jabadoodle wrote:
(Questions below)

I haven't been around this group much in a long while, but
some of you may remember me as having restoring a 1958
Chris Craft 22 footer. Others may still have me blocked for
some political / off topic posts.

Anyway -- after messing around and having a great time in
this 22 footer, my Dad is interested in getting a larger boat.
I'm 100% certain he would enjoy it, but we're not so certain
that my mom likes boating enough to spend that kind of money
on a boat. She does like to go out sometimes on our little boat,
but isn't nearly as "into" it as my Dad is. ~ On the other hand,
she might really enjoy a bigger boat, what with having a real
head, place to keep & cook food, stateroom, and place get
in out of the cold or sun, etc.

So I'm thinking they should try to rent a larger boat for a week
trip next summer. This would allow them to decide if they would
use a big boat enough to spend the money on one. Hey, maybe
she'd even like it so much that they'd spend more and get more
than they would without having rented first.

QUESTIONS:
Are there companys that rent biger boats?

We're in the North East, so Boston, Hudson River, Lake Champlaine or LI
Sound would be the location.

Anyone know specific companys in these areas?

What range of cost are we talking about for a week's trip?

What things (besides cost & condtion of the boat) should we be
thinking about when renting a larger boat for week?

If someone is interested in buying a boat and clearly a
qualified buyer, are sellers and/or brokers usually open
to the idea of an extended trial (at a fee, of course)?

Other ideas, comments?

THANKS,
Gary


Here you go:

http://www.yachtworld.com/charters/



Plug in your parameters and this site will generate a list of companies
offering bareboat charters fitting your specifications.

Your dad will probably need to be able to list some specific experience
on a boat in that size category to be allowed to bareboat. Barring
that, he may have to settle for chartering with a licensed captain.
Some of the local companies up here will charter to
inexperienced boaters for a week, with the provision that a licensed
captain is aboard at the beginning of the charter to offer instruction
to the renters. If at some point during the week the licensed captain
feels that the renters are actually competent to run the boat,
he goes ashore and the renters carry on. If the L.C. never thinks the
renters have "got it", he'll be aboard for the entire week.