What Size Boat? (cont.)

[BarryBob]

To follow up on SurfCity's dilemma, I also have a clan of 5 people, 3 kids (6,4, 1.5 yrs old) and am looking for my first boat to explore Lake Champlain between VT and NY.<br /><br /> I'm in the under $5,000 range and my primary concern is to get a boat big enough to fit everyone (which has me thinking 18') but small enough to be towed by a 1994 Toyota Previa minivan (which has me think closer to 16'). I want as big as I can tow because the Lake can kick up pretty well when the weather changes. 14' is out of the question. <br /><br />I think I've decided on a bowrider just for the extra seating capacity. I got a line on a Ciera 160, which I hear is a dreaded Bayliner with Tohatsu 55 hp. for $1,400 obo. From what I'm hearing on this board, I may be better off waiting for a good $3,500-$5,000 boat.<br /><br /> I'm also concerned about shallow waters, mainly because I'm clueless about depths, but I'll study my charts! Hull design will be based on ability to handle some rough waters, though.<br /><br />Thoughts anyone?<br /><br />Barry

 

[suzukidave]

Re: What Size Boat? (cont.)

I think you have more than enough threads going BarryBob. Why don't you stick to one at a time?<br /><br />I wouldn't write off that Ciera without taking a hard look because the price is good, the motor brand is good, and boats that size are perfect starter boats to learn on (even bayliners). I run a heavy deep-v 16' on a 55 horse motor with a family of 4 and plenty of passengers and so I can tell you for sure that if you prop it right there is plenty of power to move a family of 5 on the ciera which is way lighter than my boat and also lets you put people up in the bow which I can't do -- you should get it close to 40 mph with the right prop. A 55 is way cheaper to run and cheaper to fix and cheaper to replace....<br /><br />If you want a more seaworthy boat then you don't want a bigger bow-rider, you want a deep-v. I'd rather be out in my 16' than my neighbour's 20' bayliner when it gets ugly. I expect a Previa with its truck chassis will tow an 18' semi-v bowrider no problem but not a well built 18' deep v because deep-v hulls are built stronger and weigh more. Depending on what you do with the boat you could get by just fine with a young family of 5 in a smaller 16 or 17 deep-v that the Previa will tow but personally, I would trust the fates and look hard at that ciera -- i think it was meant to be...<br /><br />By the way, a deep -v boat that size barely draws a few inches more than a semi-v. Either way your motor leg is the lowest thing in the water.

 

[BarryBob]

Re: What Size Boat? (cont.)

Touche. The newbie hit Post a New Topic with a meaningless subject instead of Post a Reply. When I found the new thread I was surprised to see anyone replied. I'll calm down - I promise.<br /><br />BarryBob