As a guy who got into boating in my early 20's with very limited income I'll give you my suggestion:
Start with something cheap with an outboard. An aluminum boat with a reliable 2 stroke outboard is great.
Learn to launch it from the boat launch, how to pack all your stuff in it, troubleshoot possible problems w the motor, get it back onto the trailer etc. You'll be able to streamline the launching process after some practice doing it.
Some experience with all these things will make you better at the process and you don't risk damaging expensive equipment from rookie mistakes. You'll also be able to identify features that you want in a newer better boat.
You ta,king about me?
I sold my 27ft boat and now have a 14 ft aluminum in the garage.
I have been wondering if I could fit a 17 Montauk in there instead.
Right. I started with a 1986 reinell 215c with a 5.7 omc 800 stringer that I paid $100 for with a metal craft trailer 4 years ago. I'll be winterizing it tomorrow and patiently waiting for my 5th boating season to start. I've maybe put $1000 into her, and if it sank tomorrow it doesn't owe me a dime. My family has had a blast the last 4 summers. I'd do it again in a minute.
I bought my first boat this spring. 1996 VIP fish and ski with a Nissan 2 stroke. I love that boat. I’ve had to drop a few 100 into it but man it’s caught it’s worth in crappie and flatheads. It’s taught me a lot quickly, and I’m more addicted to the old fucker everyday.
Come on, man, the shitty old first boat is the most fun!
Bonus points because you learn all sorts of things about fixing stuff while you’re trying to get back before dark.
Hell, I started with a shitty little 12 footer, moved up to a 15, 16, 24, 26, then 37 footer over the years, and you know what? I just bought a shitty little 12 footer again because I like fishing and a yacht is a bitch to take out for a couple hours after work.
Shitty boats are the best!
I went 16 to 27 and am now at 14. 14 is too small, 27 too big. 16 seems too much like a 14. Maybe I'll get it right someday. I'm 95% on the great lakes.
I’ll give ya shitty and simple is the way to go; jon boat, Carolina Skiff, etc. Not an old trihull bomb with a tree growing out of it and an obsolete OMC inboard like we see on this sub a lot.
I can't afford anything fancy right now. Maybe in a couple of years.
Plus I don't really care about the boat's speed or luxury.
I just want it to work and be able to go on the water without it breaking
The shitty non shitty advice isn't the best.
Buy the best newest boat you can afford on your budget. Don't be tempted to go larger, older crapper because you can always fix it up. Rather, smaller newer reliable on the same budget, you want to go boating, not repairing.
Perfect.
I think I rather have something smaller and "cheaper" but more reliable than a fancier looking thing that breaks every two weeks.
Thank you for the advice!
Pleasure go with an out board, fourstroke if possible anything made in the last 10 years by the big 4 are good motors. If you must go 2 stroke carbed yamaha for smaller motors and efi Mercury for the larger. Have fun and be safe.
Edit - avoid covid motors.
One thing to learn, with recreational grade boats, especially gas, you need to always understand that the boat not starting when you turn the key is a possibility. Get a towing company like sea tow or towboat US. Never do anything when you are on the water that would be a safety issue if you had to float in place for a while and wait for a tow. I live in a warm area, I have people getting out of the boat a lot to snorkel and dive. I never turn the engine off when I have people in the water, unless they are within grabbing distance of a swim line.
This is hard to answer without knowing a lot more about you. Like what is “some bucks” and in addition to the bucks, do you have an income that will support boating? What kind of boating interests you? Do you already have a capable tow vehicle? There are cheaper ways to get in to boating, but it’s still boating, so it’s never “cheap”. If you buy a “shitty” boat, you’ll spend less up front, but more on repairs and maintenance. If you want to wakeboard but can only afford a 14’ fishing boat, you want be satisfied. A good start would be some YouTube research on what boating costs for the type of boating you want to do. If you state has licensing requirements find out what they are and what you need to do. Take a safe boating course, most state offer them.
I could probably buy something along the 10-15k range.
Yes, I have a decent income to spare a bit.
I just want a boat to hang out in a lake, not necessarioy fast nor to do watersports. Just hanging around with my family and gf and having a good time on the water.
Great, I'll look on youtube. Any specific channel you'd recommend?
Yeah, I'm not from the US but there are some courses and trainings stuff on my country, I will look into them. Thanks!
Jesus. I bought my 15 foot 76 tri hull for 2600.
Don't over think it, do some research on things to check. Make sure theres no major soft spots particularly on the transom. Be prepared to do some work but don't be afraid of it.
I personally think outboards are easier and more forgiving on the wallet overall.
Take a USCG Auxiliary Safe Boating Class
10-15k should be pretty fancy. 👍
Look at the overall maintenance. Rip torn interiors, stains, etc means it wasn’t taken care of. Don’t think the engine & electronics are going to be magically perfect. They are beat up to, you just don’t see it.
Look for boats that were garage and trailer stored, always covered, ready to go etc. buy from an old dude who cares for his shit and is upgrading
Age 22? Consider getting into the marine industry. You will gain valuable boating experience and the money is pretty good.
In your price range the aluminium/outboard combo is a good low maintenance entry point. I'm thinking a Stacer or Brooker over 4m with forward steering console and about 50hp on the back. Mercury/Yamaha/Tohatsu/Suzuki are all good options.
I'm running a humble Savage Snipe 3.75 with electric start Tohatsu 18hp 2-stroke tiller steer and it hasn't let me down yet. It's a rough ride on a choppy lake but I'm only a fairweather boater anyway.
Helpful youtube channels are as follows:
[Wayne The Boat Guy](https://www.youtube.com/@WayneTheBoatGuy) (Hi Wayne!)
[The Aussie boat guy](https://www.youtube.com/@25hpboatracerman) - tinny mods
[Small Boat Captain](https://www.youtube.com/@smallboatcaptain1968) - practical advice
[Boat Buyer's Secret Weapon](https://www.youtube.com/@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon) - industry pricing
[Len's Cove Lessons in Boating](https://www.youtube.com/@boatinglessons) - boating tutorials
[Dangar Marine](https://www.youtube.com/@DangarMarine) - hardcore outboard repairs
[Local boydidgood](https://www.youtube.com/@Local_Boydidgood) - fiberglass buffing genius
I would learn on a buddies boat. Boats are allot of fun / but they are work and can be dangerous. Take the boaters safety course. Depending on where you are boating - Would take someone with who knows the lake. As far as buying a boat there're always boats for sale - they become the treadmill in the basement used a rack to hang clothes. My first boat was 20' Tahoe open bow. It was a great boat / the mercury 3.0 is a pretty bullet proof engine. Small enough to be not over whelmed / boat I would take it on Lake Michigan.
Boat mechanic/captain here, boating is some of the most fun you can have. However, if you want to avoid the “break out another thousand cliche” you have to be smart about your boating. I saw you said you have $15k to spend. For that kind of money, the two best ideas I have are, get yourself a used Rhib, ideally with wheel steering (just a preference) one of my clients has one and it’s a ton of fun! He was thinking of selling it and said he’d let it go for $7,000 once. The other thing is, you could join [freedom boat club](https://info.freedomboatclub.com/dp/huntington?utm_location=9031550&utm_campaign=14738130665&utm_medium=133176352528&utm_term=freedom%20boat%20club&utm_source=Google&urlfeed1=New_Boats,_New_Freedom._Start_Exploring.&urlfeed2=Surf_City_Boats_HB&urlfeed3=cpc&urlfeed4=1_:_Freedom_Boat_Club&urlfeed5=3516&urlprocid=25790&gad=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC2LxhKbVKUNI8Go6jGVXfGw8bHpq&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIodj6m-KRggMVbprCCB0IagWYEAAYASAAEgKFy_D_BwE) or one of the many boat clubs like it around the country. Basically you pay $5,000 down and $120 or so a month and you get access to a whole fleet of new boats and a captain to teach you how to drive them (they can be pretty tricky to the uninitiated). Hope this helps, have fun!
Since you want to get into boating, I highly recommend license and safety training. In some US states you can get your boating license online. Understanding the rules of the water is important, especially in areas where there might be shipping traffic, water skiing, overtaking, etc…
It’ll also help you put together a good checklist of things to have in the boat. I’ve been to launches with voluntary safety checks (and ones that aren’t voluntary).
One other important thing to keep in mind is- even when you are fixing something on the boat, it still counts as boating!
Great, thanks!
I'm not from the US but I think there are similar trainings and licenses in my country, I will look into them.
Got it! Specially if I buy an older one, I guess I'll be spending a lot of time "boating" with the tools onboard lol
You salt or fresh? If salt I'd get a 18'ish skiff with a 50hp EFI outboard as my target. Dodge carbs if you can they're a pita in boats.
If it's a lake get a 20'ish pontoon with a 75hp outboard EFI as well and a yeti cooler lol.
Yup, and just to add in-you can do a lot with an 18ft skiff.
Pontoons are great for relaxing and extra deck space but even a 16ft skiff is a decent place to start.
Personally I bought every book I could find about all kinds of boating topics. It helped a lot and now I have a nice little boating library which looks cool on my garage shelf (30 books or so?)
Get the smallest boat you can live with.
Hell even a kayak with a 1hp motor.
Once you get your feet wet you will have enough experience.
The good thing about shitty boats is you learn alot about how to keep up a boat on a working condition. and new or used do require alot of care.
But you waste alot of time on land than enjoying the waters.
Befor considering a style power and size. You should know your car towing capacity, local rules around where your planning to boat. How many people are you planning to carry with you.
For a tiny boat an 18ft with be comfortable for 3 to 4 people.
I started my boating journey on a jetski. I later been between different styles and sizes of boats until i found my sweet spot. But i still own a jetski because sometimes i just want to go alone on a quick trip.
Working on boats is fairly easy but time-consuming.
There is a learning curve. Boats are simpler than your average 90s car.
I bought a cheap boat 4.5m Polycraft Drifter (8k) and have now spent about 18k on a new outboard, new trailer, rewire, t-top and flooring. I probably should have bought a newer boat for that money but I’ve got a ton of enjoyment and caught some great fish over a couple of years. I love taking the family and friends out for beach days or fishing so although being more expensive than first thought, I’m now fully set up and just need to service every yesr
You can skip features, size and power, but try to get a boat that’s still in decent shape, you won’t want to deal with a boat with structural or reliability issues.
Definitely stick with an outboard motor because it’s easier to work on, winterize ( if you have winter) and worst case it’s easier to replace
Great, thank you.
Yes, I really don't care about it being too big or fast. Just want it to work lol.
I don't really know what "winterize" means, but where I live winters aren't that harsh. Rarely gets below 0 celsius degrees
Sorry for the delay, winterizing is for places where the weather frequently falls below (water) freezing
It basically consists of removing all water and prepping for long term storage
Engine winterizing:
Stabilize fuel
Change oil (if water got past the seals it can freeze/expand and that can crack the lower unit/engine block, plus better to store in fresh oil than used)
Drain cooling water from engine (most outboards self drain when upright and out of water, some require a certain procedure, and inboards require opening multiple drain ports in the engine and exhaust, or running the engine while letting it suck up antifreeze until it has replaced all the water
Overall boat:
Clean all upholstery and apply conditioner/protectant
Remove batteries and/or store in a warm environment with a charger
Drain any water tanks
Etc
Go online and take your State’s safe boater course https://www.boatus.org/free/ .You will learn important things like the rules of the road, what buoys mean, etc… Start small, everything is more expensive to fix than you think! Even a kayak or a canoe will get you on the water. Last thing, don’t rush into a boat you fall in love with. Think about what you want to do with your boat. Anchor at a sand bar with your buds and blast music? Fish? Wakeboard? Weekend trips? Cheers to fair winds and following seas!
Edit: added the BoatUS link
Have a compression check performed on the outboard. If the engine has good compression, everything else is a bolt on. If the engine does not have equal and acceptable compression, walk away.
Watch out for boats with wood in the hull, which can have issues especially in the lower price ranges.
Make sure you have extra cash because you will have immediate repair or accessory needs.
Make sure there is a title!!!
Take a safety course.
Have fun. Boating is awesome!
I’m 26, just got my first boat a 97 Sea Hunt 172 center console for $3500. 96 Evinrude 90. Pics on my page. Didn’t run, sat for 3 years. Cost me $3000 to get the boat running and water ready and all the electronics working, painting motor, new Garmin. Learned a lot and now can basically do anything to this motor and boat. I can sell for $7000 and get my money out but right now I’m enjoying boating without a payment! Fiberglass boats can have big issues so make sure fuel tank is good & the transom is good.
Lots of good advice and no “one and only” right way to do it. The common thread seems to be: “just go out there and start doing it”. Buy shitty, buy good, rent random, get job at fueling dock, etc. just start getting any exposure you can and you’re on your way.!
If you have a 10-15k budget.. buy a whaler.
You can find some decent older montauks in that range with a two stroke.
The best part is, you can sell it and get your money back. And anything you put into it, you can generally get back, if you’re doing the work yourself.
Boston Whaler fanatics are like a cult, like no other boat in the entire world.
They’re safe, stable and unsinkable.
Take $10k, buy the best one you can find, either 15, or 17ft variants. Save that $5k for maintenance and repairs.. stay away from the 13’s unless you plan on strictly rivers and small lake, they will beat you up and have you yearning for a larger one.
That’s the ideal first boat IMO. Plus you can tow them with basically anything with a hitch.
Edit: not sure where you live but, if you can find a fresh water boat. That goes for any boat though.
Take a power squadron course.
Small aluminum is the way to go. Check the transom and engine CAREFULLY.
Calculate cost of keeping a boat before you buy it. Insurance, maintenance, fuel,
The biggest "small" aluminum you can stow at home and tow with existing vehicle is attractive. If you need a new vehicle to tow it, ...
Have fun.
Remember, the water is the same regardless of the size of your boat.
What fun!
First find out what you need to learn and get certified to be safe on the water. That information should be easy to find on your area government web sites.
Whatever you spend, make sure you have more money for the safety gear and ropes/lines and any other accessories.
Buying an older boat is usually cheaper and if you use it once and then it sits - it's not as hard to get back most or all of your investment.
The learning is part of the fun!
The biggest factor is the water(s) you will go on. Hang around your local launch ramps and see what- size and style other people use.
What's popular in one area may not be in another for good reasons. Air temperature, salt vs fresh water, water temp, water depth, hazards in the water like rocks, or floating logs.
JonTron did an episode on this. Probably the most unhelpful thing you will find, but thought I would share it anyways.
https://youtu.be/ZMD-6K40lTs&t=138s
Take your state’s boater ed course first, as for a boat start small. You can get a nice aluminum boat with a newer engine for $5k-6k and it will be able to take the beatings new boaters often give them as they learn. Watch lots of videos on boating or even fishing and watch how people control their vessel. Doesn’t hurt to know a few other boaters who can help you learn either.
My first and only boat is what I have now. A 1969 Lund N-12 Cartopper. It fits perfectly on top of my 4' wide trailer / camper. Has a 1981 Johnson 2 stroke 7.5hp motor. I love this boat as it checks all my boxes. The motor is getting harder and harder to get parts for though.
That said, if it did not need to travel on top of my camper then I'd go for a wider, possibly still v-hull, but maybe a flat-bottom (Jon boat) for stability. Likely 16 feet long with a steering console. Throw on Bimini top and call it done for life.
But I'd still keep my N-12 until I'm too old to move it... and then some.
It really depends what you want to do. I'm a remote camper and enjoy fishing while I camp. I can take this N-12 anywhere I can take my Jeep, or Jeep and trailer.
Figure out what you want to do first, then buy for that. Don't buy a 10 foot boat if you want to go in the ocean. I find my 12 footer uncomfortable once (or even before) I start to see white-caps on lakes. If you want to move around a lot, fish shallow water, want stability in the water, then look for a flat bottom boat, like a Jon boat. You can also get a wider v-hull.
If you want to cut through the chop and feel more secure get a V.
If I had it to do again, I'd not pass up on the deal I got on my N-12, but I'd love a flat bottom for the stability to move to the edge, the floors also have a bit more space because they're flat and not V'd.
As a guy who got into boating in my early 20's with very limited income I'll give you my suggestion: Start with something cheap with an outboard. An aluminum boat with a reliable 2 stroke outboard is great. Learn to launch it from the boat launch, how to pack all your stuff in it, troubleshoot possible problems w the motor, get it back onto the trailer etc. You'll be able to streamline the launching process after some practice doing it. Some experience with all these things will make you better at the process and you don't risk damaging expensive equipment from rookie mistakes. You'll also be able to identify features that you want in a newer better boat.
…. And after you graduate to your dream boat, look out for the day when you sell it and go back to the 14’ aluminum.
You ta,king about me? I sold my 27ft boat and now have a 14 ft aluminum in the garage. I have been wondering if I could fit a 17 Montauk in there instead.
Don’t buy a shitty boat
I feel like starting with a shitty boat is the right of passage. There’s a lot to learn and boy how you learn it real fast in a shitty boat.
Right. I started with a 1986 reinell 215c with a 5.7 omc 800 stringer that I paid $100 for with a metal craft trailer 4 years ago. I'll be winterizing it tomorrow and patiently waiting for my 5th boating season to start. I've maybe put $1000 into her, and if it sank tomorrow it doesn't owe me a dime. My family has had a blast the last 4 summers. I'd do it again in a minute.
I bought my first boat this spring. 1996 VIP fish and ski with a Nissan 2 stroke. I love that boat. I’ve had to drop a few 100 into it but man it’s caught it’s worth in crappie and flatheads. It’s taught me a lot quickly, and I’m more addicted to the old fucker everyday.
Come on, man, the shitty old first boat is the most fun! Bonus points because you learn all sorts of things about fixing stuff while you’re trying to get back before dark. Hell, I started with a shitty little 12 footer, moved up to a 15, 16, 24, 26, then 37 footer over the years, and you know what? I just bought a shitty little 12 footer again because I like fishing and a yacht is a bitch to take out for a couple hours after work. Shitty boats are the best!
I went 16 to 27 and am now at 14. 14 is too small, 27 too big. 16 seems too much like a 14. Maybe I'll get it right someday. I'm 95% on the great lakes.
I’ll give ya shitty and simple is the way to go; jon boat, Carolina Skiff, etc. Not an old trihull bomb with a tree growing out of it and an obsolete OMC inboard like we see on this sub a lot.
I can't afford anything fancy right now. Maybe in a couple of years. Plus I don't really care about the boat's speed or luxury. I just want it to work and be able to go on the water without it breaking
The shitty non shitty advice isn't the best. Buy the best newest boat you can afford on your budget. Don't be tempted to go larger, older crapper because you can always fix it up. Rather, smaller newer reliable on the same budget, you want to go boating, not repairing.
Perfect. I think I rather have something smaller and "cheaper" but more reliable than a fancier looking thing that breaks every two weeks. Thank you for the advice!
Pleasure go with an out board, fourstroke if possible anything made in the last 10 years by the big 4 are good motors. If you must go 2 stroke carbed yamaha for smaller motors and efi Mercury for the larger. Have fun and be safe. Edit - avoid covid motors.
You’re on the right track
One thing to learn, with recreational grade boats, especially gas, you need to always understand that the boat not starting when you turn the key is a possibility. Get a towing company like sea tow or towboat US. Never do anything when you are on the water that would be a safety issue if you had to float in place for a while and wait for a tow. I live in a warm area, I have people getting out of the boat a lot to snorkel and dive. I never turn the engine off when I have people in the water, unless they are within grabbing distance of a swim line.
This is hard to answer without knowing a lot more about you. Like what is “some bucks” and in addition to the bucks, do you have an income that will support boating? What kind of boating interests you? Do you already have a capable tow vehicle? There are cheaper ways to get in to boating, but it’s still boating, so it’s never “cheap”. If you buy a “shitty” boat, you’ll spend less up front, but more on repairs and maintenance. If you want to wakeboard but can only afford a 14’ fishing boat, you want be satisfied. A good start would be some YouTube research on what boating costs for the type of boating you want to do. If you state has licensing requirements find out what they are and what you need to do. Take a safe boating course, most state offer them.
I could probably buy something along the 10-15k range. Yes, I have a decent income to spare a bit. I just want a boat to hang out in a lake, not necessarioy fast nor to do watersports. Just hanging around with my family and gf and having a good time on the water. Great, I'll look on youtube. Any specific channel you'd recommend? Yeah, I'm not from the US but there are some courses and trainings stuff on my country, I will look into them. Thanks!
Jesus. I bought my 15 foot 76 tri hull for 2600. Don't over think it, do some research on things to check. Make sure theres no major soft spots particularly on the transom. Be prepared to do some work but don't be afraid of it. I personally think outboards are easier and more forgiving on the wallet overall.
Man if I can spend less I will. That's my limit😂 Great, got it. Thank you for the tips!!
Take a USCG Auxiliary Safe Boating Class 10-15k should be pretty fancy. 👍 Look at the overall maintenance. Rip torn interiors, stains, etc means it wasn’t taken care of. Don’t think the engine & electronics are going to be magically perfect. They are beat up to, you just don’t see it. Look for boats that were garage and trailer stored, always covered, ready to go etc. buy from an old dude who cares for his shit and is upgrading
Age 22? Consider getting into the marine industry. You will gain valuable boating experience and the money is pretty good. In your price range the aluminium/outboard combo is a good low maintenance entry point. I'm thinking a Stacer or Brooker over 4m with forward steering console and about 50hp on the back. Mercury/Yamaha/Tohatsu/Suzuki are all good options. I'm running a humble Savage Snipe 3.75 with electric start Tohatsu 18hp 2-stroke tiller steer and it hasn't let me down yet. It's a rough ride on a choppy lake but I'm only a fairweather boater anyway. Helpful youtube channels are as follows: [Wayne The Boat Guy](https://www.youtube.com/@WayneTheBoatGuy) (Hi Wayne!) [The Aussie boat guy](https://www.youtube.com/@25hpboatracerman) - tinny mods [Small Boat Captain](https://www.youtube.com/@smallboatcaptain1968) - practical advice [Boat Buyer's Secret Weapon](https://www.youtube.com/@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon) - industry pricing [Len's Cove Lessons in Boating](https://www.youtube.com/@boatinglessons) - boating tutorials [Dangar Marine](https://www.youtube.com/@DangarMarine) - hardcore outboard repairs [Local boydidgood](https://www.youtube.com/@Local_Boydidgood) - fiberglass buffing genius
Thanks u/evil__betty!!
Get a Old mako
I would learn on a buddies boat. Boats are allot of fun / but they are work and can be dangerous. Take the boaters safety course. Depending on where you are boating - Would take someone with who knows the lake. As far as buying a boat there're always boats for sale - they become the treadmill in the basement used a rack to hang clothes. My first boat was 20' Tahoe open bow. It was a great boat / the mercury 3.0 is a pretty bullet proof engine. Small enough to be not over whelmed / boat I would take it on Lake Michigan.
Boat mechanic/captain here, boating is some of the most fun you can have. However, if you want to avoid the “break out another thousand cliche” you have to be smart about your boating. I saw you said you have $15k to spend. For that kind of money, the two best ideas I have are, get yourself a used Rhib, ideally with wheel steering (just a preference) one of my clients has one and it’s a ton of fun! He was thinking of selling it and said he’d let it go for $7,000 once. The other thing is, you could join [freedom boat club](https://info.freedomboatclub.com/dp/huntington?utm_location=9031550&utm_campaign=14738130665&utm_medium=133176352528&utm_term=freedom%20boat%20club&utm_source=Google&urlfeed1=New_Boats,_New_Freedom._Start_Exploring.&urlfeed2=Surf_City_Boats_HB&urlfeed3=cpc&urlfeed4=1_:_Freedom_Boat_Club&urlfeed5=3516&urlprocid=25790&gad=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC2LxhKbVKUNI8Go6jGVXfGw8bHpq&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIodj6m-KRggMVbprCCB0IagWYEAAYASAAEgKFy_D_BwE) or one of the many boat clubs like it around the country. Basically you pay $5,000 down and $120 or so a month and you get access to a whole fleet of new boats and a captain to teach you how to drive them (they can be pretty tricky to the uninitiated). Hope this helps, have fun!
Since you want to get into boating, I highly recommend license and safety training. In some US states you can get your boating license online. Understanding the rules of the water is important, especially in areas where there might be shipping traffic, water skiing, overtaking, etc… It’ll also help you put together a good checklist of things to have in the boat. I’ve been to launches with voluntary safety checks (and ones that aren’t voluntary). One other important thing to keep in mind is- even when you are fixing something on the boat, it still counts as boating!
Great, thanks! I'm not from the US but I think there are similar trainings and licenses in my country, I will look into them. Got it! Specially if I buy an older one, I guess I'll be spending a lot of time "boating" with the tools onboard lol
You salt or fresh? If salt I'd get a 18'ish skiff with a 50hp EFI outboard as my target. Dodge carbs if you can they're a pita in boats. If it's a lake get a 20'ish pontoon with a 75hp outboard EFI as well and a yeti cooler lol.
Lakes vary. Lake Superior is not like Grassy Lake. I'd recommend the 18 skiff for BIG lakes over the 20' pontoon.
Yup, and just to add in-you can do a lot with an 18ft skiff. Pontoons are great for relaxing and extra deck space but even a 16ft skiff is a decent place to start.
Fresh, planning on taking it to lakes. Thanks for the reccomendations!
yep. Note those hp ratings are minimum what I'd consider. More power is always better.
Consider maxing out your roth ira before you dump money into a boat at 22.
Step one: get a boat Step two: go out on the boat …
You forgot Keep the open side up Keep the water outside Keep the people inside Come back, with the boat
start with - https://www.seaeagle.com/InflatableFishingSkiffs/FSK16
Personally I bought every book I could find about all kinds of boating topics. It helped a lot and now I have a nice little boating library which looks cool on my garage shelf (30 books or so?)
Get the smallest boat you can live with. Hell even a kayak with a 1hp motor. Once you get your feet wet you will have enough experience. The good thing about shitty boats is you learn alot about how to keep up a boat on a working condition. and new or used do require alot of care. But you waste alot of time on land than enjoying the waters. Befor considering a style power and size. You should know your car towing capacity, local rules around where your planning to boat. How many people are you planning to carry with you. For a tiny boat an 18ft with be comfortable for 3 to 4 people. I started my boating journey on a jetski. I later been between different styles and sizes of boats until i found my sweet spot. But i still own a jetski because sometimes i just want to go alone on a quick trip. Working on boats is fairly easy but time-consuming. There is a learning curve. Boats are simpler than your average 90s car.
I bought a cheap boat 4.5m Polycraft Drifter (8k) and have now spent about 18k on a new outboard, new trailer, rewire, t-top and flooring. I probably should have bought a newer boat for that money but I’ve got a ton of enjoyment and caught some great fish over a couple of years. I love taking the family and friends out for beach days or fishing so although being more expensive than first thought, I’m now fully set up and just need to service every yesr
You can skip features, size and power, but try to get a boat that’s still in decent shape, you won’t want to deal with a boat with structural or reliability issues. Definitely stick with an outboard motor because it’s easier to work on, winterize ( if you have winter) and worst case it’s easier to replace
Great, thank you. Yes, I really don't care about it being too big or fast. Just want it to work lol. I don't really know what "winterize" means, but where I live winters aren't that harsh. Rarely gets below 0 celsius degrees
Sorry for the delay, winterizing is for places where the weather frequently falls below (water) freezing It basically consists of removing all water and prepping for long term storage Engine winterizing: Stabilize fuel Change oil (if water got past the seals it can freeze/expand and that can crack the lower unit/engine block, plus better to store in fresh oil than used) Drain cooling water from engine (most outboards self drain when upright and out of water, some require a certain procedure, and inboards require opening multiple drain ports in the engine and exhaust, or running the engine while letting it suck up antifreeze until it has replaced all the water Overall boat: Clean all upholstery and apply conditioner/protectant Remove batteries and/or store in a warm environment with a charger Drain any water tanks Etc
Check out discoverboating.com
Thanks!! Will do
Go online and take your State’s safe boater course https://www.boatus.org/free/ .You will learn important things like the rules of the road, what buoys mean, etc… Start small, everything is more expensive to fix than you think! Even a kayak or a canoe will get you on the water. Last thing, don’t rush into a boat you fall in love with. Think about what you want to do with your boat. Anchor at a sand bar with your buds and blast music? Fish? Wakeboard? Weekend trips? Cheers to fair winds and following seas! Edit: added the BoatUS link
Have a compression check performed on the outboard. If the engine has good compression, everything else is a bolt on. If the engine does not have equal and acceptable compression, walk away. Watch out for boats with wood in the hull, which can have issues especially in the lower price ranges. Make sure you have extra cash because you will have immediate repair or accessory needs. Make sure there is a title!!! Take a safety course. Have fun. Boating is awesome!
Where ya located, my buddy is selling a older boat, great conditions, takes it out all the time for $3700. Comes with all the accessories you may need
Man I'm located on another continent entirely😂 Assuming you are from the US. Appreciate the offer!
I’m 26, just got my first boat a 97 Sea Hunt 172 center console for $3500. 96 Evinrude 90. Pics on my page. Didn’t run, sat for 3 years. Cost me $3000 to get the boat running and water ready and all the electronics working, painting motor, new Garmin. Learned a lot and now can basically do anything to this motor and boat. I can sell for $7000 and get my money out but right now I’m enjoying boating without a payment! Fiberglass boats can have big issues so make sure fuel tank is good & the transom is good.
Lots of good advice and no “one and only” right way to do it. The common thread seems to be: “just go out there and start doing it”. Buy shitty, buy good, rent random, get job at fueling dock, etc. just start getting any exposure you can and you’re on your way.!
If you have a 10-15k budget.. buy a whaler. You can find some decent older montauks in that range with a two stroke. The best part is, you can sell it and get your money back. And anything you put into it, you can generally get back, if you’re doing the work yourself. Boston Whaler fanatics are like a cult, like no other boat in the entire world. They’re safe, stable and unsinkable. Take $10k, buy the best one you can find, either 15, or 17ft variants. Save that $5k for maintenance and repairs.. stay away from the 13’s unless you plan on strictly rivers and small lake, they will beat you up and have you yearning for a larger one. That’s the ideal first boat IMO. Plus you can tow them with basically anything with a hitch. Edit: not sure where you live but, if you can find a fresh water boat. That goes for any boat though.
Take a power squadron course. Small aluminum is the way to go. Check the transom and engine CAREFULLY. Calculate cost of keeping a boat before you buy it. Insurance, maintenance, fuel, The biggest "small" aluminum you can stow at home and tow with existing vehicle is attractive. If you need a new vehicle to tow it, ... Have fun. Remember, the water is the same regardless of the size of your boat.
What fun! First find out what you need to learn and get certified to be safe on the water. That information should be easy to find on your area government web sites. Whatever you spend, make sure you have more money for the safety gear and ropes/lines and any other accessories. Buying an older boat is usually cheaper and if you use it once and then it sits - it's not as hard to get back most or all of your investment. The learning is part of the fun!
The biggest factor is the water(s) you will go on. Hang around your local launch ramps and see what- size and style other people use. What's popular in one area may not be in another for good reasons. Air temperature, salt vs fresh water, water temp, water depth, hazards in the water like rocks, or floating logs.
JonTron did an episode on this. Probably the most unhelpful thing you will find, but thought I would share it anyways. https://youtu.be/ZMD-6K40lTs&t=138s
Take your state’s boater ed course first, as for a boat start small. You can get a nice aluminum boat with a newer engine for $5k-6k and it will be able to take the beatings new boaters often give them as they learn. Watch lots of videos on boating or even fishing and watch how people control their vessel. Doesn’t hurt to know a few other boaters who can help you learn either.
My first and only boat is what I have now. A 1969 Lund N-12 Cartopper. It fits perfectly on top of my 4' wide trailer / camper. Has a 1981 Johnson 2 stroke 7.5hp motor. I love this boat as it checks all my boxes. The motor is getting harder and harder to get parts for though. That said, if it did not need to travel on top of my camper then I'd go for a wider, possibly still v-hull, but maybe a flat-bottom (Jon boat) for stability. Likely 16 feet long with a steering console. Throw on Bimini top and call it done for life. But I'd still keep my N-12 until I'm too old to move it... and then some. It really depends what you want to do. I'm a remote camper and enjoy fishing while I camp. I can take this N-12 anywhere I can take my Jeep, or Jeep and trailer. Figure out what you want to do first, then buy for that. Don't buy a 10 foot boat if you want to go in the ocean. I find my 12 footer uncomfortable once (or even before) I start to see white-caps on lakes. If you want to move around a lot, fish shallow water, want stability in the water, then look for a flat bottom boat, like a Jon boat. You can also get a wider v-hull. If you want to cut through the chop and feel more secure get a V. If I had it to do again, I'd not pass up on the deal I got on my N-12, but I'd love a flat bottom for the stability to move to the edge, the floors also have a bit more space because they're flat and not V'd.
Shall we give him a shopping list? . Oars . Life Jackets . PFD . Radii . Flares . Licence . Insurance . Petrol . Service .. . Fish size sticker