Please help with buying a boat

[werthert]

Hello.
I am approaching an age/financial status in my life where I can actually begin to entertain a lifelong dream of owning a boat. I'm an enlisted man, and not rich, but I think I could get into a "starter" boat. I know the type of boat I want is a used cuddy cabin/small cruiser, between 25' - 33'.
The problem is the price ranges! I've seen what to my eyes look like similar boats, but their can be huge price differences. Huh? Also, I have googled everything I can think of but cannot seem to find a place that explains what criteria separates manufacturers of these types of small cruisers, or what my "bang for the buck" manufacturer is and how they differ between model years. Is there an Edmunds.com for small cruiser boats? Should I pay attention to hours on the boat... what does 350 hours mean in car miles?

Any insight for a used small cruiser type boat would be appreciated.

 

[H8tank]

Re: Please help with buying a boat

Sea Ray's are very popular cruisers, and not on the high-end of the price scale.

350hrs isn't necessarily a lot, but no need to settle for that, there are lots and lots of late model low hour boats out there.

What is your price range?

 

[werthert]

Re: Please help with buying a boat

Looking to spend up to $30K

I have not seen many 25'-33' late model - low hour small cruisers. Well, in my price range anyway. I have seen some nice Larson and Regal, and Sea Rays, but they are all early to mid 1990s in my price range. I would like to keep it at a marina and spend weekends on it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Please help with buying a boat

In that size range nobody's really making a crap boat. So I don't think you need to worry about staying away from an certain brand. I would check out new boats and find a layout that I like and then look for something used as close to it as I could.

I someday dream of owning a small cruiser and what I want to start with is something in the 25' range with an aft cabin and a single V8 I/O motor. Good luck with your search.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Please help with buying a boat

Hey there enlisted man I am retired....

What are you going to do when your have a change of station? That's a good size boat to transport unless you are close to retirement.

I would seriously keep that in mind. A boat that large is not really a tow piece.

 

[werthert]

Re: Please help with buying a boat

I am close to retirement and do not expect a change of station. If it did happen, it would only be once so I'm not looking at that. My goal is to put it in a nice marina for weekends.
I am not in a hurry to buy, but want to minimize (I know I cant eliminate) buyer's remorse. I have seen some nice boats on craiglist and have asked for more info. I have also went to a few local marina's that sell them. The hard part is I don't even know all the questions I should be asking. I have learned tons here though, trolling and reading, and the new boating tips. Apparently here in MO everyone likes the hoists in the docks because of dirty bottoms. Is it really that hard to clean them? Couldnt I just do that once a season? Seems odd to spend $10K on a hoist if you could just clean it once a year... what, a few hours I'd imagine?

What would be a great price on this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0419920334&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT