What is the best boat for us?

Question

I have a family of 4 and we usually have 2 or 3 friends with us...we want a boat that is affordable with lots of room that you can ski/tube ect. behind?

Answer 1

Boats and affordable usually do not go together, however I will give this a try.

I would look for about a 20 foot open bow boat with a 260hp Mercruiser stern drive. Stay away from the out boards, they tend to be noisey and expensive to repair.

The 260hp Merc is very common, and will provide enough power to pull a skier or a tube. It would be best to stay newer than 1986, which is when Merc made some design changes to their smaller out drives which made them more durable. I would also stay away from all other out drives except Merc. Mercruiser is a proven work horse and most local marina's will be able to repair if required. Also, used parts and props are very abundant.

Used boats in the midwest are your best bet. They generally only see two to three months of use per year, and never see salt water which is very hard on most boats.

I would look for a boat that comes with some sort of full cover and also a convertible top. People tend to think that boats are made to handle being wet. This is not true. The main structure and floor of a boat are almost always wood. If you find a boat that was stored out side without a cover, you best pass it by. Rain and snow will cause rot in places that are not always visible. If the boat comes with a cover, generally the owner used it and you have a better chance of getting a boat that is not rotten.

A convertible top is a nice option. When you are out on the water during a sunny day, the heat in a boat can become very intence, especially for kids. A convertible top usually allows you to get some shade while allowing good ventillation while out on the water. It will also allow you to get back to shore in a rain storm should you need to.

The other option would be to buy a pontoon boat, but unless you get into the late 1990's, most will not be fast enough to pull a water skier.

My last bit of advice would be that if you don't know that much about boats, find a friend who does and take them with you when you go to look at your prospective purchase. A seasoned boater who knows what to look for and stay away from will save you tons of money in the long run. Boats can be a lot of fun, but they can also become a hole in the water that you toss money.

Good luck from a Mississippi River Rat for 30 years

Answer 2

Sailing is more fun. We can sail with 7 aboard.

Answer 3

look for a used ski sanger. i have a 2003 mastercraft x30 and my friends, after seeing how much fun a boat was, bought a few years older ski sanger for about 18-20 grand. it is about a 21ft boat and holds about 10 people.  It is a really fun boat and able to handle modifications, like a tower, in case you get into wakeboarding like we did. Definately go used. You can find good deals at craigslist. also look in the classified ads. Have a great boating experience!!!