Newbie plan - will it work?

[pepeborja]

Hello, new to boating here. My previous experience boils down to 2 old Jet Skis I got on Ebay for less than $1500 each and a trailer. Kept them for several years and did all the maintenance. myself. I also rented a pontoon boat twice. I am familiar a little bit on what the wheel and throttle stick does as well as operating a trailer and launching Jet Skis. I am comfortable towing a trailer with my Tundra 5.8L.

I am looking to get into boating and drawing form my pilot's experience on how to go about this. Take a look and tell me where I am going wrong or what I may be missing.

To start I am reading the books and getting my safety boating certificate. Good info to have.

My plan is to spend $10K on an 18~20 foot Sea Ray (is there any other?) boat and operate it on the Delaware river about 20 miles north of Philly (Neshaminy?).

The objective is to get familiar with boating procedures, launching, recovery, docking, cruising, navigation, safety, upkeep, maintenance, cleaning, and overall skippering.

Secondary objectives are to see just how I and the GF (Admiral you guys call them) take to the activity. Also to meet other boating folks and to reckon marinas and establish relationships for possible seasonal slip usage rather than trailering.

The crew would be me and the GF, Her 2 kids may join us too.

At the end of the season we would assess (or earlier if the proverbial hits the fan) our experiences and decide on the next step. We would either sell it or go to a bigger 24~28 foot Deck Boat with a head to be kept on the water during the season. We would like to have space to entertain bigger groups and share on the boating experience.

I am trying to stay within the 10K budget to ensure I do not buy anything more than what we need to try boating this year. If I have an epic fail I should be able to recover most of the money (provided the mechanicals are in good order) .
I am limiting my search to Sea Ray boats that have a service history, preferably with the same shop. No service records = no go. Better safe that sorry unless it is a private seller with demonstrable anal retentive maintenance skills.

The boat I picked is a 1998 Sea Ray 190 BR with the 5.0L. Has a good service history and I figured that's about right for this test.
I also have an aye on a newer 185 BR with the 3 litter engine and low hours.
Since I do not plan on doing any heavy sport activities the smaller boat with the 3.0 engine may be enough for a 1 year deal provided I can get it for a cheap price given how undesirable the 3 liters are.

Am I all wet or do I have a sound plan? Now is the time for some reality checks so all input is welcome.

 

[JimG]

I think you're on the right track... although I don't know anyone who got into boating and then got out. Once your in, your in! I would be more partial to the 190 with the 5.0. Another thing you will soon learn... Bigger is always better!

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!

 

[mwph]

The challenges with an older boat, to name a few: Transom and stringer rot, outdrive couplers, bellows and U-Joints, engine issues....well, you name it. Any combination of these can add up to several thousand dollars to the cost of the boat in order to fix them.

In my opinion, your plan's success or failure rides on Scott's post. Finding an older boat with complete service records can be tough so if you've done that, then move forward to the survey. Do not be shocked at the cost or talked out of the survey! Remember, your whole plan is riding on it!

As a side note, you might want to keep $1000 in your plan for last minute items. Trailer repairs or maintenance, safety gear, the first two tanks of fuel, stuff like that. It all ads up quick.

Good luck & Welcome to CSR!

 

[rondds]

One sure-fire quick way to be sure your "admiral" hates boating is to break down repeatedly. Since you are a self-professed newbie, get the survey and stick to the surveyor like glue. You might just learn something. Best of luck to ya!

 

[my3sons]

Sounds like a good plan to me also, and all the posts above are sound advice from guys that have been around the block a few times. Have fun shopping for your first boat and welcome to CSR

 

[src]

That's actually pretty similar to what happened to us, only we didn't plan it out like that. We bought a '97 175BR as our first boat, and it was enough to teach us that (1) we wanted to spend a LOT more time on the water and (2) we needed amenities, since we wanted to spend nights/weekends out. Within the year we were looking for a bigger boat, initially looking at trailer boats in the 24-26' range. However, once we really tried to match what we were going to use it for, we ended up looking in the 30' range, and ended up with the 2000 310. We now have the ability to spend as much time out on the water as we care to plan for. If you are planning to keep the next boat at a marina, take a good look at how you want to spend your time. I suspect you will end up with a larger boat than you currently think you need. Don't get into the cycle of chasing the next boat. Once you decide you are in, go all in.

We ended up keeping the 175 as our "play" boat, since we don't always want to burn a ton of gas, and there's no way I would ever try to tow anyone behind the 310. That way we got the best of both worlds.

 

[SeaNile]

I sold my previous boat to a guy who keeps it right around where you are talking about. Sounds like a good plan to me. Will you be doing all of your boating there north of Philly? Chesapeake is near by and offers some of the best boating around.

If you ever want to crawl all over a 240 SunDeck and go for a cruise my boat is relatively close.

You are definitely on the right track with a preowned boat. If you look around and take your time you will find what you are looking for.

--JK

 

[Chris Nowell]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've totally got yer **** together as far as your approach goes. Sorry I can't relate any experience in your particular location but, go as big as you can afford with the boat AND the engine. You're going to end up selling it anyway when you buy a 260 SD.

Oh, and the GF will now have to be referred to as the GW, (galley wench). Or, if you have no balls like me it's Mrs. Admiral,,,,,,,, Ma'am. :grin: Good luck an' keep us posted as ya go.

 

[ZZ13]

Did the same as src. Two bigger boats later I still have the 175 Sport. I just can't part with it. The 3.0l engine is more than enough for what I do including hauling six adults around the ICW.

 

[dburne]

The wife and I did pretty much the same, bought an old 1990 180 BR back over two years ago, and fell in love with boating. The old boat had some rotting going on , in the transom , floor, and probably stringers, so we have just bought our first new boat - the 190 Sport, and are picking it up later today. We are very excited, and will be waiting patiently for boating season to get here...

 

[boltman]

My advice is to look into a 20 cuddy,because being on the water all day....sometimes you need to get out of the sun in the cuddy and have some afternoon FUN with you GF ,. My fist boat was a 24 cuddy and when the kids aren't around sometimes the bikini had to come off. Good luck and welcome to the club,oh notice what boat I have now........

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[rondds]

TMI ROBERT!! LOL!

​but he's right.

 

[dburne]

Sweet ride there Robert, my wife would absolutely love to have something like that - maybe some day....

 

[blaster]

My advice is to look into a 20 cuddy,because being on the water all day....sometimes you need to get out of the sun in the cuddy and have some afternoon FUN with you GF ,. My fist boat was a 24 cuddy and when the kids aren't around sometimes the bikini had to come off. Good luck and welcome to the club,oh notice what boat I have now........

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

So now you have graduated to multiple stabbin' cabins. You do have an awesome boat.

Me, I just find a secluded area on a weekday. Who cares if your under the sun. Unfortunately most of the time I'm alone.

And to the OP, the 190 bow rider is way more boat than a 185. You won't get near the same ride and the 3.0 is borderline. Its OK if you like to take a long time to plane out and run low to mid thirties fully loaded.

 

[pepeborja]

Thank you all for the replies and humor. The boat I found has a service history in the same service shop. I do not see anything that screams stay away other than some minor sqwaks (light, pitot) that need attentions and a short exposure to freezing temps noted by the mechanic. I assume a good surveyor and sea trial would uncover freezing damage to the powerplant.

I plan to do a second walk of the boat Tue or Wed and make an offer. I can share the PDF with the maint docs if you want to take a look at them (PM me) --your thoughts on these docs are much valued. I just want to make sure my first year goes (especially with the Admiral as someone noted) well before I jump head first into a larger boat and commitment to a marina.

Src: I am with you on the sentiment that a full appraisal is needed on what use will be given to the boat to ensure the right boat is purchased. A lot will depend on the GF. I think a large boat would be a great way to stay-cation twice a year.

SeaNile: I appreciate the offer to check out your boat and shall keep it in mind. Who knows how far I will venture when boating. I figure the 190 BR would be good to go almost down to the C&D channel and gain time and experience.

Initially I just wanted to get into a 34 footer that got my fancy to get it done and over with, but my gray hairs and flying experience talked me out of it. I knew the sensible thing to do is to buy a used boat in good condition to learn and get familiar with all aspects of safety and boating. Use it one season to explore, look, and evaluate where to go next. It is sensible, IMHO, to make the first boat an investment towards learning and not let it go past that point. For that purpose I do not need a fancy boat, just a well maintained boat that has seen most of its depreciation and I can be easily sold without too much pain.

 

[Dave 205]

I can't fault your logic. And, if in the end you really want more of a cruiser then a sport boat, this may be the way to start.

You did mention that you may want to entertain, and that temptation will come very quickly and is quite natural. In my case, having something just a bit larger like a 24' Sundeck would probably be perfect - maxing out at about 13 people. My current top of a crowded 9 in a 21' doesn't always cut it. Garage storage considerations are my biggest barrier to an upgrade.

Most people we boat with have something a notch bigger, and for day play, handling larger lakes, and handling things like river currents, the slightly bigger boats feel a lot more confident on the water.

In other words, a few more feet makes a better experience without breaking the bank on upfront, fuel, etc., and the boat will remain suitable for skiing, boarding, tubing, etc. if that is part of your goal.

 

[Bucit]

....sometimes you need to get out of the sun in the cuddy and have some afternoon FUN with you GF ,. My fist boat was a 24 cuddy and when the kids aren't around sometimes the bikini had to come off.

Shoot, my trunks wouuld come off in a boat like that. :grin: I like your style and thought process. I've had a cuddy or bigger for 14+ years for the same reasosns.

 

[rcknecht]

I've got my 190 Sundeck for sale... It is a 2001 with 240 hours and a trialer... I put 3K of preventative maintenance in her last year and only used one tank a gas... If your interested here is the link: http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/boa/4338895633.html. I just posted it yesterday... We are asking $12K.. War aren't far from you...

 

[Boat Guy]

I think it's great you want to get into boating...

I honestly don't know if you can do this or not. I'll defer to the guys with boats in that range....

I love the pilot reference. I will tell you, since I didn't read this in any other post... You've got to plan on spending some money. If you can do your own maintenance, that's great. It will help a lot.... I just want to tell you things will come up and it's going to cost a bit more than you think. Not trying to scare you away, just the opposite. I just want you to expect it so you can focus on the enjoyment that isn't quantified by spreadsheet analysis.

 

[SeaNile]

I think it's hard to beat what the Sundeck line offers. I've had numerous boats over the years and my 240 SD has provided the most fun. Holds 12 people, has a private head, provides plenty of shade and allows you to either cruise or have a ton of fun skiing/tubing/wakeboarding. Just don't plan on spending the night of the boat. For us, boating and the fun associated with it, is done with family and friends and the 240 SD allows us to bring along numerous people.