This is a little aged thread but I just ran across it and thought I might add a little. I’m single male and well versed mechanically.
So I would suggest you go to some sites like Boatrader.com and explore various brands of
boats you might enjoy. I’ve spent two full years looking at
boats, and going to local boat shows and
events. I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted. Unfortunately I couldn’t really afford that level so I stepped down some. In my case I’m on the mighty
Mississippi so it’s fresh
water. Add
Minnesota and cold
weather enters the picture.
Our real
boating season is about 7 months maybe 8 if you are prepared for cool to cold conditions on the
water.
Liveaboard here is a challenge. There are a lot of issues to get ready for the cold. There is a lot of misinformation from outside the area. I did talk to a number of local liveaboards and got some good information. Here the great majority of them are various house boats. Frankly I don’t care for them and cruising is rather uninteresting. Boring is not in my dictionary but if it was I could use it here.
I like to travel about in the boat even if it is relatively short trips. By the time you go through a few lock and dams and maybe stop for a meal at one of the casinos you can spend a day on the water. Navigating the twisting channel and going up and down stream, watching the other river traffic large and small is interesting and fun in my book.
So you need to look at what you expect to be doing with your boat. If you are going to be out in the open ocean I certainly would look at about 45-50 foot boat. Being single you could get either a sport cruiser or some kind of bridge boat. I’d look for twin
diesel Power. As above I like the more classical boats so they are less expensive. However by all means get one in top shape.
I’d go to a
boating class to learn some
navigation skills and rules of the road. You will also learn to “talk the talk” as they say. If you at least sound like you have an idea of what you are after it will help.
Anything you get should be surveyed both the
hull and the mechanicals. Don’t to be afraid to walk away from a boat that just doesn’t seem right for you. You will get a sea trial and you need to personally operate everything on the boat. From the coffee maker, dishwasher,clothes washer,
galley appliances to the mechanicals. The motors including the
generator and all
electrical. Drive the boat for a couple hours, try turning it around, backing up, use the shifters and throttles to control it. If it has Pods try them out. operate and use the
navigation equipment, drop the
anchor, operate the spotlight, blow the horn, turn on the
cabin lights and navigation lights. Plus anything else.
The surveys will cost you some
money. More for larger more complex boats. It’s
money well spent even if you walk away.
Plan on about 10% of the value for yearly
maintenance. Sounds high but it’s probably low. Remember ....BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand. Most big
diesel boats will be hard pressed to get 1 mpg. Easy cruising in fresh water lakes or the river yes you can get a little better but don’t count on it. 400 gallons of diesel can be $1600 give or take.
There is a lot more so feel free to ask.