Cuddy cabin boats - Tons and tons of ?'s

[Huffa]

I know NOTHING, ZILCH, about boats and am thinking of getting a used 20-22 boat with a cuddy cabin. My spending limit is about 15,000 or so.

ANY info at all would be greatly appreciated reguarding up keep, styles, what brands are top workmen ship, licenses, insurance, diesel verses gas, docking at shore charges (take home or leave there?) ............. in other words I need to get used to the boat scene and ANYTHING at all even the littlest of info would be helpful.

About all I know about boats is that they float

[wheelie king]

You do not need a licence to operate a recreational vessel for personal use (not for hire)
Insurance is case-sensitive- depends on what you buy, where you use it, and where you live.
Diesel: more expensive initial cost, heavier, and slightly more maintinence intensive....HOWEVER. Gas is louder, you have to run blowers to keep vapors out of the bilge (bottom of the boat), and they are not as fuel efficient.
Docking charges vary too greatly for me to comment. However, storing in the water means that you have to paint the bottom with special paint to keep marine growth and fiberglass blisters from ruining your boat. Most cuddy's are trailerable if you have a capable vehicle.

Most brands are pretty good. The only ones that I sometimes fear are Bayliners, and certain model year Chris Crafts.

Good luck

[chris200x]

We're goin fishin!

[Quickonstep]

Well.. heres the skinny..

If you were born AFTER 1972, you will have to complete a boaters saftey course, which even if you are not required to take it, you should anyways.. nothing worse than being on the water, and having some moron that has not a clue on how to navigate waterways cutting you off, or worse, causing a accident.

One thing you have to ask yourself is if, you want a trailer boat, or if you want a boat to stay at a marina.. If you leave a boat at a marina, it shouldnt be anymore than 100 bux to store a 20 or so ft boat.. its usually around 150-200 for anything around 24 to 30 ft.. Some places require a membership, others dont.. Some places will require you to pay 1 year in advance, others on a month to month. There are quite a few pros and cons to having your boat at a marina.. One of the pros is that, the boat will ALWAYS be in the water, ready to go, at a moments notice. You have the security OF the marina, and the people around to kinda keep a eye on the boat when your not around.. Everything is accessable right at your slip.. Water, electricity, cordage.. its all there.. Now the cons.. 1. boat is in the water, which will cause barnicles to grow on the bottom and sides (thats the reason for the special paint, also called antifouling paint) You will also needs to check your zinc's every month or so.. They are little zinc anodes that go on your outdrive/cavitation plate, and if its a newer mercury, itll have the mercathode system, which is basically powered zinc's (great system, a whore to install)

As for having a trailerboat (you could also keep in a marina if you chose too) They are ok if you have the truck to pull them.. Boats can be deciving, as true with the launch ramps you will put the boat into the water.. You will need a truck that can pull the boat outta the water when your done.. Most 150 sized trucks will pull a 22 or so ft boat outta the water without a issue.. anything bigger and your getting into a bigger truck.. The last thing you want is to loose traction and have the boat drag the truck into the drink.. The pros of having a trailer boat is.. its at your house, you control the useage and who is around it.. You have no marina fee's, and you can flush the system out after every ride.. The cons are that you will need to keep it covered (as with a boat in a marina) when not in use.. Water on anything that is not a composite will corrode or rot a boat quicker than it would take to have a motor rebuilt..

One of the major deciding factors are, can you get fuel on the water? If you cant, then i would strongly suggest a trailer boat.. nothing worse than making 40 trips with 5 gallon fuel jugs to fill up a boat.. If you have a trailer boat, you can pull right up to the pump and pump into the boat.. Also fuel on the water is usually .75-1.00 more than it is on land.. but thats what you pay for added conveniance.

As for styles.. there are really 2 basic cuddy cabin boats.. You have the center console type boats, which are usually all composite, that have a walk around cabin, and a helm station right in the center of the boat.. The cabins in these boats are usually quite small, and would really only be comfortable to sleep one person on it..

Then you got the sport/performance cuddy's... They usually have a bigger cuddy, altho not much bigger, its big enough to sleep 2 people and also hold a porta pot..

Most cuddy's will run between 45-55 mph, depending on the hull design and power..

Maintenance is a ABSOLUTE MUST on boats.. If you are lazy and a "itll be good for one more ride" kinda person, then i would suggest staying away from boats.. You MUST clean them, check the fluids, check for leaks, check for stress cracks.. That stuff is absolutly imparitive for a safe boating trip.. You will also need a life jacket for everyone on board and a throwable life preserver.

As for gas vs deisel... Deisel is HARD to find on the water.. only a select few marina's carry that (usually a deisel is a bigger, marina kept boat) So i would personally stay away from that.. Gas is plentiful on the water and on land.. so thats the route i would go..

Manufactures to go with are sea ray's, regal, larson, donzi, doral, silverton... They are all well built boats, that will last quite some time.. Bayliners are good boats also, but they are light, so they do tend to ride harsh in rougher water.. Also on the bayliner thing, dont buy a boat before 1986.. 86 and up are the ones to get.. the older bayliners had issues with hulls separating at the keel.

The wider the beam is on the boat, the more stable it will be.. But most cuddy cabins are small and will seem kinda tippy..

A boat i will suggest for you, to check out.. that will have to be marina kept is a 87-88 bayliner 2550 ciera sunbridge... Great starter boats, wide beam, are fairly quick with 305 motors, but rip with the 454 models..

If you want to look at some boats to get some styles.. go down to your local marina and take a look... They have tons of boats, with many different styles, with lengths usually ranging from 18 ft to 80 ft..

I wouldnt buy a new boat, just because they are extreamly overpriced and quickly loose value moreso than a car..

If you want to come take a ride in mine sometime, just lemmie know.. im in baltimore with a 27 ft flybridge..

Hope that helps.. if you have any other questions, ill do my best to answer them

Jesse

[nouseforaname90]

I was at the aquarium in Baltimore not too long ago. I should have came and took a ride in your boat.. lol.

[thehickfarmer]

well okay.. boats are really my thing here.. i'll help you out. if you really want a nice comfy boat i suggest you hit up the chris craft scorpion 210. it fast, BIG stable,and extremly roomy for a 21ft boat. has a very nuce cutty. and normaly powered by a mercruiser 260hp i/o. and the best part is.. you wont even spend half your bugget on a boat like this. i would really look into these. if you dont like it.. let me know what kinda boats * been lookin at and give me a holler.
Marko