What is the number one reason why a boat would break down?

Question

This is a two-parter and I'm stingy with the points, so if you can shed some light on either of these, I'd appreciate it.

a.) what is the most popular motor boat for a middle-aged man to buy for himself, because "he always wanted to own a boat?", think a middle class income, low maint. sort of boat.

b.) What would be the most likely thing to go "unexepectedly wrong" once said man has his new boat out in open waters, miles and miles from anywhere?

Answer 1

a.) - One you can afford

b.) - Runnning out of gas  

Answer 2

A. An 18-25 runabout, with or without a cuddy cabin.

B. Getting lost or ignition failure with a gasoline engine.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 3

1) Mass-production runabout under 18 feet

2) Impossible to determine, but most all problems result from lack of experience or from avoiding maintenance.

Answer 4

a reason would be the propeller getting suck

Answer 5

No gas

Answer 6

a.) it depends if you are into boating or fishing. get a speed bass boat if you can get a good deal on one for fishing. if you are into water sports and having fun, get a good ski boat that can hold about 8 people.

b.) unexpectedly wrong would be to run out of gas (not at all that common in a car but it happens all of the time in a boat). the other is to be going in deep water and all of a sudden hit some sort of sandbar or rock that isn't marked and you could damage the boat really bad or destroy the prop on the motor. you could also have some sort of engine trouble.

boats are fun and excellent if you use them a lot and keep them at a marina or if you use them very little and keep them covered at your house. I got rid of mine because I live in the desert about an hour away from the nearest lake and the cost to go to the lake and back plus maintenance every time was about $300. that was when gas prices were around 2.50/gallon as well. it would be a lot more expensive now. I would have kept the boat but I need to spend my money on other things.  

Answer 7

A)   One he cannot afford

B)   The wife says "I gotta go to the bathroom, WHERE?"

Answer 8

Honda or Yamaha motors are very good and any boat where there is access all around with a bimini top is important.  Save and buy new to avoid someone else's troubles.

Unfortunately, in most cases it is the mechanic who worked on the motor!  This is why I recommend buying new and pay attention to the warranty package being offered.  You need a cb radio and a cell phone or else don't go out.  Take all the necessary classes that your state offers.

How you maintain the boat once it comes out of the water is key, too.

Possibly join a boat club so that you can network with others.  Enjoy your hobby!

Answer 9

a) A runabout.  Just your basic bowrider, about 15-18' long with up to 150hp on the back.  You can ski with it, fish from it, skinny-dip off the back, sunbathe in the front cockpit or hide from the sun under an add-on canopy.  It does everything well but isn't perfect for anything.  A compact pickup can drag it home or you can rent a slip.

b) Water in the fuel or ignition failure.  Either one shuts things down very tightly and they're both difficult to fix on the water.  There are water separation filters to help prevent the first, and plenty of WD40 on all the ignition electricals - including under the dash! - can help prevent the second.

All the manufacturers build awesomely good outboard engines anymore.  Really.  I can't recommend you away from any of them, but if I had to tell you which one I'd buy blindfolded, I'd go Honda first, then Yamaha.  Get a stout little Mercury 5hp to ride alongside as a limp-home motor.