Anyone into Boating? - looking to buy.
 

we're looking to buy a boat for the weekends. it will have to fit on a trailer since we'll be taking it to various locations.

any ideas ? this will be our first boat. we're looking to spend @ 20K.

Thanks in advance.

Make a list of questions regarding how the boat will be used, such as how big, how fast, where will it be used, river, lake, ocean? What will you do with it, waterski, fishing, just runabout? Once you answer the questions you will be better informed to go out and shop. Best thing is to go to a boat show and get a lot of brochures. Don't get sucked into the boatshow specials, you may get a good deal but it might not be what you want long term.

There are so many different variable it can drive you crazy. Also get a good trailer if you will be hauling it on the road. Loading and unloading can be a PIA if you get the wrong trailer.

we're thinking around 20 feet.. or less even. for rivers, lakes, and maybe ocean.
it will be used mainly for crusing, not fishing or waterskiing, but maybe tubing.
we've look at several models from Mastercraft and Crownline...however they are very expensive.

Cobalt makes a very nice series of runabouts but once again they are pricey. If you are looking for a starter boat and then will upgarde after a few years many boat manufacturers are exceptable but you will see the difference in quailty if you keep it for more than 4 -5 years.

I have a 1989 Mastercarft Power Slot 190 that is used primarily for waterskiing, it is a relatively flat bottom hull so rides hard in choppy water but is great for skiing. Has a 350HP Indmar V8. Have had it since new and very reliable and comfortable.

We picked up a used Chapparal 210SS with a 5.0 Volvo and SX outdrive for around your price range. It was a used 2003 that we bought late in the 04 season with about 100 hours on it. We live on a lake so we put a lot of hours on our boat. With routine maintenance (engine and outdrive oil, impellor, battery maintenance, etc), it's been completely trouble-free. Pulls tubes, wakeboards, and water-skiers with ease. Even better since I put on a 4 blade stainless prop.

Chaparral is not Cobalt, but it's not as expensive either. Cobalt is to runabouts what Mercedes is to automobiles. Big, comfortable, heavy, and reliable....but not all that sporty.

If you intend to beach your boat (we do), you may want to avoid an inboard or a V-drive since the prop is the lowest point on the boat and not adjustable. A traditional I/O might make more sense for general use. There are lots of reasonably priced brands out there...Regal, Chap, Four Winns, Bryant, Stingray, Monterey, and the list goes on.

With all that said, I'd recommend Volvo over Mercruiser....just personal preference. If you go over 21', consider a dual prop outdrive for better hole-shot. Also, I wouldn't be afraid of buying a used boat with records and less than 200 hours.

Don't bother buying new as there are plenty of 1-2 year old boats out there that people bought and never used so they have low hours on them.

"The two happiest days in your life; the day you buy the boat and the day you sell the d@#m boat" - Anonymous

I never agreed with this until I sold my 20Ft boat.

The best day is the day you buy it and the second best day is the day you sell it.

Don't buy new, to many people buy and then realize they never use it and take a huge hit on it.

Michael

On-ramp,
Depending on where you are you should also check out Sea Ray. I have a 2005 185 Sport MPI and have absolutely loved it. The local dealer here was one of the top dealerships in the US and they have blown me away with service and support during and after the sale. Sea Ray and Regal are a step down from Cobalt and you can find ones 2 yrs old for under 20k. I have put 165 hours of trouble free boating on mine and cannot wait to get back to the lake in the very near future. Make sure you get a boat that is 100% composite--rot isn't a fun thing to deal with and I don't think wood belongs on sport boats in this day and age. Plus Sea Ray has a really good forum at clubsearay.com. Have fun.

Depends on what type of water adventure you plan on. I don't see where you live....but Ski Nautique/Correct Craft/Ski Supreme are dedicated ski/board tournament boats. Not real good for beaching, drinking or whatever due to the sterndrive.

While others can be used for fishing, day tripping. etc....

Outboards are nice but the big new four strokes are major bucks.....jets, old technology but bullet proof.....I have a friend is a dealer if you are on the west coast.

$20k eh? Thats PER YEAR, right? :)

mikez, PM or email me if you don't mind. Looking for decals. My email might be hitting your spam filter.
Thanks.
Mike

I've had three boats. Loved every minute on the water. A couple worthless opinions:

1- I prefer outboards. Much better throttle response and acceleration than an I/O. An outboard is somewhere around 300 pounds and a two-stroke. So much faster out of the hole than 800 pounds of four stroke V-8 and an outdrive hanging on the transom.

2- Trailer sized boats are nice. They don't cost a dime all winter when sitting on the trailer, and maintenance is zero if it is stored indoors. I'm too cheap to even consider paying for moorage.

3- Of my three, I actually sold two of them for more than I paid for them, even after adding any upgrades. On the one I liked the least (the one that wasn't an outboard), I dropped the price for a quick sale to exactly what I paid for it. If you shop artound, there are true bargains to be had with buying used.

4- Do NOT buy a trailer with whimpy little 12" wheels. They need to spin so fast at highway speeds that the bearings burn out prematurely. Don't believe it? Next time you see a boat (or utility trailer) sitting along side a highway with one wheel missing, notice the size on the other side. It's almost always a tiny wheel. A 14" diameter trailer wheel is the smallest I will accept.

5- I still have a bunch of boating stuff- anchor, fenders, tow ropes, life vests, yada, yada... I'll probably buy another boat sometime. Well worth it.

very good info... what's an I/O ?

"The best day is the day you buy it and the second best day is the day you sell it."

wow. really? what about all those fun trips in between?

I guess we're looking for above average performance and comfortable, sleek looking, and not too long..

you're not going to sail it to the super bowl, are you? :p

FWIU, you don't want a flat bottom boat in any part of the ocean that may be rough/choppy. A deep V hull is more conducive.

Ocean, Smocean...unless he lives on a lake, some variant of the V hull is a must.:D

Buy used.

On-ramp, where you at?

southern NH..

How many people do you plan on taking? I own a fishing boat. That is what I like to do. You should also go to a boat show. They will have just about every style and options under one roof. Look, ask questions....and I agree you should look at good deals on almost new boats that people get tired of. Mine sits at the most 2 months and when the fish start running I go 3 to 6 times a month.

Yup. V-hull. Deep V, I say. Flat and tri-hull boats will beat you to death. Even on smooth water, usually.

I/O is "Inboard/Outboard." That's where the engine is a permanent fixture inside the boat, at the back. The drive unit pokes out of the rear of the boat and then plunges downward into the water, with the propeller on the bottom.

Dan is right about a lot of things, and this is one of them. Outboards are WAY spunkier than I/O's. An 85 hp outboard will DESTROY a 165 hp I/O. Outboards are finicky though, and MUST be taken to the pros for tuning. Once per year, really. They are high-strung engines. They are engines the size of a breadbox that make a hundred horsepower. Or maybe the size of a medicine ball that make 300 hp. In any case, they are not engines you tune in your backyard with a screwdriver.