Advice on Young Son's First Boat/Purchase

Descant · 09-10-2017, 11:07 AM

Here's a similar package, gas, not electric, in Gilford for $900.
https://nh.craigslist.org/boa/d/12-f...265804179.html

If you google "dinghy for sale NH" you get several options, including several new ones from West Marine at about 1/2 the asking price of your neighbors jon boat. FLL missed this: Walmart has an offering for about $600.

Sounds like the trolling motors and batteries are not needed for the first couple of years, (ever?) just oars. So, are you buying something you don't need? I had five different boats from age 8-16 as my skills improved. Started with 8' dinghy (oars only) and moved up every couple of years.

I couldn't tell from the thread if you have to have a trailer, or the boat can be left at a dock or beach most of the time.

What does your son think of this boat? Maybe he should have some input.
What other bats have you looked at together? I thoroughly enjoyed going places, including boat shows, with my father "just to look at boats".

09-10-2017, 11:07 AM	#1
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,344 Thanks: 1,339 Thanked 1,621 Times in 1,053 Posts	Here's a similar package, gas, not electric, in Gilford for $900. https://nh.craigslist.org/boa/d/12-f...265804179.html If you google "dinghy for sale NH" you get several options, including several new ones from West Marine at about 1/2 the asking price of your neighbors jon boat. FLL missed this: Walmart has an offering for about $600. Sounds like the trolling motors and batteries are not needed for the first couple of years, (ever?) just oars. So, are you buying something you don't need? I had five different boats from age 8-16 as my skills improved. Started with 8' dinghy (oars only) and moved up every couple of years. I couldn't tell from the thread if you have to have a trailer, or the boat can be left at a dock or beach most of the time. What does your son think of this boat? Maybe he should have some input. What other bats have you looked at together? I thoroughly enjoyed going places, including boat shows, with my father "just to look at boats".