Guys I am posting this here because I noticed that most of you have boats and I was thinking that maybe some of you have been where I am at now. I have been looking at purchase a boat for a couple of months now. I came close to purchasing a new boat, but while the boat was being transported to another location to have accessories installed it was involved in an accident which ended that deal.
I have gone the rounds of looking for a used boat, found out that my exceptional interest rate all but vanished making it impractical. So I have been looking at a couple of new boats.
I hesitate to pull the trigger due to my own inexperience. My youngest son, 11, spends all of his free time researching fishing, boats, rigs, spots, you name it. He loves going to the fishing store with me, he loves talking fishing, anything and everything fishing. My dad never had a boat, though all of our neighbors did, and I am feeling obligated to try and foster my son’s interest.
My other boy is 14 and eats, sleeps, and breaths paintball. I am afraid if I don’t act on this my youngest is going to move on to other things as well. I have never owned a boat, though I have owned a jet ski and used it extensively in the Cooper, Stono, and Wando. It isn’t so much about the payment as it is about making it and not being able to fish/catch fish worth a @#@# because…as I said…I am not experienced. Can you give me some insite as to how you guys went about purchasing your first boat? Was it new/used? Any advice on how to overcome the “i’ve never done this before” jitters?
I went through the same thing 6 months ago and I have owned a jet ski, another pleasure boat a stingray, but this was my first fishing only boat. I guess i graduated. My considerations where to buy something I could afford, something i felt safe in and something that i could trust to go out in the bay or nearshore. I love fishing in the bay and ICW and I have found I can catch a lot there. I have also been on many inshore charters so I knew I wanted a rig like the ones I fished on. Taking all of that into consideration I chose a Carolina Skiff DLV 198 and since I made my decision, i have come to some conclusions.
you always want a bigger boat, but stick with one you feel comfortable pulling and putting gas in. they are expensive to fuel.
always count on having more guests than you planned on. Kids will bring friends. so a bigger boat might be nice if you have a lot of people but if its only occasional then you can get away with a smaller boat.
3 the boat is only part of the picture, there are additional expenses and I do mean a lot of them when you start boating once or twice a week. I spend $100-$200 a week just on gas and expenses to fish every weeekend.
If you do get a skiff, understand its limitations. I think in hindsight I would get a V hull if I could do it again, but then I could not redfish as much as I want too now. Its all in what you want.
if you dont plan on fishing every weekend of the spring summer and fall, I would actually do the math as to whether you need a boat or not. When you do the math they are expensive to maintain, and a day out nearshore if you live hours away like i do costs $200 - $300 and for slightly more I can charter a boat and not have all those hassles. however a day out on the lake locally costs me $50. So figure out your expenses and whether or not a boat is what you need. If you fish 6 times a year, get a guide, its much more cost efficient and eaiser on you.
write down your goals, and your budget. whatever your payment is double that, because t
Buy the most 3 dimensional boat for your needs. I went back and forth between a bay boat, flats boat and another big jon boat. I went with the bay boat boat because it was set up for what I would use it for 90% of the time.
That is very interesting. Maybe that is the boat he wants to buy??
Not all that interesting…that was the boat I had purchased initially. I don’t post very often and didn’t think to remove the signature. Mystery solved.
I thought it must have been yours. Sad story, my condolences:frowning_face: That is one heck of a tough boat! It got clipped by a log truck. The motor was knocked completely off of it, as the photo shows, and the hit was hard enough to break the trailer tongue. Boat damage was minimal.
I’ve never had any experience with a Bulls Bay, but that is a tough boat.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
I ran used boats until I was almost 50. Some were reliable, some not so much. FINALLY bought new a couple years ago. What a wonderful feeling. Don’t regret it one bit.
Since cold weather is approaching, you have time to think about what you want and look around for great deals. Often they get good a month or two before Christmas (but used opportunities even get better).
genehunter wrote some good stuff. Not much to add regarding strategy, but will discuss the results. We bought a 20’ dual console. It’s great for family. It’s great for skiing. It’s pretty good for fishing. It’s fantastic in Winter, because of the windshield. We’ll see many dual consoles out when it’s cold, but not so many center consoles. It’s big enough to pile both family and friends into on a long weekend and just cruise. Having a brand new motor is reassuring, since I take care of my stuff.
Just as an aside, I bought a 16’ used jon boat today with a 50hp Yamaha, but that’s just a little fishing and gigging boat for me by myself or with a buddy. Could live without a smaller boat (have for 3 years), but this one came at a good price from my brother-in-law. I’ve seen how this motor has been cared for since my father-in-law bought it back in 86. It’s been on various boats in the family, and was even at my place for a couple years. That’s a good way to buy used, from folks you know and trust. But again, if I had one boat, the 20’ would be it. And maybe a kayak or two!
For your first boat I woud go with a used one. Think about what you will use it for 80% of the time and go with what works for that ie: inshore creeks, open lakes, etc. As also mentioned above take your time and you can find some killer deals on used boats especially around Xmas. My wife and I couldn’t agree on a single boat so we ended up with a 24’ bowrider for her and the kids to play on the lake, and a 19’ bay boat for the boys and I to fish out of.
Curly, you’re doing it right! Two boats is a nice luxury.
We searched for a second boat for a couple years, and prices get better and better up until about 2 weeks before Christmas. After that prices start going right back up pretty quickly and don’t get good again until it starts getting cold.
Let me say that bigger is not always better. I finally decided on a new Carolina Skiff J14 a few months ago. I’ve had larger boats but the 14 fits my needs perfectly. I find that I go out more because of it being small and light it is almost effortless and takes no time to launch, load, trailer or unload. If it’s only going to be two people a 16’ or under is perfect. Two boats would be perfect, small inshore boat and a larger offshore/pleasure boat. That’s my plan and should be buying my larger boat next spring.
Pick the boat for what kind of fishing you can do with the money you have. I have a 23’ and a 15’, I use the 15’ with a 25 hsp more, I gig in it and fish in the creeks several days a week, shimp. The 23 is used to go offshore, jetties, pull the kids on skies and boose cruises. I started out with a 17’ bowrider mitchel that I could do everything in ecept going offshore, a bowrider can do it all. Lots of used boats right now, I would not buy new as there are just to many good dependable used boats out there with alot of life left in them. Look for a deal here at the end of the summer into early winter now is the time. Good luck
Blackmagic, I got a good deal on a 2010 all welded aluminum Duracraft. The guy I bought it from is a guy name Mike in Batesburg/Leesville. He has 2 more there just like the one I bought. He got the boats from an auction from a company that built pontoons in Columbia that went out of business… I think it was Bently’s pontoon, but don’t hold me too it. They built Duracraft for a while… The 2 boats he has (Duracraft)have never been in the water… When I bought mine he gave me a good deal on it. He had a 2006 60EFI 4 stroke Mercury that he had rebuilt the bottom end on in his shop… I love the boat, it is very stable in the water and the 60 pushes it around 32 MPH. They come with a 20gal fuel tank and with the 60 EFI on it goes a long way between refills… I have had it in the flats in Beaufort, it is an all around good fishing boat for the price. I mounted 6 (removable)rod holders on it. I mostly Bass fish out of it…I got the whole package from him with engine, trolling motor and galvinized trailer for less than $9,500…
Army (RET)-(C/S-Charlie22)
2010 1860 Duracraft
60hp Mercury EFI
very few people will buy a boat for the first time and go out and start slaying fish from the start. At first, it will be very challenging to consistently catch fish. Don’t get discouraged. Ask questions on here and pay close attention to every detail on the water and you will figure it out. and when you figure it out its almost like clockwork. Fish think about two things: eating and not being eaten. Once you figure out where they feed and where they hide and the path they take between places you are golden. good luck getting the boat and catching a fish!
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
[img"] Originally posted by BlackMagic
It isn’t so much about the payment as it is about making it and not being able to fish/catch fish worth a @#@# because…as I said…I am not experienced.
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Also,be careful in your boat selection. Just because it is a new boat does not mean that it is as well made as some older boats.If you do buy a used boat give mike cauthen(843 442 4509) a call and let him check out the engine. he is really good and fast too.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
