BOATING QUESTIONS

[rss329]

Just wanted to know a few things on owning a boat.  Have the wife 50 percent convinced on getting one.  I have never owned or operated a boat.

What are the first and most important things should I know on getting started on boating?

What is a good starter boat?

Insurance costs?

Marina costs?  (I live in a townhome so I would have no space to store the boat)

Or anything else I need to know??

Thanks in advance.

Roy

[fishinfool]

I hope you can convince her 100%
We just bought our first boat and I absolutely love it!!!
Some days I fish, some days I just lay out, sometimes I even fall asleep
It's an expensive hobby, but well worth it.. I'm sure my husband (mboy) will give you his 2 cents.

[IrishAyes]

The first thing to know about boating:

Definition of boat:
B=Break
O=Out
A=Another
T=Thousand.

Take a boating safety course.  

A good starter boat for someone with absolutely no experience boating: my opinion= something under 18'.  You won't be able to do much harm with something that size.  Take it in the bay/rivers with an experienced person to guide you.  They can show you the affects of wind, current, etc on a boat.  Better yet, before putting out hard cash for a boat, go on someone's boat that you know and have them show you the ropes.  You can also hire a captain to do the same.

Insurance = Depends on size and coverage. Anywhere from $200.00 up.

Marina cost, Dockage, depends on location.  Most places north of Barnegat and fairly close to an inlet = $100.00+ per foot.  South of Barnegat = usually less.  You will also have winter storage.  Usually a little cheaper than the $100.00 per foot for summer slip.

I hope this helped you more than it scared you.  

[Luna Sea 5]

Just wanted to know a few things on owning a boat.  Have the wife 50 percent convinced on getting one.  I have never owned or operated a boat.

What are the first and most important things should I know on getting started on boating?

What is a good starter boat?

Insurance costs?

Marina costs?  (I live in a townhome so I would have no space to store the boat)

Or anything else I need to know??

Thanks in advance.

Roy

OK, for starters, take your boating safety course and get certified.  Then, hook up with a friend or member from here who has a boat and watch him and see if it is something you want to get yourself involved with.  Next, go to a boat show, NY and Edison has them in the off season and look around, price around, there are many different types of boats for everyone's needs.  Your starter boat should be used first, just in case you don't enjoy it, but I know you will.  Boat slips all depend on where, and the size of your vessel.  Keep in mind you have maintenance, winter, spring, painting, trailering, etc...  My best advice is to hook up with someone who does it all the time, take notes, ask questions, and make sure it is an expence you want to get yourself involved in.

[mboy]

21" center console 2003 - 13k
year round marina (wet summer/ dry storage winter- including winterizing, dewinterinzing, bottom paint and shrink wrap is $4k for the whole year.

Insurance $430 for yer

Gas $3.340 gallon

If and when you are ready to pull thr trigger, I will be more then happy to go over what I have learned when buying my 1st boat (this summer) and most importantly what I would do differnetly next time around ( I have been boating my whole life, but stilllearned much about what to look for, especially when buying used).

Where do you live Roy?

[Luna Sea 5]

I will also help you.  My family owned boats since I was born unil I was 15.  When I turned 16 I owned my first boat 18' with a 50 hp on it.  From that point on, they just kept getting bigger.  At 18, had a boston whaler, then at the age of 25 the Luna Sea came, 23' CC wellcraft with a 200, at the age of 28, Luna Sea 2 came which was a 25' Cuddy with a 265 IO, and lastly at the age of 32, the Luna Sea 3 came which is what I have to date.

I have been there and can answer most of your questions, not to mention, when I was born, my grandfather took me under his wings from the very start of life...
 

[rss329]

thanks for some great insights, I live in northern Jersey in Ledgewood located in Roxbury Township (near lake hopatcong).  I have actually been searching around and went to a couple boat dealers while I was in Long Island last week(trying to get wife excited and into boating  ).  When I do get the chance i am definiteily looking for a used boat in the 12-15k range (tight budget).  But most likely it will be for next season, i dont want to rush into buying one.

Any specific brand or manufacturer I should be looking into?  

thanks again.

[Luna Sea 5]

thanks for some great insights, I live in northern Jersey in Ledgewood located in Roxbury Township (near lake hopatcong).  I have actually been searching around and went to a couple boat dealers while I was in Long Island last week(trying to get wife excited and into boating  ).  When I do get the chance i am definiteily looking for a used boat in the 12-15k range (tight budget).  But most likely it will be for next season, i dont want to rush into buying one.

Any specific brand or manufacturer I should be looking into?  

thanks again.

  There are just tooo many brands out there.  If your into fishing, get a nice open boat, if you want to relax on the water, then get a cuddy cabin.  The price of the boat is nothing compared to the upkeep on it.  Make sure you prepare for it...

[IrishAyes]

As Luna said.  It depends on what you want to do with a boat.  Strictly fishing or fishing and family fun, etc.  That will be the first thing to consider.  From there you will be able to make an informed decision as to the type of boat, center console, bow rider, cabin or what have you.  The location where you will be using the boat will come into play also.  Ocean, lakes, river, Some boats would be useless in one or the other place.  That would be your second decision to make after what your use would be. 

[sealife]

I would hook up with some people that have boats and use them in the same area you are interested in.  Do you paln on trailering the boat or getting a slip.  There is a lot of differences in boat ramps and marinas to look into.  I know some people that bought a float on trailer and got to a boat ramps on Barnegat Bay at low tide and they did not have enough water to float the boat on the trailer.

Also take the boating safety course, it is required right now if you were born in 1959 or later.  some boat dealers will throw in the course as part fo the boat deal.  if you are in the Trenton area Langs ski and scuba offers the course and the next one is August 20 and 22.  The website is www.langsskiandscuba.com.

[Hotrod]

Also take the boating safety course, it is required right now if you were born in 1959 or later.  some boat dealers will throw in the course as part fo the boat deal.  if you are in the Trenton area Langs ski and scuba offers the course and the next one is August 20 and 22.  The website is www.langsskiandscuba.com.

This is a great coarse! At this one,  you actually learn something

[Sam3]

Great thread here. I was going to ask some questions about marina costs, insurance, etc. as I am going to buy a salt boat next year as well. Need to sell the bass boat first. 
I'm from the same area as rss329 and don't want to trailer a boat back and forth.

Good information and thanks.