New to Boating

BMAB · 03-20-2014, 04:59 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, 05:20 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, 05:30 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, 06:37 PM

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

pcmc · 03-20-2014, 09:27 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, 11:42 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.

03-20-2014, 05:30 PM	#3
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.

03-20-2014, 04:59 PM	#1
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, 05:20 PM	#2
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, 06:37 PM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,775 Thanks: 755 Thanked 1,464 Times in 1,020 Posts	Or if they can't decide Phantom, they could always buy two boats.

03-20-2014, 09:27 PM	#5
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, 11:42 PM	#6
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.