Pascoe. Sorry.
I have nothing to offer about the boats in question, but on my last excursion to the Jersey shore they were talking about a pending limit on fluke (1 per person). The word on this is that if it became law it would ripple through all the recreational businesses, including boats (the argument being that fewer people would buy boats if fluke fishing were not an option). Boats might be getting cheaper, at least temporarily.
I’ve been involved in boating in this class (more or less) for much of my life.
I would also concur with the other posters who suggest strongly considering a used boat, particularly for your first boat. Boats are not like cars. Except for the occasional introduction of a new type of design, there is little difference between this years models and those of five, ten or more years ago. From a manintenance perspective, fiberglass is nearly indestructible, and most mechanical systems will last for decades with little more than annual winterization and periodic maintenance. The one large system to consider is the engines, which have a limited life, but you will frequently be able to get a used boat with low engine hours (lots of people just don’t use their boats), so that engine life will not be an issue. Don’t be afraid of a boat ten, twenty or more years old if it passes a professional survey.
Another advantage of a used boat – particularly for a new boatowner – is that prior owners will have done many of the initial installation and shake-down things necessary, from installing electronics to putting up coathooks. Trust me, installing things and figuring out systems and problems is difficult enough if you are experienced. If you are buying a boat that is well-equipped, you can usually just use the older owner’s systems and gradually upgrade or change them as you get to know what you like.
Another thing to think of is that you may not enjoy boating or use the boat as much as you think. Or, you may decide you’d that you love boating, but would prefer something with different capabilities. Because older used boats maintan more of their value, they may be a better choice if you don’t know exactly what you want. Worst that can happen is that you can educate yourself on a used boat for a few years, and then trade up to the new boat of your dreams.
Adequate power is important, and remember that you will almost always cruise at a speed significantly below the maximum. It is better for engine life to cruise “easier” on the available power. Without knowing the boat/engine combination it’s hard to say what you should choose, but you don’t want to cheap out on the engine if an upgrade is only a small price bump. Also, although you could go either way on gas v. diesel in that size, I would recommend diesel because they are stronger, longer lasting, and don’t have that nasty problem of gas fumes exploding.
Yes, they’re necessary. Sailors can get away without one, but as a powerboater you’ll have a lot of 110v appliances that you’ll want to keep running just about whenever you are unplugged. The most important is the fridge, which will most likely be a variation commercial household model, rather than the cold-keeping iceboxes that are put into sailboats. Also, if you plan to anchor out (something that all too few powerboaters do with any regularity), you will want the generator for 110v lighting, electric appliances in the galley (the galley will most likely be entirely electric) and possibly air conditioning. You will probably be able to turn the generator off overnight, but will want it in to run your toaster and coffee maker in the morning.
I must say I haven’t kept up with the latest in marine sanitation technology. Just make sure to get a pump-out often.
Go with the U.S. Power Squadron. No question.
The dealers want to sell you a new boat. Their margins are higher, they get to sell all sorts of expensive electronics and add-ons, and they get to do the initial installation and set-up work. Try talking to dealers and marinas that don’t focus on the new boats you want, but have comparable used boats listed. Check the internet.
You can also go to boatyards and just walk up and down the docks telling people you’re in the market for a similar boat asking them what they think of theirs. People love to talk about their boats, and you’ll get quite a bit of useful information (along with some fluff and crap).
Good luck, and see you on the water.
My business is associated with the industry that you plan to buy into. I repair and alterate fiberglass marine craft in the middle of a region on the west coast of British Columbia rife with self empolyed fishing guides and a horde of Americans and out of province Canadians who keep there yachts here. I have also owned a 36’ yacht.
What I like to tell you is this.
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Buy a smaller used boat, marine surveyed, and take the Power Squadron course. There are many stories around here of rich American skippers who act like total idiots on the water. Too much money and too much arrogance. You’ll develop skills and knowledge about navigation, water civility, and what you like and don’t like and what you wished you had on your boat. most of all you’ll find out how fucking expensive it is to maintain a boat. It seems to me that there are almost 100 systems on board ready to fail and another 50 systems that you may want to add on. Most of all you don’t want to enter a slip and find out that your lack of skills require a bow thruster. Your fellow yachtsmen won’t appreciate the impact of your 36’ boat on their moored yacht.
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A good part of my business is assisting the local Volvo Penta dealership in altering the transoms and engine holds of various yachts to recieive there new engines. Don’t buy Bayliner, they are really garbage, but most other yachts are built with similar quality. More important than the boat itself is the power, and there’s been a huge rush lately around here to repower with the Volvo engines because of there reliability and fuel economy. To operate a boat like you’re looking for, think in excess of 25 gallons per hour of gas. much less than half with diesel. And you don’t have to worry about blowing up your boat because you failed to turn on the blower before starting the engine.
Generators? They are noisy and will piss off other boaters who are moored near you in that “isolated” quiet cove. There are no electical amenities that you can’t acquire that don’t operate on the 12V system backed up by adequate batteries when your engines are down. At the dock you’ll fine adequate 30A power. I’ve actually seen a decline in yachts with generators over the past 20 years.
The head? All you need is a toilet with an intake and a discharge to a holding tank that can be pumped out at your marina. I don’t know whats so special about Vacuflush.
Take it easy man. You may find out that the life your looking for isn’t all that its cracked up to be. There’s a lot of stress involved and you have to be the kind of person who loves overcoming stress IMHO. Please, educate yourself first and start with a smaller boat.
I just asked him - he said he’d do it for nothing - just for the fun of it. He also said you should learn to sail first. But he’s been sailing for 35 years, so there’s a little bias in there.
If you want to email me, I’ll pass it on to him and you can pick his brain directly. I don’t like being an intermediary - I tend to lose stuff in the translation…
I must admit before creating this thread I was not at all considering buying used. I’m still not absolutely convinced used is the way to go, but the door’s no longer shut on the option. I take the opinions of the experienced on any matter seriously, so you’ve convinced me to at least investigate further.
Yes, I’ve heard it’s not uncommon for people to plunk down some serious cash in monthly payments for boats they use just once a season. Crazy!
I believe I would find having to do/learn those things somewhat exciting.
I’ve never captained a boat, but I’ve taken business meetings on my old boss’s yacht a few times, and I’ve been hooked since then, so my not enjoying boating is not an issue.
Explosions. Bad. GRRRR!!
Yep. Clear on that, but would still like to hear opinions on Vacuflush.
Contacted them yesterday. Thanks to all for this recommendation.
Yes, my tushie has been slathered up quite nicely, thank you. I think these guys would smell a dollar bill if I had it hidden in my sock.
Hmmm. Checking on boats for sale at marinas is an idea I hadn’t considered. Thanks for the tip.
All those things are possible except for smaller. 36’ is the absolute smallest I would consider.
Hence my query and interest in taking a good course or three.
Yes, I’ve already had my true-cost-of-ownership heart attack, but thanks. 
Hmm. A bow thruster is on my list of wantees. Are you saying they cause one’s boat to be hazardous to others?
Yep, I crossed Bayliner, Glastron and Rinker off my list long ago.
Gotcha
Okay, now I’m more confused about generators. Some say they’re a necessity, some say no, and you’re saying they’re a royal nuisance 
Well, that’s what I’m trying to find out. I want something that operates as close to a home system as possible.
I’m probably going to go with the US Power Squadrons, but please thank your husband for his very generous offer.