New to Boating

sum-r breeze · 03-19-2014, 02:56 PM

If you are going to trailer a cruiser...it has to have less than a 9 foot beam. I think you'll still be under that number in a 28 Sundancer. Our 300 Dancer has a 10'6" beam and not trailerable without a special permit. Bigger is always better and consider MVYC for slip rental. As I posted in a previous thread, your winter storage is INCLUDED in your slip rental fee. It might be a better deal to buy the bigger boat, leave it in Gilford and NOT have to trailer it back and forth. Good Luck and welcome to the lake!!!!

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

Lakeboater · 03-19-2014, 03:35 PM

"Some marinas will only rent you a slip if you buy the boat, new or used, from the marina"
Which marinas have this policy?

Bear Islander · 03-20-2014, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakeboater

"Some marinas will only rent you a slip if you buy the boat, new or used, from the marina"
Which marinas have this policy?

Shep Browns

BMAB · 03-20-2014, 03:59 PM

Wow. I cant thank everyone enough. So many things to think about. We have done a lot of research and because we are new to boating this first hand advice is very helpful..
Thanks again!

Sleezstak · 03-20-2014, 04:20 PM

Please- Look into your options even if they are not what you think you want. Look at a smaller boat, valet and so on. Perhaps totally what you do not want. It gets expensive and big boats can tie you up. What if the kids dont like it in year two? Is the excitiment based on being on a freinds boat only a couple times a summer.
You sink some money into a big boat, rent a slip and so on the the feel to be up there every weekend will seep in.
Perhaps look at getting a smaller boat and stay up there some weekends. It will cost you less and get a better feel of the costs and commitment.
If it is a home run, trade it in on a bigger one, get slip and enjoy.

Alot of good advice here, alot of good people. Boating is expensive. Good Luck

Happy Gourmand · 03-20-2014, 04:30 PM

Sounds like you want a cruiser, but also would like to tow a skier and and tuber and generally cruise around.
We had owned boats for several years when we got out of boating a few years back. After a couple years of missing it, we couldn't decide if we wanted another boat or what kind of boat we would like to own.
The ABC has several boats, from a 24' Sea Ray cruiser, pontoon boats, and a couple of 21' Sea Ray bow riders...one is an SLX that goes like crazy!
We joined for a year and really enjoyed it. We used every boat they had many times and other than the membership fee, only paid for the gas we used. I think it is one of the better ways to discover if boating is good for you.
Anyways, after the first year, we decided to again get our own boat and we really enjoy it.
I recommend that you or any potential new boating prospects check them out. Great people, nice location just north of Weirs Beach, and as a boat club member you get access to all their great facilities.
Definitely worth checking out.
I have no association with them other than I was a member of the boat club 2 years ago, and a social member of the Yatch club last year which gave us use of all the facilities except use of the boats.

tis · 03-20-2014, 05:37 PM

Or if they can't decide Phantom, they could always buy two boats.

pcmc · 03-20-2014, 08:27 PM

As far as sleeping accommodations, what do you do when you want to invite friends up to the lake? Just say'in.

jrc · 03-20-2014, 10:42 PM

Lot's of good advice. Like a lot of things, weekending on a boat isn't for everyone. But, we and many friends we met while boating, are hooked.

We launch right after ice-out and pull the boat in late October. We cherish every weekend and find a way to spend as much time on the lake as possible. If friends want to stay, we put up the canvas, or rent them a room. People tube with big boats but skiing is really not practical.

You really can't find a better way to have a house on the lake. I won't argue with Woody's math but your own boat is much different than a hotel room.

If you have doubts buy a used boat. Something reasonably sized at least three or four years old, will not depreciate much in one season. If come fall you didn't enjoy the experience, getting out should be too bad financially.

I'm rethinking my size comments, my parents started with a 19 footer, then moved up to 22.5 cuddy. They had a blast every weekend, I spent enough time there to get hooked. So small is relative, I'm just spoiled now.

jrc · 03-19-2014, 03:50 PM

Here's my list of places to wet slip for overnight, in no real order:

Mountain View YC (condo)
Glendale YC (condo)
Gilford YC (condo)
Fay's Boat Yard (boat dealer)
Spinnaker Cove YC (condo)
Irwin Marine (boat dealer)
Shep Brown's Boat Basin (boat dealer)
Lakeport Landing (boat dealer)
Paugus Bay Marina (boat dealer)
Parker Marine (small boats only)
West Alton Marina (rental)
Meredith Marina (boat dealer and condo)
Meredith YC (condo)
Akwa Marina YC (rental)
Wolfeboro Corinthian YC (condo)
Melvin Village Marina (boat dealer)
Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard (boat dealer)
Quayside YC (condo)
Silver Sands Marina (boat dealer)
Channel Marine (boat dealer) do they rent slips?
Gillian Marine (boat dealer)
Thurston's Marina (boat dealer)
Y-Landing (boat dealer)

I'm sure I missed some or messed some up

Liquorish · 03-19-2014, 04:06 PM

We to live south of Boston, have been going to the lake for 20+ years! we're fortunate to have purchased a home on the lake 4 years ago, but spent many weekends trailering when the kids were little, certainly a real pain! Then, rented a slip for 12 years, had many boats, would definitely recommend that you buy as big as your budget allows, you'll need your space. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

MAXUM · 03-19-2014, 04:44 PM

Hmm...

I think you may think twice about playing around with a boat like that, in regards to pulling skiers and/or a tube. Sure you can, but good grief you are going to be burning some copious amounts of gas for one, and making one hell of a wake for the ones behind the boat to deal with. First piece of advice, get your cabin cruiser, make friends with somebody that has a boat better suited for pulling a skier or tube.

As for the rest, everyone has their opinions and it's always good to hear what folks have to say. In the end the best thing you can do is get educated, watch the market for a while so you can get an idea of prices. The more you look the more you will get an idea of what works for you. No matter the year or size this is a huge investment for YOUR enjoyment so make sure whatever you get it meets your expectations. As I always say half the fun of having a boat is shopping for one! Don't always think you have to buy locally either and be very careful in dealing with any of the stealerships around the lakes region. Oh they are nice alright, their prices... not so much.

TiltonBB · 03-19-2014, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

If you are going to trailer a cruiser...it has to have less than a 9 foot beam. I think you'll still be under that number in a 28 Sundancer.
The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

The legal width limit for any vehicle on the road whether it is a boat or a tractor trailer is 8'6" (102 inches). You can get permits very easily but anything wider than 8'6" requires a "Wide Load" sign and anything over 10'6" requires the chase cars with signage.

The 28 SeaRay has a beam of 8'10"

03-19-2014, 02:56 PM	#1
sum-r breeze Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Burlington Ma / Laconia NH Posts: 396 Thanks: 155 Thanked 201 Times in 97 Posts	Consider the beam If you are going to trailer a cruiser...it has to have less than a 9 foot beam. I think you'll still be under that number in a 28 Sundancer. Our 300 Dancer has a 10'6" beam and not trailerable without a special permit. Bigger is always better and consider MVYC for slip rental. As I posted in a previous thread, your winter storage is INCLUDED in your slip rental fee. It might be a better deal to buy the bigger boat, leave it in Gilford and NOT have to trailer it back and forth. Good Luck and welcome to the lake!!!! The Breeze Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

03-20-2014, 04:30 PM	#6
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	American Boat Club Sounds like you want a cruiser, but also would like to tow a skier and and tuber and generally cruise around. We had owned boats for several years when we got out of boating a few years back. After a couple years of missing it, we couldn't decide if we wanted another boat or what kind of boat we would like to own. The ABC has several boats, from a 24' Sea Ray cruiser, pontoon boats, and a couple of 21' Sea Ray bow riders...one is an SLX that goes like crazy! We joined for a year and really enjoyed it. We used every boat they had many times and other than the membership fee, only paid for the gas we used. I think it is one of the better ways to discover if boating is good for you. Anyways, after the first year, we decided to again get our own boat and we really enjoy it. I recommend that you or any potential new boating prospects check them out. Great people, nice location just north of Weirs Beach, and as a boat club member you get access to all their great facilities. Definitely worth checking out. I have no association with them other than I was a member of the boat club 2 years ago, and a social member of the Yatch club last year which gave us use of all the facilities except use of the boats.

03-19-2014, 03:35 PM	#2
Lakeboater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 394 Thanks: 20 Thanked 131 Times in 94 Posts	"Some marinas will only rent you a slip if you buy the boat, new or used, from the marina" Which marinas have this policy?

03-20-2014, 03:59 PM	#4
BMAB Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 5 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow. I cant thank everyone enough. So many things to think about. We have done a lot of research and because we are new to boating this first hand advice is very helpful.. Thanks again!

03-20-2014, 04:20 PM	#5
Sleezstak Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NH Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Please- Look into your options even if they are not what you think you want. Look at a smaller boat, valet and so on. Perhaps totally what you do not want. It gets expensive and big boats can tie you up. What if the kids dont like it in year two? Is the excitiment based on being on a freinds boat only a couple times a summer. You sink some money into a big boat, rent a slip and so on the the feel to be up there every weekend will seep in. Perhaps look at getting a smaller boat and stay up there some weekends. It will cost you less and get a better feel of the costs and commitment. If it is a home run, trade it in on a bigger one, get slip and enjoy. Alot of good advice here, alot of good people. Boating is expensive. Good Luck

03-20-2014, 05:37 PM	#7
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,846 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	Or if they can't decide Phantom, they could always buy two boats.

03-20-2014, 08:27 PM	#8
pcmc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 412 Thanks: 211 Thanked 106 Times in 73 Posts	As far as sleeping accommodations, what do you do when you want to invite friends up to the lake? Just say'in.

03-20-2014, 10:42 PM	#9
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Lot's of good advice. Like a lot of things, weekending on a boat isn't for everyone. But, we and many friends we met while boating, are hooked. We launch right after ice-out and pull the boat in late October. We cherish every weekend and find a way to spend as much time on the lake as possible. If friends want to stay, we put up the canvas, or rent them a room. People tube with big boats but skiing is really not practical. You really can't find a better way to have a house on the lake. I won't argue with Woody's math but your own boat is much different than a hotel room. If you have doubts buy a used boat. Something reasonably sized at least three or four years old, will not depreciate much in one season. If come fall you didn't enjoy the experience, getting out should be too bad financially. I'm rethinking my size comments, my parents started with a 19 footer, then moved up to 22.5 cuddy. They had a blast every weekend, I spent enough time there to get hooked. So small is relative, I'm just spoiled now.

03-19-2014, 03:50 PM	#10
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Here's my list of places to wet slip for overnight, in no real order: Mountain View YC (condo) Glendale YC (condo) Gilford YC (condo) Fay's Boat Yard (boat dealer) Spinnaker Cove YC (condo) Irwin Marine (boat dealer) Shep Brown's Boat Basin (boat dealer) Lakeport Landing (boat dealer) Paugus Bay Marina (boat dealer) Parker Marine (small boats only) West Alton Marina (rental) Meredith Marina (boat dealer and condo) Meredith YC (condo) Akwa Marina YC (rental) Wolfeboro Corinthian YC (condo) Melvin Village Marina (boat dealer) Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard (boat dealer) Quayside YC (condo) Silver Sands Marina (boat dealer) Channel Marine (boat dealer) do they rent slips? Gillian Marine (boat dealer) Thurston's Marina (boat dealer) Y-Landing (boat dealer) I'm sure I missed some or messed some up

03-19-2014, 04:06 PM	#11
Liquorish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Medfield Ma & Meredith Nh Posts: 93 Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	We to live south of Boston, have been going to the lake for 20+ years! we're fortunate to have purchased a home on the lake 4 years ago, but spent many weekends trailering when the kids were little, certainly a real pain! Then, rented a slip for 12 years, had many boats, would definitely recommend that you buy as big as your budget allows, you'll need your space. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

03-19-2014, 04:44 PM	#12
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	Hmm... I think you may think twice about playing around with a boat like that, in regards to pulling skiers and/or a tube. Sure you can, but good grief you are going to be burning some copious amounts of gas for one, and making one hell of a wake for the ones behind the boat to deal with. First piece of advice, get your cabin cruiser, make friends with somebody that has a boat better suited for pulling a skier or tube. As for the rest, everyone has their opinions and it's always good to hear what folks have to say. In the end the best thing you can do is get educated, watch the market for a while so you can get an idea of prices. The more you look the more you will get an idea of what works for you. No matter the year or size this is a huge investment for YOUR enjoyment so make sure whatever you get it meets your expectations. As I always say half the fun of having a boat is shopping for one! Don't always think you have to buy locally either and be very careful in dealing with any of the stealerships around the lakes region. Oh they are nice alright, their prices... not so much.