Entry level Cruiser Advice

[JMacLeod]

Hi All, first post here.
We're a semi-retired couple with a small dog beginning to look for our first boat to use around Florida/Keys/Bimini area.

Right now we're guessing use will be about 80% pleasure, 20% fishing. Mostly planning on day trips and overnights with the wife and pup, but would need enough room to occasionally take my family of 4 adults and 3 teens out for a day of tubing and snorkeling.

Compromise budget is around 50k. I could probably talk the wife into 70k for the right boat, but I know she's hoping I find something closer to 30k.

I'm still like an empty sponge on boating, but so far my wish list is starting to look something like a 28' cruiser/hybrid-type with a head, berth for two adults (6'1"), generator and A/C, and in a perfect world, trailer-able by an F-250 with dual outboards.

So what are the group's thoughts?
Do any particular brands/models come to mind that might fit the bill, or maybe there's even something outside the box that I haven't considered yet?
Any suggestions or advice I can soak up is greatly appreciated.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Howdy and Welcome Aboard CF!

Good intro post.

I am sure other CF Members with years of power boat experience will offer suggestions.

My only suggestion now is: enjoy your time on the forum and the water.

Good luck on your boat hunt.

[kapnd]

Maybe you should join a boat share club or look into rentals in order to sample the different types of boats available.
The selection is baffling, and they all claim to be the best!

[drewm3i]

Originally Posted by JMacLeod

Hi All, first post here.
We're a semi-retired couple with a small dog beginning to look for our first boat to use around Florida/Keys/Bimini area.

Right now we're guessing use will be about 80% pleasure, 20% fishing. Mostly planning on day trips and overnights with the wife and pup, but would need enough room to occasionally take my family of 4 adults and 3 teens out for a day of tubing and snorkeling.

Compromise budget is around 50k. I could probably talk the wife into 70k for the right boat, but I know she's hoping I find something closer to 30k.

I'm still like an empty sponge on boating, but so far my wish list is starting to look something like a 28' cruiser/hybrid-type with a head, berth for two adults (6'1"), generator and A/C, and in a perfect world, trailer-able by an F-250 with dual outboards.

So what are the group's thoughts?
Do any particular brands/models come to mind that might fit the bill, or maybe there's even something outside the box that I haven't considered yet?
Any suggestions or advice I can soak up is greatly appreciated.

I may have a boat for you about half of your budget, PM me for details.

[drewm3i]

Check this one out, just listed it for sale! Seems to meet your criteria!


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...da-203464.html

[jsc7]

You might be able to get an old (like 20 years old) Boston Whaler Conquest 285/280 or Pursuit 3000, but for that size boat minimum cost for a quality boat is usually around $75,000.

Other than that the only thing I can think of is a an old Donzi cuddy cabin.

Stay away from lower quality makes like Grady White, Chriscraft, Sea Rays or anything like that.

Forget a generator on a boat that small. Normally the cabin is used only when you are docked anyway and have access to shore power. The odds of AC working on a 20-year-old boat are pretty small, but anything is possible with enough money.

You are probably seriously underestimating the costs of owning a boat like that. Plan on spending $7,500 a year minimum. If an engine has to be replaced (a high probability on an old boat with a gas engine) that is at least $15,000. Just to give you a sense for it, when I commissioned my 30-foot boat this spring the yard charged me $3,000 and that is just commissioning, simply routine stuff to get the boat in the water.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, JMcL.

[wooden head]

Sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you want. It sounds like a good place to start. Don't make my favorite mistake and buy a cheap boat. If you have time, skills and a place to work on it, that can be an option but you will spend more time and money working on the boat than using it. Get a professional survey. Research the best surveyor in your area. A little extra spent now will make a big differences in your enjoyment of the boat.
Good luck

[Amapola]

IMHO, you may not find a boat that fits your your budgeted price and comfort. Our friends have Rosborough Trawler and really like it. They keep it on a trailer. It's a tight squeeze for more than two people though.

[Lepke]

There are bargain boats out there. One for every price range. Not everything has to be new. The hull and engines need to be good. Getting 4 adults, 3 teens and a dog on a trailer-able boat would be a miracle.
Owning a boat doesn't have to be expensive unless you have boatyards do all your maintenance. My 83' wood boat doesn't average $7500/yr in maintenance. And I rebuilt my 2 Detroit 671s myself for about $5000 in parts and head work.
Some people want you to think you need a new or almost new boat that somehow costs thousands a year in maintenance or you can't afford boating. My first big boat, as a teen, was a war surplus, 65' Chris-Craft. I had a great time with that boat. Sure I had to do some repairs, painting and cleaning, but that was a fun machine. And marine diesel was about 15¢ a gallon. I went diving, tuna fishing, I had a blast! The boat (1940) is owned by the Sea Scouts now. Still passing CG inspections and giving kids fun.