Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - What to look for in a used boat--HELP!!!

LIforrelaxin · 05-03-2007, 05:01 PM

Beagle,

My advice here is on a different angle... with what you are willing to spend 30K to 40K you could look at a smaller new boat. A 18' to 21' Four Winns as an example would fall into this catagory. Then you wouldn't have to wonder about how well a used boat was taken care off. Now there are arguments to the bigger boats such as stability handling in rough weather etc. etc. and depending on the part of the lake you will be boating in most often these things may be a concern. But I myself by choice only have an 18' and rarely have issues on the lake. I just stay away from the Wiers in July. Now other reason I recomend considering a smaller boat. If this is your first boat, then a smaller boat is going to be easier to learn to maneuver in tight quarters. Also you mention you have a place on the water (I am assuming not on an island), so your boat is not your direct access to the lake, and therefore you don't need to be as worried about being comfortable all day long on the water, you will use the boat for a few hours and then return it to the dock where it will sit. you just need to something comfortable enough for a ride a couple times durring the day. Last reason for recomending a smaller boat, bigger the boat, the bigger the wake, and if you have kids that want to ski tube etc. etc. a smaller boat that planes quicker is more advantageous. Well those are my thoughts..... You will get plenty of advice here, none of it is wrong we just all have varying opions, and objectives....

Cobalts for the high end, and Fourwinns for the mid-grade are my recomendations..... Chaparalls are also nice.......

Good luck and good boating.....

05-03-2007, 05:01 PM	#8
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,918 Thanks: 1,050 Thanked 900 Times in 530 Posts	a few more cents here Beagle, My advice here is on a different angle... with what you are willing to spend 30K to 40K you could look at a smaller new boat. A 18' to 21' Four Winns as an example would fall into this catagory. Then you wouldn't have to wonder about how well a used boat was taken care off. Now there are arguments to the bigger boats such as stability handling in rough weather etc. etc. and depending on the part of the lake you will be boating in most often these things may be a concern. But I myself by choice only have an 18' and rarely have issues on the lake. I just stay away from the Wiers in July. Now other reason I recomend considering a smaller boat. If this is your first boat, then a smaller boat is going to be easier to learn to maneuver in tight quarters. Also you mention you have a place on the water (I am assuming not on an island), so your boat is not your direct access to the lake, and therefore you don't need to be as worried about being comfortable all day long on the water, you will use the boat for a few hours and then return it to the dock where it will sit. you just need to something comfortable enough for a ride a couple times durring the day. Last reason for recomending a smaller boat, bigger the boat, the bigger the wake, and if you have kids that want to ski tube etc. etc. a smaller boat that planes quicker is more advantageous. Well those are my thoughts..... You will get plenty of advice here, none of it is wrong we just all have varying opions, and objectives.... Cobalts for the high end, and Fourwinns for the mid-grade are my recomendations..... Chaparalls are also nice....... Good luck and good boating..... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....