OT: Buying a boat
- Thread starter Jago
- Start date
Don't use paper money because it will float and you can retrieve it. Head straight to the nearest body of water and proceed to slowly throw quarters into the water untill gone. If when you return home you say to yourself, gee, that was fun, you are now ready for boat ownership! Floats, big motor, big cooler, and attracts large breasted women!
The day you buy it and the day you sell it............
Sounds like you want are wanting a "runabout" boat........
This selector may help you decide........
http://www.discoverboating.com/buying/boatselector.aspx
Sounds like you want are wanting a "runabout" boat........
This selector may help you decide........
http://www.discoverboating.com/buying/boatselector.aspx
Buy an old, used Boston Whaler Montauk 17'. It has a W hull so it can absorb some blows if you want to take it on (not far off) the gulf. You can pull it with just about anything if too, as they're light.
The biggest thing for me was it's pumped full of foam, so it's unsinkable, it's a small engine boat, so it's cheap to run around in, and it's big enough to fit people on but small enough for it not to be a hassle to take it out.
The best part is you can get them for a really reasonable price.
I used to run around on one with a tube or a kneeboard. If you're thinking about buying a ski boat like a Chapparelle or Bayliner, you really are best off throwing $5,000 worth of something in the river. Inboards are crap and the hulls will never hold their value compared to any other kind of boat. I've never known anyone with one who hasn't had to replace the foot every 2 years or so.
The biggest thing for me was it's pumped full of foam, so it's unsinkable, it's a small engine boat, so it's cheap to run around in, and it's big enough to fit people on but small enough for it not to be a hassle to take it out.
The best part is you can get them for a really reasonable price.
I used to run around on one with a tube or a kneeboard. If you're thinking about buying a ski boat like a Chapparelle or Bayliner, you really are best off throwing $5,000 worth of something in the river. Inboards are crap and the hulls will never hold their value compared to any other kind of boat. I've never known anyone with one who hasn't had to replace the foot every 2 years or so.
If all you want is to be able to take people out and ski and tube, you can get by with a 17 foot bowrider. A few adults and coolers will fill that up quick though, so if you don't plan to be at a place where you can pick people up and drop them off at shore, you'll want something bigger. If money is no object, chapparell makes some 23 ft bowriders that also have a head, fresh water washdown, sink, etc. that will hold 12 people comfortably with a cooler or two.
As far as being a money pit, if you are going to be using it in freshwater and get a quality boat with a reasonably new motor, it's really not that bad if you don't defer maintenance. Of course, with the question your asking, I'm guessing you don't have much boating experience, so there's a pretty decent chance you will 17 something up. I'd try to take somebody knowledgeable with you the first few times you take it out. There will inevitably be stuff you learn only by 17ing up, but the longer you have somebody teach you, the more likely it will be minor 17-ups and not things that will seriously damage your boat or injure somebody.
As far as being a money pit, if you are going to be using it in freshwater and get a quality boat with a reasonably new motor, it's really not that bad if you don't defer maintenance. Of course, with the question your asking, I'm guessing you don't have much boating experience, so there's a pretty decent chance you will 17 something up. I'd try to take somebody knowledgeable with you the first few times you take it out. There will inevitably be stuff you learn only by 17ing up, but the longer you have somebody teach you, the more likely it will be minor 17-ups and not things that will seriously damage your boat or injure somebody.
Jago said:
If you love the water they are not too bad of a money pit. Hell a car is a money pit. Look at a manitou pontoon boat. They handle like a ski boat, are available with high horse engines, can carry a lot of people, and you can ski easily behind them.
Don't roll your eyes when you see the word pontoon. Just look em up online and see. I was on a wakeboard behind one at pick wick and it was great. It will be my next boat.
We used to have a Premier pontoon boat with a 250 hp inboard/outboard and would do about 50 mph. That thing was sweet. I love pontoon boats because they are typically more economical and are much better "party boats." You can ski behind the more powerful ones but they don't put out a lot of wake so I would think hardcore wakeboarders wouldn't like them.<div>
</div><div>I don't ski anymore but even if I did I think I would still get a pontoon boat with an engine in the 150 range. Enough to ski behind but not terribly inefficient.</div>
</div><div>I don't ski anymore but even if I did I think I would still get a pontoon boat with an engine in the 150 range. Enough to ski behind but not terribly inefficient.</div>
and in most states has the same penalties as a DUI. And beer makes boating much more fun.
But the Whaler is legit. Unsinkable, and can be used on a lake or in the sound, gulf, whatever.
But the Whaler is legit. Unsinkable, and can be used on a lake or in the sound, gulf, whatever.
which is exactly where most of my time on the water has been spent. I don't spend much time on the lake anymore but I will have to keep this in mind.
If freshwater, you don't want a Boston Whaler or any tri hull type boat. The tri-hulls are generally fishing boats. They are stable but tend to run pretty rough in a chop. I agree with those that pointed out there are pontoon style boats that are very adept for "fun on the water" type days.
If you are going to Saltwater or larger lakes you want a deep v hull to ride smoothest in waves.
Do a bunch of research. Especially on the local dealers that you might be buying it from. There are also many good used boats you can find that will save you a bunch of money.
If you are going to Saltwater or larger lakes you want a deep v hull to ride smoothest in waves.
Do a bunch of research. Especially on the local dealers that you might be buying it from. There are also many good used boats you can find that will save you a bunch of money.
If you are buying a boat for the Reservoir in Jackson there are a couple of things you need to consider.
If you say you are going to be doing some skiing then you will want to be up the river, which means more than likely you will be trailering your boat there.
If you are buying a boat and figuring on trailering it each time you go to the lake I would not go the pontoon route. Pontoon boats are sons of bitches to launch by yourself. They also trailer terribly. Now what size bowrider you need for upriver depends on budget, and if you really want a reliable beast take a glance at some inboards (MasterCraft, Nautique, Moomba, and Tige') but get ready to spend some change. Inboards have beast engines and typically less problems than inboard/outboards.
People don't like the looks of it, but I know of some people with those Tahoe Fish and Ski combos with a Full Outboard on the back that take beatings and keep on chugging. An outboard engine is simplistic and tough.
Now if you are going to be on the reservoir big water near the spillway I would look into a pontoon probablly.
1. The water can get really choppy down there so skiing is tough unless it's the perfect conditions.
2. It's a boring body of water so all there is to do is drink and party. Other lakes have great coves that always provide good skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding water.
3. It's a shallow body of water. Acg Depth somewhere like 15 ft. This leads to increase chop and stagnant water areas.
4. You can rent a slip there from Main Harbor for $200/mo covered $150/mo noncovered. I would be hesitant to let a nice ski boat with a clean underbody sit in that water. You can develop bubbles in the gelcoat, but If it's aluminum pontoons won't hurt a thing.
Just sold my 25ft 115hp Pontoon. Great boat for that area, but since I bought a house had to up the cashflow for the offseason.
I'm a big watersports guy, so I'm looking to get an inboard next.
Also reservoir patrol can not give you a BUI... they can now give you a sobriety test if you faill then they will turn you over to local law enforcement who will administer another sobriety test, which will be admissable in court unlike the Reservoir Patrol one. Take theirs as a guage then you'll know wether to refuse the police or not.
If you say you are going to be doing some skiing then you will want to be up the river, which means more than likely you will be trailering your boat there.
If you are buying a boat and figuring on trailering it each time you go to the lake I would not go the pontoon route. Pontoon boats are sons of bitches to launch by yourself. They also trailer terribly. Now what size bowrider you need for upriver depends on budget, and if you really want a reliable beast take a glance at some inboards (MasterCraft, Nautique, Moomba, and Tige') but get ready to spend some change. Inboards have beast engines and typically less problems than inboard/outboards.
People don't like the looks of it, but I know of some people with those Tahoe Fish and Ski combos with a Full Outboard on the back that take beatings and keep on chugging. An outboard engine is simplistic and tough.
Now if you are going to be on the reservoir big water near the spillway I would look into a pontoon probablly.
1. The water can get really choppy down there so skiing is tough unless it's the perfect conditions.
2. It's a boring body of water so all there is to do is drink and party. Other lakes have great coves that always provide good skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding water.
3. It's a shallow body of water. Acg Depth somewhere like 15 ft. This leads to increase chop and stagnant water areas.
4. You can rent a slip there from Main Harbor for $200/mo covered $150/mo noncovered. I would be hesitant to let a nice ski boat with a clean underbody sit in that water. You can develop bubbles in the gelcoat, but If it's aluminum pontoons won't hurt a thing.
Just sold my 25ft 115hp Pontoon. Great boat for that area, but since I bought a house had to up the cashflow for the offseason.
I'm a big watersports guy, so I'm looking to get an inboard next.
Also reservoir patrol can not give you a BUI... they can now give you a sobriety test if you faill then they will turn you over to local law enforcement who will administer another sobriety test, which will be admissable in court unlike the Reservoir Patrol one. Take theirs as a guage then you'll know wether to refuse the police or not.
Beer and boating go hand in hand...but its also illegal...so you have to weigh the pro's and con's of owning and operating a boat and drinking. (not to mention the art of trailering a boat home after a day full of sun and drinking)
I always took a cooler full of water and gatorade and cokes etc....and then just put my beer in the live well. If I ever got stopped, I just made someone sit on the livewell and told them not move..You can always explain empties as you were just picking up after redneck trash on the beach...
that being said..I am officially out of the boat business...my pontoon got tore all the hell in a freak storm last year...and I sold my jetski this past winter....
BTW...if anyone ever thinks about getting a jet ski...do yourself a favor and buy a yamaha. Sea Doo's are overpriced trash. My buddy and I bought jetski's at the same time...he went with seadoo...I bought a yamaha. his spent more time in the shop than it did on the water and mine never one broke down.
For that matter, Yamaha makes one of the best outboard motors as well...had a 115 on my pontoon, and you could barely tell it was running when it was on.
I always took a cooler full of water and gatorade and cokes etc....and then just put my beer in the live well. If I ever got stopped, I just made someone sit on the livewell and told them not move..You can always explain empties as you were just picking up after redneck trash on the beach...
that being said..I am officially out of the boat business...my pontoon got tore all the hell in a freak storm last year...and I sold my jetski this past winter....
BTW...if anyone ever thinks about getting a jet ski...do yourself a favor and buy a yamaha. Sea Doo's are overpriced trash. My buddy and I bought jetski's at the same time...he went with seadoo...I bought a yamaha. his spent more time in the shop than it did on the water and mine never one broke down.
For that matter, Yamaha makes one of the best outboard motors as well...had a 115 on my pontoon, and you could barely tell it was running when it was on.
Sunesta 214 for about $28k. 2007 model in great shape. Loved it but just never used it. I would go to the marina about once a month, get it out, wash it, and, like the second poster said,throw some money in the bay.
Go for it! Keep our economy moving forward!
Go for it! Keep our economy moving forward!
I have mid 90s Yamaha & See Doo Jet Skis. The 800 cc 110 hp Sea Doo will smoke the 650 cc 45 hp Yamaha but the Yamaha usually wins the race cause it's towing the Sea Doo back to the dock. I've rebuilt the engine and made countless repairs to the Sea Doo. The only work I've done on the Yamaha is clean the carburator a couple of times in 15 years and replace batteries.
or consider a tritoon with a 150 HP or moreoutboard. Deckboats are versatile and can be found used at good prices. Laugh if you wanna, but a tritoon is not what pontoons used to be. Manitou and Bennington make great tritoons. Problem is that they can be quite expensive.I've got a pontoon with 115 HP outboard, and while it is good for tubing and skiingfor thekids, you really need 150 HP and a tritoon to make it really fun for adults. Deck boats and tritoons are both roomy and can accommodate 10 to 12 people. I don't see how you could go wrong with a deck boat if you've got money to burn.
I've had boats for over 25 years and am on the water several times a week. I've had all kinds of boats from outboard fishing boats, inboard/outboard run abouts, and inboard ski boats. The last boat I bought was a 1999 Malibu Sunsetter Ski boat that I bought brand new. I've still got it today and it still looks and runs as good as it did the day I bought it. I've had it all these years and put very little money into it. If you take care of them, they will last.
I love an inboard for several reasons. First off, the motor is EASY to work on as most are either Ford or Chevy motors. Mine is a Chevy 350 so I can get motor parts anywhere.
Also, they're a lot more stable than your typical inboard/outboard. I've almost flipped several inboard/outboard type boats during sharp turns at higher speeds. However, I can take my Malibu at full speed and throw the wheel over and spin almost in a 180 and go back down my own wake.
If I were buying another boat today, I'd be looking for a well cared for 2003-2006 Malibu Wakesetter. Those can be found in the 20K range. You can also look at similar brands like Mastercraft or Moomba.
I love an inboard for several reasons. First off, the motor is EASY to work on as most are either Ford or Chevy motors. Mine is a Chevy 350 so I can get motor parts anywhere.
Also, they're a lot more stable than your typical inboard/outboard. I've almost flipped several inboard/outboard type boats during sharp turns at higher speeds. However, I can take my Malibu at full speed and throw the wheel over and spin almost in a 180 and go back down my own wake.
If I were buying another boat today, I'd be looking for a well cared for 2003-2006 Malibu Wakesetter. Those can be found in the 20K range. You can also look at similar brands like Mastercraft or Moomba.
---to answer your question, if you are on a big lake, i.e, Pickwick, I would recommend a 20 ft. SeaRay with a four-stroke outboard engine (225 hp). Less maintenance and SeaRay makes a quality boat. However, if price is a concern you can usually get a "deal" from someone who has taken a huge depreciation on a three-four year old boat with low hours.
Don't make the moomba mistake...very poorly constructed boat....I would (and currently own) stick with one of the big three inboard companies....correct craft (nautiques), master craft or Malibu....everything else is a cheap imitation.