Ideal Island Boat

ishoot308 · 04-07-2014, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

That 248 is $100k+ and is new enough that there really is no used inventory out there. My office is right next door to the mfg plant so I see them often.

Wow is the 248 really over $100K !!

My Eastern Lobster 22' cost me just over $50K new and it came with a beautiful trailer! While I realize the 2' additional length and 6" added beam makes a difference, I never would of thought the price was more than double!!

Dan

brk-lnt · 04-07-2014, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Wow is the 248 really over $100K !!

My Eastern Lobster 22' cost me just over $50K new and it came with a beautiful trailer! While I realize the 2' additional length and 6" added beam makes a difference, I never would of thought the price was more than double!!

Dan

They are also throwing in a nice embroidered hat if you order this month, so there is that.

codeman671 · 04-07-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Wow is the 248 really over $100K !!

My Eastern Lobster 22' cost me just over $50K new and it came with a beautiful trailer! While I realize the 2' additional length and 6" added beam makes a difference, I never would of thought the price was more than double!!

Dan

Yep, that's a lot of money for that boat. They do a nice job but you pay for it.

I looked into the 248 Explorer a few years ago, before the Islander came out. It did not have quite enough deck space for me so we were taking about doing the 248 stretched a bit. Nice boat, but I just could see spending the $$$, plus the lead time was too long at the point they finally got the pricing to me.

Island Girl · 04-07-2014, 04:28 PM

If you are on the broads side of Rattlesnake a flat bottom boat will be a much rougher ride than a v hull. If you can't have curtains, at least a bimini. We spent many years with just that and it kept us and our stuff from getting soaked or baked.

Hauling stuff is a fact of life. It never ends. I like the refrigerator concept above. Walk arounds are super for island living.

I like the outboard, but had an I/O until last year and it never froze, though I worried in late October.

There is probably no such thing as an all around boat, so getting there safely is the first consideration. You can pull skiers and tubes with a jetski!

IG

Descant · 04-07-2014, 11:53 PM

All good thoughts above, but you don't know what works for you until you do it. What works this year may not work when the kids are teenagers. If you're an islander, almost anything will work and you'll be happy on the island. If you're a boater, you'll go to the boat show every year just to caress the fiberglass and dream about one that is a foot longer and 6" wider, with an extra big...?.(engine, sunpad, head, bimini, swim platform...).

So, I think I'm a boater. Happy to get in the boat to go to Center Harbor, Wolfeboro for a newspaper or two screws and a hose clamp. (Did you know trhe hardware store in Paugus Bay has its own dock?) Other family members say "put it on the list, we'll get it next trip." Of course, as an islander, I know that my neighbor has two screws and a clamp in his tool shed and he knows what tools I have. We're islanders, after all. But, neither of us has an ice cream stand next to the tool shed, so we're boaters.

All this advice is fun, but we each make our own choices based on what is available for the price today. And the kids want to go by themselves, (need small boat #2) and I keep spilling the hors d'oeuvres on the sunset cruise (need bigger boat #1).

Here's a choice that nobody has mentioned. You may buy (or rent) a camp that includes a boat. Problem solved for the first year and you'll have the experience to say "I like this boat" or "I want something different". After all, the previous (island) owners used it for years.

So what's the "ideal island boat?" The next one will be perfect.

winnipiseogee · 04-08-2014, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

So what's the "ideal island boat?" The next one will be perfect.

Hahahaha - you will notice that before even deciding on an island I want to decide on a boat! I grew up in a family of boaters so I'm all too used to the desire for the next and newest.

This discussion has been a blast though because I've never considered this type of boat before.

I think - based on everything I've heard - my first boat will be a utility/beater boat. And any decisions that results in "my first... of many boats" is a good decision in my mind!!!!

Mink Islander · 04-08-2014, 04:30 PM

I suggest you get a work boat -- something you can haul anything and everything in from furniture to groceries… And then the family boat as primary transport/runabout. Possible to combine the two, but I like having an older work boat that's open and rugged.

We have a '82 Whaler Montauk with a dodger (and down rigger for fishing!) and a 25' Wellcraft bow rider. Both serve us well. Wellcraft is the summer family boat. The Whaler is the work boat/fall boat for when the water gets too low at our docks for the I/O on the Wellcraft.

I also like the redundancy of having two boats on the island in case one won't start or needs service.

All personal choice really.

winnipiseogee · 04-08-2014, 05:14 PM

I think the 2 boat idea is a likely candidate as my wife does not care for any of the "work boats" I've shown her.

Currently leaning strongly towards the Eastern Sisu.

http://easternboats.com/220-sisu/

At $50k its not as bad as the 24 ft and my father in-law (a retired lobsterman) thinks its the most beautiful pleasure craft he has seen! I'd love a used one but they only started manufacturing them this year.

My only concern is the kids and the low sides but I can always lock them in the cabin!!!

ishoot308 · 04-08-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winnipiseogee

I think the 2 boat idea is a likely candidate as my wife does not care for any of the "work boats" I've shown her.

Currently leaning strongly towards the Eastern Sisu.

http://easternboats.com/220-sisu/

At $50k its not as bad as the 24 ft and my father in-law (a retired lobsterman) thinks its the most beautiful pleasure craft he has seen! I'd love a used one but they only started manufacturing them this year.

My only concern is the kids and the low sides but I can always lock them in the cabin!!!

Look for a used 22' Eastern Lobster. They are almost identical to the Sisu. I see them on craigslist occasionally.

Dan

ursa minor · 04-08-2014, 09:11 PM

OK, I'm a little jealous if you get the Sisu 22.

It's funny you mention freeboard and little ones. When we first got the Cruisers, my kids were 2 and 4. It's a pretty deep boat (it has built in steps inside to help) and one of our friends made a comment that was along the lines of "well, the kids couldn't fall out of that boat with a running start". They never did fall out of the boat, off the pontoon boat, the whaler, the dock or anything else for that matter. They're now 17 and 19, lifelong islanders. Point here is that time flies when you're having fun and they are little for such a short time. Having good ground rules like always having their PFDs on when on the boat, not going out on docks without Mom or Dad, always being seated when the boat is moving and so on will go a long way towards their safety and your peace of mind. The Sisu is a very capable boat, I wouldn't be too concerned about the freeboard.

MooseisLoose · 04-09-2014, 12:55 PM

What about a Parker?

winnipiseogee · 04-09-2014, 01:00 PM

Grrr..... sounds like Harillas can not accommodate boats with a fixed top. That changes things. Guess I shouldn't be thinking too much about the boat before I decide on an island!!

MAXUM · 04-09-2014, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winnipiseogee

Grrr..... sounds like Harillas can not accommodate boats with a fixed top. That changes things. Guess I shouldn't be thinking too much about the boat before I decide on an island!!

Right cause you need to start thinking snowmobiles too for the winter time.

codeman671 · 04-09-2014, 03:44 PM

If you are looking to be on Cow and coming out of Harilla, the ride back and forth is sheltered from the Broads so you will be out of the elements more so than someone coming across from Gilford. That being said, I think you could go with something cheaper and less extravagant than an Eastern and be able to keep it at Harilla.

If you were coming across the lake I think and Eastern would make sense, but then again I do not think the 22' is great in very rough water.

MDoug · 04-08-2014, 05:53 AM

We have a 22' C-Dory w/90 hp Suzuki outboard and rely on it for a work boat and fun cruiser. Wallas heater, windshield wipers, gps, radar/sonar, porta potty, nice cabin. Great boat! Bought in 2005 at Y Landing.

tis · 04-08-2014, 07:43 AM

I think it is hard to get one boat that does everything you want. That's why we have so many.

Orion · 04-08-2014, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I think it is hard to get one boat that does everything you want. That's why we have so many.

Yep, we have many types of watercraft from kayaks to pontoon. When you live on the island you need to depend on your boat, so having at least two is key. We have a refurbished/rebuild 18' aluminum runabout as our shuttle boat and a 25' tri-toon for handling large groups of guest and their baggage as well as floating tours or sunset cruises. The two make a perfect combo.

winnipiseogee · 04-08-2014, 09:58 AM

Got the eastern brochure today. Imagine my surprise seeing both the Tuftonboro and Moultonborough boats pictured in the brochure!

Didn't even realize they had eastern boats!

upthesaukee · 04-08-2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winnipiseogee

Got the eastern brochure today. Imagine my surprise seeing both the Tuftonboro and Moultonborough boats pictured in the brochure!

Didn't even realize they had eastern boats!

Alton had a big fuss a few years ago over re-powering the boat from a single outboard to a pair. Finally got a warrant article approved.

04-07-2014, 04:28 PM	#4
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,356 Thanks: 18 Thanked 574 Times in 181 Posts	It Depends on the Island and the distance from shore If you are on the broads side of Rattlesnake a flat bottom boat will be a much rougher ride than a v hull. If you can't have curtains, at least a bimini. We spent many years with just that and it kept us and our stuff from getting soaked or baked. Hauling stuff is a fact of life. It never ends. I like the refrigerator concept above. Walk arounds are super for island living. I like the outboard, but had an I/O until last year and it never froze, though I worried in late October. There is probably no such thing as an all around boat, so getting there safely is the first consideration. You can pull skiers and tubes with a jetski! IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

04-07-2014, 11:53 PM	#5
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,449 Thanks: 1,373 Thanked 1,649 Times in 1,077 Posts	You need to use it All good thoughts above, but you don't know what works for you until you do it. What works this year may not work when the kids are teenagers. If you're an islander, almost anything will work and you'll be happy on the island. If you're a boater, you'll go to the boat show every year just to caress the fiberglass and dream about one that is a foot longer and 6" wider, with an extra big...?.(engine, sunpad, head, bimini, swim platform...). So, I think I'm a boater. Happy to get in the boat to go to Center Harbor, Wolfeboro for a newspaper or two screws and a hose clamp. (Did you know trhe hardware store in Paugus Bay has its own dock?) Other family members say "put it on the list, we'll get it next trip." Of course, as an islander, I know that my neighbor has two screws and a clamp in his tool shed and he knows what tools I have. We're islanders, after all. But, neither of us has an ice cream stand next to the tool shed, so we're boaters. All this advice is fun, but we each make our own choices based on what is available for the price today. And the kids want to go by themselves, (need small boat #2) and I keep spilling the hors d'oeuvres on the sunset cruise (need bigger boat #1). Here's a choice that nobody has mentioned. You may buy (or rent) a camp that includes a boat. Problem solved for the first year and you'll have the experience to say "I like this boat" or "I want something different". After all, the previous (island) owners used it for years. So what's the "ideal island boat?" The next one will be perfect.

04-08-2014, 04:30 PM	#7
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Two boats minimum…. I suggest you get a work boat -- something you can haul anything and everything in from furniture to groceries… And then the family boat as primary transport/runabout. Possible to combine the two, but I like having an older work boat that's open and rugged. We have a '82 Whaler Montauk with a dodger (and down rigger for fishing!) and a 25' Wellcraft bow rider. Both serve us well. Wellcraft is the summer family boat. The Whaler is the work boat/fall boat for when the water gets too low at our docks for the I/O on the Wellcraft. I also like the redundancy of having two boats on the island in case one won't start or needs service. All personal choice really.

04-08-2014, 09:11 PM	#10
ursa minor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tuftonborough & Franklin MA Posts: 265 Thanks: 99 Thanked 143 Times in 64 Posts	OK, I'm a little jealous if you get the Sisu 22. It's funny you mention freeboard and little ones. When we first got the Cruisers, my kids were 2 and 4. It's a pretty deep boat (it has built in steps inside to help) and one of our friends made a comment that was along the lines of "well, the kids couldn't fall out of that boat with a running start". They never did fall out of the boat, off the pontoon boat, the whaler, the dock or anything else for that matter. They're now 17 and 19, lifelong islanders. Point here is that time flies when you're having fun and they are little for such a short time. Having good ground rules like always having their PFDs on when on the boat, not going out on docks without Mom or Dad, always being seated when the boat is moving and so on will go a long way towards their safety and your peace of mind. The Sisu is a very capable boat, I wouldn't be too concerned about the freeboard. __________________ " Any day with a boat ride in it is a good day"

04-08-2014, 05:53 AM	#15
MDoug Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 343 Thanks: 116 Thanked 42 Times in 39 Posts	Ideal Island Boat We have a 22' C-Dory w/90 hp Suzuki outboard and rely on it for a work boat and fun cruiser. Wallas heater, windshield wipers, gps, radar/sonar, porta potty, nice cabin. Great boat! Bought in 2005 at Y Landing.

The Following User Says Thank You to Island Girl For This Useful Post:
winnipiseogee (04-09-2014)

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winnipiseogee (04-09-2014)

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04-08-2014, 05:14 PM	#8
winnipiseogee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 297 Thanks: 67 Thanked 152 Times in 79 Posts	I think the 2 boat idea is a likely candidate as my wife does not care for any of the "work boats" I've shown her. Currently leaning strongly towards the Eastern Sisu. http://easternboats.com/220-sisu/ At $50k its not as bad as the 24 ft and my father in-law (a retired lobsterman) thinks its the most beautiful pleasure craft he has seen! I'd love a used one but they only started manufacturing them this year. My only concern is the kids and the low sides but I can always lock them in the cabin!!!

04-09-2014, 12:55 PM	#11
MooseisLoose Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What about a Parker?

04-09-2014, 01:00 PM	#12
winnipiseogee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 297 Thanks: 67 Thanked 152 Times in 79 Posts	Grrr..... sounds like Harillas can not accommodate boats with a fixed top. That changes things. Guess I shouldn't be thinking too much about the boat before I decide on an island!!

04-09-2014, 03:44 PM	#14
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,539 Thanks: 222 Thanked 828 Times in 499 Posts	If you are looking to be on Cow and coming out of Harilla, the ride back and forth is sheltered from the Broads so you will be out of the elements more so than someone coming across from Gilford. That being said, I think you could go with something cheaper and less extravagant than an Eastern and be able to keep it at Harilla. If you were coming across the lake I think and Eastern would make sense, but then again I do not think the 22' is great in very rough water.

04-08-2014, 07:43 AM	#16
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,810 Thanks: 759 Thanked 1,469 Times in 1,025 Posts	I think it is hard to get one boat that does everything you want. That's why we have so many.

04-08-2014, 09:58 AM	#18
winnipiseogee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 297 Thanks: 67 Thanked 152 Times in 79 Posts	Got the eastern brochure today. Imagine my surprise seeing both the Tuftonboro and Moultonborough boats pictured in the brochure! Didn't even realize they had eastern boats!