DMage
New Member
Hi -
My name is Derek and I am located in Orlando, FL. I am new to recreational boating and have been in the research / shopping mode for the past several weeks. I do not know anyone who is a recreational boater to bounce any questions or ideas off of. I was hoping you guys on the forum might be able to answer a few questions, and perhaps tell me if I am crazy in the path I am heading down?
As for my boating experience - I have very little on a personal level. I love the water, and am a big cruiser - been on about 30 cruises so far and sure I will be on many more. I've done several day fishing trips on the large pontoon boats out of Tampa, and been on a friend of my wife's family's small boat in the Ft. Lauderdale canals. Thats probably the only time I've been on a personally owned small craft.
My reason for looking to getting into boating is two fold - I am a big 'project/hobby' person, and right now have enjoyed working on cars for the past several years as a hobby. I have a classic car, and had a roadster for daily use. However, my wife is having our first child coming up in July, and both of my cars are two seaters. The daily driver's already been swapped out for a more family friendly Volvo, and the classic car is still sitting in the garage - where its mostly sat since I've finished the project 5 years ago. I use it now only about 4 - 5 times a year, and I assume with it being a two seater I'll use it even less in the future. I'd like to be able to get into something that I'll use more, and that will let the whole family enjoy. And that's really the other reason - being able to take off for a weekend on a trip with the family on a whim, sounds like it would be fun!
So I would be looking to sell the classic car, and use the profits from that to get into boating. That would put me in about a $30k price point and I'd like a bit of room in the boat price for upgrades, initial dock fees, repairs, etc. We live near downtown Orlando, so I can't store a boat at home, and I am also not a truck person. That would mean I would want to keep it at a marina, either wet or dry docked. For boats, I originally started poking around eBay to see what that sort of price would get me, and I've been leaning towards a late '80s / early 90's Sea Ray 310 / 340 / 330 with the 310 being my favorite layout so far, and since most include A/C & a generator (what I've deemed in my head are important to me, from no experience and just reading so far - so unsure how in real use these are needed or practical). I've been around the forum lurking for the last few weeks reading as much as possible, and everywhere else that has boating info for that matter. I spent yesterday working through the BoatUS safety/information course which was immensely helpful. Even downloaded the owners manuals for the boat models I am looking at and read through them. But, I am sure there is *still* a ton to learn.
So, that's about as brief of a summary as I can make it, and leads me into my questions -
- Does my plan seem rational or flawed? Is there some critical piece I've overlooked?
- Is a 35' boat going to be too much for a new boater? I like it because we can grow into it as a family and it leaves me room to upgrade it and make it ours in the future, but if its crazy to think I can jump into something that large I can look for a smaller stepping stone boat - like a Sea Ray 268? Do you guys have other recommendations in my price point that I have perhaps overlooked? I like the 310 for its mid cabin berth that converts into the u-shaped couch during the day, and having a dedicated second sleeping area would be critical.
- Is it crazy to be looking at a 22 - 25 year old boat? From what I've read it seems to be the hours on the engine dictate when a boat would need the most work, but I assume there must be some sort of life expectancy on the hull that I have not found yet? Or is it that with regular maintenance and care they would just last forever? I am more than up for doing my own maintenance, and have rebuilt engines before as well.
- Would you recommend wet or dry docking? I was reading several dock websites in my area and they mentioned they could float a boat on short notice - but they also charge less for the dry docking. To me as a car guy I would never want my car sitting out in the rain, so I'd think that having it on land out of the water when not in use would extend the life of any underwater parts and prevent any possible damage by letting it sit (which is why I can't grasp why dry docking with free in/out movement of the boat is less expensive)?
- Do marinas usually have areas for owners to work on their boats? I'm thinking if a boats wet docked it isn't much of an issue unless your doing any maintenance under the water line, but if its dry docked is it common for them to have a place to pull a boat down and put it on a stand for say weekend work by an owner?
Appreciate any help or insight you guys can provide! Thanks!
My name is Derek and I am located in Orlando, FL. I am new to recreational boating and have been in the research / shopping mode for the past several weeks. I do not know anyone who is a recreational boater to bounce any questions or ideas off of. I was hoping you guys on the forum might be able to answer a few questions, and perhaps tell me if I am crazy in the path I am heading down?
As for my boating experience - I have very little on a personal level. I love the water, and am a big cruiser - been on about 30 cruises so far and sure I will be on many more. I've done several day fishing trips on the large pontoon boats out of Tampa, and been on a friend of my wife's family's small boat in the Ft. Lauderdale canals. Thats probably the only time I've been on a personally owned small craft.
My reason for looking to getting into boating is two fold - I am a big 'project/hobby' person, and right now have enjoyed working on cars for the past several years as a hobby. I have a classic car, and had a roadster for daily use. However, my wife is having our first child coming up in July, and both of my cars are two seaters. The daily driver's already been swapped out for a more family friendly Volvo, and the classic car is still sitting in the garage - where its mostly sat since I've finished the project 5 years ago. I use it now only about 4 - 5 times a year, and I assume with it being a two seater I'll use it even less in the future. I'd like to be able to get into something that I'll use more, and that will let the whole family enjoy. And that's really the other reason - being able to take off for a weekend on a trip with the family on a whim, sounds like it would be fun!
So I would be looking to sell the classic car, and use the profits from that to get into boating. That would put me in about a $30k price point and I'd like a bit of room in the boat price for upgrades, initial dock fees, repairs, etc. We live near downtown Orlando, so I can't store a boat at home, and I am also not a truck person. That would mean I would want to keep it at a marina, either wet or dry docked. For boats, I originally started poking around eBay to see what that sort of price would get me, and I've been leaning towards a late '80s / early 90's Sea Ray 310 / 340 / 330 with the 310 being my favorite layout so far, and since most include A/C & a generator (what I've deemed in my head are important to me, from no experience and just reading so far - so unsure how in real use these are needed or practical). I've been around the forum lurking for the last few weeks reading as much as possible, and everywhere else that has boating info for that matter. I spent yesterday working through the BoatUS safety/information course which was immensely helpful. Even downloaded the owners manuals for the boat models I am looking at and read through them. But, I am sure there is *still* a ton to learn.
So, that's about as brief of a summary as I can make it, and leads me into my questions -
- Does my plan seem rational or flawed? Is there some critical piece I've overlooked?
- Is a 35' boat going to be too much for a new boater? I like it because we can grow into it as a family and it leaves me room to upgrade it and make it ours in the future, but if its crazy to think I can jump into something that large I can look for a smaller stepping stone boat - like a Sea Ray 268? Do you guys have other recommendations in my price point that I have perhaps overlooked? I like the 310 for its mid cabin berth that converts into the u-shaped couch during the day, and having a dedicated second sleeping area would be critical.
- Is it crazy to be looking at a 22 - 25 year old boat? From what I've read it seems to be the hours on the engine dictate when a boat would need the most work, but I assume there must be some sort of life expectancy on the hull that I have not found yet? Or is it that with regular maintenance and care they would just last forever? I am more than up for doing my own maintenance, and have rebuilt engines before as well.
- Would you recommend wet or dry docking? I was reading several dock websites in my area and they mentioned they could float a boat on short notice - but they also charge less for the dry docking. To me as a car guy I would never want my car sitting out in the rain, so I'd think that having it on land out of the water when not in use would extend the life of any underwater parts and prevent any possible damage by letting it sit (which is why I can't grasp why dry docking with free in/out movement of the boat is less expensive)?
- Do marinas usually have areas for owners to work on their boats? I'm thinking if a boats wet docked it isn't much of an issue unless your doing any maintenance under the water line, but if its dry docked is it common for them to have a place to pull a boat down and put it on a stand for say weekend work by an owner?
Appreciate any help or insight you guys can provide! Thanks!