Looking for my 1st boat, need advice

OrangeF150

OrangeF150

Club Member
Been around boats, just never owned one myself.Im looking for something that a family of 5 can go out and have fun on.Ive been told to get a open bow by some, and others say cuddy cabin.Im not the type of guy that is going to spend days/nights on the water so Im thinking open bow so I can get a smaller boat and still have room.I need to tow it with our Sport Trac 4x4 ,so it cant be too big.Im thinking some where from 18-20'.My question is ,what would make a good begginer boat? I am lookinh at a 1990 Bayliner Capri, 1993 Thompson Calea with the 4.3l Mercruiser and Alpha 1 drive, and a 1997 Maxum with the 4.3 and Alpha 1 drive.The Maxum is owned by a guy at work and I know the history on it, but he wants a tad more then Im looking to spend.
 
You know, my dad told me this a long time ago....It has stuck with me sience......


A boaters 2 happiest days are, the day he buys his boat.......THEN the day he sells it!!!! Run, buy a bike or a hotrod!!!!
 
bayliners nick name is trashliners stay away
either boat with the 4.3 thompson ahd been building great boats for years
other thing to remember on older boats how were they stored in michigan winters

good luck
boats are a hole in the water you dump money into
 
with 5 people I would recommend getting into at least a 21' . I have 4 kids and we out grew our 19' the first time out. With kids there is always a friend or 2 that has to go with you. ( you'll see). As far as the the open bow or cuddy, I have always had a cuddy, not treally for overnites but someone always want to get out of the sun or sleep or change clothes or even just storage. Never had an open bow so I can't comment on them. 4.3 is the way to go. plenty of power for tubing, skiing or just cruising, my 21 had a 4.3 and ran 50 mph and could run it all weekend on a tank of gas.
 
Bayliner=bagliner, gayliner... blah blah... lol there was a time in the 80s where they were kinda shitty... you could see through the fiberglass if you were sitting inside of it on a sunny day cause it was thin in areas... We have an 88 capri with a omc outdrive w/ ballistic stainless prop, and a 305 chevy .. . Does 65mph on a nice calm day.(per gps) It has a lot to be desired as far as interior styling goes... If I were to buy one though, it would be a 94+, and the 4.3s can make the same power and go just as fast.
 
Where do you plan on using the boat? What/which lakes? What sort of activity? Just pulling the kids around on a tube or skis?

A 19-22'' open-bow would probably serve you well. I would think there are plenty of boats in the $10-15K range that would met your needs.

People can bitch about boats all they like - they are a great deal of fun. Yeah, they cost money, but what doesn't?

After having owned a boat for five plus years I can say I wont own another one until I have a home on the lake.
 
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