Boat shopping sucks!! UPDATE: i got one!

[Iceyone]

I saw a boat in a boating magazine several years ago, that was actually powered by two detachable jet skis. Thought that was a pretty cool idea.

[jb666]

There are two great days in a boat owners life.....

The day you buy it and the day you sell it.



BBD

Exactly what I was going to post... I bought mine, used it twice.. Didn't feel like getting into another fight at the launch so I dumped it.. Never looked back.

Being out on the water on a 100 degree day, pulling up to a sand dune in the middle of the ocean and hanging out for 2 hours? Now THAT is a small slice of Heaven. It's just GETTING THERE that sucked.

In my area, it costs almost $2k to rent a slip FOR A WEEK in the summer time... So docking wasn't an option.

[A383Wing]

Old Saying --> "A boat is nothing but a hole in the water surrounded by wood or fiberglass into which one pours money"

[General_01]

Here is one up here in Blaine.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/2200896321.html

[Daytona R/T SE]

Hey Paul!  

Don't forget...  

You still need to come down here and pick up THIS boat.

[PocketThunder]

Hey Paul!  

Don't forget...  

You still need to come down here and pick up THIS boat.

Ya ya ya, i know, thanks for reminding me...         

[jeryst]

First of all, you are paying WAY TOO MUCH, for a 20 year old boat.

You dont need a professional ski boat to take the family out for skiing and tubing.

There are plenty of nice brand new 17-19 foot boats in the $15k category that you are better off buying.
If you have small kids, a cuddy cabin is great because they can rest in there, and you can actualyl stay overnight
on the boat.

When we bought our first boat, we bought a 19.5 foot deep-V cuddy cabin from a small manufacturer. All hand made,
but still much cheaper in price than many of the more established brands. We used that boat for 20 years and it never let
us down. Although the cuddy cabin was basically just a small enclosed place where we could lay down, it proved its
weight in gold on every family outing if the kids were tired, someone wanted out of the sun, changing clothes, etc.
We did plenty of skiing and tubing, and because of the cuddy, we had the option of camping on the boat overnight
which was great.

I would also offer one bit of wisdom. A boat is useless unless you live very close to a body of water. Otherwise, it either becomes
a day long affair, or you dont use it very often. When we bought our boat, the closest body of water was over an hour away.
So, you plan the day, get everything ready, load the boat, load the vehicle, get everyone in the car, drive to the boat launch, wait
in line, put the boat in the water, have someone park your vehicle and trailer, wait in line for a dock, load up the boat, go boating,
then do everything in reverse when you are done.

Compare that to my friend who lives on a river and keeps his boat at a dock. Any time he want to go boating, he grabs a cooler,
walks down to his boat, jumps in, goes boating.

My boating was always a day long adventure. His is a relaxing activity after work. Big difference.

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Hey Paul!  

Don't forget...  

You still need to come down here and pick up THIS boat.

Ya ya ya, i know, thanks for reminding me...         

Did you buy that car?

[stripedelete]

First of all, you are paying WAY TOO MUCH, for a 20 year old boat.

You dont need a professional ski boat to take the family out for skiing and tubing.

There are plenty of nice brand new 17-19 foot boats in the $15k category that you are better off buying.
If you have small kids, a cuddy cabin is great because they can rest in there, and you can actualyl stay overnight
on the boat.

When we bought our first boat, we bought a 19.5 foot deep-V cuddy cabin from a small manufacturer. All hand made,
but still much cheaper in price than many of the more established brands. We used that boat for 20 years and it never let
us down. Although the cuddy cabin was basically just a small enclosed place where we could lay down, it proved its
weight in gold on every family outing if the kids were tired, someone wanted out of the sun, changing clothes, etc.
We did plenty of skiing and tubing, and because of the cuddy, we had the option of camping on the boat overnight
which was great.

I would also offer one bit of wisdom. A boat is useless unless you live very close to a body of water. Otherwise, it either becomes
a day long affair, or you dont use it very often. When we bought our boat, the closest body of water was over an hour away.
So, you plan the day, get everything ready, load the boat, load the vehicle, get everyone in the car, drive to the boat launch, wait
in line, put the boat in the water, have someone park your vehicle and trailer, wait in line for a dock, load up the boat, go boating,
then do everything in reverse when you are done.

Compare that to my friend who lives on a river and keeps his boat at a dock. Any time he want to go boating, he grabs a cooler,
walks down to his boat, jumps in, goes boating.

My boating was always a day long adventure. His is a relaxing activity after work. Big difference.

Jeryst offers up some very good advice.  I would only add 1) that if you are going to trailer a boat, regardless of proximity to water, you pretty much have to make a day out - and that's OK.  2) You have to use it.  If you don't the enjoyment:expense ratio gets out of whack and boating ends bad.  3) If you get one, you AND your wife, take the power squadron's boating class. 'Cuz you don't want to be THAT guy.
 

[The70RT]

Had lots of boats & had a lot of fun ....and plenty of headaches. Blew lots of motors, tore transoms out and put holes in the hull. Had plenty gear and a motor stolen, and I still want to get another one  Good luck and be carefull.

[Bob T]

Expense ratio to time on the water is always in play.
I had a 17'6'' flatbottom with a twin tunnel ram 355, it would do 70 but only on flat water, it gets real interestin real quick when it chops up. Flipped it once and it hurt .
Sold it to buy the 1st house as part of a deposit but apart from  the running/maint costs I would like to have another one some day.
Talk to one of your friends with a similar boat if you can and hear him out  .just my 

[PocketThunder]

Hey Paul!  

Don't forget...  

You still need to come down here and pick up THIS boat.

Ya ya ya, i know, thanks for reminding me...         

Did you buy that car?

No not yet.  I have an outstanding offer of $800 on it and he wants $4000.  I'm waiting for him to come down in price...     

[PocketThunder]

First of all, you are paying WAY TOO MUCH, for a 20 year old boat.

You dont need a professional ski boat to take the family out for skiing and tubing.

There are plenty of nice brand new 17-19 foot boats in the $15k category that you are better off buying.
If you have small kids, a cuddy cabin is great because they can rest in there, and you can actualyl stay overnight
on the boat.

When we bought our first boat, we bought a 19.5 foot deep-V cuddy cabin from a small manufacturer. All hand made,
but still much cheaper in price than many of the more established brands. We used that boat for 20 years and it never let
us down. Although the cuddy cabin was basically just a small enclosed place where we could lay down, it proved its
weight in gold on every family outing if the kids were tired, someone wanted out of the sun, changing clothes, etc.
We did plenty of skiing and tubing, and because of the cuddy, we had the option of camping on the boat overnight
which was great.

I would also offer one bit of wisdom. A boat is useless unless you live very close to a body of water. Otherwise, it either becomes
a day long affair, or you dont use it very often. When we bought our boat, the closest body of water was over an hour away.
So, you plan the day, get everything ready, load the boat, load the vehicle, get everyone in the car, drive to the boat launch, wait
in line, put the boat in the water, have someone park your vehicle and trailer, wait in line for a dock, load up the boat, go boating,
then do everything in reverse when you are done.

Compare that to my friend who lives on a river and keeps his boat at a dock. Any time he want to go boating, he grabs a cooler,
walks down to his boat, jumps in, goes boating.

My boating was always a day long adventure. His is a relaxing activity after work. Big difference.

Jeryst offers up some very good advice.  I would only add 1) that if you are going to trailer a boat, regardless of proximity to water, you pretty much have to make a day out - and that's OK.  2) You have to use it.  If you don't the enjoyment:expense ratio gets out of whack and boating ends bad.  3) If you get one, you AND your wife, take the power squadron's boating class. 'Cuz you don't want to be THAT guy.
 

We have Lake Minnetonka 2 miles from my house.  Along with three other large lakes within 20 miles, so water is not a problem here in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes.  My spouses parents have a cabin on a lake in Northern Wisconsin that we go to 6 weekends in the summer.   So the boat will get used. 

I know how much of a money pit my Charger is, and from what i'm told about boats its probably worse.  But teaching our kids how to water ski will be priceless.

Paul

[skip68]

Boats are not that bad of a money pit if it's in good shape and you can park it at your house. A day on the lake for us would be about $150.  On days I took the boat to work with me it only cost the gas I burned (less than $20) in the boat for a couple hours. I would hit the lake 2-3 times a week.  If you boat alot, you'll get your money's worth out of it.  It's like any hobby.  If you love it and do it all the time it's what I feel is cheap family fun.  Every person I've ever met that calls them money pits either had a boat that ws cheap and needed work or only went boating 1- 2 times a month or even less.  IF YOU DON'T USE IT MUCH, THEN YES IT IS A MONEY PIT.  I have a feeling you will use the hell out of it with a lake 2 miles away and kids wanting to go.     

[jeryst]

We have Lake Minnetonka 2 miles from my house.  Along with three other large lakes within 20 miles, so water is not a problem here in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes.  My spouses parents have a cabin on a lake in Northern Wisconsin that we go to 6 weekends in the summer.   So the boat will get used. 

I know how much of a money pit my Charger is, and from what i'm told about boats its probably worse.  But teaching our kids how to water ski will be priceless.

Paul

Older/used boats are a money pit, which is why I suggested you stay away from them. Like I said, you can find a new boat in your price range, and it will provide you
with maintenance free fun for many years. Depending on the boat, expect to spend a couple hundred dollars for fuel on a weekend. You will have to pay for
winterization each fall. Also, boats use special parts and special tools, and if you take it to get it fixed, the hourly rates are 2 to 4 times what an automotive
mechanic charges. The new ones are very reliable, but most expense comes from operator error (hitting something, beaching, etc).
Plus, they degrade by not being used, more so than an automobile. That's why they can be money pits.

Professional ski boats are for professional skiiers, or people who have more money than they know what to do with, so dont get caught up in that.
It's like buying a top fuel dragster because you want to go to the local drag strip to make a couple of passes once a month.

Jan and Feb are the best times to buy new, because the boats are made to order and you can get a really good price on them
if you shop around. Once they are on the showroom floor, they need to add overhead to them, just like in a car dealership.

[skip68]

Well said Jeryst.  There are entry level family fish&ski boats in your range.  The dealer will take you out and demo the boat.  Also, dealers take trades.  This may be an option in getting a lttle more boat in like new condition.  Jery sounds like a life long boat guy like me.  If Jery is close to you Paul, take him with you.   Then you guys come and get me.  I think my ski vest still fits me.  Hahaha. 

[PocketThunder]

Well said Jeryst.  There are entry level family fish&ski boats in your range.  The dealer will take you out and demo the boat.  Also, dealers take trades.  This may be an option in getting a lttle more boat in like new condition.  Jery sounds like a life long boat guy like me.  If Jery is close to you Paul, take him with you.   Then you guys come and get me.  I think my ski vest still fits me.  Hahaha. 

Or you can just snap the top buckle..   

[Bob T]

Wetsuits shrink if you dont use em - everybody knows it    , go to put it on next year and noooo way 

[The70RT]

I disagree...just like anything else, you use it a lot it wears out faster. You hit things in the water you can't see. If you go out on the water a few hours a week out in the middle of the lake and pull a tube around your ok.... most of the time especially around Vegas...one big deep clearwater lake that never seen a tree stump. Being a hardcore fisherman is a different deal, out all night on rough waves, Rivers and creeks with swift currents & lots of unforeseen objects tear things up. I Worked on my own boat motors and parts are higher than car parts special tools and some of it is a pita. Like Jeyrst said older boats are money pits....but like an old car if you can work on it your ok. If you can't work on a boat then spend 10 grand on a slightly used. Tear a new boat up and you go get another loan so get insurance and read the fine print. So it's a catch 22 deal, insurance is more and so are taxes on a big ticket item. If you spend 2K every year and rent one it is the same as a 20K boat in 10 years except the boat may be worth 5K then...but you had to store it  and deal with maintenance and equipment etc. if you didn't have any unexpected expenditures in that time you broke about even.

[Orange_Crush]

I owned boats from the time I was 18 until about 4 years ago.

Here are a few rules of thumb. 

SKI BOAT--Most expensive, best resale, least convenient to own and GOD FORBID that prop hits a rock...big money.  Also...maintenance on a ski boat...big money.  Ski boats are ONLY good for one thing...skiing.

Ownership and operating cost goes up by foot and engine size...EXPONENTIALLY...

Mercruiser has the best service (something you ALWAYS want to consider).

[Orange_Crush]

Incidentally...any used boat that you are considering MUST be inspected by an independent boat mechanic...whether or not a reputable dealer is selling it.  A lot of nasty stuff can be going on in a boat that you can't see.  Bad stringers, rotting floor, cracked hull, etc.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I would consider something that is a good all around boat.  A V-6 bowrider runabout.  Fiberglass floor and removable carpets are a must. Sea Ray is always a good choice.

[stripedelete]

Incidentally...any used boat that you are considering MUST be inspected by an independent boat mechanic...whether or not a reputable dealer is selling it.  A lot of nasty stuff can be going on in a boat that you can't see.  Bad stringers, rotting floor, cracked hull, etc.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I would consider something that is a good all around boat.  A V-6 bowrider runabout.  Fiberglass floor and removable carpets are a must. Sea Ray is always a good choice.

Right - except for the Sea Ray part.  After they were purchased by Bayliner all bets are off.

Spot on with the rot. Getting a moisture meter on any prospect is a must - no matter what it looks like.   

[Orange_Crush]

Incidentally...any used boat that you are considering MUST be inspected by an independent boat mechanic...whether or not a reputable dealer is selling it.  A lot of nasty stuff can be going on in a boat that you can't see.  Bad stringers, rotting floor, cracked hull, etc.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I would consider something that is a good all around boat.  A V-6 bowrider runabout.  Fiberglass floor and removable carpets are a must. Sea Ray is always a good choice.

Right - except for the Sea Ray part.  After they were purchased by Bayliner all bets are off.

Spot on with the rot. Getting a moisture meter on any prospect is a must - no matter what it looks like.   

Might want to research that a little more.  Bayliner never bought Sea Ray.  Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Mercury engines, Cabo Yachts, Triton, Lowe, and several others are all owned by one GIGANTIC company called Brunswick Marine, but all operate independently, have independent manufacturing facilities, and use different construction materials and methods.

[Orange_Crush]

Also, Bayliner's reputation is all that's bad now.  Since about 1995, their boats have greatly improved in quality.  Yes, their resale sucks and they have some rough edges...but they are price-point boats.

To use a car analogy, a Corolla will essentially perform the same function as a Lexus LS460, but you aren't gonna get the luxury.

[stripedelete]

Incidentally...any used boat that you are considering MUST be inspected by an independent boat mechanic...whether or not a reputable dealer is selling it.  A lot of nasty stuff can be going on in a boat that you can't see.  Bad stringers, rotting floor, cracked hull, etc.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I would consider something that is a good all around boat.  A V-6 bowrider runabout.  Fiberglass floor and removable carpets are a must. Sea Ray is always a good choice.

Right - except for the Sea Ray part.  After they were purchased by Bayliner all bets are off.

Spot on with the rot. Getting a moisture meter on any prospect is a must - no matter what it looks like.   

Might want to research that a little more.  Bayliner never bought Sea Ray.  Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Mercury engines, Cabo Yachts, Triton, Lowe, and several others are all owned by one GIGANTIC company called Brunswick Marine, but all operate independently, have independent manufacturing facilities, and use different construction materials and methods.

Good to know.    I stand corrected.  But somewhere under that umbrella they are sharing molds or at least some construction techniques.  My statement should read:  "be carefull, Sea Ray ain't a no no-brainer, no more"

Either way, where you are located you should have some good surveyors around.  Spend the $200.00.
I see allot more people get screwed with glass than I do with wood.