Looking to buy a boat - 1st time owner ?'s

cjmatt said:
i also wouldnt throw out the idea of a boat without a head, every person i know with one uses it for storage only, if you gotta go, ya hop off the back lol
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Yep. The head turns into a PITA. costs to get it emptied, chemicals blah blah blah. If i ever get anything more than a smaller bow rider. ( i camp alot and need a smaller boat for shallow water easy for wife to tow) i'd look into somehting with a V berth.

Damn now i want another boat NOW...lol
 
Interesting thread..I just bought a PowerQuest 340 Vyper. My wife wanted a "go fast" and I wanted to be able to sleep...this boat fits. Has a cabin that is 5'6" that is largest in its class and is a very well made boat. Twin 496 with 425 hp each so you don't have to worry about maintenance on the high power engines. Has a vacuflush head and a galley with front v berth. Also has heat and AC. All this and still runs 80 with labbed props!

See you on the lake!!!
 
joestang said:
1. Whats the best areas for casual boating on St. Clair? I've heard most people head up to the north channel, so you might as well store it up there instead of the shores, as traffic can be a pain. is Metro Beach area still a bacteria-fest?
Joe, how old are you? Chances are once you hang out in the moot a few times you will get addicted. Google or search you tube for muscamoot bay or the raft off. Its always a party, and if your in to spending the night its a great place. You will find its a short blast from 9 mile to the moot (your roughest part of your ride)

2. What would be your minimum boat size & power for St. Clair? I doubt we will be crossing large areas frequently, but I don't want to be tossed around like a doll either. There's a pretty big premium going from 23' to 26' cuddy, so just wondering if its really necessary.
Depending on your wallet, I would suggest something like a older 24' Baja. Just big enough for the 3 of you, but you still able to cruise at 35-40. Stick with mercruiser powertrain


3. Good experience at a marina for a slip? If I can find a family-owned gig that will have non-raping repair/maintenance/storage prices I'd rather go there than support some monster that could care less about some scrub with a $25k boat.
Life at the marina is a blast. Some people never leave the dock. Its a whole separate experience. On your side of town, all the marinas are hurting. Summer dock age would run 600 or less for a 24' boat. I would strongly suggest buying the boat w a trailer. Taking the boat home for maintenance and misc repairs make it nice. Places like Miller Marina ARE family owned. Trust me when I say they are all hurting...big time


I am pretty sure we'll make an actual purchase sometime after tax time, so i want to be able to get a better idea on the other costs other than just the boat (slip, maint, storage, etc.)
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Just after the first of the year is the boat show. Lots of good deals can be had. Theres also Harrison marine, which does just repo's, but that can be trouble for a first time buyer. Week end fuel usage is not that bad unless your taking a trip. I would suggest keeping you boat at home in the winter if at all possible.

Ive boated on LSC all my life. My Grand father was the harbor master of LSC at one time (back when they had a harbor master lol)
I suggest a slightly faster boat than a sea ray 24' because one you discover all the places to go for the weekend, you will find that driving 25 knots sucks, and the ride is a little nicer in speed boat. Traveling to Sarina, Put in Bay, Cedar Point, The Thames are all a blast..I also would start looking for a coast guard power squadron boaters safety course in your area this winter...and while your visiting the boat show, pick up all the hand out literature from all the sheriffs departments/coast guard/border patrol. LSC is full of dangers. Buy a gps and a hand held water proof ship to shore. Learn the lake and the rules before you go boating. I can give you a thousand tips on how to enjoy boating and not go broke, but Id rather convince you to learn all the lake rules/border rules and make each trip out a safe one...theres a bunch of ass holes on LSC... Its no doubt the busiest lake in the world on weekends....but one you learn where all the quiet spots are (and the party spots) you will fall in love with the lake.
Also, once you get serious, pop in at lscn.net for advise/help. A Friend of mine started that site many years ago. Lots of good information and people,
 
Thanks Gearbox, good info.

I just turned 30, so I'm veteran young guy. lol

At this point I'm really not crazy concerned about outright speed, thats what the Cobra is for. :smileyR:

Anyways, I would 100% do the boating safety classes, and my dad has had boats on LSC so he'd be on board for the first couple rides out. I do have a 2 car garage, but its not huge so depending on boat size I might not be able to store it there.

The problem I see with the Baja style boats, is that what happens when we do wanna cruise down to PIB or Cedar Point? Plus, I'm sure I'll have a ton of family/friends that want to hang out for a day and I dont want to be crammed in.

And safety is gonna be my #1 priority. I want the boat to be a nice, relaxing hobby. I really dont envision much crazy partying and adrenaline filled trips. Mostly cruising, fishing, and relaxing.

how about one like this?
http://www.premierboating.com/pre_ow...R0&veh=2207240

if your interested i used to work there and can hook you up with one of the sales guys as well
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Thats def something in the range I am looking at. I am not ready by any means to purchase, but go ahead and send me his info for the future.
 
cjmatt said:
i also wouldnt throw out the idea of a boat without a head, every person i know with one uses it for storage only, if you gotta go, ya hop off the back lol
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Tell the wife that when she has to take a crap, that shits (literally and figuratively) not happening.
 
Because we'd probably make a weekend out of it, and I cant imagine spending a weekend on a Baja would be the easiest or most comfortable thing to do, versus something like an express cruiser. Again, these are ASSUMPTIONS by me, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Small boat will stink like shit from shit.....hence why most people don't use them.
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Are you talking about when using a porta-potty, or an actual head with pump-out?
 
I have been on LakeCrest quite a bit actually, as they seem to have quite a few boats in my price range. When I am looking to buy I will def check them out and get ahold of you for a referral over there. Thanks
 
joestang said:
The problem I see with the Baja style boats, is that what happens when we do wanna cruise down to PIB or Cedar Point?
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Pwraddr said:
Confused...why can't you take a go fast to those places?
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Thats exactly why I recommended something like a Baja over something like a Sea Ray weekender.....the ride to cedar point and PIB is nicer and faster and actually the fuel consumption actually works out to be less. Ive traveled in to both in both...
 
What about something like this - http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-Four-Winns-255-Sundowner-100123412

Its a Four Winns 255 Sundowner. They made a 245 also. I really like the "U-shaped" seating at the stern (look at me using boat terms lol), and I actually kind of like that it doesnt have all of the fancy items like a stove, vacu-flush head, or crazy weight. But they came standard with a 280hp 350, which is supposedly good for close to 47-50mph at WOT and you could option it up to a 8.1L with 375hp.

Plus they are really reasonably priced for the engine & size, from what I have come across.
 
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joestang said:
What about something like this - http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-Four-Winns-255-Sundowner-100123412

Its a Four Winns 255 Sundowner. They made a 245 also. I really like the "U-shaped" seating at the stern (look at me using boat terms lol), and I actually kind of like that it doesnt have all of the fancy items like a stove, vacu-flush head, or crazy weight. But they came standard with a 280hp 350, which is supposedly good for close to 47-50mph at WOT and you could option it up to a 8.1L with 375hp.

Plus they are really reasonably priced for the engine & size, from what I have come across.
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I love that rear seating! Sink seems oddly out of place though, and the gaping hole to the V Berth just looks strange. But thats a matter of opinion, i could get over. Kep in mind you may be able to do little mods to the boat for more power, but 280 isn't bad and 45+ is pretty good. MPH
 
Detroit Gearbox said:
Thats exactly why I recommended something like a Baja over something like a Sea Ray weekender.....the ride to cedar point and PIB is nicer and faster and actually the fuel consumption actually works out to be less. Ive traveled in to both in both...
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Yup...when you are cruising at 50 it is a lot more enjoyable than 30
 
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