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.

A galvanized or aluminum trailer is the way to go over cheaper painted metal. And go with 15 inch tires with bearing buddies, these are bearing caps that have a grease nipple on them so you can easily squirt more grease into the bearings on the trailor. I've had 17,19 and 23 foot boats and they all have advantages/disadvantages. I like a I/O for quiet and the ability to work on it because it resembles a car engine but I do agree a outboard is more bang for the buck. Being out on the water is nice but when your the one loading the trailor,towing the rig,cleaning the rig,doing ALL the maint. it gets old after a while. My boats were Bayliner and Four Winns with the Four Winn being the nicer. Buy 1-2 year used much better investment. Good luck.

I know of someone who is quite well off and thinks he's into boating. 1 1/2 years ago he sold his two year old MacGregor (Sp) sailboat for pennies on the dollar. He then bought a boat (expensive) for trips to AC, skiing, cruising etc. After a few hours out in the ocean and without the hull as mentioned he decided to sell. I'll see what he has and what he wants. I'll bet it'll be a stupid low price.

My first boat was an outboard powered flat-bottom. Big engine, extremely light hull.

Had to be careful in choppy water, but scary fast! Actually, there were very few people I trusted driving it if I was not right next to them. I had it airborn on a regular basis. There were a few times I was just plain lucky that it came back down right-side-up.

The best I had was a 20 ft. Carlson with a 200 hp Mercury. Awesome performer, but more passenger friendly than the flat-bottom. It sat on the factory custom aluminum trailer painted to match the boat. Really nice setup.

For those not familiar, Carlson was the racier line from Glastron. Fast, efficient, well built, and good looking.

Thinking about it kinda makes me want to buy another boat.

So what is it's intended use? Skiing, fishing or pleasure boating?

I was a ski fanatic all through my 20's. My boats were mostly for skiing, but I didn't want a tournament boat because they top out at 45-50 mph, and when I wanted to screw off a bit, that wasn't nearly fast enough.

Too bad two stroke outboards are going the way of the Porsche air cooled motor. The new four strokes are EPA approved and are cleaner for the water. No more oil in the exhaust.....which typically is vented thru the prop.....

Have a good friend who owns a boat. Time-share or rental?

This is fun

http://www.icemarine.com/images/media01.jpg

My brother had a two boat at different times and I had a Hobie cat.

This is very old information but back in the day if you got a O/D Volvo was the only way to go, he had a Merc and it was a total PITA to work on.

We only road on the ocean so deep V was the only way to go.

I'm thinking of getting a small sailboat I can put in the water myself and putt around the harbor.

Someone said "Owning a boat is like standing in a cold shower tearing up hundred dollar bills" and the classic "A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into".

You might want to post your question on this forum: http://my.boatus.com/forum/

I think you should take a close look at Sea Ray boats for what you want to do. Good quality, well known and when you are ready to move up, easier to sell. If you buy used, get a survey by a certified surveyor (SAMs or NAMs)....beware of neglected boats. There are a number of magazines that cover runabout boats, drop by Barnes and Noble and take a look. Expect major sticker shock if you are looking to buy new.

Don't buy an underpowered boat, they are hard to sell. Many times dealer will sell a big boat with a small engine to hit a price point.

Boating is not cheap but being on the water in the summer is priceless. And you might get hooked...my first boat was a 13 Boston Whaler, my current boat is a 28 Formula.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174012475.jpg

Standing in the shower tearing up $100's--that is a good one. I used to feel that way with our antique ski boat, I would spend countless hours working on it and something else would go wrong the next time out. Then I realized (well the g/f realized) boating wasn't relaxing for me anymore and I was always stressed over the boat--maybe we needed to change boats. I got my Sea Ray three years ago and have not had one problem with the boat. I simply pull it out of the garage and back it into the lake use all day and return to the garage. Best of all, currently I can sell the boat for more than I owe on it by about 5k--not that I am going to sell it. When you get serious take as many boats out on the water with the wife, kids, etc and spend some time getting a feel for each one, then decide which one you want. Have fun boating is a great experience with the right boat.

Here is a picute from a few weeks ago--water was in the 50's and only two or three boats out. Yes, I did wakeboard and I couldn't feel my feet after about five minutes, the water was just too calm not to get in and have some fun.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174050175.jpg

Dan, that's a very sweet looking boat. What is it?

My current fleet...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174051882.jpg

Boats are like women and sports cars - ignore them and they start acting up.

My advice (as others have mentioned) is to buy 1-2 years old - ~ 100 hours or less.

If you are using on a lake - then IO is a great choice -

if you are going ocean or large body or water then pay attention to the deadrise (the v at the back of the boat) the deeper the vee or greater the deadrise, typically the better the ride. Flat bottom boats (18 degrees and under) tend to pound quite a bit in chop.

I personally like outboards - as many places I go have shallow areas. Easy to lift the whole outboard out and not have it mucked up...

Take my boat, please!! I'll leave the keys under the mat!

On ramp,
It is a 2004 Sea Ray 185 Sport, the 2003-2005 185's look like mine. Sea Ray did a redesign in 06 and took away many nice things like the anchor locker--you have to move up to the 200 now. It is a perfect size for two adults and some kids or three adults and gear (five adults and gear gets crowded). Our garage is short and it just fits with 21 feet with the trailer tongue folded back. I have the 4.3 MPI motor and can run about 120 miles per tank--we usually run 10 hours and have about 1/4 tank left at the end of the day of skiing, wakeboarding, cruising, etc. I am just over 140 hours and the boat is still in showroom condition without one scratch. Last summer I did some ocean boating with it and have never been more scared in my life--three foot seas were not fun and I will not go back without anything under 24 feet. We did take a 4 footer over the nose and I spent a week getting all the salt crap out of the boat--I am going to stay a lake boater until I get at least a 280 Sundancer. The lake we boat at is very large and it handles whitecaps well (kinda rough but not bad at all). Here is another shot of the boat and one of a hidden waterfall were we like to eat lunch and take breaks.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174057174.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174057205.jpg

+1

Also makes maintenance and/or replacement a LOT easier. Something to consider if you think you're going to stick with it.

Sea Ray is a good boat - so is chapparal.

Like Porsche - you can buy smart and buy at the bottom of a depreciation curve.

I bought this 1950 pursuit 7 years ago for $12K

115 Yamaha - had 100 hours. (it's a 1995 model)

It's still worth around ~$11K - and it now has 500 hours.

Every year I take it in for service ~$280.00 + about $300 for insurance.

That and gas is about all I have done with it (knock on wood) I use it just about every weekend in the summer - that's kind of the key!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174059014.jpg