Decisions, help on new boat

N

nowayout

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Jul 13, 2013
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33339
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New here but I have been lurking for quite a while. I am hoping you guys/gals can help me out.

I do not own a boat YET but I am looking. My problem is I dont know what I should be getting. I'm trying to stay under $13,000.

Center console or bow rider. I/O or outboard. This will be a bay boat for me and my lady, possibly a friend or two, and sometimes my nephews of age 12 and 9 for tubing and what not. I spearfish so that means I need to be able to get in and out of the boat pretty easily.

A big worry for me about the I/O is the draft. Should I be worried about this on a 18-20 ft boat?

I have been looking at sea rays 185 model. the idea of this boat sounds great but I worry about bilge pumps and the bigger draft. Having to clean out the boat after a day of spearfishing also seems like it would be a chore.

As far as the center console goes the seating arrangements do not seem too comfortable. I think the good points are easy clean up, self bailing and low draft.

So is the perfect boat out there? Does anyone have any recommendations?

More questions to follow I'm sure.
 
Take a look at "dual consoles". They offer more seating than a center console of the same size and can be configured with either outboard or i/o. I personally would go with an outboard as there is much less maintenance.
Some brands to consider, Robolo, Sea Scout,Key West,Striper,Trophy,Grady White, Boston Whaler etc.
 
quote:
Originally posted by HIGHLIFEII

21' Mako center console. Chaep to run, easy to clean.

Click to expand...

My son had one until last year. My wife and I would use it for quick trips around the bay. Mako CC's are great boats they ride great and we had a single 200hp Yamaha on the back she would move when it needed to. I had a extended hard T top installed on the boat which helped keep people out of the sun or weather when needed. They can be had all day long for under $13k.
Bill
 
I/o is not a bad draft. They can be raised and go into 18" of water.
It comes down to comfort and convience.
Do you need a head? Where will the lady's pee.
Some cc and bowriders now have small heads which is a huge plus.
I have looked and wanted a cc but then I went on one and there is no real good seats, no sun lounger.
So you gotta think hard about who is using it and how.
If you regularly beach and spear less than a bowriders or dual console may be best.
 
Go for a center console as the other guys have said . Anything a bow rider does a center console can do but a bow rider comes cant duplicate a center console. Bow rider usually has carpet and cushions that have to be maintained. A center console is just a quick was down and walk away. Stick with an outboard in my opinion. Mako would be an awesome boat and there are always ads on craigslist etc.
 
What do you want to use the boat for? Your expectations will determine what type of boat you should buy
 
A head is really not needed as my girl is a trooper :),

The boat is going to be used to get to my spearing spots, hanging out, getting to the beach, tubing with my nephews and most important, to enjoy life.

I have looked at a couple of Dual Consoles which are hard to find used. I can find CC's all day long. So it looks like a dual console is like a bowrider but with less frills. I found a nice Key West DC 2020 but the price is a little out of my range and comparing the price to the Sea Ray 185 sport the Sea Ray is a better buy. The I/O is my only concern as it is a Merc 3.0 with 25 hrs and nothing has been replaced.

I've never been on a bow rider but my experiences on CC's has not been too enjoyable, so I guess I should cross that off the list.
 
Another thing that my friend says goes to the outboard is I would like to keep this boat in the water.
 
I/O's might require a little more maintenance every few years with the transom assemblies, etc., but if you ever have to re-power with an outboard boat it will cost you a lot more money than a comparable I/O boat.
It's a trade off.
 
a decent 22' cc with a porta potti in the console will work out well for you. plenty around in your budget. Many have integrated ladders for easy boarding of swimmers.

Dave, my 24' cc Cobia had a large forward platform that had cushions and could lounge two easily. Would eat the chop of the GSB without issue. It had a rear bench seat with cushions for seating and a porta poti in the console.
 
If there is no porta-a-potty, that would be a deal breaker for me. Just putting in my female 2cents ;)
 
Everyone keeps saying there is a lot of boats out there for sale, but I am having trouble finding one.

Dual consoles are not out there.

Center consoles that have been taking care of are rare also.
 
what Walter said +100

Where will you be using it? where will it be kept? How will you use it? What do you expect to do?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Katie

If there is no porta-a-potty, that would be a deal breaker for me. Just putting in my female 2cents ;)

Click to expand...

On a male's prospective, not having head is also a deal breaker :)
 
There are plenty of boats out east. Budget depending...

funny Walter...hahaha
 
I live out east. I plan to keep the boat at a marina. I already stated what I will be using the boat for in the first post, spearfishing, cruising, getting to the beach, and pulling a tube now and then.

Can anyone point me to a place that has some used boats out east? In the 7-15,000 dollar range. All the marinas have big money boats.
 
I'll stick with my earlier suggestion.

Try Spellamns and Senix and other marinas in between.
 
I spoke with Spellmans (I dock there)...they do have walkarounds and CCs in your price range. Call and ask for Kent if interested.
 
Boat trader.com
Craigslist.com
Yachtworld.com
Boats4sale.com
Oddle.com
Tons of places , google "used boats for sale" for more places
Good luck on your search
Walter
 
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