Any boaters out there?

**Hoggage_54** · 08-08-2010, 11:41 AM

I started a new job recently and am starting to save for a boat to buy next spring. Can anyone give any tips for buying a boat? I am thinking of getting a used bow rider or cuddy, 16-20'.

**Times Roman** · 08-08-2010, 11:54 AM

Most expensive in fair weather, cheapest in foul. One idea is to wait until after summer is over next year when you have a little more money, and buy a better boat.
Another school of thought is your first boat is what you learn on, how to tow, how to drive, how to trailer, how to maintain, so therefore should be less expensive. the logic continues that you don't want to screw up an expensive (first) boat.

**grumpee** · 08-08-2010, 12:35 PM

I have bass fished tournys most of my life and been around boats since I could walk. I would recomend getting a newer boat with a warranty.. I have smoked a handful of 200,225 and 250 mercury and evinrude outboards and it seems like every time it's a $5-$8k repair bill. just my opinion.

If buying used,

check the hull for stress cracks

check the transom for stress cracks as well

check the trailor bunks for bad bunks, bad springs etc

do a compression check on the motor if its a outboard or a inboard

check for water or shavings in the lower unit

make sure you got good water pressure

take it for a test drive

make sure all the plumbing works good such as bilge pumps. live well pump outs etc.

I sold my last boat in January its kinda nice not having one. its amazing the upkeep that goes into having a boat to insure its stays dependable and clean.

**AlphaGenetics** · 08-08-2010, 12:49 PM

The volvo penta inboard outboard is a very reliable set up. Also buy a used boat. I made the mistake of buying a brand new Regal Annaversary Edition in 2000 for about 40,000 and had to sell it after my divorce 5 years later for 17,500. Find a boat that has been garaged its whole life and one that has been maintained by a boat shop, the owner will have reciepts.

**Hazard** · 08-08-2010, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by AlphaGenetics

The volvo penta inboard outboard is a very reliable set up. Also buy a used boat. I made the mistake of buying a brand new Regal Annaversary Edition in 2000 for about 40,000 and had to sell it after my divorce 5 years later for 17,500. Find a boat that has been garaged its whole life and one that has been maintained by a boat shop, the owner will have reciepts.

Repost.....

~Haz~

**AlphaGenetics** · 08-08-2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Hazard

Repost.....

~Haz~

lol Really?!

**Hazard** · 08-08-2010, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by AlphaGenetics

lol Really?!

It's an ongoing thing w/ Hoggage

~Haz~

**AlphaGenetics** · 08-08-2010, 01:19 PM

lol .

**Hazard** · 08-08-2010, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by AlphaGenetics

lol .

Repost.....

~Haz~

**DSM4Life** · 08-08-2010, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Hoggage_54

I started a new job recently and am starting to save for a boat to buy next spring. Can anyone give any tips for buying a boat? I am thinking of getting a used bow rider or cuddy, 16-20'.

Im not a boater but i make a great mate !

(oh that was good.)

**Swifto** · 08-08-2010, 01:31 PM

Due to my dyselxia I read this thread as, "Any boasters out there?".

Therefore...

For all intents and purposes...

I have a 9 inch dick, familly are with around £25m and have a £90k limited edition watch.

**DSM4Life** · 08-08-2010, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Swifto

I have a 9 inch dick,

Is all i heard

**Swifto** · 08-08-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

Is all i heard

Ha ha... You naughty man.

**Knockout_Power** · 08-08-2010, 08:12 PM

I love motor moating... but its been a while =(

**Older lifter** · 08-08-2010, 08:15 PM

You don't even say what the boats for, Lake, inshore, offshore. cruising, fishing, waterskiing etc.

How can anyone say with out knowing what you want it for??

**Bigdog99** · 08-08-2010, 08:17 PM

I have owned 2 boats in my life. Loved them, BUT be warned....they are money pits. Upkeep is expensive...for me anyway everytime I turned around there was something to buy. Marinas rape you on fuel charges too. IDK...they are fun, but you need to a have a pretty nice steady cash flow to enjoy them.

**Bigdog99** · 08-08-2010, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

Most expensive in fair weather, cheapest in foul. One idea is to wait until after summer is over next year when you have a little more money, and buy a better boat.
Another school of thought is your first boat is what you learn on, how to tow, how to drive, how to trailer, how to maintain, so therefore should be less expensive. the logic continues that you don't want to screw up an expensive (first) boat.

Late fall/dead of winter is def good time to buy. Def go cheaper first to learn on. YOU WILL F things up. I almost sank my first boat 3 times (1-fell off trailer and skidded down the ramp. 2-- hit a nice big rock and low tide and 3rd --forgot to put the drain plug in when I put it in the water one time) I ended up blowing up the motor (merc 175 HP outboard) while I was trying to sell it---buyer was in the boat for a test drive with cash in his pocket when it happened. Seems the water pump wasn't working and I fried a couple pistons when it overheated.........like I was saying $$$$$$$$$

**gixxerboy1** · 08-08-2010, 08:40 PM

my family had boats when i was younger. we lived on the water. They are very expensive to keep up.

i would buy to cheap of a boat like others said. you get what you pay for and you will end up sinking in a ton of cash.

i had a 19ft bayliner and my father had a 20 something donzi

**jbm** · 08-08-2010, 08:50 PM

**DSM4Life** · 08-08-2010, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by jbm

**Bigdog99** · 08-08-2010, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

my family had boats when i was younger. we lived on the water. They are very expensive to keep up.

i would buy to cheap of a boat like others said. you get what you pay for and you will end up sinking in a ton of cash.

i had a 19ft bayliner and my father had a 20 something donzi

I wasn't saying go out and buy a POS...I am with you 100% that you do indeed get what you pay for...what I was saying (or meant) is that I wouldn't go out and drop 20K++ on a new boat. Sure things won't break down for a while....but if this is his first boat (I am assuming) then I would want him learning on it. Things will go wrong. I would rather then go wrong on a lesser expensive boat. Once he learns the ropes...then trade up.

I am certain in this economy there are plenty of great deals out there on nice boats.

JMO

**lovbyts** · 08-08-2010, 10:48 PM

Like said, owning a boat is expensive. I know many people who have boats and they all drop a large whad in them almost ever summer if they use them or not....

I like the saying: if it floats, flys or fvcks it's cheaper to rent.... hehehe

**supersize me** · 08-09-2010, 06:01 AM

BOAT= Bust Out Another Thousand.

**HitIt** · 08-09-2010, 07:54 AM

i live on the coast, have had boats, and there's nothing to add to this post as it's all been said already. except maybe that salt water makes things last half as long as they may in fresh water..

**stack_it** · 08-09-2010, 10:34 AM

Boat= bitches offer all tits

**Hoggage_54** · 08-09-2010, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Older lifter

You don't even say what the boats for, Lake, inshore, offshore. cruising, fishing, waterskiing etc.

How can anyone say with out knowing what you want it for??

This would be for cruising on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, the real lakes

**Hoggage_54** · 08-09-2010, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

Im not a boater but i make a great mate !

(oh that was good.)

You can be a seaman on my boat anytime

**Hoggage_54** · 08-09-2010, 12:51 PM

Thanks for all the tips... I am looking at the 5k range so yes it would be very cheap since it is my first boat... if I end up dumping a thousand here and a thousand there, no worries, I'm 25 no kids no wife, so this is the only time I can afford to waste money hehe...