Ready for a boat... again!

[Jenn by the Sea]

Hi All,

Well last year I got rid of my old boat, thanks for your help . Anyway even though it's winter I am seriously ready to start looking. I'm thinking of more a cruising boat good for laying out and taking a few friends. Not an ocean boat but maybe a bow rider that I can pull. I have a Tahoe to pull it with. I want a boat I can handle myself. I am open to any questions or suggestions. My last boat I basically gave away so I want something that will last with care. I will keep it covered in my driveway.

Hope to hear from you.


Thanks,

Jenn

 

[jdlough]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Sounds like you'd like a deck boat. Roomier than a bowrider, and usually has a couple of couch-type seats for laying out.

http://boats.iboats.com/deck-boats/

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Hi JD,

I looked at a Hurricane last year, I think that was a deck boat. But I heard that bow riders ride better. Also I don't really want to buy new so what is the oldest and highest engine hours should I look for?


Thanks again,

Jenn

 

[zopperman]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Welcome back...
Hurricane is a deckboat... A V hull will ride better in rougher water than a modified hull like the deckboat with less deadrise..
Oldest and most hours are all irrelevant... It's about care and maintenance. I've seen engines with 6 hours blow a piston and engines with 1500 hours still running strong...
Older glass boats are definitely more prone to rot, especially if left out. BE wary of any soft spots in the deck or and flex in the transom. Where are you located? I'm sure some of us will take a look at your local CL. Good luck keep us in the loop.

 

[Philster]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Hi JD,

I looked at a Hurricane last year, I think that was a deck boat. But I heard that bow riders ride better. Also I don't really want to buy new so what is the oldest and highest engine hours should I look for?


Thanks again,

Jenn

Where do you boat? Lake? Large tidal bay? Ocean?

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

I live in St Augustine so the intracoastal or close to shore is where I will take my boat. I have a marine mechanic who will check it for me before I buy that's for sure.
So you're saying that a bow rider will give a better ride? I kind of liked the idea of a couch on the boat though.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

I live in St Augustine so the intracoastal or close to shore is where I will take my boat. I have a marine mechanic who will check it for me before I buy that's for sure.
So you're saying that a bow rider will give a better ride? I kind of liked the idea of a couch on the boat though.

Careful Jenn, if you're thinking couches on a boat, you're headed for "Party barges" !!!

 

[zopperman]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

A V hull will ride better IN CHOP. Yep, seems to me like you would really like a toon or deckboat... Those will both handle just fine is calm water.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

this might be a little big. but it sure is cool and meets the party conditions ya need. http://www.floeintl.com/default.asp?pageName=floeCraft pretty stylish imho.

that said. your choice is wide. any v hull, 19-21' would be up yer ally, br if ya want. myself. i think i prefer closed bow. mostly cause i don't mind being out in the 'stuff' (wind and waves within reason). closed bow feel more secure to me than open br. take a wave over the bow of a bow rider (a spoonful right into the boat) and ya can see the need for closed bow... imho, find a boat with it's max hp rating. no one ever complains about having to much hp. though many folks get a boat and want more only to find they need a different boat to get that extra hp.
good luck in your search.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

a boat as wide as a pontoon or deckboat may be harder to trailer, launch and store than a narrower hull. To handle it yourself I'd say stick around 19'. Bow riders with all the built-in stuff get crowded fast; look for something more open, with open seating in the bow. Look at sea chaser, carolina skiff and sea hunt ultra (dual console).'
you definitely want an outboard--more room in the boat.

 

[Philster]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Various bow riders and other boats with a V bottom (go for 22? of deadrise or more) are the best choices for choppy, snotty water and coastal/tidal waters. This is important. What is nice is that numerous models have wrap around seating in the back, where at least part of the seats take on the configuration of a sectional. Some have sinks, too.

The captain and mate chairs swing around to face the rear, and you have a great lounge area.

This is an example of full wrap seating, in a cozy/small area. There are ones with partial wrap seating and more floor space.

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Philster,

Yes that looks like a good arangement in your pic, thanks . I was wondering is there a book or guide that tells prices for boats like there is NADA for cars?



Thanks again,

Jenn

 

[Philster]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

NADA! Just go to the website and click 'boats'.

Unfortunately, it's almost worthless.

search for used boat listings (many sites, can't push 'em here because iboats sells, too) and look 'round your area. You'll need to get a feel for the market this way; it seems to be the only practical way to price a boat.

I knew how much my 1996 Scarab would be worth because of the market for high-performance boats. It was worth about 70% more than NADA said.

Google and surf. It will clear things up.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Yeah, as Philster said, NADA is worthless for boats. I wouldn't even bother looking at it. It really is all about comps. Jenn, I'm a tooner, and I don't think you'd be happy with a toon. You wouldn't have any problem towing it, and it would handle rough(ish) water fine, but I don't think it would be a good fit for you. Plus, given the water you'll be boating in you'd have to deal with the fact that aluminum doesn't like salt. I agree that a nice bowrider sounds like your best bet, but don't rule out a deck boat until you demo one, which brings me to my next point; demo as many boats as you can. That's the best way to get a feel for what will work for you. And, when you find one you like, if your marine mechanic is strictly a power plant man your best bet will be to hire a surveyor. Of course the power plant is critical, but there's a lot more that can go wrong, so it's very important to apply due diligence to the rest of the craft as well. Happy hunting.

 

[Philster]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Also: In the pic I posted, you can see a hole that would accept a table pedestal.

 

[Jenn by the Sea]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Yes. A table would be great but I need a way for the glasses and pitcher not to slide off the table!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Yes. A table would be great but I need a way for the glasses and pitcher not to slide off the table!

When you figure that one out let me know.

 

[Philster]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

You underestimate human ingenuity.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

Jenn:

I'm not far from you on St. George Island and I recently purchased a 2007 Mariah DX212 (deck boat) with 150 Merc to replace an older, slightly smaller bowrider. Wow...what a difference! Rated for 10, I can say that it comfortably held myself, six riders and all their stuff last weekend. Loads of storage and lots of other goodies (like the removable pedestal table you like!). I call it my 2BR, 1BA condo on the water. Which side of the ditch are you on?

Richard

 

[MercMe]

Re: Ready for a boat... again!

What about something like a Sea doo there kinda like the ATV's of the sea lol. Fun not to hard to pull, launch, or trailer. There not huge but comfy. I cant say it the best ride out there. If your worried about ride should probably get a small pontoon. Have fun looking that one of my favorite parts good luck!.