First Time Buyer

We had a 28 footer at the water line, beam was 10.5 feet with upper and lower helm. Boat was small but was OK we had it for 5 years. It was a go fast boat as we both worked and we went some distance to boat. If all you have off for time is 1 to 2 weeks and you want to go places small boat is better. We are retired now and we have time to go slow. We have gone 70 knots in a day but the water was perfect and there was no wind. In the go fast boat we did 22 knots and could do 80 knots in 4 hours. Fuel burn at 22 knots was 15 gallons an hour. If we go fast in the present boat it can be 50 gallons an hour at 18 knots. but at 6 knots it is 6 gallons an hour.
Rent a few small boats and see what you like. A big boat when you retire is nice as you need (In my opinion) a floating home.
 
Rxjoe said:
More great info, thank you all. My wife and i are mid 30's and have no kids. We do have a dog. Overnighting on the boat will be mostly just us. Id say more often than not at the marina which has a few bars/restraunts and a pool with a little area. Is a 260 really too small? Mostly friday and saturday overnights with a few week night trips for games concerts etc.
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I'm 38, just me and one other person and two dogs. The 260 will begin to feel tight, but if you spend a little more and go with a 280 or 310 you'll enjoy it longer without feeling cramped. Space is a premium on a boat and the 260 just doesn't have much of it.

Plus, I like a head that I can stand up in and has a proper shower head. This is more of the 310.
We like to make meals on the boat, so having a little extra elbow room for cooking, etc is nice.

If you're going to spend a long weekend on the boat.. 2-3 nights.. also keep in mind you'll want enough space in the cabin to ride out bad weather, watch a movie in the evening, etc.

When determining your budget, also factor in cost of ownership. You pay for a slip by the foot at most marinas. So there's a price difference between 26 and 31'. Insurance rates are often based on the agreed upon value of the boat. How much fuel will it take to fill up? I have a professional detailer wax my boat twice a season and he charges by the foot.
 
Sprint7TW said:
Look at the thread above this. "Time to trade up"
This boat would be perfect for you. Probably about the same cost as you are looking at for a 260.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...ttle---Kirkland/WA/United-States#.V_-Na-ArLup
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This is a great boat for the price. It's basically the 2008 version of my boat and I have the same engine configuration. V Drives are far less maintenance than a stern drive boat. The 8.1's are gas guzzlers, but you definitely won't be short on power. There are transport companies that can ship it accros the country for you.
 
Rxjoe said:
More great info, thank you all. My wife and i are mid 30's and have no kids. We do have a dog. Overnighting on the boat will be mostly just us. Id say more often than not at the marina which has a few bars/restraunts and a pool with a little area. Is a 260 really too small? Mostly friday and saturday overnights with a few week night trips for games concerts etc.
Click to expand...
One thing that is a factor is where are you going to use the boat.If your going to be on the Ohio river then any size boat can handle the river but if you are going to use on Lake Erie then bigger is better.Currently my wife small dog and I are going to move up to a 290 Da. We have a 1988 230 wk that we've used for long weekend on Erie for the last 4 years.Now a newer 260 is not that much bigger then a older 230 and we have managed to make the best of it .and it is doable.When you step up to a 290 you gain width and that makes a big difference.If it is just always going to be the two of you and you are not wanting to go bigger you might want to look at a weekender over a sundancer you lose the mid cabin but pick up a lot of space.
 
So i may have found a 2015 280. It was sold new at beginning of this summer and was stored in salt water for 5 months. It is not bottom painted. Is 5 months in saltwater without bottom paint terrible for the boat?
 
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