Thinkin? about buying a boat
I have had my runs with race cars & motorcycles- but as the family grows up I keep looking for things my 3 boys will enjoy.
We just spent 4 days out at a cool but empty Clear Water, FL beach and I think i might want a boat the family could keep at a marina and spend weekends on.
This sounds a bit of a pipe dream to me, but then there are thousands of people who do it.
How does someone ignorant of the specifics go about becoming competent in how to buy, maintain and safely operate a good size boat?
In theory Id like a boat that could safely travel between the Tampa/Clear Water area and Destin/Pensacola.
We just spent 4 days out at a cool but empty Clear Water, FL beach and I think i might want a boat the family could keep at a marina and spend weekends on.
This sounds a bit of a pipe dream to me, but then there are thousands of people who do it.
How does someone ignorant of the specifics go about becoming competent in how to buy, maintain and safely operate a good size boat?
In theory Id like a boat that could safely travel between the Tampa/Clear Water area and Destin/Pensacola.
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Do not buy a boat. Walk to the end of the dock and throw rolled up $100.00 bills into the water. You will get the same effect as owning a boat without all the hassles.[;)] 0 -
Check with the local coast guard power squadron in your area .They teach classes on this and other subjects such as navigation they you will need 0 -
quote:Originally posted by B17-P51
Do not buy a boat. Walk to the end of the dock and throw rolled up $100.00 bills into the water. You will get the same effect as owning a boat without all the hassles.[;)]
A Boat is a hole in the water in which to throw money.
Do as the guy above says and save yourself some grief.
Mine has been at rest for about 4 years, needs two batteries, new gas tank, new water pump impeller (due to storage) probably new tires on the trailer, registration brought up to date, and that is just the beginning.
I'm going to wall mart and buy me some fish sticks and forget about the boat for now.[;)]0 -
Don't listen to the boo-babies! BUY IT! Boats are FUN! I always had great times with my boat(s)!
Living in Arizona now, I rarely use it any more, but it was fun when I lived elsewhere!
Merc0 -
Great opportunity to spend quality time with the family...priceless memories...but they?ll cost you 5x what you are expecting. I vote yes...just be prepared for the cost. 0 -
Owning a boat over 25 feet is not just a whim thing. I would suggest renting a boat about 21 feet long with an outboard for the weekend. Then work up to a 25. Thing is with a boat the note, insurance, maintenance, storage/dock, then just fuel and insurance. That is a figure that you need to multiply by two.
My advice, get a 25 foot with a center console, two stroke with injecters. keep it in a stack drydock (enclosed warehouse) then you just call and they pop it in when you are on the way. Get a good canvas T top and keep up your life insurance... I have seen things happen to boaters in a flash they are gone because of ignorance or bad luck.
The thing is that you need to just plan to start writing checks and then when you run out of checks start using the credit card and then after that you start selling guns converting gold to cash...
A slip is pricey real estate and in Destin scarce. But there is nothing quite like the feeling of being out on the ocean and not being able to see land.
Figure your budget of note, insurance, storage, maintenance, fuel, repairs and maintenance and simply double it. If that is not a problem then rock and roll.0 -
A boat????? You got that much extra money??? 0 -
Get a boat with a fireplace!!!
You could post in two different threads here at the same time!!
[:D]0 -
There are classes that you can take through the Coast Guard/Coast guard Auxiliary but piloting a large boat safely requires a lot of time and experience. It's not as easy as it may look sitting on a dock watching the boats go by.
A boat slip around Clearwater is a precious commodity and doesn't come cheap, maintenance on a large boat is very pricey as they have to be hauled out for bottom cleaning/painting which is a no choice item if it's kept in the water, insurance is also a killer and fuel prices on the water rank right up there with rape and sodomy.
Cheaper way to go is to get the training and some experience and rent a boat.0 -
I owned a boat for a long time sold it about 10 years ago now if I want to go boating I rent. One of the hardest things on a boat is if they set idle for long periods of time mine wasn't to bad when we was using it a lot after I got my own business and didn't have the time to take it out as much the problems with it seemed to never stop 0 -
first off boats are a great time and a lot of expense.if your kids are young they will enjoy the boat but more so the riding on pull toys behind it. if it is going to be a touring boat they will become very board very fast. I have owned a boat of one kind or another since 1978. my last one was a 25 footer it was ok to play behind but clumsy the one WE have now (since the kids are gone) a 31 ft powerboat , is not for playing behind. my point is put some thought into what your boat will be used for and go for it! 0 -
I had a 19' Bayliner for about 10 years when my kids were growing up. We used it for water skiing, fishing and scuba diving. Used it in the ocean, Lake Tahoe and the Colorado river. We have a lot of fond memories with that boat. 0 -
I'm a boater.
For an 8nexperienced boater wanting to start in salt water, my advice is start with rentals and friends. There is an enormous amount of learning ahead of you!
Good luck!!0 -
I always liked my boat, but I sold it after the kids grew up. I enjoy my son boat more than I ever enjoyed mine... I don't have to pay for the the upkeep and fuel in it, plus I can sit back and enjoy the ride instead of being the driver all the time.[8D] 0 -
You may want to look into the local boat clubs. Pay your monthly dues and use the club's boats. Different boats for different things. My BIL and sister did this and said it has worked well for them. He joined the club and sold his boat.
Low up front cost, controlled ongoing cost, gain knowledge/skill, see how much you use a boat and what you like.
I agree with taking some classes.0 -
rent for the time you need 0 -
Boats ownership is like aircraft ownership. They live on the rule of 144. The One Hundred Forty Four rule is this. Every time you use your boat something costing at least $144.00 will break wear out or get lost. If you have 10 uneventful trips the rule still applies so multiply the rule by ten and there is your bill. 0 -
I really enjoy both of my boats, actually 3 if you count the one up back in the big pond..
18 Tundra for Great lake fishing, and my 20' Baja 500 HP jet for fun...0 -
Love my Crestliner 18.5 Bass boat. 0 -
get you a nice one on payment plan and head to the Bermuda Triangle...and don't worry about the payments....BYE 0 -
You could always sell it when the fun ends.... 
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Clearwater Beach has some great boating waters and easy access to the Gulf. I couldn't imagine being near the water w/o a boat.
Yeah $$$$$
But you can't take it with you.0 -
You need to make a LOT of phone calls and educate yourself on the costs of storage in the areas you are interested in. Only you know what you can afford, and are willing to spend. Cover all of your bases as far as expenses go and you won't be caught totally off guard as many people are.
I have owned a number of boats over the years, mainly in S. Florida, including a big open fisherman that I kept at the old Jolly Roger Marina off Jupiter Inlet. It was warehoused in dry storage, and all I had to do was call and they put it in the water as was mentioned in another post.
Being 20 to 30 miles or more offshore fishing is about as good as it gets, but you are going to pay for it.
Renting, or chartering is another good idea that was mentioned. Courses in handling boats are easy to find, so that's not a big factor in this decision.
Good luck!0 -
Move back to Texas quick! 0 -
"In theory Id like a boat that could safely travel between the Tampa/Clear Water area and Destin/Pensacola."
You're thinkin' big! I like that!
You might start with something around 18-20 feet just to get your feet wet. You won't be making any 300+ mile trips in it, but it will get you on the water and figure out if it's something your family truly will enjoy and it'll give you a decent platform to learn on.
As has been stated, boats ain't cheap! For one to safely make the Tampa to Pensacola trip you're probably looking at over 100K real easy.0 -
We had a sailboat on the Atlantic side of Florida. Had a lot of fun. Only sold it because IBM transferred us.
Now a couple years from retiring and getting the bug for a trailerable center console, primarily for Lake Michigan fishing. But would like to get it outfitted for salt water since I can?t trust Al Gore and don?t like ice fishing anymore!0 -
This should work for you,...... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by roswellnative
But there is nothing quite like the feeling of being out on the ocean and not being able to see land.
Oh yes there is [:)], don't forget being broke down 40-60 miles from the coast......it's spooky knowing the weather in the Gulf of Mexico can change in an instant while waiting on the repair part to arrive [:0]. To any potential buyer, expect the un-expected to happen because it will [;)]0 -
Ive been a professional boat mechanic for 41 years. There are a lot of variables to think about. My advice is to go to several local boat repair shops. Talk to the service manager, NOT THE SALES MANAGER, about what you want to do with the boat and ask him for his recommendations. 0 -
We love boating. Great way to spend time and stay close with your kids. I Have always had big open bow boats so we have plenty of room for our family, other family members and friends. 0
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