Chris Larocque wrote:
after seeing one local for sale that turned out to have a messed up
hull, my father and I decided to buy a boat. we haven't come up to an
agreement on what kind, because honestly we don't know enough.

Stop right there. People may be getting sick of me pushing this all the
time, but you and your father need to take a boating course - now! Find
and contact Power Squadron nearby by looking he
http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin/sfind.cgi

Among all the safety and piloting stuff - stuff that you absolutely
positively need to know - the course covers types of boats and their
uses, engine types and their advantages/disadvantages, as well as
watersports like tubing. Plus, if the two of you take the classes
together, it may help you reach a consensus. You'll also meet other
local boaters who may be able to help you through this.


I would
also like to fish with this boat. so for me, a 17-20' bowrider with a
Inboard/Outboard is a compromise.

My father on the other hand wants to fish with it. he says that he
wants to cruise with it too, but we can't seem to agree,

Your should also seriously consider the waters in which you will be
boating. On a small lake or calm inland waters a 17-20' boat may be
fine. Out on Long Island Sound or the Great Lakes or the ocean you may
find that a boat that small may not cut it except on the calmest of
days. As far as a bowrider vs a center console (which, from what you
describe, seems to be what your father would like, I have seen many a
bowrider used for fishing, and many a center console being used for
family fun and watersports.

when i explain to him that the dinky outboard motors won't cut it as
pleasure boats and boats like that lack a proper place to hook a line
for tubing

Not true - when an outboard is used for watersports the tow line
straddles the outboard. Many, many, many outboard boats are used for
watersports - it is not a problem.

and also lack a teak-wood deck for getting in and out the boat easily

Its called a swim platform if it spans the entire transom, and a swim
step if mounts on just a portion of the platform. They are also made of
fiberglass and sometimes plastic. Many outboard boats have swim steps
that can facilitate your watersports needs.

you can hook a skiier up to the hooks for tying the boat up

They are called "cleats".

even more funny, you can drill into the fiberglass on the back and
mount one. i don't even think i need to explain what's wrong with
that.

It is done all the time. Just make sure you are well above the
waterline and through-bolt to sturdy backplates.

since we're going half in on it, I honestly think that the design of
the type of boat my father is looking for isn't what both of us are
looking for. i don't see it being a compromise.

Keep looking (and take the course).


he says the 305ci in there is too big, and will eat gas. (he also
thinks that the I/O motor setup adds undue maintence and problems)
that's why he likes those dinky little outbards. i agree with him that
they're a pretty large motor, but the leap from fishing boat to
bowrider adds considerable heft to the weight of the boat

There are numerous advantages to outboards. He is also right that I/O's
have additional maintenance requirements. There are also advantages to
I/O's. Its not so simple. Also, gas usage will depend as much on usage
as it does on engine size/type. A motor that is too small and
constantly laboring could easily burn more fuel than a larger engine
that's purring easily along.


1. please tell my father that a little fishing boat won't cut it for
all-around pleasure boating. (i constantly try to batter it into his
head that you can fish a bowrider, but you can't ride a fishing boat)

That would be a lie.

2. please tell him that they don't make bowriders with outboard motors
so he's stuck with an I/O.

That would also be a lie.


i know that those old boats are probably made mostly out of steel

Most recreational boats have been made of fiberglass for decades. Prior
to that, wood.

my guess is gonna be that the 3.0L
is gonna come up short on power.

You'll do fine with a 3.0L on most 17-19 foot boats.

but i guess the most important question that needs answering is...
what kinda power does it actually take to watertube?

This depends on what boat you buy. I had a 16 foot with a 65 horse
outboard that was great for watersports. An 85 horse would probably
have been even better. Recently had a 19 foot bowrider with a 3.0L that
also did fine with a tube.

to be able to hold its own against bigger boats?

Please don't go boating with this attitude. You are not going to be
"against" anyone. Handling your boat in crowded waters is more a matter
of good seamanship. Take the course.


can the square stroke and good low-end torque of a 305 allow you to
be conservative on gas for fishing? i think of it as a lot of
trolling, anchoring and killing the motor, and relatively minimal full
throttle time

Many add small secondary trolling motors for use once they get to their
fishing spot.

i don't want to buy an outrageously oversized motor
either, but i like to say it's better to have it and not need it then
to need it and not have it...

Get the right sized motor for the boat you buy. Oversizing is overkill
and possibly dangerous. Check the boat's "Capacity Plate" - it will
tell you maximum power the boat can handle. Exceeding it is unlawful
and not very bright.


now for the "how to buy it" part...

Do yourself a favor and have the boat surveyed before you buy. You
can't check everything a surveyor checks. Worth the money.

And take a good boating course - NOW.

Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"