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

The most boating accidents happen on nice days....and they do include sober people with their family. Definitely take a basic boating course. The local Power Squadrons have those classes all the time also, and it will save you some money on insurance. And definitely get your boat surveyed if you buy used. It can help in the price negotiations too. Good luck with your search! =)

Btw, the moot rocks! I do a girls only day once a month in the summer...great times! LOL! :lol:
 
Ive been a boater on LSC for 18 years. 1st boat was 38' scarab for 9 years, sold that for 23' searay weekender with stand up cabin not cuddy for the last 9, just sold that for a 30' searay express. So heres my input from go fast boats and little boats.

The 38 scarab was blast to drive and sounded killer, sucked when you want hang out all day or it rains and cabin is only 4' tall, never used the porta potti because there PITA, would cost $60 to go to the muscamoot and back so I spent roughly $500 month for gas ($2500 for summer) . Wells cost about $2000-2400.

The 23 searay was way more fun with stand up cabin when hanging out all day, The pump out toilet and bathroom was awesome, your wife and kids will want this ($10 at gas dock to empty) On a busy weekend the 23 did bounce around abit but not terrible, the single 305 cruised slow but would only cost $20 to go to muscamoot back, never spent more than $500 for ENTIRE summer in gas. Wells cost $1200-1400. Obviously not as fun to fly around lake but had WAY more fun in this boat than the scarab and spent little money on gas.

I almost regret getting the 30' express, the big cabin and 11'6 beam are awesome but Im back to $2100 for a well and and maybe $1500 summer in gas. It rides like a dream and has nice cruising speed but not sure if its worth extra money.

I would try not spend 25K on your first boat, find a killer distress sale so you can get out from boat if you dont like it. (I paid $14k for my 30' low hrs and mint) I would look at 26' or so boat with stand up cabin and single 350 for economy. you can find a well on river for $700 or go to a marina for $1200 or so.

Ive been at beacon cove for most 18 yrs, went to Jefferson beach marina for 1 yr and hated it. most people swim at strawberry, muscamoot, or poor mans beach (in front macrays) Beacon cove has killer pool and its only 15 mins to all cool places, the only other place I would consider is Belle Maer Marina

FYI: there was a nice 1994 26' wellcraft excel on CL, aft cabin, radar arch, nice cabin, trailer, air/heat, it was sweet looking boat for only $15k, I almost bought that instead of my 30" and almost regret not getting it

Good luck
 
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Lisa said:
The most boating accidents happen on nice days....and they do include sober people with their family. Definitely take a basic boating course. The local Power Squadrons have those classes all the time also, and it will save you some money on insurance. And definitely get your boat surveyed if you buy used. It can help in the price negotiations too. Good luck with your search! =)

Btw, the moot rocks! I do a girls only day once a month in the summer...great times! LOL! :lol:
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A survey & boating safety class are absolutely going to happen, no question.

depuydog said:
I would try not spend 25K on your first boat, find a killer distress sale so you can get out from boat if you dont like it. (I paid $14k for my 30' low hrs and mint) I would look at 26' or so boat with stand up cabin and single 350 for economy. you can find a well on river for $700 or go to a marina for $1200 or so.
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Thats's what I'm hoping for also. Something that sells for $15k wont need much $$ down, and the payment would be well under $300/month and it'd be paid off in a short 3-5 years, not some ridiculous 10yr loan.
 
joestang said:
A survey are absolutely going to happen, no question.
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Tip..be sure to ask for a recent survey on a similar style boat you are looking at. I made the mistake of not doing so on one boat and it turned out to be a waste of money. The next boat I asked and was impressed. When I compared the 2 surveys they were night and day on the exact same make model boats!

Survey is pretty cheap insurance..15-17 a foot. I paid 515 for one and 500 on another, boat 34'
 
joestang said:
A survey & boating safety class are absolutely going to happen, no question.


Thats's what I'm hoping for also. Something that sells for $15k wont need much $$ down, and the payment would be well under $300/month and it'd be paid off in a short 3-5 years, not some ridiculous 10yr loan.
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Cool! =)

A shorter loan is what we did also. We have a 6 yr loan on a boat over $20k... Payment is around $400

joestang said:
BTW I was told you can sometimes claim a large enough boat as a second home on your taxes. Does it need to have certain features to do that? I'd assume an enclosed head and kitchenette?
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Yup, it basically needs just that. Anything that could be considered lived on for the season.
 
ive been boating on LSC all my life and ive owned a boat for 6 years I also manage a west marine. I see lots of good info and bad info in this thread

The size of the boat has everything to do with what it will cost to go boating every year. The bigger the boat the more gas/summer well fees/winter storage fees/maintenance costs/ect. The thing u dont wanna do is buy a boat and find out you cant afford to use it. Dont get me wrong the marina life is great but its only 10% of what lake st clair has to offer

That being said the smallest boat I would recommend for a family to head on out to the lake is a 24ft Cuddy Cabin with a good set of trim tabs and a bimini for some shade. Also if u plan doing some overnighting a boat with a campertop is very nice to have

As far as marinas go i really like the Harrison Twp area because your in the middle of everything its 30min to the Detroit River or 30min to Anchor Bay. Beacon Cove is a very nice marina and popular for someone with kids they also have a pool/hot tub and a kids play area but if u wanna be closer to Anchor Bay another great marina is Belle Maer Harbor they also have some great amenities and its a very family marina

When it comes to water quality the great lakes has some of the cleanest and best quality water in the world while i wouldn't do any swimming around the St Clair Shores/Clinton Twp/Harrison Twp area anywhere around Harsons Island/Gull Island/Anchor Bay/Poor Man's Bay areas are great for swimming

also make sure with any boat you buy have a survey done boats dont rust they rot and unlike rust on a car u cant see when a boat has rot without some tools and know how of what your looking for

i hope this help's if u have any questions let me know and just for fun ill add my video from my 2011 season


Dave

 
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Four Winns is a good boat, I would strongly consider the vista's with the stand up cabin and an aft cabin over the sundowner. There almost same money and the resale will be better and the family will like the headroom. Also find one the mercruiser power and outdrive over the volvo penta, less issues. There are several 258 vistas on CL for 13-20K, my buddy had 245 and loved it.
 
I've read some of the opposite, and that Volvo/Penta owners voted 4x more likely to own another versus Mercruiser owners. You guys tell me which is better though.

And the only downside with the Vista's is they seem to be alot heavier, slower, and worse on gas than the Sundowners. Is the little extra space in the cabin THAT big of a deal?
 
Finally got the wife to agree to start shopping. Insurance & finanacing all setup. My credit union wanted to give me $75k for a boat, HA!

Going to look at this today - http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...1338837782000&photo_name=Photo+0&photo=0&url=

I need some ideas for a marina in the Harrison, New Baltimore, or New Haven area that are basic and affordable. I have no need for a clubhouse, pool, etc. Just want a nice, clean, safe spot right on St. Clair and north of Metro Beach.
 
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