From a PW to a boat...newbie is looking for advice
 

This seems to be a fine and informed group and I would like to politely
ask for some advice. It is almost time to graduate from a 3-seater
Seadoo to either a cuddy or a bowrider. The Seadoo is a lot of fun, but
age is taking its toll and a bit of comfort is needed. This would be a
first boat for us, we live 10 miles from Dana Point, CA - there's a
convenient marina for ocean boating and we are a reasonable towing
distance from the Colorado River lakes (Mohave, Mead). At some point,
skiing has to be attempted, but it will not be anything wild - I am
approaching mid fifties and my wife is in her mid forties. General
messing around on the water and maybe a tad of entertaining is the idea.
Overnighting is not essential, but it may happen.

We are thinking used, but no more than about year 2000.

I am looking at an ebay item
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sea-R...th-trailer-71-
hours_W0QQitemZ4567373583QQcategoryZ63685QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

What do you think - apart from the fact that the boat is in Texas? What
would be a good value of this item? Any other recommendations for
manufacturers and any manufacturer/model warnings would be appreciated.

Many thanks


Karel

You don't need a lot of boat to enjoy the river but a 17' boat is too small
to leave the harbor in Dana Point. If you're going in the ocean, consider at
least 19'. Also, most runabouts don't have much freeboard (height above the
water). That makes it uncomfortable when you get afternoon chop and swells
at the same time.
I boat San Diego Bay and the river in my 19' bow rider. Sometimes it's just
too rough to enjoy going out past Pt Loma.

"Karel Kriz" wrote in message
...
This seems to be a fine and informed group and I would like to politely
ask for some advice. It is almost time to graduate from a 3-seater
Seadoo to either a cuddy or a bowrider. The Seadoo is a lot of fun, but
age is taking its toll and a bit of comfort is needed. This would be a
first boat for us, we live 10 miles from Dana Point, CA - there's a
convenient marina for ocean boating and we are a reasonable towing
distance from the Colorado River lakes (Mohave, Mead). At some point,
skiing has to be attempted, but it will not be anything wild - I am
approaching mid fifties and my wife is in her mid forties. General
messing around on the water and maybe a tad of entertaining is the idea.
Overnighting is not essential, but it may happen.

We are thinking used, but no more than about year 2000.

I am looking at an ebay item
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sea-R...th-trailer-71-
hours_W0QQitemZ4567373583QQcategoryZ63685QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

What do you think - apart from the fact that the boat is in Texas? What
would be a good value of this item? Any other recommendations for
manufacturers and any manufacturer/model warnings would be appreciated.

Many thanks


Karel