Go to wherever you are planning to to use a boat and see what is popular. Where I live near the Chesapeake Bay pontoons and bass boats are not as popular because the water tends to be kind of rough. You can make it work but maybe not as easy as something else. Heavier cabin boats and fishing type boats are everywhere because they handle the chop around here better. Don't see a ton of jet boats around here and in the later part of the season anything with a jet sucks up grass in the shallow water and you have to climb under and pull it out. My wife wanted to get rid of our cabin boat and get a walk around. 22 Grady with a 200. It doesn't rock as bad at anchor since it's not as tall pulls a board or tube has a large deck space and it's easy to beach. We use it several times a week but I bought it old and used and have put a fair amount of work in it.
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Buying a boat - sea doo or ?
- Thread starter Will12785
- Start date
WaterH
Well-known member
I haven't owned a boat in years, but I'm looking now. Ill throw my two cents in. If you live on a lake, you should own a boat. It's great to walk out back to the dock and untie and go. If you have to trailer, your interest will dwindle over time. In approximately three years you will probably not use the boat. If you go in to it with this in mind, fine. Of course if you have a good, free, place to store the boat/trailer, it's not too bad.
Right now, I'm looking for a big boat (30+) My wife wants AC and a toilet. The plan is to dock it at a marina or "deeded" slip that I buy. The ocean is about an hour drive and we hope to use it as a apartment/guest house in addition to boating. I'm not sure how good this will work. I have no illusions about taking it out every weekend. I know up front that won't be happening.
I guess my best advice is buy used. There are lots of good boats out there for cheap right now. Even then, you have to know you will lose money. Basically, you are paying for a hobby. (What else is new)
Right now, I'm looking for a big boat (30+) My wife wants AC and a toilet. The plan is to dock it at a marina or "deeded" slip that I buy. The ocean is about an hour drive and we hope to use it as a apartment/guest house in addition to boating. I'm not sure how good this will work. I have no illusions about taking it out every weekend. I know up front that won't be happening.
I guess my best advice is buy used. There are lots of good boats out there for cheap right now. Even then, you have to know you will lose money. Basically, you are paying for a hobby. (What else is new)
WTF?
degenerate at large
Jet boats will burn substantially more fuel than a comparably sized prop powered boat and their engine lifespan seems to be much shorter, which is why they depreciate faster. ( the throttle is generally used like a light switch- wide open or idle) Additionally as a new boater, they are more difficult to handle because they require throttle/ propulsion to maneuver around docks.
if you're up north, winterization/ cold weather durability doesn't get much simpler/better than an outboard.
but for my money an older, well cared for inboard outboard (stern drive) bow rider boat with either the mercruiser 3.0 4 cyl or 4.3 v6 is a great way to hit the lake for under $5k and figure out what you like. It's like working on a car engine with generally better access to everything and winterization is really just remembering to drain the engine block via a thumbscrew pet ok/valve. And like many have said you'll sell it for about what you paid after a season or two.
if you're up north, winterization/ cold weather durability doesn't get much simpler/better than an outboard.
but for my money an older, well cared for inboard outboard (stern drive) bow rider boat with either the mercruiser 3.0 4 cyl or 4.3 v6 is a great way to hit the lake for under $5k and figure out what you like. It's like working on a car engine with generally better access to everything and winterization is really just remembering to drain the engine block via a thumbscrew pet ok/valve. And like many have said you'll sell it for about what you paid after a season or two.
I have to disagree, we trailer the green machine almost exclusively even though I've got a few places I could leave it in. It's definitely at the upper range of trailerable boats but my wife and I have ramping down to a 2 min drill after 8 years. It's just handier to be able to take it wherever we want based on the wind/waves forecast in the morning, as well as having it home to unload fish, replenish the fridge/provisions, etc.
I would think being restricted to starting out from the same port all the time would get boring.
You mean a Waterhead-
Joez
Red Skull Member
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Our boats are just about twins. What year is your 226?
WaterH
Well-known member
You sound like a "big time" fisherman or maybe just a very dedicated boater. In your case, I agree, it's differnt. I stand by my statement for most people.
Talon2006
Yellow Skull
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I have been day dreaming over doing the same time. So far it seems a Fountain express 38 is about the perfect combination in space, speed and fuel economy.
You can get them in both big block V8, and cummins diesel options. Not sure what you have been looking at.
Joez
Red Skull Member
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1993. Just put new decals on it so it looks like it came from this century up close now
That's funny, mines a 93 as well. I have new the new style raised decals for it, but wanted to get it in the water before the spring coho season was over so I held off on my wet sand and buff until the fall. Considering practically the same boat is still in production, it's an easy upgrade.
Thread hijack off.
Alpine4x4
Red Skull Member
Some of ya'll really didnt need a boat in the first place! We use the shit out of ours, but we fish a lot and do tournaments. It stores in our garage. Fuel is expensive, maintenance isnt too bad, fun factor is definitely there! We tow it everywhere we fish. We also have one of those slide in camper thingies everyone says is a huge waste of money.
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TRINDU
PBB Orphan
I'll say the most relaxing moment is just chilling out on the water with a beer and a rod. It makes looking at it in your yard all worth while.
OutlawRider
Gum Gardener
I had a center console for a couple years out on the gulf (Tampa Bay Area) and loved it. I did a lot of fishing and some cruising. That is what I will always have. Center console, self bailing, preferably twin engine but could definitely live with one, 22-25’ range I believe with a deck front and rear to fish off of (and ladies can sun off of). I think those are by far my favorite memories.
rockdog57
Ghetto fab garage owner
Didn’t read all the replies. We bought a 89 crestliner several years ago for $5000.00 The guy that had it had garage stored it it’s whole life. Mint condition. I wasn’t happy with the pos 305 that was in it so I dropped a crate L33 in it. Scoots along pretty good now. Since our kids are grown now we use it for fishing mostly. It’s a 20 foot open bow. It rides nice and is a good all around boat. My nephew had a speedster years ago. No doubt about it, they haul ass! With that said, when your done hauling ass they are pretty worthless for anything else in my opinion. I’d get something more all around that will seat more people. Just be really picky when shopping! I drove 5 hours from home to get the right one. I test drove a lot of junk too. Educate yourself on what you’re looking for and it will pay off with way less headaches. My 2cents
End of hijack for me too I went with the old style decals so the ghosts underneath would line up better. Talking about OP this reminds me that if I had to trailer my boat to use every time I would sell it today. I live 12 miles from the water but the ramp would add probably over an hour with loading and strapping and stuff.
Pmedic920
The ‘Stache
How da phuc you get anything about sitting inside watching TV out of what I said.?
Boating is great fun, never said it wasn’t.
May you misunderstood, or just didn’t “get” my point?
You lead off with the "two best days of boat..." phrase which is way up there on my list of worn out phrases and made it sound like owning a boat is much more trouble and expense than it's worth.
Then towards the end of my post I realized how much time and money I've got wrapped up in a free boat and now I am not as sure that you're wrong.
Rerock
Well-known member
Fuck a boat. Unless you are a serious fisherman or have a cabin or lake house it's not financially worth it.
You're gonna spend at least $1,000/yr just fixing odds and ends. Add up TCO and divide by the number of uses per season and you'll find you're spending hundreds per day on the water.
They're fun, but unless you use it all the time it'll become an all around burdon (storage, maintenance, etc); hence the comment above about the "2 best days"...
You're gonna spend at least $1,000/yr just fixing odds and ends. Add up TCO and divide by the number of uses per season and you'll find you're spending hundreds per day on the water.
They're fun, but unless you use it all the time it'll become an all around burdon (storage, maintenance, etc); hence the comment above about the "2 best days"...
Thefishguy77
Part time dumbass
Let them believe that. Less people at the launch...
Pmedic920
The ‘Stache
fair enough.
my opinion is absolutely an informed one.
It’s based on personal experience, I promise I’m not simply spewing BS.
We love living on the lake, and we absolutely enjoy “boating” of all kinds.
I just can’t justify the cost of “boat ownership” when there are sensible options out there.
My situation doesn’t apply to everyone, and I was only offering a view the the OP may not have considered.
Mudslinger99
Ol' School member
I've had boats that I've fished 2-3 days/nights a week and didn't spend your numbers including bait and fuel. A boat is what you make of it. You don't have to spend a fortune unless you start off with a junk money pit to start with.
I've also NEVER had a boat payment and have owned about 3 dozen boats over the Years.I still have my 1st boat I bought at 16. It has 1,000's of hours on it and still is all original and has never leaked a drop. Had more fun on that boat than money could buy
Will12785
Red Skull Member
I've had boats that I've fished 2-3 days/nights a week and didn't spend your numbers including bait and fuel. A boat is what you make of it. You don't have to spend a fortune unless you start off with a junk money pit to start with.
I've also NEVER had a boat payment and have owned about 3 dozen boats over the Years.I still have my 1st boat I bought at 16. It has 1,000's of hours on it and still is all original and has never leaked a drop. Had more fun on that boat than money could buy
Any boat you recommend for frequent fishing? We are usually out a couple nights a week and most weekends.
Jackie Treehorn
Well-known member
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Find an older aluminum open bow with an outboard.