Looking for a boat for the jersey shore, bay, close off shore, and coastline boating. . .please advise?

Question

I am looking for an inexpensive boat that would be comfortable in the jersey shore area (seaside heights/ortley beach) and possibly capable of going up to the statue of liberty and all the way to the cape cod (not necessary though!) We have a house at ortley beach down the jersey shore, the boat would get use for only about 30-40 days a year, most of the use would be bay and limited ocean boating within sight of the shore line in the seaside, point pleasant area.

I would like to pay anywhere from 0-15k, but the lower the better, a head (bathroom) is very desirable but not necessary, sleeping and small cabin of some sort is dsirable but in no way necessary, the main necessity is the ability to cruise in the bay and limited off shore waters of the jersey shore comfortably.

please recomend me sites to read and specific models.

thanks!

Answer 1

if you plan to be out in the ocean, forget cheap. nothing under 40 feeet with twin engines to get to Cape cod. you had better take a power squadron course to realize the risks involved. with your apparent lack of experience you had best stay on inland waters.

Answer 2

Apparently, you are a new boater. I can see that you  have no idea what things cost when it comes to boats and equipment.  The boat you are looking for should be at least 27 ft. or bigger, with twin engines.  The odds of finding a good running boat that won't need thousands of dollars of work in your price range is nil.  You will have to spend at least $30,000 for a decent boat. You should buy a small boat, an 18ft boat for about $5000 to learn on and get used to the cost and to learn about boating.  It's not easy to learn how to run a boat safely.  You should not start out with a big boat that you can't handle.  After the 18ft. boat I would reccomend a 30 ft. boat or bigger for you to take the family into the ocean and in Cape Cod. Some websites to look at for used boats are Craigslist.com and Noreast.com (Noreast Fisherman Website).   Also, check out WestMarine.com for boating equipment to get an idea on prices.   Have a Marine Mechanic check out any boat you may buy before you buy it, there are a lot of bad used boats out there.   Good Luck.

Answer 3

I have a 28' Cruisers Rogue that handles well in Toms River. I only hang out in the bay. I had a 25' Crownline that handled ok, but it was a single engine and didn't control as well as a twin engine. Check out www.boattrader.com, www.thesaltydog.com and www.yachtworld.com. Put in your price range and features that are important. A head, anchor windlass and air conditioning are very important to me. Remember it gets really hot out on the water if your's not constantly moving. Now's a good time of year to buy-people want to unload their boats April when the season begins.

Answer 4

www.boatrader.com or www.iboats.com