New to boating

[rktktpaul]

Last year when I was picking up my new 185 Sport from the dealer, the service manager had asked my wife where we planned to be boating. She had indicated that we obtained a slip for the summer on Lake Michigan.

As he finished hitching up the trailer to my car, he looked up at me and said, "I hear you're going to be running in Lake Michigan. I'll see you next year when you come in for a bigger boat." I find myself loooking at the 240 Sundecks quite a bit this year.

 

[MrIcemaker]

I own one of the new 175 Sports, and would echo most of the comments here. I have been out in some pretty good waves (Powell) and although I haven't ever been concerned about making it back to the marina, I HAVE wished I was in something bigger. I agree with the previous comment - if you can afford a new 175, get yourself a 195 to 240 that is a few years older (obviously the larger to boat, the older you will be looking at!)

Don't get me wrong - for most days, we love our 175, but in bigger waves nothing beats size! :thumbsup:

 

[Gogstad]

Looks like I am a little late to this thread, and new to the board as well, but I will give you my experience buying a new sport boat this season....

We were also considering something in the 175-195 range as a starter boat. The common thread from every boat owner I spoke to while researching was "get the biggest, best boat you can afford that meets your needs."

I was pretty sure I wanted the 185. It is a good boat, good reviews, etc. After testing the 185/195 with the sales rep, I realized that the seating fills up quickly if you plan on having any guests aboard. (having other families aboard was on our list of must haves) I was also a little concerned about wind/chop in the Chesapeake in a smaller boat. Needless to say, when I asked the sales rep to uncover the 205, he got a big grin on his face. Fortunately, my wife's enthusiasm for boating did not wane with the news of a bigger boat (read bigger price tag).

To date (45 hrs) our decision to go a little bigger than originally anticipated has been great for accomodating our guests as well as giving us a better ride when venturing out into the bay into the bigger water.

Hope some of that is helpful, good luck and let us know what you get.

 

[cagnoli]

Not sure if you have made a choice yet, but Lake Erie definately warrants a larger boat. However, if your budget is more in line with the 175/185, I would recommend Smith Boys in Ashville NY. Chautauqua lake is only a 40 minute drive from downtown Erie, they have tons of new entry level boats, AND if you put one in a Slip at Smithboys, Chautauqua Lake is a fantastic lake for a new boater. There are only two real obstacles you would ever have to worry about, grass island and the crib, both are very clearly marked, and lake depth varies from 8 feet to 60 feet.

We purchased a 2004 220Select last year, definately a good buy, probably about 3,000 more than you would pay for a 185 new, but a 22 foot boat, 300HP, seats 8 people, and never a problem on the lake. I'm going to trade it in this week, we are going bigger (Friends won't buy boats, so we are getting a 260SD so our cheapskate friends can tag along in greater numbers

I'm sure they would make you a smokin deal on my 220 Select, it's only got 212 hours on it, and it's four years old. Very good condition, you might consider that. (I think the slip for a new 185 would run you about 500 bucks for the year, the slip for my 220 is a little larger and goes for 815.00)

Again, Chautauqua lake is pretty good alternative for a new boater. Even on the windiest days, 18" swells are the biggest you will see typically (More of a small bump), and there are nice places to swim, several nice restaurants on the water, with the upper and lower basins, you can always find a spot "less traveled" for some swimming, and the fishing isn't bad either.

Please don't take this as a sales pitch, I just know that with Lake Erie going from glass to 4 footers on zero notice is the reason we bought our boat without a trailer, and keep it on Chautauqua Lake. I know that the Bay can get really busy on the few days that the lake is calm, and if you don't mind the drive, our little pond may be a good option.

 

[boathead1127]

Since I sell sea rays, I can definitely vouch for the other opinions in this thread. The 185 will get beat up compared to a boston whaler or a larger bow rider. The center consoles have steeper bows to cut the waves better. If you want a good family boat and not a console type, I would suggest the 205 sport or a used 220 select or larger. While I have not boated on your lake, I have been in many rough environments and you do not want to sacrifice the safety of a larger boat to save a couple grand. Most sales pros will tell you to start small and trade up but in your case I would start a little larger. And no, this is not a sales pitch since I cannot sell a boat in the north. Good luck in your search and happy boating!