Boats....anyone with experience?

[apamburn]

We are looking at buying our first boat. I have no idea what I'm doing.

Halp.

---

Ok, it's not quite that bad, I've done some research since we first started. We are still stuck between

(a) pontoon boat
(b) runabout
(c) cabin cruiser.

We like lots of deckspace (option A), but like the aesthetics of B and C.

B has the least space, and with a family of 5 there is little to no space for visitors. We don't like that. We are also not at all interested in water skiing or tubes or anything.

We also like the amenities of a Cabin Cruiser - berths, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. But again, they don't seem to have much more outdoor "living space" than a runabout.

We are also interested in overnight stays and possibly longer trips on the Tennessee River.

I'm personally leaning towards the Cabin Crusier we saw. It is large, but can still be hauled on a trailer; it needs some work (mostly cleaning and sprucing up the wood finish inside and out, though the carpet needs to go too). It had an upper helm on a bridge, and a lower helm in the cabin which I thought was pretty cool; and it can sleep our whole family.

We are planning to buy used, for what that's worth.

Anyone with experience with the above? Recommendations?

[callmebubba]

While I have no experience in overnight boat trips; I grew up on lots of different styles of boat and for fun with family and friends it’s literally impossible to beat a pontoon. It’s incredibly simple to add a grill to one and there’s plenty of cooler space (which also doubles as a seat).

Maybe I’m biased because I literally have a tattoo of one on my chest… but that’s because they’re awesome. Lol

[steve_k]

Just like a pool, it’s better to know someone that owns one.

Looked at buying one to live on a long time ago. Then spent a day with some people that had one for a weekend home… after that brain dump of info I never looked at boats again. However, I was looking at saltwater use. Freshwater might be less maintenance.

[chad newton]

See if you can rent a few different styles and try them out. They are a pretty big investment, plus big on maintenance. I told my mom along time ago if I bought a boat punch me in the face please. I have seen so many people buy them and only use 1-2 times a year. It’s up to you, I like toys, especially the ones the entire family can enjoy....

[Papa]

We ran a 1949 33 foot raised deck Owens out of Freeport, then Amityville for decades. Twin marinized sixes and a semi-displacement hull. Head in the bow, galley port and two berths starboard, an icebox for Pete's sake. What they used to call a salon cabin with movable furniture, helm to port, aft bulkhead straddled the engine box so you had a transverse convertible couch bed in the cabin and a wide padded seat in the cockpit, which was partially covered and had fitted canvas you could snap on. No shower, no holding tank until the regs took effect (you pumped salt water into the head and flushed into the ocean). Every summer Sunday up at ohdarkwhenever, out to the Island from Queens and stop at a local German bakery for rolls, torte, plum cake and such for breakfast, lunch, "kaffe," with cold cuts for supper when we tied up again. Often we had ten or twelve people aboard, running down to Zach's Bay, sometimes out the channel near Fire Island fishing for fluke. We'd usually anchor in the bay and walk across the barrier and the highway and swim and body surf in the ocean.
Here's more or less what she looked like, and you'll have to pardon this old man for remembering some of the best days of his young life:

62105

although the photo shows the galley to starboard. And this gives the general layout:

62106

If you saw the movie "Capone," there's a scene where Tom Hardy and Matt Dillon are fishing on a cabin cruiser. It's an Owens and it looks just like ours in her prime:

62107

[62-10]

Is the boat intended as a trailer boat that you store at home or somewhere else on land, or will it be moored/docked in-water (in-season)?

If it is to be a trailer boat, then what is the capacity of the tow vehicle?

Fresh water use only, or will it also be run in salt?

Renting first, if possible, is an excellent idea.

[Bill Bond]

Where you live and where you plan on going with your boat are also considerations.
Storage location and tow vehicle need to be figured out before you buy a boat.
But from what you have already posted, I think a pontoon boat would be your best first choice.

Then if your get into it, upgrade to a nicer boat.
A lot of people get bored with their boat in a couple of years.
I started out 34 years ago with my first boat and will keep it up until I am too old and feeble to handle it.

[apamburn]

While I have no experience in overnight boat trips; I grew up on lots of different styles of boat and for fun with family and friends it’s literally impossible to beat a pontoon. It’s incredibly simple to add a grill to one and there’s plenty of cooler space (which also doubles as a seat).

Maybe I’m biased because I literally have a tattoo of one on my chest… but that’s because they’re awesome. Lol

this is what I'm leaning towards. We are going to see another runabout this afternoon but I suspect that I'll end up passing on that and coming back to a pontoon.


We ran a 1949 33 foot raised deck Owens out of Freeport, then Amityville for decades...you'll have to pardon this old man for remembering some of the best days of his young life

Those sound like wonderful memories. Whatever I end up buying I hope that my kids have similar memories long after I'm dead and gone.


Is the boat intended as a trailer boat that you store at home or somewhere else on land, or will it be moored/docked in-water (in-season)? Trailer, stored at home I have 2 acres and an extra garage that could possibly store the boat depending on length and height.

If it is to be a trailer boat, then what is the capacity of the tow vehicle? 8500 lbs, but if I need another truck, you don't need to twist my arm :)

Fresh water use only, or will it also be run in salt? fresh

Renting first, if possible, is an excellent idea. I will consider it, but if I do then I'll need to wait until next season...might be the sensible thing to do. I'll think about it.



Where you live and where you plan on going with your boat are also considerations.see above
Storage location and tow vehicle need to be figured out before you buy a boat. see above
But from what you have already posted, I think a pontoon boat would be your best first choice.

Then if your get into it, upgrade to a nicer boat.
A lot of people get bored with their boat in a couple of years.
I started out 34 years ago with my first boat and will keep it up until I am too old and feeble to handle it.

Thanks for the input, a pontoon is definitely sounding more and more attractive.

[Allen]

Pontoon is pretty easy to check, you're looking for rot etc underneath & making sure that they have time/maintenance logs for the engines, spend the $20 on a outboard flush tool and make sure they crank easily. Check with the local dealer on what to look out for on the outboards.

If you're looking at a larger runabout/cabin cruiser it's worth having a surveyor come out and check the engine, hull and electrical out for you.

Regardless of what you decide is appropriate for your family, be religious about engine maintenance and preventive checks on things like electrical and you'll catch 99% of your problems before they become real issues. Make sure you always have spare fuzes. If you're mechanically inclined, go take the manufacturers class. The Yanmar one has saved my Dad and I thousands.

Dad and I are on our 4th sailboat. Some of my best memories. Enjoy!

[Ryan Taylor]

Owning a boat is like jumping from an airplane:

Either do it 100% or not at all.

[ARodPDT117]

For what it sounds like your use the best move would be a pontoon, it will be much easier in just about every aspect starting out than a cabin cruiser. I currently have a 21' deck boat and it's perfect for us, 2 small kids. We can fish, tow, play, camp etc with it but it will get cramped a lot faster than a pontoon, we've had 7 adults on it, you can go 8 and be annoyed all day banging into each other. Decks boats are like the SUV of the boat world they do everything decent but don't specialize in anything. Pontoon's can be had for cheap and as folks mentioned they are pretty easy to inspect. You can take it to a boat shop/bass pro/cabelas and have them give you the hours on the engine if you want, that will give you a lot of insight into its use.

I've got friends with jet boats, sleek powerboats, cabin cruisers and my friends wife last couple years had a converted shrimp trolley that was turned into a dinner cruiser then into a house boat (al la a very large cabin cruiser). This thing was made of Mahogany, really cool, but it turned into big money pit before she moved on. Point here being different strokes for different folks, all were fun for me experience.*

Thing to note if you are in the Arizona region, you need to be careful with anything that has been moored/stored in a quagga infested lake. Make sure you get a full look at it out of the water. Pontoons are especially susceptible to those things latching on and then get into the engines as well, mess. You can get them removed for free but it would be a concern of mine.

[BB82]

I will just throw this out there. I have always owned multiple boats of all flavors. Three years ago I went from five boats to two. I kept a large pontoon boat and a pro bass fishing boat.
If I could live life over again carrying the knowledge I have now, I would advise myself to only rent or lease the larger boats and buy a good fishing/skiing/river runner type small boat.
People think they are throwing money away when they lease a boat. But I can tell you from experience that between owning and leasing, the leasing option will be cheaper and way less headache in the long run.
Just my experiences...

[Red Ryder]

I will just throw this out there. I have always owned multiple boats of all flavors. Three years ago I went from five boats to two. I kept a large pontoon boat and a pro bass fishing boat.
If I could live life over again carrying the knowledge I have now, I would advise myself to only rent or lease the larger boats and buy a good fishing/skiing/river runner type small boat.
People think they are throwing money away when they lease a boat. But I can tell you from experience that between owning and leasing, the leasing option will be cheaper and way less headache in the long run.
Just my experiences...

My mother told me at 17 when I was going on a trip alone for the first time: "If it walk, flies, f&^ks or floats: rent it. Don't buy it!"

This advice has served me well. Some buddies and I rent a big motor yacht down in Cabo and I got into a conversation with he captain. He told me guys get some money (millions) and think it is a great idea to buy a boat and rent it out to "pay for itself", but they neglect to factor in at least 10% a year for maintenance, dock fees, crews, maintenance, insurance, storms and other nagging costs of stuff that sits inn saltwater all day.

A party boat for fresh water that you can trailer home is probably pretty safe, but like RV's (that I also rent), the question is how often it goes out versus sits there costing money and losing value.

I feel the same about vacation homes, but I have friends who love theirs. I get to stay there for free :). The only thing better than a boat is a neighbor with a boat.

[62-10]

My mother told me at 17 when I was going on a trip alone for the first time: "If it walk, flies, f&^ks or floats: rent it. Don't buy it!"

This advice has served me well. Some buddies and I rent a big motor yacht down in Cabo and I got into a conversation with he captain. He told me guys get some money (millions) and think it is a great idea to buy a boat and rent it out to "pay for itself", but they neglect to factor in at least 10% a year for maintenance, dock fees, crews, maintenance, insurance, storms and other nagging costs of stuff that sits inn saltwater all day.

A party boat for fresh water that you can trailer home is probably pretty safe, but like RV's (that I also rent), the question is how often it goes out versus sits there costing money and losing value.

I feel the same about vacation homes, but I have friends who love theirs. I get to stay there for free :). The only thing better than a boat is a neighbor with a boat.

The two best days of a boat owners life are...

[BillyOblivion]

The two best days of a boat owners life are...

I keep looking at RVs and trailers, mostly trailers that I can pull on roads that are minimally maintained.

Then I do the math.

Assuming I can get what I need for 15k, that's 100 nights in hotel or motel somewhere. That doesn't include the extra gas that pulling the thing is going to take, that doesn't include the extra insurance etc., repairs and maintenance etc.

The counter to that is that I can take that trailer places I can't get a hotel room.

The counter to *that* is "how often will I do that".

Two of my neighbors have camping trailers. Both of them use it 2-3 times a year TOPS.


I would do the same thing for a boat. How often am I going to do that, and how much would it cost me to rent one.

[Papa]

The two best days of a boat owners life are...

More truth than poetry.