Let's talk about boats (2015, broker, price)

[Old Gal]

Originally Posted by don1945

I've been in the boating business for the past 25 or so years, so maybe I can give you some insight and tips.

First of all, NO boat is perfect for all purposes. Men generally like a center console because of the convenience for fishing, but women want some privacy for using the head or just getting out of the sun for a while. Walk around cuddy boats kind of fill that need.......they are sparse (as far as upholstered seats getting in the way) so you can fish easily from them, but they have a small cabin to get out of the weather and to use the head.

The deck boats you are talking about are very popular because they are roomy and work reasonably well for a variety of purposes.......you can fish from them, there is a lot of seating, and some feature a very small compartment with a portapotti inside. Get one with as little carpeting and upholstery as possible, as those are the hardest to keep clean and the sun is hard on them. A non skid floor makes clean up so much easier.

Most of the boating you are discussing is inside protected waters, so any boat, from about 18 feet up, is going to be safe and comfortable in normal weather conditions. I STRONGLY suggest buying an outboard boat vs an IO or inboard, because of one factor...........SALT. Although I have owned as many IO's and inboards as outboards, eventually that salt is going to corrode the insides of the cast iron block and manifolds, regardless of how much you flush or use a salt eliminator when you flush. Manifolds are good for about 3-5 years in Florida, then you toss them and start over. We just replaced the heads and intake manifold on my Son's boat because of rust, and he is a fanatic about maintenance and flushing.

Here is my suggestion: Keep renting boats for a while and try out a bunch of different types. Try a center console for a day, then a cuddy, then a deck boat, then an open bow runabout. That will help you determine what type fits your needs and usage the best, and will at least narrow down what type you would like to own. Where you are going to keep the boat is also a big factor. On a lift is good, but if it is going to have to stay on the water you will need to have it bottom painted and probably do that annually. If you keep it at a marina, dry stored, that is getting expensive. My one Son keeps his in one, and it is about $ 400 a month. Trailering is ok, but you need the tow vehicle and a place to keep the boat at home or stored.

I also think that, for the average person, renting or belonging to a boat sharing club is financially a better deal than owning. While neither is cheap, at least you can hand back the one you don't own at the end of the day, and you are done. If you own a boat, you are constantly cleaning, fighting mildew and mold, and spending money on upkeep and repairs. I bet, in the final analysis, renting is probably cheaper in the long run than owning.

All that being said, although I have been boatless myself for the past 8 or so years, I have loved every one of the probably 40 I have owned over the years. It is hard to live in SW Fl, with all our beautiful water here, without owning one. A bad day on the water beats a good day at work, as they say.

Oh, and finally, if you do buy a boat, make sure you buy coverage from either Tow Boat US, or Sea Tow. VERY IMPORTANT !!! The average tow is about $700 or more, and, if you have coverage, you simply sign your name and they drive away. About $ 150 a year, but SO important to have. Just like having AAA for your car, but even more expensive should you not have it. It is not a matter of IF you will ever be towed home, but WHEN.......it just happens. Even if you just run out of gas, they will bring you fuel to where you are stranded.

Don

You bring up some additional points that I had not thought of. As I said earlier, at least for now, I think renting or a boat club would be our best and least expensive option. If we buy, we will also have to buy a vehicle to tow with, etc. I checked out the high and dry (my favorite for convenience) option. The one place I checked it was a minimum $10K buy in and $110 per month. Then you add maintenance, insurance, towing insurance, gas, etc. I'm sure there are other things I am not even aware of. This would be an expensive hobby particularly for something that would most likely only be used once a week on average.

[Seafood Junky]

Both tow companies offer nice phone apps. Making it easy to call for help.

I always like the dual console layout. A compromise between a center console, deck boat, and cuddy... They usually have some type of enclosed head and make good use of the bow area of the boat.

[az99]

Originally Posted by Old Gal

Which high and dry service did you use? I can't find anything that inexpensive.

I used Stump Pass and Marine Dynamics. Both were about the same price. I had a 20' with OB and was charged for 22'.

[az99]

Originally Posted by don1945

A bad day on the water beats a good day at work, as they say.



Don

That may be true when you are young and working but when you are older and retired in SW Fla. A good day by the pool always beats a bad day on the water.

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by Seafood Junky

Both tow companies offer nice phone apps. Making it easy to call for help.

I always like the dual console layout. A compromise between a center console, deck boat, and cuddy... They usually have some type of enclosed head and make good use of the bow area of the boat.

I gotta agree with "Junky" A DC with a Carolina flair is a safe dry ride in the harbor when you missread the weather... How choppy can it get in short notice? Nothing worse then waves crashing over the bow in a deck boat or having to run to safer waters. I would think a 20 to 22 footer would be nice.

[don1945]

Years ago, at one of the Marine Trades Association meetings, we discussed what the "ideal" boat was for SW Fl. The general consensus was that it would be a 21 foot center console with an outboard on the back. The reasons were generally that it was big enough to comfortably handle rougher water, had a relatively shallow draft (we have LOTS of skinny water here in SW Fl) and you hose it out at the end of the day. The outboard was chosen for the reasons I mentioned in my first post, ability to handle salt better.

That is obviously a generality, but, in fact, the boats that look great on the showroom floor with tons of upholstered seats and carpeting do not sometimes work out so great once on the water. They are also harder to board and and work dock lines.




Don

[JERSEY MAN]

Years ago, at one of the Marine Trades Association meetings, we discussed what the "ideal" boat was for SW Fl. The general consensus was that it would be a 21 foot center console with an outboard on the back.






I agree with you Don and the MTA. I have a 211 Key West Center Console with a 150 Yammy 4 stroke that has run all over the Charlotte Harbor this winter with a few excursions into the gulf to do some reef fishing. Love taking it to Cayo Costo/Cabbage Key and a few of the islands in the area. I put close to 300 hours on it and it is a fairly economical boat with a 80 gallon fuel tank with a TTop. With that said if our sole mission was to fish I would get a flats or a bay boat.

[SeaRay35]

Originally Posted by JERSEY MAN

Years ago, at one of the Marine Trades Association meetings, we discussed what the "ideal" boat was for SW Fl. The general consensus was that it would be a 21 foot center console with an outboard on the back.






I agree with you Don and the MTA. I have a 211 Key West Center Console with a 150 Yammy 4 stroke that has run all over the Charlotte Harbor this winter with a few excursions into the gulf to do some reef fishing. Love taking it to Cayo Costo/Cabbage Key and a few of the islands in the area. I put close to 300 hours on it and it is a fairly economical boat with a 80 gallon fuel tank with a TTop. With that said if our sole mission was to fish I would get a flats or a bay boat.

Bobby i think you use your boat more than anyone

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by SeaRay35

Bobby i think you use your boat more than anyone

That is definitely true and now he is back in NJ getting ready for boating season...LOL

[JERSEY MAN]

Originally Posted by MartyGras

That is definitely true and now he is back in NJ getting ready for boating season...LOL

In a few days this one is ready to go swimming. Limited on working on it the weather stinks. I miss fla. already looking online for a return flight.