# Thinking about buying a boat, looking for feedback **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 9, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498 "2012-11-09T17:55:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/21 "2012-11-10T11:48:55Z")
> [@](#): > > I once heard an adage from an ex-boater: the two best days of a boat owners life are the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it. My father also said this, and he was an avid boater. I sent him a cartoon once…a guy has a bucket of money, walks up to his (moored) boat, dumps the money over the boat, and walks away, empty bucket in hand. He thought it was hilarious. Daddy enjoyed boating, a lot, but it DOES take an awful lot of time and energy and money. It’s not just buying the boat, it’s the upkeep, too. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/22 "2012-11-10T12:26:27Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > If you’re on the water, you already have access to more boats than us land-locked souls, but [here is a search](http://www.boattrader.com/search-results/NewOrUsed-used/Type-Power/Region-all/Price-0,6000/Sort-Length:DESC/Page-2,25/)on Boat Trader for anything under 6k. > > Do your own search with more criteria to help you find something in your area. I’ve been watching Boat Trader for about 4 months it’s an excellent resource. By the time I buy I will have shopped for about 10 months. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/23 "2012-11-10T12:47:13Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > Yeah, a 6 cylinder Wrangler has the power and drivetrain to pull 5-6000 pounds. It’s the wheelbase that can get you in trouble when you pull a heavy load. Have you ever **looked** at a large semi truck or a fire department ladder truck? The wheelbase of the tractor is way short compared to the wheelbase of the trailer. The longer the distance between the hitch and wheels of the trailer and the shorter the wheelbase of the tow vehicle the easier it is to back up. The hardest rig in the world to backup is a full sized pickup (long wheelbase) with a small (short wheelbase) utility trailer behind it. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/24 "2012-11-10T14:09:28Z")
Give Donnie Baker a call. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/25 "2012-11-10T15:26:10Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Have you ever **looked** at a large semi truck or a fire department ladder truck? The wheelbase of the tractor is way short compared to the wheelbase of the trailer. > The longer the distance between the hitch and wheels of the trailer and the shorter the wheelbase of the tow vehicle the easier it is to back up. > The hardest rig in the world to backup is a full sized pickup (long wheelbase) with a small (short wheelbase) utility trailer behind it. Different kind of hitch, different kinds of trailers, diffferent kinds of tow vehicles. You’re not actually suggesting there is a comparison here with a jeep wrangler and a 20’ boat, are you? (but I do agree with your final sentence - funniest attempted launch ramp activity I ever saw was a guy with a full size pickup trying to back down a jetski trailer) ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/26 "2012-11-10T16:45:18Z")
Can you rent? When I was still actively sailing, I belonged to a club at the local marina that held classes and rented sailboats from the small J-24s through 40’ Catalinas and beyond.much cheaper than buying, and I was grateful for that when I discovered that my wife got easily seasick and hated going out on the water. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/27 "2012-11-11T01:50:12Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Can you rent? When I was still actively sailing, I belonged to a club at the local marina that held classes and rented sailboats from the small J-24s through 40’ Catalinas and beyond.much cheaper than buying, and I was grateful for that when I discovered that my wife got easily seasick and hated going out on the water. There’s a rental place, but it’s a 30 minute drive from home ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/28 "2012-11-11T03:45:05Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Different kind of hitch, different kinds of trailers, diffferent kinds of tow vehicles. > > You’re not actually suggesting there is a comparison here with a jeep wrangler and a 20’ boat, are you? > > (but I do agree with your final sentence - funniest attempted launch ramp activity I ever saw was a guy with a full size pickup trying to back down a jetski trailer) No I’m not comparing the Wrangler to a 20’ boat. Even I know the Wrangler is for the highway, the boat is for the water. 🙂 Point is the Wangler with a long boat trailer is the opposite of the long wheel based full size pickup and jet ski trailer. Where the pickup/jet ski is a bitch to back up, the Wrangler/boat would be a breeze. The limiting factors, of course, are the towing capacity of the Wrangler and the weight of the rig. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/29 "2012-11-11T03:50:33Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > No I’m not comparing the Wrangler to a 20’ boat. Even I know the Wrangler is for the highway, the boat is for the water. 🙂 > Point is the Wangler with a long boat trailer is the opposite of the long wheel based full size pickup and jet ski trailer. Where the pickup/jet ski is a bitch to back up, the Wrangler/boat would be a breeze. > The limiting factors, of course, are the towing capacity of the Wrangler and the weight of the rig. I agree with you on that point - that the smaller wheelbase would make that aspect easier - but all other aspects of pulling a ‘real’ boat with a wrangler far outweigh that aspect. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/30 "2012-11-12T11:25:10Z")
> [@Winston\_Smith](#): > > There’s a rental place, but it’s a 30 minute drive from home A half hour drive seems like a good investment when considering spending 5K. Regarding the weight and trailering issues, my 20.5 ft [boat](http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a162/rbp2/Camping_Rig004-1.jpg) scales out at 3700 lbs. This was done on a CAT scale with a full tank and all the gear aboard. This one is an inboard, so I would assume an I/O of similar size weighs about the same, or a little more since the outdrive assembly is fairly heavy. It’s been mentioned, but I’d like to re-iterate: You will probably have to look at a _lot_ of boats to find something decent in the $5000.00 range. I’ve owned a many boats (bought my tenth one last September) and I’m pretty good at this. My rule is to assume 20% of my budget will be spent on the search itself, and on the repairs you didn’t know about to get your craft seaworthy. The remaining 80% is what I have available for the purchase price. This percentage can decrease if you’re familiar with marinized engines and various drive systems, and can do your own maintenance. You also mentioned learning the ropes in a smaller boat, then stepping up later to the larger (19’) craft. I don’t think there’s any real difference in handling two of that size, so there’s no reason to start small (if you don’t need to). Boats seem to shrink by half after you get out on the water. Best of luck to you. It can be done on a budget, but takes a lot of time looking for a well-maintained craft. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/31 "2012-11-12T14:44:24Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > A half hour drive seems like a good investment when considering spending 5K. > > Regarding the weight and trailering issues, my 20.5 ft [boat](http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a162/rbp2/Camping_Rig004-1.jpg) scales out at 3700 lbs. This was done on a CAT scale with a full tank and all the gear aboard. This one is an inboard, so I would assume an I/O of similar size weighs about the same, or a little more since the outdrive assembly is fairly heavy. > > It’s been mentioned, but I’d like to re-iterate: You will probably have to look at a _lot_ of boats to find something decent in the $5000.00 range. I’ve owned a many boats (bought my tenth one last September) and I’m pretty good at this. My rule is to assume 20% of my budget will be spent on the search itself, and on the repairs you didn’t know about to get your craft seaworthy. The remaining 80% is what I have available for the purchase price. This percentage can decrease if you’re familiar with marinized engines and various drive systems, and can do your own maintenance. > > You also mentioned learning the ropes in a smaller boat, then stepping up later to the larger (19’) craft. I don’t think there’s any real difference in handling two of that size, so there’s no reason to start small (if you don’t need to). Boats seem to shrink by half after you get out on the water. > > Best of luck to you. It can be done on a budget, but takes a lot of time looking for a well-maintained craft. I dunno. I don’t think my wife would be too crazy about an hour in the car to spend an hour on a boat. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/32 "2012-11-12T14:55:10Z")
NETA, the boat club was $5k/yr in 2007 when I last got a quote, and they had a 3-year comittment, so we’re really talking about a $15-20k comittment. The travel time to get to the club and back would be an hour, so that would pretty much take weeknights out of the equasion, so we’d be left with Saturdays only, and we’d be competing in the first-come, first-served queue for a boat. If the boat club was in town, I think it would be a better option. But, practically speaking, the 30 minutes is a deal breaker. ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/33 "2012-11-12T15:41:14Z")
I suggest putting in some time on the water with a few different boats of varying size/configurations before you take the plunge and buy one for yourself. This will mean either renting, or better yet going out with a friend who owns a boat. An afternoon on the water in the “right” boat will let you make up your mind with confidence. Go out in a 16’, 19’, and 22’ boat just to give you a feel for the different sizes, and maybe try a center console, cuddy cabin, and bow rider configuration to figure out what’s best for you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/34 "2012-11-12T16:19:43Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > It’s not just buying the boat, it’s the upkeep, too. This is why we decided to go boatless for the first time in our marriage. We did the math, and just having our boat sitting in the slip (it was paid for, so no boat payment at least) cost us $6K a year - that’s slip rent, insurance, and annual haulout and hull cleaning and painting. Add to that, replacing things that fail or wear out (we were in need of a new mainsail), fuel, safety supplies (those emergency flares have a limited lifespan), and a bazillion other little things I’ve blocked out, well, it was more than we were willing to carve out of our retirement income. And it was more than we were willing to carve out right now - in the last 2 years, we took the boat out for pleasure maybe 3 times total. That averages more than $4K for a few hours on the water. When we were younger, we’d spend almost every weekend on the boat. As we got older, it became more work and less fun. Barring a winning lottery ticket, I expect we’ll just charter from now on. Sorry - didn’t mean to put a damper on the thread. We really were sad to sell our last boat, and the one before it, and even the one before that, but such is life. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/35 "2012-11-12T19:34:34Z")
Just take your 5K and throw it in the water, much less hassle than owning and maintaining a boat. Taxes, insurance, registration, storage and/or transportation, winterizing, fuel, maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/36 "2012-11-12T19:59:46Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Just take your 5K and throw it in the water, much less hassle than owning and maintaining a boat. Taxes, insurance, registration, storage and/or transportation, winterizing, fuel, maintenance. Less hassle, but not nearly as much fun! I agree with the facts in this statement, but not the sentiment. We all know the happiest days of a boat owners life, and that the definition of “boat” is “a hole in the ocean that people throw money into.” And more often than not renting/chartering a boat is cheaper than owning one, as most people end up using their boats just a few times a year. Owning a boat is expensive, we get it. But to me that’s like saying “Don’t bother having kids. Just take $300,000 and burn it. It will be cheaper.” Probably true, but missing the point entirely. Not singling you out, but I just want to give the OP some support. Yes, your boat will cost you more than you expect. But taking your kids out fishing, lobstering, exploring etc will be priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/37 "2012-11-12T21:19:23Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Just take your 5K and throw it in the water, much less hassle than owning and maintaining a boat. Taxes, insurance, registration, storage and/or transportation, winterizing, fuel, maintenance. I could just dig a hole in the ground and jump into it. I’ll end up there eventually, anyways. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/38 "2012-11-12T22:09:53Z")
You could borrow \*\*our \*\*[lake boat](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/ural/Picture4484.jpg) to see if you like it, but you’ll need to bring something besides a Jeep… ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/39 "2012-11-13T00:47:13Z")
I have empathy for you, Winston. I’ve been there. The questions get more numerous, the deeper into it you get. Whether you become a rag-picker (sail) or a stink-pot (motor), the day you buy it, you’ll want to improve it. You won’t get it just right until just before you sell it. A day on the water is a day away from everything that troubles you. I hope that makes it all worthwhile for you. If you haven’t heard this boater’s adage already, here it is, “A boat is a hole in the water, surrounded by fiberglass, into which you pour money.” You seem to be on salt water, and that means deterioration is faster and maintenance is more expensive. You said the seas where you are are tamer than the Alaskan poster’s. That is only true until it isn’t. I second the suggestion for the boat safety course. When you buy your boat, replace the bilge pump with a bigger one, and consider backing it up with another pump. It is only as important as your entire boat and your life. Good luck to you, Winston Smith, and calm seas. Be careful. ---
**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498/40 "2012-11-14T12:53:55Z")
I’d suggest looking for a decent used Key West (manufacturer) center console, outboard, 19’ is fine with them. Check craigslist, there are often listings. And you won’t have any trouble at all trailering something like that with a Wrangler. Most midsize and up boat trailers have built in hydraulic brakes to assist in stopping. Even if they don’t, one can usually be added pretty simply. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-buying-a-boat-looking-for-feedback/640498.md?page=1)