Yet another newbie wanting a boat

[thinkingaboutit]

"There I was, sitting on my favorite lawn chair, when I decided having a boat would be really cool"

So, we're a family of four, and live in the Raleigh area, where we have a few nice lakes (Jordan, Falls, Harris).

I'd like to get something that we could spend the night in sometimes, and otherwise cruise around the lake, maybe even tow the kids sometimes. Maybe take it to the ocean on occasion.

I've seen boats in the 20'-24' range with what looks like a place to sleep if you don't mind being cozy (we go camping often, so we're familiar with what "4-6 person tent" really means...)

So with that in mind... what should I be looking for? Looks like a "cuddy cabin" might be an option, right?

And what is a realistic budget for something like this, as far as acquisition price goes?

I'm already looking at various ongoing expenses like storage at the lake, etc. That will be another thread.

Thanks!

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

Yeah, tents and campers get quite creative when they tell us how many can sleep in them. Not as sure about boats, but at 20' not sure how much sleeping you could comfortably do with four people . Best idea is to get out and try some on for size. If I recall my father in law's SeaRay 20' cuddy wasn't so much a sleeper as a place to stash stuff. Prices will be all over the place. Brandy new(er) 24' boats could easily top $50K without breaking a sweat, especially if need a trailer. Another consideration if you plan on towing a larger rig is that you have a vehicle up to the task. Especially if you stretch out to 24'+ you're gonna need a vehicle up to the task, if you don't already own one. And like you said, there is storage and insurance, and equipment, and maintenance, and tons of fun.

 

[thinkingaboutit]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

Yeah, tents and campers get quite creative when they tell us how many can sleep in them. Not as sure about boats, but at 20' not sure how much sleeping you could comfortably do with four people . Best idea is to get out and try some on for size. If I recall my father in law's SeaRay 20' cuddy wasn't so much a sleeper as a place to stash stuff. Prices will be all over the place. Brandy new(er) 24' boats could easily top $50K without breaking a sweat, especially if need a trailer. Another consideration if you plan on towing a larger rig is that you have a vehicle up to the task. Especially if you stretch out to 24'+ you're gonna need a vehicle up to the task, if you don't already own one. And like you said, there is storage and insurance, and equipment, and maintenance, and tons of fun.

I'll be looking at used (I should've mentioned this initially) and at least for a while at first I will keep it at the lake, so trailering it around won't be an issue (I definitely don't have a vehicle that can do any kind of towing).

I read on other threads about renting boats before buying, but all that I can find in the area are pontoon boats.

 

[86 century]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

I have found as is said above most cuddys under 25' are more of a large storage space.

Another option would be something with a camper top(basically looks like a tent the snaps to your boat)I have seen several different styles of boats with them.
The camper top option will let you find a boat you like and ad the top later.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

you would want to be in the 26 foot range for something that would be workable on an overnight. Cruiser generally start in the 24-26 range and go up from there. Cruisers in this size range tend to be a bit heavy for their length.

Also sport boats in that size range have better sized cuddy cabins.

Look at Chaparral ssi series, Cobalt 263, Formula 260ss for sport boats. Sea Ray Sundancer, Formula PC for cruisers. Those will get you started on some ideas, etc.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

You are talkin 25'+ probably twin gas engines, tandem or triple axle trailer with brakes, an F-250 to pull it - in other words a big-big deal. I had a 27 1/2'er that would do what you describe and it was a love/hate relationship. Scared the crap out of me towing it.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

One option you would have is a pontoon with a camping package. I've seen a couple of different versions of this, but they seemed pretty reasonable.

As Solittle mentioned, once you get into an overnight capable boat you're talking about a rather BIG boat. With that come all kinds of expenses and operational hurdles. Trailering, launching, docking and recovering a 25' is VERY different than doing the same thing on a 20'. There's a reasonably steep learning curve. You may want to consider starting out a little smaller ... and putting a tent on shore.

 

[thinkingaboutit]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

One option you would have is a pontoon with a camping package. I've seen a couple of different versions of this, but they seemed pretty reasonable.

As Solittle mentioned, once you get into an overnight capable boat you're talking about a rather BIG boat. With that come all kinds of expenses and operational hurdles. Trailering, launching, docking and recovering a 25' is VERY different than doing the same thing on a 20'. There's a reasonably steep learning curve. You may want to consider starting out a little smaller ... and putting a tent on shore.

Thank you and everyone else for the feedback so far. Looks like I was trying to start a little too big. We'll settle down for something in the 20 ft range. Maybe try one of the various cuddy cabin examples in that range, and see if maybe one of the kids and I can at least spend the night at the lake once in a while.

The listings on the local craigslist are seemingly endless. Besides that, and the local dealers, what are other options for finding local boats?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

At this point in the season (dunno' how late in the year y'all boat), you may want to consider putting off buying for about 45 days. In the fall prices on used boats will drop some and deals will pop up as people finish up that one last summer before they sell. You can spend that time doing some window shopping - and I'd encourage you to go look even at some new boats just to see what you like. Crawling around on a few different types and sizes will help you to see what's comfortable and what features you may want to look for in something used.

iBoats has LISTINGS too.

 

[erwinner]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

If you're up for a little bit of a project, the old Starcraft Chieftains have huge cabins for their size and since they're mostly aluminum they don't weigh too much. Find one with a solid hull and worst case scenario is replacing the wood in the transom and redoing the floor. Everything else is cosmetic. Even the floor to a point, since it's mounted to more aluminum, so even if it is so rotten you would fall through it, you don't have to worry about the structure underneath it being rotten and causing a major problem like a crack in the hull. Mine is just a 21' boat and was pulled from it's previous home 300 miles away by a very tired old Tahoe with no problems whatsoever.

[/IMG]

 

[Jolie Lynn]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

Hi there,
We too live in Raleigh and love the lakes here. We generally go to Jordan Lake but expanding this season to lakes a little Northward. We are an open bow family of five but have looked into the cuddy type and I agree with the post about smaller cuddies being a place to store your junk. We just moved up to a 23 foot Maxum and absolutely love it!!! Now Maxum makes a 24 footer that will sleep your family just fine and only has one engine and you don't need a semi truck to tow It is a boat that weighs in over 4000# but ours is similar at 4200#, with trailer add about 1500 more but our 2001 Ford 150 5.7 liter 2WD pulls it fine. 4WD would be much nicer for the traction. I drove a 98 Maxum 2400 Cuddy and could not tell the entire performance due to it needed engine work but if you find one in great shape about $10000 to $14000 consider it!! I love the idea of a cabin cruiser but waiting for a few more years and retire on one A late 90's 26 to 29 foot Sea Ray with the great mid cabin style would be nice. Now you need to be aware that anything over 25 feet you might be better off having it at a marina without trailering on a whim when you feel like having fun. It is a huge expense not to mention feeding the thing. You are also limited to one lake that way I don't know your background but used older boats require alot of maintenance but when treated well will bring much joy to your family. First boat you might go with the reply that mentions a tent for sleeping! Lake Jordan has many campsites (from experience) that you can beach your boat almost right up to your tent. Also there are alot of people on here that are willing to give you advice. My advice is based on our first boat 5 years ago 30 year old Bayliner and now our first more educated purchase of a newer boat. Good luck!!!
P.S. Our money pit (insert old Bayliner here) brought our family some of the most happy memories yet!!!

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

I have a 20' Cuddy and I wouldn't want to spend even one night in it with one other person. The cabin is really only good for storing stuff and providing a little bit of privacy for PortaPotty use!

 

[Jolie Lynn]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

Hi again,
Forgot to mention, if you decide on the bow rider type.....like ours there are potty options for the kiddos or mom

 

[1947dodge]

Re: Yet another newbie wanting a boat

I agree I had a 21 ft cuddy and there is not a whole lot of room they just look cool or at least mine did. It was a 88 cobia odessey...