Any boaters?

[deadz]

Renting a boat is much more preferable than owning one, but boat owners only learn that after they purchase one.

I would not go into the ocean in a rental boat.

[Grape Ape]

gayer than a thread about boats and seamen

[Irongrip400]

Some of the most well designed hulls are:

Sea Vee
Yellowfin
Sea Hunter
HCB
Jupiter
Contender
Nor Tech
Invincible

Every hull accentuates certain character. Contenders deep dead rise cuts chop amazingly well especially at high speeds, making it a popular tournament boat. That same benefit causes it to rock at anchor considerably more than a shallower deadrise would.

You should charter captains with different style boats doing the fishing you like to do and listen to all of them. You will learn a tremendous amount, but know every man thinks his boat is the best so take all opinions with a grain of salt.

Why do you not have Boston Whaler, Grady White, Pursuit (no dealer around here which makes me gun shy of them) or Regulator in there? I’m thinking of buying one soon, I’ve got a sea trial in a 307 Grady week after next and am looking at next week if I can, in a Whaler 280 Outrage. Haven’t been on a Regulator yet, but was also thinking of holding off until FLIBS to buy, hoping I’d get a show special and a winter discount.

[Irongrip400]

Fucking none of you know anything about boats? Shit, I could start a watch thread and have 20 posers in there posting about Patek Philipe and shit like that, but posting about pleasure boating nobody knows shit? I’m holding all of you responsible if I buy the wrong boat.

Especially you, Grape Ape…

[bhank]

Offshore fishing is a lot of work I used to do some diving in Maui just putz around now

[webstar]

Offshore fishing is a lot of work I used to do some diving in Maui just putz around now

Oxycodone addiction ruins individuals and families.

[Mayday]

First statement correct. Second statement not so much.


Obviously the Regulator is the top of the line, but being broke by getbig standards I don’t think I could stomach buying one unless it was gently used. Looking at a Grady White 307 Freedom dual console or possibly a Cobia or Seahunt. The Onslow Bay looks nice, but it doesn’t have a head until the 37’ and that’s a bit too big I think for my first boat.

Think about the where and how you will use/transport/store the boat. Everything will suck regardless of the boat if you haven’t planned that correctly.

Assuming at that size you have it in a marina, speak to the maintenance people and get an idea of staff and bookings. We have friends with boats (my family had one a while ago) and they have money but can’t get maintenance done due to lack of labour.

Plan for 2x-3x fuel prices in 2yrs+ time and if still happy to run then it’s all good.

[oldtimer1]

I remember being on a near million dollar boat on the bay heading out to the ocean. I never rowed a boat before. The instructor driving said, get some experience and pilot the boat. Here I am with the big steering wheel thinking I know what I'm doing.  We were approaching a bridge and I was heading toward one of the bridge supports. I thought  I would just steer around it. The steering wheel didn't work. I hear the pilot or Captain what ever you call him yell and pushed me out of the way. He then engine steered the boat around avoiding disaster. He could have told me how to engine steer prior to letting this city guy take control of the boat.

At least I didn't do what another trainee did on the small 25' or so inflatables. He let everyone get a turn doing a high speed turns on the bay.  We were all wearing those inflatable vests where you had a rip cord to inflate from a co2 cartridge.  One by one we all got a turn. He would say get up to speed and it was cooking fast. Then he say ready-go. Ready was the signal for everyone to brace on the boat for the high speed turn. It was going okay until a typical get bigger had the turn to drive. He got over anxious and did the turn without waiting for the command. He threw everyone off the boat.  We all pulled our vest rip cords thinking the water is deep. The vests all burst full of air and we were all the Michelin man. Suddenly one guy stood up. We were only in about four feet of bay water. One by one every one stood up. I don't think the instructor was pleased with the guy.

Night operation of a boat was trip. Pretty dark in the ocean and bay.  Using the electronics to navigate was something that looked dangerous to do. The guy I was with would look at the screen and say that's a small boat. Sometimes it was that's a big bird. To me it was all blips on a screen.

Another memory for this non boater was trying to tie the many knots in class and charting. Yes, I know it's all electronic now but they said never rely on your electronics to always work. Well I sucked at both the knots and charting.  In the end for 90% of boating you need three knots. They had us do so many variations. Columbus would have never found America if I was charting.

Last memory they said to pass the course to be assigned to the unit you had to pass a swim test for time. I grew up in a real city. No one but no one had a pool. I learned how to swim when I was in my twenties. That's why so many blacks can't swim. Nope, I'm not graceful in the pool. The whistle goes off and glancing at the other guys in the pool lanes they are doing beautiful strokes gliding with minimum splashing. I looked like a monkey trying to fuck a football in the pool. I thought I would pass or die trying. I think they had to add water to the pool after me. Not sure but I think the distance was around 200 yards going back and forth. I know for swimmer that's a joke but for me it was like running a marathon carrying a thick chick on my shoulders.  Take that back. Not a thick chick but a sweaty fat chick.  On the last lap in the pool I literally thought I was close to having a heart attack. The others were long finished.  I gutted out the last lap then held the side of the pool thinking this is as close to dying as I have come through exercise. I was defeated knowing I didn't make the time. The next group of guys were lining up getting ready to go. I asked if I passed the time already knowing the answer coming back at me. The instructor said, yes by 5 seconds. I was on top of the world. The next group finished and the instructor yelled lane 3 and 5 you guys didn't make the cut off. Then he added, Don't worry I'll fix it in the paper work. I just want to make sure you all can swim that far. WTF?

In the end I went a different route in my career and decided the boat unit wasn't for me. I will leave that to the Navy and Coast guard types. I wanted to be on land with boots on.

[ThisisOverload]

Fucking none of you know anything about boats? Shit, I could start a watch thread and have 20 posers in there posting about Patek Philipe and shit like that, but posting about pleasure boating nobody knows shit? I’m holding all of you responsible if I buy the wrong boat.

Especially you, Grape Ape…

I think most people covered the Pros/Cons.

I've had a bass boat and two jet skis.

After a year they get boring unless that's part of your main hobby and you spend a lot of time in those circles with friends/family.

Lots of maintenance and money, always break at the most inconvenient times.

Just like the CanAm Maverick collecting dust in my garage with 1200 miles on it.

The only people i know who enjoy boating are people who use them every weekend to fish.

Just sharing my .02

Boats are a lot of fun, but offshore boating is a part time job.

[The Scott]

I can't swim so I tend to avoid boats.  I think they are cool but my reality is I would easily drown if I fell off of one.