First Boat Help/Don't Hurt Me

4Fun · 07-14-2014, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonG

I explored Winnipesaukee for 10 years on an 18' bowrider. Sure, there were choppy days or times. Still not an issue.

Don't let a bit of a rough ride here and there alter your decisions. Enjoy the lake.

We enjoyed virtually every corner of the lake in our 19'cuddy. It was a pretty deep V 1991 Sea Pro. We now have a 24' Four Winns bowrider and the 19' was drier and smoother in the rough.

Not all boats are designed the same way and size is only one factor.

VitaBene · 07-14-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Fun

We enjoyed virtually every corner of the lake in our 19'cuddy. It was a pretty deep V 1991 Sea Pro. We now have a 24' Four Winns bowrider and the 19' was drier and smoother in the rough.

Not all boats are designed the same way and size is only one factor.

4Fun- this point is missed a lot when it comes to boats. Hull length, while important, is second to hull type (I like deep Vs with more deadrise). When boat shopping this year, the ride on Winni was foremost in my mind!

znh · 07-14-2014, 04:19 PM

We have a 214 Funship - FourWinns Deck boat. We have two kids (6 and 7) and it's great for our friends and family. We've had 7 kids on the boat before, lots of room up front for them, especially with the bow cushions in and they all love riding up front. I think they are great family boats and it's served us well, besides a minor incident here or there, but not the boats fault

We looked at Hurricane boats as well, they are a bit flatter then the FourWinns, SeaRay, Chapparal deck boats and people we know who have them on Winni say you get a lot more splash over the bow on the Hurricanes...just something to note.

As for the deckboat on the big lake, we live on the Broads and sure it can be a bit rough sometimes but on days when it's still a little choppy we go out and it's just a little slower and bumpier, the kids certainly don't mind. But even with a bowrider, anything under 24 feet will still feel bumpy on the choppier days. If it's really windy and choppy we just don't go out and wait for the next nice day.

Also after some time you will see that the lake has some general patterns to it that you can work your boating time around. We have found that going out early or later and avoiding the middle of the day rides is great. Some days we save our boating time for after 4:00 / 5:00. The lake is generally calmer with the wind in the early evening, it's still nice and sunny and warm during the summer at this time and the boat traffic is significantly lower.

Either way good luck with your boat shopping and even before you get a boat I would get a map and start studying it...

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to 4Fun For This Useful Post:
Aldidonato (07-15-2014), ushaggerb (04-11-2020), VitaBene (07-14-2014)

The Following User Says Thank You to VitaBene For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (07-14-2014)

07-14-2014, 04:19 PM	#3
znh Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 156 Thanks: 30 Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts	We have a 214 Funship - FourWinns Deck boat. We have two kids (6 and 7) and it's great for our friends and family. We've had 7 kids on the boat before, lots of room up front for them, especially with the bow cushions in and they all love riding up front. I think they are great family boats and it's served us well, besides a minor incident here or there, but not the boats fault We looked at Hurricane boats as well, they are a bit flatter then the FourWinns, SeaRay, Chapparal deck boats and people we know who have them on Winni say you get a lot more splash over the bow on the Hurricanes...just something to note. As for the deckboat on the big lake, we live on the Broads and sure it can be a bit rough sometimes but on days when it's still a little choppy we go out and it's just a little slower and bumpier, the kids certainly don't mind. But even with a bowrider, anything under 24 feet will still feel bumpy on the choppier days. If it's really windy and choppy we just don't go out and wait for the next nice day. Also after some time you will see that the lake has some general patterns to it that you can work your boating time around. We have found that going out early or later and avoiding the middle of the day rides is great. Some days we save our boating time for after 4:00 / 5:00. The lake is generally calmer with the wind in the early evening, it's still nice and sunny and warm during the summer at this time and the boat traffic is significantly lower. Either way good luck with your boat shopping and even before you get a boat I would get a map and start studying it...