what boat size do i need?

[surfcity]

I'm a first time boat buyer (well at least the motorized kind) and need some advice on sizing a boat for me and my family...I have a dealer to work with, but I want to have some independent background info before I go in...<br /><br />Us: Family of five (mom, dad, and three girls ages 3,5 and 8).<br /><br />Water: NC sounds / ICW...mostly flat, can get choppy when the winds up (I'm a chicken and stay in when it's too rough), very shallow water (except the channels)...<br /><br />How we want to use it: Pleasure...short trips (a few miles) for some fishing in the sound, exploring islands and sandbars, fishing a crab pot or two, clam digging...sometimes all of us will be in it, sometimes a few of us, sometimes it will be just me. Nothing at night, at least until I'm more experienced, then maybe some flounder gigging. Speed is not an issue, I don't want or need a speed boat.<br /><br />I'm looking at a 14' (42" floor) jon boat with an 18 HP 4-stroke motor. The boat capacity is 4-adults / 770#. Altogether, people weight is around 420# total now, and the motor is 114#. For a little more $$ and about the same weight, I can get it with a 25 HP 2-stroke (25 HP is the max HP rating). I feel like I'm ok with tiller steering and manual start.<br /><br />Am I in the ballpark or am I thinking too small? My main consideration is not to get something that is borderline dangerous with the kids. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: what boat size do i need?

14' is awfully small for 5 people! I would go to at least a 16-17'and perhaps a slightly larger motor 30-40 HP, for when you need to get back in a hurry. I think you would regret a 14' when you get everyone on board. I have a 16' runabout and it gets very crowded with 4 people on board! Might take the family with you to look at the boats and get in them to see how it works, as far as room. If you can, all of you go for a test drive to see how well it handles and if you have enough power and room with all aboard. A 25 HP is good for a couple of people in a fishing boat, but I think you will be suprised once you get the family and all the extras on board.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Is there any way you can get a ride with somebody in a boat? The local marina or maybe the ramp?<br /><br />14' aint much once you're out and a boat sized so, that everybody onboard have stay in her seat or move carefully, tends to become too small very fast.<br /><br />Kids like yours like to have the ability move around a little, to sit together or apart as they find best.<br /><br />Sitting in a boat the way you sit in a car is too close.<br /><br />Not knowing your options, I'd suggest you look for a bigger boat that also will be more stable. For feeling safe (the kids) you might even look for a deep design with fairly high rail.<br /><br />Your planned use leads me to thinking 'daycruiser'.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Just a thought, How bout a nice used 14' 0r 16' pontoon? Very stable, low draft, safe for kids and easy to do all the things you mentioned you wanted to do. A 25 HP would push you around nicely with a toon.

 

[surfcity]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Thanks for the advice. My other option is for about $1200 more to get a 16' modified V jon with a 30HP motor. This has a 5-person / 1010# capacity. The reason I'm kind of limiting myself to a flat bottom or mod-v jon is that some of the water I'll be in is very shallow, like 1-2 feet deep, or less. The kids like to float up onto sandbars then get out to look for shells and dig for clams, stuff like that. My stepfather has a 14' and it does seem small, I think it's only a 36" bottom. When I go down this weekend I'll see of he will let me take her out.<br /><br />I hadn't really even considered a pontoon, that adds a whole new dimension to my looking around...<br /><br />Again, I appreciate the input, this is a very helpful forum.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: what boat size do i need?

If you really want to sail in 1 foot water, you might consider a jetdrive. Any outboard will need some depth to get the prop down far enough. A prop spinning in the surface at a high tilt has very bad efficiency.<br /><br />Next it's great that you've done some homework and even come to a kind of conclusion. If you're smart you check types and designs that are different from your first conclusion as it will either open your eyes for new possibilities or confirm your first idea. Ever thougt about a tri-hull? Very safe and roomy for their lenght and needs only a few inches of water. At the same time easy driven.<br /><br />Try looking on boats "too large" also as it may give you new ideas on equipment etc.

 

[FISH'N101]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Howdee, 14' sounds pretty small. Don't forget you will have a lot of gear typically with you. The more people the more gear, usually. Life jackets, Cushions, Oars/Paddle, Clothes, gas tank, anchor & lines, food, beverage, fishing equip, etc.<br />Whenever I am buying a boat and thinking of children in the boat I am also concerned with the width of the boat and the height of the sides in relation to the seats. <br />I was fishing in Puget sound this weekend & saw a 14' aluminum fishing boat with a 10hsp OB. There was about 6" of freeboard in the back of the boat. I am sure when big waves came by he got his pants wet. The waves weren't from bad weather, just larger boats going buy. Other similar boats had 12" of freeboard or more. <br />I to would vote for a little bigger motor 25-35 hsp. <br /><br />I currently own a 16' aluminum boat with 90hsp OB wish I had an 18. I find 2 people is comfortable 3 begins to get crowded unless just cruising for the fun.<br />Hanging out at the local boat was a great idea suggested earlier in this conversation. Boaters are usually happy to talk with you and most would probably give you a ride......<br />Have fun..... Looking is half the fun...<br />Good luck. Looking is half of the fun.

 

[amtsst]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Mercury has a whole series of outboards that are rigged with a jet drive. You can run them in 12" of water.<br /><br />Consider the smaller carolina skiffs. Used, they aren't expensive. Pretty well made. Quite wide for the length and pretty stable. The albemarle and pamlico sounds can get nasty quickly if a little storm brews up. If you're even 3-4 miles from home, thats 15-20 minutes minimum (assume you can't run back wide open) to get in. You gotta be able to take whatever those sounds can dish up in that amount of time. <br /><br />Look for a skiff in the 16' range and perhaps investigate one of the jet outboards on the market for super shallow operation.<br /><br /> http://www.carolina-skiff.com/

 

[Solittle]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Sorta been there and done that - When we started boating our kids were about the same age as yours. Started with a 15' something or other with a 33 hp. That was way too small. Then a 16'. Then a 17 1/2'. Then an 18'.<br /><br />Finally got a 19' bowrider that was ideal for us. We do our boating in south Florida and the Keys and much of the water is very shallow. When needed the power trim/tilt kept us out of trouble. Ran that sucker for 15 years and two engines. Great for a young family. All the boats were used and with a bit of TLC and some rather shroud buying and selling managed to make a profit on every one.<br /><br />After the 19' got real stupid and went to 28' (on a trailer!!!). Then got smart and now have a 23' center console and hope to have it long into retirement.

 

[pmueller]

Re: what boat size do i need?

surf, boats are like tents. If you want to sleep 4, buy a tent that says it will sleep at least 6. Unless you like sleeping head to toe like sardines. We just went through this as well. Family of 4, bought a 17' boat that "seats 8". Between us, and all the gear, it still gets cramped at times. When it rains, or we get into chop/water spray, no one wants to sit in the bow, so we're all huddled in the back. Somehow, these boats always look bigger in the showroom. My advice, go as roomy as you can afford. The more comfortable everyone is, the more they'll want to be out on the water. Once you decide on the boat, choose the appropriate power.

 

[pmueller]

Re: what boat size do i need?

surf, boats are like tents. If you want to sleep 4, buy a tent that says it will sleep at least 6. Unless you like sleeping head to toe like sardines. We just went through this as well. Family of 4, bought a 17' boat that "seats 8". Between us, and all the gear, it still gets cramped at times. When it rains, or we get into chop/water spray, no one wants to sit in the bow, so we're all huddled in the back. Somehow, these boats always look bigger in the showroom. My advice, go as roomy as you can afford. The more comfortable everyone is, the more they'll want to be out on the water. Once you decide on the boat, choose the appropriate power.

 

[surfcity]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Man, I really appreciate the advice. Really opened my eyes. The more I mull it over, the more I think the jon (even the bigger ones) are not what we need. We are eager to get out on the water, but I believe I will spend a little more time looking at other options for us. We lease a lot in a campground on the ICW behind Topsail Island, NC, and it has a boat dock and ramp. I think I need to really start looking at what other families are using there to get some ideas.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Thats the way to go, Surfcity! You see, all here really wishes the best for you.<br /><br />If boaters in your area are like boaters in my area, they love to give advice and tell about their boats. Just ask...

 

[Boatist]

Re: what boat size do i need?

One thing to consider is if the boat is rated for 4 persons and *** pounds, you can not put 5 people in it and be legal. That rating is base on seating as well as weight. Also every boater I know who bought a new boat and a few years later got another boat the second boat was always BIGGER. I would not buy a flat bottom if you plan to do any boating in water more than 100 yards wide. The Modified V like Klamath or Gregor Will float fine in 8 inches of water. A wider boat will float in less water than a narrow flat bottom. With 5 growing people I think you need at least a 16 foot wide V hull and at least 35 horse power to get up on plane. When you put the crab pots, ice chest, life jackets, fishing poles or shouvels along with a gas can and anchore and five people I think you will not have much room left.

 

[Red Rider]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Surfcity, you have to be out at Topsail. I have been in those waters all my life, and I ain't no spring chicken, but I am not over the hill yet either.<br /><br />There is no way you want to be in the ICW with five people on most 14' boats. Those idiots going between NY and Maimi moving the yatchs for the "snowbirds" get paid by the trip, and they are always in a hurry. Two summers ago one swamped a boat just down from the swinging bridge at Watts Landing, and one person died. The yatch didn't stop and the guy didn't look back. The Coast Guard caught up with him in Swansboro. Enough said, but it does get tight in places in the ICW and 50-60' yatchs do put up a big wake if he is moving.<br /><br />For that area you need one of the typical local type boats. Flat bottom, 15-17' long, 6½-7' wide, with a 20-40hp outboard. It shouldn't be to hard to find one. Yopps sells "Carolina Skiffs" which except for the smallest ones are good. In that area, I know of one 16' Kencraft, with a 35hp Evenrude for sale. Its 6+ feet wide, and has motorwell for pulling a small shrimp net. I think the motor needs a water pump, but I am not sure. But it runs good. It is in great shape, used but very, very, well maintained, and its a tough boat. I know it has carried three grown men, all their gear, and several thousand clams. A retired Commerical Fisherman has it. I think that he wants about $1000 for it, but no trailer.<br /><br />If you are interested or not reply back. I am out on the water several days a week in that area. Sometime I am fishing, sometimes I am working part time as a "port agent", sometimes just riding around. I am always finding boats for sale. I guess that is the reason I have six. No! none of mine are for sale.<br /><br />Red Rider

 

[surfcity]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Definitely interested! E-mail me at sbrumley@triad.rr.com.<br /><br />I was down there this weekend and really took notice of what others at the campground use. I would say 2/3 of the folks down there have a boat and of those, well over half were what you mentioned: Carolina Skiff type.<br /><br />For me it was another weekend of working my tail off in the kayak.

 

[surfcity]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Red Rider, you probably know where I am, then. I'm just up a bit from Watts Landing at Lanier's Campground off Becky's Creek.

 

[surfcity]

Re: what boat size do i need?

I've done some checking locally and found a few that might be acceptable, based on feedback I've received here:<br /><br />14' Boston Whaler w/ 25 HP (probably too small / underpowered for my clan) for $1800<br /><br />1978 17.5' McKee Craft CC, 115 HP rebuilt, trailer - $4700 (more than I really wanted to spend, but includes some gear, like penn downriggers and a fishfinder)<br /><br />1988 17' McKee Craft 200 HP Mercury, trailer - $3500 (200 HP seems like a lot on a 17' boat, doesn't it?). He's asking $2500 for the motor alone.<br /><br />Also found a few older 15-16' bow riders (Manatee, Glastron, Galaxy, Dixie Boat Works) that may be a possibility.<br /><br />Does anyone have any comments on any of those? That's about all I know about any of them at this point, I haven't made any phone calls yet.

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: what boat size do i need?

Surf,<br /><br /> Am not familar with the area you are in, but my .02. Your family will growup and in just a couple years you are going to be looking for a bigger boat. Look and ask boaters at marinas and ramps, maybe one of their friends has a nicer boat and they are looking to up grade.