Pick the boat for me...

[Mhorn0817]

hey everybody, im new here. im in baltimore,md. me and my wife are looking for our first boat. so i figured i would come on here and tell you guys what were looking for and see what you suggest...

-good starter boat
-must have bed,bath,shower,kitchen
-must have power do water-sking and tubing
-low price
-not a problem boat
-of course he basics...reliable,good gas mileage,etc...

thanks in advance

 

[22E6441]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

woah.....let me know when you find that because I'm interested too!

 

[tmh]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

This should take care of you ....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=296978

Of course, the usual fees apply! j/k

That's a lot of boat for a 1st boat - a whole lot. You're looking at at least a 26' express cruiser and even that is jamming a lot into a little space. If you just need a head and small cabin then a cuddy cabin (22'-24') may do fine - more of a sports boat for water skiing, etc.

TONS of both, give us a budget and you'll get more specific advice I'm sure.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

Are you planning to overnight? If so, there are a plethora of full service marinas with showers, etc. This is going to be a show stopper on anything under 30' which negates water sports and good mileage. You have to revisit what you want.
There are a ton of 30' +/- footers available right now in the area.
Some things I would look for include fresh water cooling, lower maintenance features such as a hard deck vs. carpeting, maybe a hardtop which would provide protection for the upholstery. I would look for dual engines on something this size, perhaps twin 4.3's for economy especially if you plan on marina hopping up and down the Bay. What river are you on?

 

[H8tank]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

5 outa 6 ain't bad, here ya go: http://www.boatquest.com/Power/Formula/Category/Length/63159/Feet/USD/1/boats.aspx

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

not a bad price on that one.

 

[Mhorn0817]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

wow thanks for the replies so far guys. i really appreachiate it. welp i know im looking and asking for alot for a first boat,trust me that intimidates me. lol. we would like to stay in the 20 footers range for now. the reason i say it must have a head,shower,beds,kitchen area is because we need a tax write-off too.

im not sure what my budget is to be exactly because im not 100% sure how financing on boats go now-a days.if anybody could give me a ballpark figure for how many thousands of dollar per $100 monthly payment,that may help.

we would like to overnight every once in a while if we could but if overnighting in 100% comfort messes up our other wants and needs then maybe that can be knocked out.

we would be on the chesapeake bay alot, and a bucnh of rivers in the baltimore,pasadena,glen burnie,annapolis area.

H8tank that seems like something that could be for us, kinda big and little pricey for me though i think.

the reason i say have the power for water-skiing and tubing is because we take a family vacation to deep creek lake every year and we all pitch in and rent a little 20' bowrider for 1500 bucks for the week or something, and thats what we do..tub and ski...but if the boat we get is to big then we wouldnt be able to take it anyway...

does that help my boat search any?

 

[capt sam]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

man that's alot of boat brother, do you have experince operating a vessel that big?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

most trailerable boats are not going to qualify for the second home tax deduction. must states have a width restriction of 8 ft 8ft 6 inches. boat this size just don't have enough room.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

hey everybody, im new here. im in baltimore,md. me and my wife are looking for our first boat. so i figured i would come on here and tell you guys what were looking for and see what you suggest...

-good starter boat
-must have bed,bath,shower,kitchen
-must have power do water-sking and tubing
-low price
-not a problem boat
-of course he basics...reliable,good gas mileage,etc...

thanks in advance

Take a look at this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=190274

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

so you have shopped before.

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

It sounds like your looking for something at least 35 feet. A boat that size would be a little big for pulling a skier or tube, so you would want a tender one of those inflatables that have a solid fiberglass hull with inflatable tubes around it. For water sports you would want at least 45 + horsepower. Here is the rub, I have a hard time thinking of that setup and budget in the same sentence.
just points to ponder
jamie

 

[KurtG]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/boa/1063313192.html

 

[tmh]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

Kurt has the answer right there. OK, maybe not "THE" answer, but that's the max boat I'd get if I were a new boat owner - actually, it's way more than I'd get but certainly more newbie friendly than a 35' cruiser! A 26' express cruiser is plenty for what you said are your needs. Great live-aboard comfort? no. A night or weekend? Fine.

There are a ton of those type available and a buyer's market. Get a nice one.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

excellent price.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

I have personally witnessed a new boat owner jump into a 24' express cruiser. He had a very tough time controlling it around the docks, on windy days etc...

I feel like my boat has most of what you want. Small head, kitchen, two sleeping areas, twin motors get decent fuel mileage, and have been told upwards of 45 mph on the top end, should pull a tube without worry, not sure on a skier. There really is no perfect boat for what you want, but I would say a twin engine 25-28 footer might be your best bet!

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/1066738944.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/1066387681.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

That's a nice boat that mthieme just posted. Full camper enclosure plus 2 fuel injected engines? Sweet deal.

 

[KurtG]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

I don't consider any of these "towable", but If I am not mistaken, the Searay has a ~10' beam whereas the Monterey has the "towable" 8'6" beam.

I think if you are into a boat that size, you'd better live on the water or have plans for a slip. Boats these sizes are mostly "towable" by professional haulers.

I've found the smaller the boat, the more I use it.

 

[tmh]

Re: Pick the boat for me...

Looked at that Sea Ray for a client (online, not in person). Baltimore - likely salt water use? Otherwise, cheap. It was too far away for us, we concluded.

That era Sae Ray Sundancers came in 8.5' and 10' beam. The "268" is 27'+ with an 8.5' beam. many come with trailers. Same great layout - flip-away seats in the back of the cockpit.