Tell Me About Boats!

I'm considering getting a boat. I live near a port town on the east side of Lake Michigan, halfway up the state (of Michigan). Here's what I'd like (this will be my first boat bigger than a rowboat):

Deep V hull
Cuddy, preferably with a head
Outboard motor (or two)
26 feet or less in length (I plan to trailer it to the launch, a mile or two away from my house)
Something I can swim from/cruise up the coast in.
Something I can fish from with downriggers
Can't afford a Boston Whaler....even a used one at this point.

Age isn't as important as condition. I've seen some really nice 20+ year-old boats in good shape that have been taken care of .

Only buy a used one and make sure to get a good test ride.
The electronics do not really add anything to the value, so don't pay much extra for them- they are probably obsolete anyway.
When you do make your deal only use non-ethanol fuel, it costs more , but is well worth the extra expense.
You have to buy at least three before you find the one thats right for you, so this one is your "litmus test", enjoy it this year and start thinking about its replacement.
PS do a careful inspection of the trailer and its brakes and springs and lights.
Good luck and have fun- oh yes get some training Power Squadron or Coast Guard Aux.

The two happiest days in a man’s life are when he buys his first boat and when he sells it.

Another saying is a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into.

I have had a couple of boats in my life and there is a great deal of truth in these axioms. There is a great deal of expense associated with a boat. Some you expect and plan for. Its the unexpected expenses that kill you. I realized it was better to have a friend with a boat. The same thing can be said of swimming pools.

I owned boats for 37 years continuous. It is a lot of fun for a few years. But when getting the boat ready for the next seasons use, and routine maintenance is more work than fun, it is time to bail out.

Did You ever see the Movie The Money Pit? Same thing.

Look around at what other people have in your area, talk to them and see why they like or dislike what they have.
Do you have the ability to store it inside in the winter? If not that can be a big expense.
In my opinion 26' or under sounds small for big water like Lake Michigan. I live on a small inland lake and most boats here are in the 24-28' foot range.

We had a 27 ft Rinker, style like you described except inboard. Winterization, storage, summer ready, and license, cost $1200 a year before putting in gas or turning the key.

RSanch111 said:

I'm considering getting a boat. I live near a port town on the east side of Lake Michigan, halfway up the state (of Michigan). Here's what I'd like (this will be my first boat bigger than a rowboat):

Deep V hull
Cuddy, preferably with a head
Outboard motor (or two)
26 feet or less in length (I plan to trailer it to the launch, a mile or two away from my house)
Something I can swim from/cruise up the coast in.
Something I can fish from with downriggers
Can't afford a Boston Whaler....even a used one at this point.

Age isn't as important as condition. I've seen some really nice 20+ year-old boats in good shape that have been taken care of .

Click to expand...

Big portable hole in the water into which one tosses money . . .

A boat that size and especially if it has two OB engines will cost a bunch to operate. You better have a gas card for sure. Yes you should take a boating course.
My boss had a cabin cruiser and he got caught in a bad storm and fog. The coast guard led him by radio by using navigation charting to where he was told to drop anchor. He was told to stay put there till morning. In the morning he saw he was anchored about 50' off shore.
I agree with the above that boating can be like a wishing well that takes more than pennies. My boss also bought a high powered cigar boat which he only had for like one season. It was nothing to spend $150 a day for gas just running around the lake.
I had a lot of fun with my boats skiing and fishing but they were only 17' boats. They weren't to costly to have fun with.

My 24' (28' overall) open bow is in a bay north of Rochester NY on Lake Ontario. I have to pick my days to go out on the lake. Many times we stay in the bay and don't venture out at all.

4 foot plus wave are not unusual and can "pop up" at most any time. They are usually very tight and somewhat unpleasant. I assume the east side of Lake Michigan is equally as rough if not worse. I would suggest you see what other folks have, read a lot and ask a bunch of questions.

Outboards of that size with a cabin are more likely to be walkarounds. There are a bunch of manufactures. They get very pricy!!!! At around 24' long many tend to get above 102" beam to allow for twin outboards. Towing could be an issue with a wider beam!!!

Good Luck.

26' is a BIG boat. I've been on Lake Michigan and it's COLD-year round. FOr that reason you do wise to think cuddy-or alternatively dual console. Center console boats really have no place on the Great lakes except for a few hot days in August
Look for used Grady Whites in the 20-22 ft range with the cuddy. That is where you'll get the best bang for your buck. DOn't be afraid to get an old one either. The big issue with the Grady's is the transom-it ans the stringers are encapuslated wood and you mat have rot or even God forbid, termite issues. Never was a big Bayliner fan-didn't like the build quality. Down here I like my center consoles and the big 26 footers will have a head in the center console itself. I would stay with a boat length that is well powered by a single 200hp outboard myself-in my case a Boston Whaler 19'Guardian.

Here's a Grady I found for you-he's asking 15k but I bet you can get it cheaper
Used 1989 Grady-white 226 Seafarer, Slidell, La - 70460 - BoatTrader.com
Perfect boat for Holland, MI ( I'm assuming you're either from there or Traverse City)

While I was looking found this bad boy
Used 2008 Everglades Boats 350lx, Tavernier, Fl - 33070 - BoatTrader.com

Boat is an acronym for Break Out Another Thousand. Be aware.

Heck.......I have 2 boats......And a house on Clarks Hill Lake.........All cost money...........MOST pleasures do......You only go through life once......No repeats......Get your boat & enjoy it!

"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats"--Kenneth Grahame, author of 'Wind in the Willows'.

He got it right.

pawngal said:

Look around at what other people have in your area, talk to them and see why they like or dislike what they have.
Do you have the ability to store it inside in the winter? If not that can be a big expense.
In my opinion 26' or under sounds small for big water like Lake Michigan. I live on a small inland lake and most boats here are in the 24-28' foot range.

We had a 27 ft Rinker, style like you described except inboard. Winterization, storage, summer ready, and license, cost $1200 a year before putting in gas or turning the key.

Click to expand...

I'll be storing it in my garage (RV-sized door). No heat.

Been fishing Lake Ontario frequently since 1985. Started out with a 14 foot aluminum StarCraft. That changed pretty quick, as that lake sure can kick up some. Bought a new 20 foot Sea Nymph Great Lake Special in 1986, also aluminum. Deep V and lots of freeboard, it is really a good rough water boat, even though it is also aluminum. That boat got me back in on some pretty scary days. When I retired, I treated myself to a 23 foot Pro-Line cuddy, also a nice boat.

Couple thoughts - Used boats on the great lakes are a buyers market, so shop around. Look for a deep vee, and high sides (freeboard). It helps in rough water. Walk around cuddy's have a little less room inside, but are nice when you want to access the bow for sun bathing, setting an anchor, etc. Look for a stand up canvas, it helps with the wind, spray, and cold. Condition is important, and a well maintained boat is a reliable boat. To much to go into here, but if you are not sure what you are looking at, plenty of marinas will inspect a boat for you for relatively little money. You can save a lot if you find a boat already equipped with a sonar, GPS, radio, downriggers, and a USCG compliant kit, compared to having to buy them new. Most all boats have some wood in them, some more than others. Wood is a potential weak spot, as it will eventually rot with water exposure and time, Even though encapsulated, a wood transom should be checked for rot on an older boat.

In my opinion, better quality fiberglass cuddy boats for rough water include Pro-Line, Grady White, Boston Whaler, Sea Ox, to name a few. If towing weight is a concern, don't discount the aluminum 23 - 25 foot cuddy's from StarCraft. They handle rough water well, though do pound a little at speed in rough water. And that brings up another point, I don't care what hull material you have, or boat weight, no 23 to 25 footer is going to operate at high speed in 3 or 4 foot chop, at least not safely and comfortably. My only real issue with tin boats is they get blown around more (drift) in the wind than a heavier glass boat, especially with the canvas up. Only an issue really when you are trying to troll slow. Dual motors are nice, but I have always used a single out board, with a 10hp kicker mounted on a bracket for trolling, and emergency "get me back to the dock" use.

I'll repeat myself, having an experienced boat mechanic check out a potential purchase is the best money you can spend when buying a used boat.

I attached a pic of my old, trusty Sea Nymph with its new motor from a few years ago, and a pic of a buddy on his first fishing trip, with his first fish - a 10lb Lake Ontario Brown Trout...

Larry

CAJUNLAWYER said:

26' is a BIG boat. I've been on Lake Michigan and it's COLD-year round. FOr that reason you do wise to think cuddy-or alternatively dual console. Center console boats really have no place on the Great lakes except for a few hot days in August
Look for used Grady Whites in the 20-22 ft range with the cuddy. That is where you'll get the best bang for your buck. DOn't be afraid to get an old one either. The big issue with the Grady's is the transom-it ans the stringers are encapuslated wood and you mat have rot or even God forbid, termite issues. Never was a big Bayliner fan-didn't like the build quality. Down here I like my center consoles and the big 26 footers will have a head in the center console itself. I would stay with a boat length that is well powered by a single 200hp outboard myself-in my case a Boston Whaler 19'Guardian.

Here's a Grady I found for you-he's asking 15k but I bet you can get it cheaper
Used 1989 Grady-white 226 Seafarer, Slidell, La - 70460 - BoatTrader.com
Perfect boat for Holland, MI ( I'm assuming you're either from there or Traverse City)

While I was looking found this bad boy
Used 2008 Everglades Boats 350lx, Tavernier, Fl - 33070 - BoatTrader.com

Click to expand...

Thanks, I saw that Grady while looking. I'm a couple hours north of Holland. I enjoyed watching "Dexter" on his center console, but realize I don't want that on the lake. Would it be better to get a boat that has spent its life on freshwater rather than salt, or does that not matter?

Style-wise, the walkarounds have been catching my eye the most.

CAJUNLAWYER said:

Here's a Grady I found for you-he's asking 15k but I bet you can get it cheaper
Used 1989 Grady-white 226 Seafarer, Slidell, La - 70460 - BoatTrader.com
Perfect boat for Holland, MI ( I'm assuming you're either from there or Traverse City)

While I was looking found this bad boy
Used 2008 Everglades Boats 350lx, Tavernier, Fl - 33070 - BoatTrader.com

Click to expand...

Nice GW but I agree you can do better price wise.

A customer of mine has an Everglades very similar to that one. Pictures do them no justice. Fine build quality. $$$

Young pretty women love big boats. So if you're single it is an absolute blast regardless of money. If you're married... eh... buy some more guns.

All recreational vehicles can be expensive to buy, store, and maintain. Do your homework.

Growing up my dad had river boats. Mostly flat bottom. We traveled rivers and lakes in Alaska but nothing like Lake Michigan. If you leaned how to "read" the rivers then things weren't as dangerous. But wide open water is completely different. Seek advice. Learn the weather patterns and forecasts. Know the capabilities of the boat you intend to buy.

The one thing I learned was redundancy. Back up your backup. Extra gas. Extra gas tank. Extra gas line. Second motor. Paddles. Life vests. Flare gun. Radios. Etc.....

When we first started boating we ran out of gas on a river. Walking through bear country in the wee hours of the morning taught us something.

Good luck.

I have given this some thought and I think I am a bit of an authority now that I have had almost 50 years experience in boats. I have had many different size and kinds of boats: a J-35 racing sailboat , 28` Carolina Classic and lots of in-between stuff.
Now I am down to a 2000 18` Wellcraft center console which I hate , but keep for its utility and dependable Yamaha 150 OB.
BUT my favorite and most used boat is my 13` aluminum Sportspal canoe. I can load /un-load alone and am completely independent.
I use it to paddle our mountain rivers and back water streams and swamps.
I do not miss any of the big stuff, But there is only one way to get experience and you are going to have to learn it for yourself.
I remember some trips thru Beaufort inlet on the NC coast and a little section called "Rough Point" it is rough in good weather but you should see it when its really blowing against a contrary tide!!!
Anyway my point is the difference between a thrilling / exciting trip and a Life threatening one, is the experience/ skill level of the Skipper.
Please get some training.