have small kids (now the smallest is 2, ready to go again).

One of them has a highlander, my brother-in-law has an extra cab Tacoma. Now we just bought another Highlander. So at least one of them can tow my jet-ski. If we go in a group, then I can have my two small kids carpool with my in-law. Wifey & I can take the F250.

But what I'm worrying about is on a more frequent basis (when I buy a cruiser), I want to take my family out only. Then I would need a crew cab truck. That way I can use it for both work and play.

I wanted a boat long time ago, way back even before I bought my jet-ski (~5-6-7 years). But never thought of a cruiser ownership could be a reality (was just a dream). Hehehe. That's why I didn't even thought about getting a crew cab when I bought my F250 in late 2011.

So yeah!!!

When checking for used express cruisers, I notice alot of cheaper (in $8-$12K range) Bayliner and the like. Also some really nice layout and/or still in very good condition and/or low mileage and/or good brand from Sea Ray, Formula, Chaparral, ect.... But they all in $16-$22k.

Now let's say I can expand my budget to $12-$22K, should I be getting a nicer newer more expensive one? Or save money and get a Bayliner or something really old to stay on a lower side?

What's the difference? Well, the more expensive looks better for sure. But will it retain resale value better in 5-7 years? Would it give me less trouble (less maintenance cost for example), etc, etc. ?

See I told you I'm a newbie.

Thanks again and please be patient with me. I just want to rather ask more questions and have a better informed purchase, instead of just get some boat and trade for another one in just a couple of years.

Nhi

 

[coolbri70]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

pay attention to the beam width too, my Bayliner 2655 had a 9.5' beam, required wide load permit, escort vehicle to trailer, the marina charged $600 to move it from my home to the water 1 way.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

I would stay away from the older bayliners, quality control was not that great years ago. If you end up with a better (big) name boat if you ever want to sell it , it will be much easier. My 86 210 sea ray seville sold in a week and 3 people wanted it, good position to be in.

LK

 

[tpenfield]

Re: One More "New Boat for Newbie" Question ...

pay attention to the beam width too, my Bayliner 2655 had a 9.5' beam, required wide load permit, escort vehicle to trailer, the marina charged $600 to move it from my home to the water 1 way.

I got a 10' 2" beam, but local laws only require a permit, no escort vehicle. My boat hauler has an annual permit, so launching is about $300.

Check your state laws if you do get into the oversized category. Most boats 26 feet and under, are 8'6" or less in the beam, so they are trailered without any permits, etc. If you did get into something that is "oversized", but still want to trailer, see if your state has annual permits, etc.