(renamed from yet another noob thread, what boat to buy)
Greetings!
I figure I'm so lost and have read a few hundred conflicting threads here that all touch lightly on my situation. I'll throw as much info about my situation at you as possible- and from that, you can possibly help me find a class of boat that works...
My mechanical knowledge is minimal, other than bolt on mechanical work on my vehicles over the years, (Coils, Alternators, O2 sensors, belts, intakes, etc etc etc) I've never worked on a boat. I am not afraid to get dirty or work on it myself, but after hearing stories of motors ran out of water- I'm wondering what I'll be able to actually do in my own back yard.
I have a overhang built in my backyard that used to store ATV's, it will allow me to put half of the boat under it for storage, I was planning on covering the rest up during the winters--- It's Florida, north central to be exact- no snow, but strong sun. I have the Suwannee River, Jacksonville, and Horeshoe beach within 50 minutes driving distance--- it's prime boat appeal.
I'll be towing the boat with a 2006 F-150 w/ a 5.4- it has a trans cooler, max rating 6000lbs towing. (O/D off & it should be fine)
I've been on several deep sea charters, as well as some friend's 17' bass boats... but I'm in a unique situation- my wife came along and did fine on the larger charters with a dose of dramamine. To clarify this statement, my wife get's seasick easily- so I will need a larger boat and stay in rivers and flats mostly, nothing offshore or too choppy.
I have two young children, a 4 y/o boy and a 9 y/o girl... both love to fish- but neither have never been on any boat smaller than 22'- as clumsy children are, I doubt they'd do well on a bass boat, or any boat without a decent rail system for them to hold onto. I also plan on someday getting scuba certified and enjoying the Suwannee cave diving.
I have never ski'd, but I'm certain my daughter is going to want to; or at least be pulled in an inflatable or a wake-board. The option would be nice, but isn't a must- I'd rather have good fuel efficiency and low maintenance cost over any benefits---
I do not want a boat that is a TON of work and maintenance, but understand that I will have to winterize it and maintain it - what I don't want is to hop in over my head and pay $2000 in repair bills every Spring. I'd rather start small and reasonable and learn boating than to grab a $10,000 offshore boat loaded with electronics- I'm more for a practical boat than a dream boat.
What I've considered is a 20' pontoon boat, or possibly something like a 92 Stingray i saw advertised for $700. My budget is minimal, I want to spend no more than $1500 on a starter boat- like I said, I'm willing to make sacrifices, I just want to get out in something that floats and runs cheaply- it doesn't have to be pretty- I'm willing to take the hit and call it a learning boat and trade-up in a few years- but I also don't want my initial investment to flop and get no entertainment return. A pontoon seems to fit the bill in size and practicality on the freshwater side, but I was nervous about taking it into saltwater- where I'll do most of my fishing. I don't need a ton of HP.
Perhaps someone can recommend something that isn't a pontoon boat that seats 4-6 people, is great for saltwater and freshwater fishing, big enough that it doesn't bounce around/rock a lot, easy to find parts, and can adapt easily but isn't a pain to fish in.
Yes, I'm asking a lot for a little.
I can take it if you think it's unreasonable.
Thanks in advance, and thanks for hosting these forums and site as such a great resource, I've learned a lot already just reading similar threads.
Greetings!
I figure I'm so lost and have read a few hundred conflicting threads here that all touch lightly on my situation. I'll throw as much info about my situation at you as possible- and from that, you can possibly help me find a class of boat that works...
My mechanical knowledge is minimal, other than bolt on mechanical work on my vehicles over the years, (Coils, Alternators, O2 sensors, belts, intakes, etc etc etc) I've never worked on a boat. I am not afraid to get dirty or work on it myself, but after hearing stories of motors ran out of water- I'm wondering what I'll be able to actually do in my own back yard.
I have a overhang built in my backyard that used to store ATV's, it will allow me to put half of the boat under it for storage, I was planning on covering the rest up during the winters--- It's Florida, north central to be exact- no snow, but strong sun. I have the Suwannee River, Jacksonville, and Horeshoe beach within 50 minutes driving distance--- it's prime boat appeal.
I'll be towing the boat with a 2006 F-150 w/ a 5.4- it has a trans cooler, max rating 6000lbs towing. (O/D off & it should be fine)
I've been on several deep sea charters, as well as some friend's 17' bass boats... but I'm in a unique situation- my wife came along and did fine on the larger charters with a dose of dramamine. To clarify this statement, my wife get's seasick easily- so I will need a larger boat and stay in rivers and flats mostly, nothing offshore or too choppy.
I have two young children, a 4 y/o boy and a 9 y/o girl... both love to fish- but neither have never been on any boat smaller than 22'- as clumsy children are, I doubt they'd do well on a bass boat, or any boat without a decent rail system for them to hold onto. I also plan on someday getting scuba certified and enjoying the Suwannee cave diving.
I have never ski'd, but I'm certain my daughter is going to want to; or at least be pulled in an inflatable or a wake-board. The option would be nice, but isn't a must- I'd rather have good fuel efficiency and low maintenance cost over any benefits---
I do not want a boat that is a TON of work and maintenance, but understand that I will have to winterize it and maintain it - what I don't want is to hop in over my head and pay $2000 in repair bills every Spring. I'd rather start small and reasonable and learn boating than to grab a $10,000 offshore boat loaded with electronics- I'm more for a practical boat than a dream boat.
What I've considered is a 20' pontoon boat, or possibly something like a 92 Stingray i saw advertised for $700. My budget is minimal, I want to spend no more than $1500 on a starter boat- like I said, I'm willing to make sacrifices, I just want to get out in something that floats and runs cheaply- it doesn't have to be pretty- I'm willing to take the hit and call it a learning boat and trade-up in a few years- but I also don't want my initial investment to flop and get no entertainment return. A pontoon seems to fit the bill in size and practicality on the freshwater side, but I was nervous about taking it into saltwater- where I'll do most of my fishing. I don't need a ton of HP.
Perhaps someone can recommend something that isn't a pontoon boat that seats 4-6 people, is great for saltwater and freshwater fishing, big enough that it doesn't bounce around/rock a lot, easy to find parts, and can adapt easily but isn't a pain to fish in.
Yes, I'm asking a lot for a little.
I can take it if you think it's unreasonable.Thanks in advance, and thanks for hosting these forums and site as such a great resource, I've learned a lot already just reading similar threads.
