Advice for first time buyer on a budget?

[reigndawgs]

I thought I would seek advice from the folks I trust the most on buying a boat, but since they are not available I will ask you guys:^o .

I just want something practical and dependable that will comfortable keep my wife, 8 year old, 5 year old, 90 pound labe and myself (230lbs) afloat for some fishing and maybe crusing around. The smaller and lighter to tow the better. Of course, the cheaper the better too, but I don't want to sink.

I was also wondering if anyone could advise me on what types of costs I need to factor in besides the boat and trailer - licensing, insurance, etc.

Thanks in advance,
Reigndawgs

P.S. any suggestions on cheap reliable tow vehicles with that seat 4 and a dog would be great too.

[Amx]

What type of fishing? Where will you be fishing? How much money? 18 foot would be my first recomendation for that many people and large dog. Get a life jacket for the dog as well.

[Anonymous]

Yeah...... wife, 2 kids and a dog in an 18'....... that would get used a lot after the first time out. If anybody lives! For a family cruiser with enough space to keep some personal space I'd say at the very least or maybe very,very,very least a 20' with canvas and a porta-potty. Realistically for the whole family 22+ if you want to enjoy yourself. My wife and I are fine in my 19'er but with the family the 30'er got a little small real fast and it had a door on the head and more than one room plus the deck!
Now if your idea of cruising is everybody sits with their hands in their laps while you make "A" run around the lake and then kick them out so you can go fishing then an 18'er might work out for ya. You can look at it this way, how far would you take the whole crew in the car, make that a compact, with no stops for food or bathroom before a fight breaks out. Use that for guaging personal space on a boat.

[Bodofish]

as far as tow rigs go. decide what you want in a boat and your tow rig should weigh twice as much.

[saltyseadog]

your tow rig should weigh twice as much? i dont get it:cyclops:

[Bodofish]

Pretty simple concept really. When the surge brakes don't work you want to be able to stop the rig safely. It's not a matter of if, it's when. For a small boat twice the weight, medium boat (5k+) double the GVW W/ electric brakes. Big boat trailers have electric or air brakes so the GVW can be a little less. Any rig will pull a boat, that's not the concern, it's stopping it. Too many factors can stop surge brakes from working, the biggest being a wet road. Step on the brakes at an intersection and the boat shoves you right on through. Ever seen a little truck pulled into the drink by the boat it was pulling? It's funny to watch, not so much if it's you. There's been plenty of pictures posted here.

[sickbayer]

I have a 20'er and there are so many times when you need a bigger one. Cost is going to be your major obsticle so decide how much you got then we can goto town. a new bayliner can be picked up for12k that be 17' and enough power. had extras and it will be up to 16k. craiglist is the best place to start so you can figure out what you can get. Insurance cost me 400 a year tabs are 150 and if you troll alot then you really dont need to worry about how much gas you burn through. My tub has a roof and boy i wouldnt go any other way.

[saltyseadog]

i know what ya mean. i thought you were sayin if your tub weight was 6k your tow rig should way 12k? my Glasply weighs a butt load:-$ but with a tandem axle and electric disk brakes i can stop like a champ. tow rigs a F-150, do need 4 wheel when takin it out of the drink

[spindog]

i know what ya mean. i thought you were sayin if your tub weight was 6k your tow rig should way 12k? my Glasply weighs a butt load:-$ but with a tandem axle and electric disk brakes i can stop like a champ. tow rigs a F-150, do need 4 wheel when takin it out of the drink

Ya a 4 wheel drive can help you from disaster! Ive seen trucks [2 wheel drive] smokin their tires
and cant get up the ramp on pull out. Saw another going backwards as he burnd his tires, he more
less ruined his tires and came close to sliding right back into the lake. Personally I go big- 3500 1ton 4WD dually-[over kiill]
A decent tow vehicle is very important, power, braking and reliability. Hills can really be a big test, both up and down!

[reigndawgs]

Okay, how about something just to do some lake fishing for me and the kids? Anything over 20 feet is not going to happen in the next couple years for this guy.

BTW,thanks for all the advice.

[Blackmouth]

Think of an aluminum in the 15-18 foot range. Affordable, great fishing boat, etc.

Dunno what these guys are talking about with roofs and 20'ers, heck in the old days we'd pack three into our little 12 or 14 foot aluminum boats into the sound and do just fine. Not comfy but ya gotta get some fishing in somehow. 20 feet is nice but thats a lot of boat for one man to handle if he's launching solo. The 15-18 foot range is great for one man to launch and it can handle a few passengers easy. Me likes center consoles and tillers, lots more floor space and operating room. Makes your boat feel a few feet bigger.

[Bodofish]

I guess it all depends on your definition of "cruising". I wouldn't even begin to think about spending more than an hour or 2 with the full gang in a small boat. If you want to take them out in shifts awesome. Kids fighting and spouses cramped without adequate accommodations can be a real drain on a families well being. Sorry to kind of go sideways but I've already raised my family and I’ve made a lot of mistakes that I hope others can learn from. I guess I'm playing the devils advocate; I just hate seeing people getting into something that will make the family unhappy. I was a family man for many years and put off buying a boat (by myself) so I could provide the family with what “we” wanted to do. The main worry for me has always been not what I wanted but, what was good for the family. If you want a small boat so you can go fishing, then so be it, don't disguise that with "I want to take the family out.", you'll only make everyone else in the family hate the boat and fishing. Present it to the family as I need a boat for my well being because I like fishing and I'll take you all out as I can and I hope we will all enjoy it. Sorry to ramble on but I hope you can gleam something from my ramblings. A boat is a major financial undertaking for a family, no matter how much coin you bring in. I know a lot of you think of me as just a rotten old @$$ but my family has always come first and I have some awesome children that bear this out (and the cutest granddaughter you’ve ever seen). Please think and proceede very slowly with buying a boat that won’t make everyone in the family happy or will put a cramp in the finances, your family is worth way more than any old boat. A boat is an unnecessary item or expense that no family needs. When the time is right and you don’t need to think about the expense or the size of the boat, everyone will be happy and you will be the hero. Say what you will, that's how I think.

[Bodofish]

PS reigndawgs, if you really need to get out on the water, there's a bunch of us with boats that would love to share. You and one of you're kids at a time or you and the wife, just give a shout. We got lots of room. It's a big family here! We try to help each other.

[sickbayer]

Im with Bodo on this you have to get a boat that all the family likes. I bought a blue water that need some fixing up paid 4k for it it had new bemi tops FF nav and vhf radio. I never got to take my family out on that boat, i ended up paying about4k in repairs which i did a lot of the work, new stillers, new floor, re-fibre glassed the floor new carpet new vinyl and after all that was done the first time i took it out a soleniod went out and that was that after 6months work and all the money i put it on CL and sold it for 4500 bucks told the guy why i was selling.
I was said to the misses i just wanted a little boat to go to small lakes and she was what about us!!!!!! We ended up with a great deal on a used Thunderjet although i will say i have added electric penns 835 downriggers fusion marine stereo and LCX 28 andtr1 auto pilot. 5k right there and i install everything myself. I love my boat although I still wish it was 22 or 24' but that is greedy as it is a big expense on a family but i do fish all year round. If it is a small boat you are after there are like 700 lakes in King county alone im sure there are loads where a small 15'er to small kids leave the dog at home and you can hog shores alll day long with a little gas motor.

So after a rather long post by my standards (this topic touches home for me)
small weld alu boat 15' 5 to 10 HP tiller handle as there is not enough room for a steering wheel. two seats facing driver (dont want the wind in their faces) must come with a trailer with working lights. A boat with this little weight can be pulled by a safeway cart. Dont forget a little engine allows you to remove it when your not out there fishing, dont want to give the criminals any more of our stuff.

Good luck so pictures, oh and one other thing take people with you to look or buy any boat. Ill have a browser on CL see what is out there.

[saltyseadog]

sounds like mabye a smoker craft lodge or a tracer some kind of tin? open tiller?3FshOpPqj88

[wolverine]

I spent the last 23 years of my working career in the boat building industry and have been to 100's of boat and trade shows both in the US and internationally. The first time boat buyer is in a very unique and often frustrating position. Most would like, but are not able financially or life style wise, to buy their "ultimate" dream boat. First time buyers are always hoping to find the ideal dream boat but all boats are compromises. What is important to the family today will be different than whats important in 5 years or 10 years down the road. So you stay in boating you can expect to purchase and sell several boats over the years as your family situation, wants and needs change. Remember that boats, RV's, resort property, trips to Europe, etc are all luxuries, not necessities like food, shelter, education, etc. Buy what you can comfortably afford and if you and the family enjoy boating, you can move up later.
Do not buy a "project" boat, even though you are capable of doing the work. If you do you will spend a lot of money and time away from the family. Do buy a name brand boat like Bayliner or SeaRay in fiberglass, Lund in aluminum as these brands have good resale value and are easier to re-sell when its time to move up. I'm not saying that other brands are bad, just that they are harder to re-sell and retain less value.
Before you buy anything take the family to the lakes and look at what people are doing with their boats. It helps to identify what will fit with your current wants and needs. Remember that a true fishing boat is a lot different than an all purpose family boat. If you decide its family first then you can't go wrong with an 18' I/O with windshield and canvas. For fishing first its a 16' aluminum open boat outboard powered tiller steer. Again all compromises.
You need to also consider your tow vehicle. If you have small vehicles and don't intend to move up to a half ton pickup, then you need to check the manufactures tow rating. Don't exceed the rating as if you are involved in an accident the insurance companies will make your life miserable. Just do your homework and things will be fine. Enjoy the ride.

[mav186]

Ahhh...a voice of reason, well put Wolverine. I had a couple of smaller aluminum boats and we had many, many good times in them! Sometimes keeping it simple is so nice. Most of all have fun with it Reign!! [lol]

[Dave]

If you want to fish lakes, I would also recommend a Smoker craft in the 16' size. That will allow you plenty of room. I bought mine at the Smoker craft dealer in Everett next to Dagmar's Landing. I paid 1200. for my 12' Alaskan new and I bought my King trailer at Performance Marine in Everett for 700.00. They are a quality built boat that will last you a lifetime if you take care of it. Here are a few pics of my 12' Alaskan. I believe a 16' boat would provide ample space for the three of you and the dog. Good luck and let us know what you end up getting.

[saltyseadog]

hey dave is that lake sixteen? i know Bob Hawley of boat country well i like those silver streaks they sell[drool]

[clarkbre]

If you want to fish lakes, I would also recommend a Smoker craft in the 16' size. That will allow you plenty of room. I bought mine at the Smoker craft dealer in Everett next to Dagmar's Landing. I paid 1200. for my 12' Alaskan new and I bought my King trailer at Performance Marine in Everett for 700.00. They are a quality built boat that will last you a lifetime if you take care of it. Good luck and let us know what you end up getting.

I'd have to agree. If you're looking for a fishing boat to get out on the water, then a 16' is a great size. You can easily fish 3 or 4 people out of it and still have a bit of room. I had a 12' for years and then stepped up to a 16' Lund. It's only got 15hp but is great for my dad, wife, dog, and me. I even built a front deck for the dog to sit and that has worked out great.

As far as weight, my boat, trailer, engine and gear only weigh about 1000#. I use my Subaru Legacy sedan (2.5L engine, automatic, and AWD) to pull it and it does fine. It'd be nice to have the Subie with the 3.0L 6cylinder for a little more power but the 4 still works fine.

The greatest factors in your first boat buying is going to be:
How much do you want/are you willing to spend?
What are you truly using the boat for? Fishing, waterskiing, tubing, cruising, or all of the above.
Do you need lots of power and bells and whistles or will you be happy with a small engine, tiller steering, simple set up?
What kind of tow vehicle with you be happy with driving on a regular basis?

Remember, no boat will be perfect to fit all of your needs. Shop around and like said above, go to a boat launch and see what others are doing. I've seen a lot of families with boats too $big$ for their needs and the "family outing" turns into WWIII at the launch.