Is 30 or 30+ too big for 1st time boater

Just to throw my 2 cents in here, I started with a Rinker 330 Fiesta Vee (36') for my first boat. Everyone above had great points and are spot on with their recommendations. I kept my first boat for 8 years before upgrading to my current boat which is a Sea Ray 480. Yes, another big bump. Things i've learned along the way, i'd never buy another large boat with IOs which is in the water all the time. Before purchasing our Rinker, we came up with stuff we wanted to do with it. IE where we'd like to visit? what we want to do with it... etc That more than anything drove the selection of the boat. We quickly ruled out the smaller boats because of where we wanted to go and the redundancies(dual engines) we were after. Hope this helps.
 
I only scanned the replies, but I didn't see anyone talk about insurance. That can be an issue with going big with a first boat. (and clearly, sometimes/some places/for some people it isn't)

A friend of mine bought a 34 sailboat as his first vessel and he couldn't get it insured. A member here went from 45 to a 68 and had to hire a captain for a year. I recently insured my 2nd boat with a different carrier than the first boat, and they drilled me relentlessly - making me scan copies of certifications etc.

Might be worth a few phone calls before you get too far.
 
We have a friend who bought a new 42' Tiara Open for his first boat. He picked it up at the factory in Holland, lived on it for a week and learned the systems, how to handle it etc., from a captain. We met them at a Tiara event in northern Michigan. He and his wife took off from Michigan and did the Great Loop. I year later we ran in to them again in northern Lake Michigan and learned that they had just finished the loop. In one year, they went from novices to highly skilled and experienced boaters. So..... My belief is start as big as you can afford. You will not have to trade boats so often.
 
CSR Community!

Thank you for the replies, information and advice! I'm definitely level headed, realistic and understand this may be a lengthy process. Here is some additional info based on the questions above.

1. Budget: less than $100k
2. Insurance: have reviewed USAA through Progressive (I believe) and difference is a 2 thousand on the larger size boat, not sure if it would be denied based on email results.
3. Location: Virginia Beach, won't be on any lakes
4. Training: I would absolutely take classes and lessons
5. Assistance: at the club, I certainly learn from the best
6. Family size, 4 with 2 kids and a dog, sure extended "family" will grow

This additional info provided any additional commentary?
 
CSR Community!

Thank you for the replies, information and advice! I'm definitely level headed, realistic and understand this may be a lengthy process. Here is some additional info based on the questions above.

1. Budget: less than $100k
2. Insurance: have reviewed USAA through Progressive (I believe) and difference is a 2 thousand on the larger size boat, not sure if it would be denied based on email results.
3. Location: Virginia Beach, won't be on any lakes
4. Training: I would absolutely take classes and lessons
5. Assistance: at the club, I certainly learn from the best
6. Family size, 4 with 2 kids and a dog, sure extended "family" will grow

This additional info provided any additional commentary?

Based on what you said, go find a very nice 33 footer!!!
 
I think you got some good advice here. Read up, be a sponge, get some lessons, etc. Look for empty dock slips when you are out. Go early, with no wind, and practice docking - multiple times, on every trip. Give yourself "what if" scenarios, and how you would handle them if it occurrred. IE, evasive manuevers from other boats, rapid astern, etc. I was almost T boned, dead center during a Christmas boat parade at night by a drunk guy a couple years ago. It was close quarters manuevering with alot of boats, and I am not exagerating when i say there was no one on the bridge of that boat when he almost hit me. As I evaded him, I watched him climbing the steps back up to the wheel. Anything can happen. But most of all, have fun.
 
My first cruiser is a 30 ft and I wish I got a 340. My family size is 4 and a dog

Sent from my SM-T217S using Tapatalk
 
My first boat is a 33 foot Sundancer. You'll be fine at that size. Just hire a good captain to pick it up with you and to give you 4 to 8 hours instruction on your boat.

I wish I had gotten bigger for my first boat. A stateroom door would make it comfortable enough for another couple to travel with us. And joystick control would mean Admiral Peg would be willing to dock the boat, or less panicked in an emergency. So in retrospect I might have gone a bit bigger for my first boat but this is a great size for starters.
 
I only scanned the replies, but I didn't see anyone talk about insurance. That can be an issue with going big with a first boat. (and clearly, sometimes/some places/for some people it isn't)

A friend of mine bought a 34 sailboat as his first vessel and he couldn't get it insured. A member here went from 45 to a 68 and had to hire a captain for a year. I recently insured my 2nd boat with a different carrier than the first boat, and they drilled me relentlessly - making me scan copies of certifications etc.

Might be worth a few phone calls before you get too far.

Good advice. A member of our old yacht club's first boat was a 46' Formula and he had to have a Captain take him out for quite sometime before he could "go it alone". Also, you might want to check with NBOA they give Sea Ray owners a bit of a break. Go as big as you can, have fun and the best of luck:)
 
I'm looking at a 34 foot Cruisers yacht next sat near Richmond. 2005 with new motors.
 
I'm looking at a 34 foot Cruisers yacht next sat near Richmond. 2005 with new motors.

I am suspicious of newer boats that have "new" engines. I would want this well documented and not a fairy tale by dealer or seller. What other neglect did the boat suffer in the care if the owner that destroyed 2 engines?

MM
 
There are a lot of Sandy boats out there that have been moved after "recovery". Be very careful, find out all the history you can, have a thorough survey and sea trial done, and question everything.

Not sure who is selling the boat, but if it's through Commonwealth Boat Brokers keep in mind that they sell a lot of repo boats - you have no idea what kind of maintenance they have had, or why the prior owner abandoned it. Also, if the boat isn't already in the water, they don't do sea trials. On the other hand, they work on a fixed commission, so they are usually willing to work with you to let you find the lowest price that the bank will accept. They just want the sale.

I just mention this since they are one of the largest sources of used boats "near Richmond"
 
Allegedly 1 owner, 9 years old, broker is legit.

Not many cruisers yachts out there and just reviewing will certainly get a survey.
 

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