A boat for my family?
 

My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake.
The boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

A boat for my family?
 

If you plan on hauling 8 people around plus water skiing.........better sell
the house. You'll need a wheelbarrow full of cash.

A boat for my family?
 

John,

Ski boats tend to be smallish - 18 feet, shallow V for best planing and
small wake.

That isn't going to have many of the cruiser amenities you mentions, nor
hold 8 people.

One can ski - and certainly tube - behind larger boats, but an avid skier
won't be happy. I don't think so, anyway.

You can fish off just about anything, although there are purpose-built
fishing boats.

Maybe a "deck boat" would be a reasonable compromise for what you're looking
for. But you will have to compromise somewhere.

Also, I always take this opportunity to say:

"Welcome to the water. Hope you enjoy your stay. You need either time or
money to keep a boat in good working condition - new ones are expensive and
old ones (my preference) require 'input' (as a generalization). Please be
very careful out there, and know that there is a lot to know - many
experienced, highly-trained boaters keep on learning more about it all their
lives, and many boaters who aren't interested in anything beside the
steering wheel and the 'go lever' are a menace to themselves and to all
around them. I started by reading Chapman Piloting and then got right into
the Power Squadron courses, but whatever route you choose to enhance your
boating knowledge and skills, please at least choose a route!"

End of sermon.

Charles

====

Charles T. Low
- remove "UN"
www.boatdocking.com/BDPhoto.html - Photo Contest
www.boatdocking.com
www.ctlow.ca/Trojan26 - my boat

====

"John Smith" wrote in message
. com...
My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake.
The boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

A boat for my family?
 

On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 06:31:50 GMT, John Smith wrote:

My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake.
The boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

It sounds like you really need two boats, one for tubing and skiing, the other
for partying and peeing. A little 17' runabout might fit the bill for the tubing
and beaching. For 8 people to be covered and have a potty, you might think of a
houseboat, especially on a lake.

I have a 21' with a cuddy cabin and a porta-potty. The maximum load is 8 people.
I would never try to put 8 people on it, and if I did I would never be able to
get a skier up.

You probably want to narrow the scope of what you expect your boat to do.

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

A boat for my family?
 

I suggest you go to the lake, observe the boats others are using. Ask some
of them if they'd buy the same boat again or what they'd get instead.
Most of us compromise when it comes to family boats. Ther are a lot of
specialty boats for bass fishing, wakeboarding, cruising. You probably will
end up with a deck boat or bowrider.

"John Smith" wrote in message
. com...
My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake.
The boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

A boat for my family?
 

"Welcome to the water. Hope you enjoy your stay. You need either time or
money to keep a boat in good working condition - new ones are expensive
and
old ones (my preference) require 'input' (as a generalization). Please be
very careful out there, and know that there is a lot to know - many
experienced, highly-trained boaters keep on learning more about it all
their
lives, and many boaters who aren't interested in anything beside the
steering wheel and the 'go lever' are a menace to themselves and to all
around them. I started by reading Chapman Piloting and then got right into
the Power Squadron courses, but whatever route you choose to enhance your
boating knowledge and skills, please at least choose a route!"


I agree... Both the Chapman Piloting book and the Power Squadron courses are
great... I would also recommend involving the family and/or anyone else who
might spend significant amounts of time on your boat to join you in the
reading, and the power squadron courses... the first basic safety course is
free for anyone to attend last I knew....


-j

A boat for my family?
 

If you want top of the line...

http://www.cobaltboats.com/model_line/240sd/index.html

Whatever you buy, make sure you have a local dealer who can service the boat and
engine.

Dan

John Smith wrote:
My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake. The
boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

A boat for my family?
 

My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.


With an opening statement like that, I can't see where you have a problem.
Everything else, is as they say, just details.

My recommendation for a boat to do everything in your wish list would be the
Sea Ray or Crownline 24 bowrider with double bimini tops and probably the
5.7 mpi engine. I think both boats have a small cabin with port-a-pottie.
You didn't say what your budget was, but you might be able to find one of
these, only a few years old for about 25-30K. (Check boat trader online.)

A boat for my family?
 

Jim and everyone else in rb,

Thanks for the information. I just needed a place to start.

JS

Jim Irvine wrote:

My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.



With an opening statement like that, I can't see where you have a problem.
Everything else, is as they say, just details.

My recommendation for a boat to do everything in your wish list would be the
Sea Ray or Crownline 24 bowrider with double bimini tops and probably the
5.7 mpi engine. I think both boats have a small cabin with port-a-pottie.
You didn't say what your budget was, but you might be able to find one of
these, only a few years old for about 25-30K. (Check boat trader online.)

A boat for my family?
 

We were looking for the same thing last summer. I love fishing, but my wife
and daughters wanted tubing, skiing, etc. We ended up with a 19' Regal. We
run mostly in Tampa Bay, but I have been out on several fresh water lakes in
the area. It handles six adults comfortably for tubing and with the 4.3
Liter V6 we can get our skiiers up. The heaviest is 175lbs. The only things
I don't like about the boat are it has non removable carpet over a glass
covered wood deck. If you do fish, I recommend looking for removable carpet.
We have seen several with snap in carpet on all glass decks. This makes
clean up much easier after fishing, especially if any of the fish bleed on
the boat. The other issue is this boat has what the manufacturer calls a
"FastTrac" hull. It makes handling great, but wreaks havoc with the depth
finder at anything over 15 MPH. This can be a problem in some areas of
Tampa Bay with sand bars and tide changes. You have to make sure you are
familiar with the area you're boating in and double check often prior to
jetting around.
"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
hlink.net...
If you want top of the line...

http://www.cobaltboats.com/model_line/240sd/index.html

Whatever you buy, make sure you have a local dealer who can service the
boat and
engine.

Dan

John Smith wrote:
My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake. The
boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

A boat for my family?
 

"John Smith" wrote in message
. com...
My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

Why? Do they have boating experience? Friends with boats? What makes them
want a boat?

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake.
The boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

Okay, sounds like a runabout in the 18 foot range is appropriate. I/O (
Inboard/outboard), 140 horsepower or more would be great. Single axel
trailer is probably sufficient.


We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

8 would be pushing it for comfort on the boat. Shade would be easy, but not
for all 8 at the same time (typical bimini top shades only the driver and
passenger seat).

The bathroom requirement is where things get unrealistic. You can get a
boat that has a small cabin that could be equipped with a porta-potty, but
then I would not recommend this boat for pulling tubes, and certainly not
for skiing. Are you familiar with the term "Checking the prop" ???



Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!


Buy used. Three to five years old. The chances are that you won't be
satisfied with your first boat, so don't plan on keeping it forever. Buy
something that is new enough that you won't be having major troubles with
the engine but old enough that it doesn't depreciate significantly the
instant you have signed on the dotted line. Get the boat, use it and
establish what your real needs and desires are. Sell the used boat a year
later and buy what you really need.


I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

A Boston Whaler is a great fishing boat. It wouldn't be on my list for a
ski boat.


So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Unfortunately you have missed the boat shows, which would allow you to look
at a bunch of different boats in one stop. Start visiting boat dealers.
Figure out a brand and model that you like and then start looking for a
similar boat that is a few years old. If you know what you are looking for
then http://www.boattraderonline.com/ is a great place to search for used
boats in your area.

If you are really not sure then I would try searching your list of friends
and acquaintances and seeing if you can work out an invite to go with them
on a weekend. You may decide that sitting in a boat all day is really
boring, or you may decide that speed is king! At any rate, going with
someone will at least introduce you to the process of launching the boat,
basic boat handling, etc.

Rod McInnis

A boat for my family?
 

Thanks for the great info!

JS

John wrote:
We were looking for the same thing last summer. I love fishing, but my wife
and daughters wanted tubing, skiing, etc. We ended up with a 19' Regal. We
run mostly in Tampa Bay, but I have been out on several fresh water lakes in
the area. It handles six adults comfortably for tubing and with the 4.3
Liter V6 we can get our skiiers up. The heaviest is 175lbs. The only things
I don't like about the boat are it has non removable carpet over a glass
covered wood deck. If you do fish, I recommend looking for removable carpet.
We have seen several with snap in carpet on all glass decks. This makes
clean up much easier after fishing, especially if any of the fish bleed on
the boat. The other issue is this boat has what the manufacturer calls a
"FastTrac" hull. It makes handling great, but wreaks havoc with the depth
finder at anything over 15 MPH. This can be a problem in some areas of
Tampa Bay with sand bars and tide changes. You have to make sure you are
familiar with the area you're boating in and double check often prior to
jetting around.
"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
hlink.net...

If you want top of the line...

http://www.cobaltboats.com/model_line/240sd/index.html

Whatever you buy, make sure you have a local dealer who can service the

boat and

engine.

Dan

John Smith wrote:

My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake. The
boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

A boat for my family?
 

Well John Smith: you certainly said a lot, for 8 people and a toilet.
I would say a 21 foot, with a 5 liter v 8 would do, and a $89 port a potti
from wal mart, it can handle 39 uses of number 2, and I don't mean no2
fuel oil, ha ha ha

In regards to your name, I knew a John Christopher Smith, in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla. he was the Heir to the Chris craft boats. His father
named the boat line after him. John C Smith, died around 1970 basically
from old age.


removable carpet.
We have seen several with snap in carpet on all glass decks. This makes
clean up much easier after fishing, especially if any of the fish bleed
on
the boat. The other issue is this boat has what the manufacturer calls a
"FastTrac" hull. It makes handling great, but wreaks havoc with the
depth
finder at anything over 15 MPH. This can be a problem in some areas of
Tampa Bay with sand bars and tide changes. You have to make sure you are
familiar with the area you're boating in and double check often prior to
jetting around.
"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
hlink.net...

If you want top of the line...

http://www.cobaltboats.com/model_line/240sd/index.html

Whatever you buy, make sure you have a local dealer who can service the

boat and

engine.

Dan

John Smith wrote:

My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake.
The
boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name
and
the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I
be
looking into?

Thanks,

JS

A boat for my family?
 

Actually, Chris Craft Boats was founded by Christopher Columbus Smith.

As early as 1915, Chris Smith ran advertisements saying "Let me build you a
Smith boat" under the company name of Chris C. Smith Boat and Engine Co.

The accepted beginning of Chris Craft Boats was February 1922, when Chris
Smith started "Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company"

In April 1922, the Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company ran an advertisement
for a line of boats where the line Chris Smith Craft was included at the
bottom of the advertisement. Soon after this advertisement, the boat line
name was changed and the first boat of the new company was the Packard-Chris
Craft Racer



"Joseph Stachyra" wrote in message
...

In regards to your name, I knew a John Christopher Smith, in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla. he was the Heir to the Chris craft boats. His father
named the boat line after him. John C Smith, died around 1970
basically
from old age.

A boat for my family?
 

I met the smith family, you may quote something you read some place, I got
my facts from the family itself.
should I say as, john c smith, my friend was dying in broward medical
center. lots of things were in the change
there was also Rodi-Chris Craft that you did not mention, and Chris Craft
was also a Movie Producer, most people did not know that......john c Smith
was heavy set, about 5, 8'' and was a kind and friendly person, even to
the common guy on the street.

wrote in message
ink.net...
Actually, Chris Craft Boats was founded by Christopher Columbus Smith.

As early as 1915, Chris Smith ran advertisements saying "Let me build you
a
Smith boat" under the company name of Chris C. Smith Boat and Engine Co.

The accepted beginning of Chris Craft Boats was February 1922, when Chris
Smith started "Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company"

In April 1922, the Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company ran an advertisement
for a line of boats where the line Chris Smith Craft was included at the
bottom of the advertisement. Soon after this advertisement, the boat line
name was changed and the first boat of the new company was the
Packard-Chris
Craft Racer



"Joseph Stachyra" wrote in message
...

In regards to your name, I knew a John Christopher Smith, in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla. he was the Heir to the Chris craft boats. His
father
named the boat line after him. John C Smith, died around 1970
basically
from old age.

A boat for my family?
 

Since I'm searching for affordable boat options, it is probably apparent
that I am not of that smith clan, let alone heir to any of any
significant monetary value.

JS

Joseph Stachyra wrote:
Well John Smith: you certainly said a lot, for 8 people and a toilet.
I would say a 21 foot, with a 5 liter v 8 would do, and a $89 port a potti
from wal mart, it can handle 39 uses of number 2, and I don't mean no2
fuel oil, ha ha ha

In regards to your name, I knew a John Christopher Smith, in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla. he was the Heir to the Chris craft boats. His father
named the boat line after him. John C Smith, died around 1970 basically
from old age.


removable carpet.

We have seen several with snap in carpet on all glass decks. This makes
clean up much easier after fishing, especially if any of the fish bleed

on

the boat. The other issue is this boat has what the manufacturer calls a
"FastTrac" hull. It makes handling great, but wreaks havoc with the

depth

finder at anything over 15 MPH. This can be a problem in some areas of
Tampa Bay with sand bars and tide changes. You have to make sure you are
familiar with the area you're boating in and double check often prior to
jetting around.
"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
arthlink.net...


If you want top of the line...

http://www.cobaltboats.com/model_line/240sd/index.html

Whatever you buy, make sure you have a local dealer who can service the

boat and


engine.

Dan

John Smith wrote:


My wife and kids are bugging me about a boat.

I know nothing of boats and even less about which brands/models are
worth my search time.

I would take my kids tubing and fishing on a nearby freshwater lake.

The

boat needs to be towable with ability to nose onto the beach.

We would need to handle 1-8 guests/crew. Guests/crew would need
refreshments and a bathroom and shade from the sun.

Towing inner tubers and skiiers is the primary use. Fishing is
definitely a likelihood, but a low priority.

Finally, for now, I can't afford the idea let alone an actual purchase!

I know nothing of boston whalers except they have a really cool name

and

the one comment I saw tells me I can't afford a boston whaler.

So, which boats (for a northern california fresh water lake) should I

be

looking into?

Thanks,

JS