1st Boat Ever, How Big Is Too big?

I'll toss out a bit of a different perspective on your question about boat size. Some people are not mechanically inclined, and by that I don't mean they know how to fix things, but they just don't seem to be able to operate things. They aren't fun to ride with when they're driving a car, they scare the heck out of you any time they talk about taking a long trip, they just don't seem to be able to be able to wrap their minds around operating equipment, cars, trucks, etc. For them, a 17' bowrider might be too big.

Others, and I like to think of myself being a part of this group, are just the opposite. The concept of operating things seems to come easily to them. As an example, my first charter of a boat bigger than my 20'er was a 32 Grand Banks, single engine. I'd never driven a boat that big but managed to do well enough on the "driver training" handling test prior to the charter that the owner of the boat felt I would be OK to take it. That test included taking it out of a slip adjacent to a rather tight fairway then out through a series of 3 doglegs to get out of the marina. Then I had to bring it back and put it back in the slip. I was out of position the first time I tried to get it back in the slip but backed off before I bumped anything and took a second approach that was successful.

I'm sure you know people who fit into both of those categories. If you can put yourself in group two, a 340 will not be too big for you after you have a few hours at the helm. You will grasp the concepts of handling, anchoring, close quarter maneuvering, etc., quite easily with a little bit of practice.

I always have two pieces of advice for boat buyers. The first is to buy our second boat first. By that I mean don't waste your money on a boat that you feel pretty comfortable you could operate right now. In a couple of years you will have outgrown it and want to trade it on a large one, and that gets expensive. Buy the second boat first and save the money you would have lost on the first boat.

The second piece of advice is don't buy a boat unless it makes your heart beat faster. The perfect boat for you is one that makes you do a "look back". By that I mean as you walk away from her on the dock you can't help but look back over your shoulder and be amazed at how beautiful she is. She'll make your heart beat faster as you walk up to her and again as you pull out of the slip. She's like a fine bottle of wine, a great car, and your wife....you just can't quite believe she's yours. THAT is the right boat for you, and you won't be happy if you settle for less.
 
My story
First boat was 28 footer with twin stern drives cruised at 24 knots and burnt 1 liter a minute. Paid 25 for it put in 20 over five years sold it for net 10. It was a good learner boat. We figured out what we really wanted. In retrospect if we had got a 32 footer to start we probably would still have it but it would not be as good as what we have now. If I was to start again I would rent a few to see what I want. You can rent with a captain and that might be a good way to learn how to handle a big boat. Do not know your money situation but a boat is costly. Our 28 footer probably cost us 7,000 a year to slip, repair, fuel and insure. This one cost 15,000 on a year we go out for 4 weeks and 25,000 when we go out for 3 to 4 months.
 
Never approach anything faster the you are willing to hit it..... And I had fellow member in my club who bought his first boat as a 50' Navigator and his next one is a 65' Tollycraft. Jump in !!!
 
My first post!

I just started boating 1 year ago. My first boat was a 50' Bestway (Taiwan). I didn't even know how to drive a boat yet! I spent nearly $30,000 in just 6 months on needed repairs exclusing dock and insurance. I am an idiot! Just sold it for a 37' Sea Ray. Now I will take lessons and attempt to have fun at boating.
 
Determine how you are going to use the boat. Then get the biggest boat you can afford in term of total cost of ownership and be done with it.

Be careful of branding BS. Is there really a 1 foot difference between the "newer" 330 and the 340? Yet a late 80's 340 could swallow my late nineties 330.

I would venture to guess if you looked at an older 390, it would be branded at least a 420 today, yet be much larger inside than a new 42.

If you can find one, get a hard top. I love mine as does anyone under it in the heat of summer when they are roasting under their canvas.

If you plan on several days out, a seperate shower is a HUGE bennie as is a Raritan (or the like) system as opposed to a holding tank.

How easy is everything to get to when it does break out there? And it's gonna break out there!

I'm not trying to disuade you in any way. A 45 is no harder to drive than a 35. It all comes down to your enjoyment and what you can afford. As a bachelor, my boat works fine for me. My boat with a set of Yanmars would tickle me to death.

Good luck.
 
Not sure in NJ where you live... But you can come by my house I will take you on 340 and let you drive... It is easier to drive than my 190 Sundeck, its just cost more... a lot more.... If have the money, the bigger the better... just make sure you have have a good teacher, and good insurance... If I could afford it, I would have a 100' yacht... but I can't :huh:
 
Riff Raff
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[h=5]Mini Statistics[/h]Join Date 07-09-2013Last Activity 08-13-2013 10:17
 
Riff Raff said:
We are wanting to purchase our very first boat. We are coming to boating later in life (late 40's) so i don't really have time to trade up through 3-4 boats.

We were thinking of a late model 340 Sundancer, the prices seem fine and the boat is just enough for the two of us.

Is a 340 too much boat for a first boat, or does it not really matter?
We are prepared to hire the services of a professional Captain to teach us.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-Riff Raff
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techmitch said:
Riff Raff
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[h=5]Mini Statistics[/h]Join Date 07-09-2013Last Activity 08-13-2013 10:17
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This was his only post and he hasnt been back. LOL

MM
 
Annoys the crap out of me.
 
I don't mean to hijack someones post however, we are in a similar situation. This was our first season on the water and we loved it!. So much so we are looking to upgrade for next season. Any advice would be more than welcomed. Whatever we go with next season we would like to keep for a while. We currently own a 2000 Sea Ray 215, which is ok for short runs here and there but we discovered we would like the ability to go out and possibley stay overnight or even multiple nights. We have 3 small children and would like to ensure we size our next boat accordingly. We really don't plan on doing much in the way of tubing or wake boarding. I initially told my wife i was looking at the 280's however i think a 320 may better suit our needs.

Secondly, I see the comment often that people lose money not buying their second boat first however i don't understand. Is it due to the fact that you take a hit on the sale of your first boat? We got a great deal on the 215 and stand to make a few $ on selling it privately so i'm not sure it was really a bad thing that we didn't get the bigger boat first. We also learned quite a bit about the waterways as well as docking during high and low tides.
 
If you have the means, then go for the 320. You've already taken the trial run with your current boat. I doubt that once you add some creature comforts you will stop enjoying boating.
 
I started boating three years ago with zero experience on boats. We bought a 2001 Sea Ray 310 for our family of four. I took two online safety classes and hired a captain to help me move it 8hrs from where it was docked. We paid the captain for one additional day of docking, anchoring, and miscellaneous. The first season was a steep learning curve but boaters are always looking to help a novice. I had several people work with me on the finer points of docking and now three seasons in feel very confident in my ability. I did have some challenges obtaining insurance without experience. I ended up getting it through State Farm who holds my homeowner policy. They didn't seem to mind the lack of experience.

I have thought about going bigger but like having the ability to operate my boat by myself. Too big and you may need some help docking by yourself. A boat big enough to sleep comfortably is a big plus. Being able to stay at the marina overnight let's you get the full boating experience. My slip neighbors just moved up to a 31 from a center console after 8 yrs. they recently commented how many friends they've met this season now that they stay overnight at the marina.

Good luck with your purchase!

Troy
 
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