Looking for a first boat.

General Boats and Motors
1

I’ve got a bad feeling this may have been asked so many times that perhaps, it’s not all that welcome. Maybe I’m jumping the gun, though, I was just surprised to not find many, or any, other posts similar to mine. (Perhaps I missed a FAQ? My apologies if so)

My wife and I are interested in purchasing our first boat. Aside from what I read over the past two weeks concerning them, I still find myself feeling ignorant. Just how deep does this rabbit hole go anyway? <grin>

We have two children, one will inevitably have a friend or two (12yo) that will want to tag along for some wakeboarding/tubing (so sports yes, skiing sounds fun, I’m a yankee that has snow skied and wouldn’t mind doing water – though from reading, it takes quite a bit more umphf than wakeboarding/tubing does) and we may entertain the occasional two more adults (another couple) time to time.

It seems a 20/21 footer is the route I would want to go at a minimum. Freshwater is where we’re likely to concentrate our time, though, I wouldn’t want saltwater to be completely ruled out.

Bowriders seem to be where I’m leaning. I’ve read about the ups and downs of I/O, Jetdrive, etc. Though as I said, I still feel quite ignorant of it all. Jetdrive seems great from a maintenance stand point (so long as you dont suck up debris) and definitely has a safety advantage, though at the cost of power/speed. Keeping in mind only a single engine/jetdrive configuration that is, which is where the budget would keep us to.

That budget being, no more than $18k, with a preferred high of $16k.

I know a bowrider may not be setup for fishing, though I would very much like to fish from it and I dont think it would be an impossibility? I suppose, just an all around type of boat.

I’ve hit up CL for the Charleston area, all the way up to Columbia. There are a few deals right now, though they are all 4.3 L’s. I’ve got nothing against them, though I’m afraid I’ll never get the boat up to plane if we have, say, 8 people and only the 4.3 L. Thou

2

Didn’t read a word,just save us all the trouble and buy a pioneer…See every other post about new boats for pics.

3

“Trouble” ? My apologies then, hadnt realized it would cause those. The search function here appears to rely on google, which is fairly broad while obscure in its results. It shows not much more than if I visit google directly, aside from referencing this site. Oddly that is why I made the post. Par for course for Charleston though, America’s top voted friendly town though. Thanks.

4

No trouble. You may have to travel a bit to get what you want at the price you want. Try the upstate CLs, specifically the Greenville, SC CL. The lakes up there are full of just the type boat you are looking for, and therefore there are more of them on CL, and at better prices than this area. An added benefit, most of those boats have never been in saltwater, and will be in better condition, mechanically, than those from here. If you watch the upstate CLs, you will find what you want.

spec

1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker

5

No matter what get a surveyor, mechanic, etc. inspect the boat for hull rot, repaired damage, mechanical issues, etc. BEFORE you purchase. Shopping for a used boat can be a lot of fun but remember if it seems to good to be true… it normally is.

-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-HT Bugbuster

6

I am in a similar situation as you. 2 kids, young, want to tube, etc. freshwater living, but hit the salt 12 times a year. Wanted something small enough to keep at the house/garage, but big enough to take a friend or 2 on occasion. Fuel efficient, but plenty fast, safe reliable, and not break the bank. What I have is a 17’ Boston Whaler. The SUV of boats for doing what you describe. $16-18k is a good budget for a clean strong running BW. And you will get every penny back if you ever sell it.

“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115

7

Something like a Pioneer Venture or Sea Hunt Escape. They are setup for fishing, plenty of seating, and reliability of an outboard.

8

Stay away from I/O’s if you will run it in the salt. There’s reason why you hardly see any around Charleston. I’d get a CC if I were you. Just as much seating upfront as a bowrider and lot better to fish from.

9

My 2 cents.
My situation was similar to yours when my kids were young. I bought a new Sea Pro 180DC in 2001 and it was the perfect boat for my family. It was also a great fishing boat. It had all the fishing features the center console model had, but had dual consoles and plenty of seating behind the windshield. I had that boat for 13 years. Several reputable manufacturers make a similar model.
Center consoles are very popular here and I’m sure my next boat will be one; but you can fish just fine out of the right dual console. I guarantee the fish don’t know the difference.
Good luck in your search.

Jack Taylor

10

I agree that the CC/OB is a much better boat for the salt. My recommendation above was for a freshwater family ski boat that would be used only rarely in the salt.

spec

1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker