What would you recommend for two adults and eventually an adult and child? 14-15‘? Something with somewhat higher sides would probably be better for kids starting out.
I’m hesitant to go down that rabbit hole as everyone has different needs.
I would recommend making a list of the top 5 things you would like to do with the boat.
Then continue that list to ten items.
Anyone who has owned many boats knows there is no perfect boat and every boat on earth is a compromise. Finding the least compromises to get your top 5 are the key.
An example of items may be:
1. Carry 4 adults safely offshore
2. Have a 250 mi range
3. Have a 4 stroke outboard
4.Have a bait tank that will hold 1 scoop sardines
5. Sleep two adults Inside
6. Have a head
7. Tow a skiier
8. Have a bitchen stereo
9. Fit in my garage on a trailer
10. Have a radar
These are just examples and there are probably over a million variables. Talk to your family and get their wishes. You want your family to be excited to go out. This is why countless men have upgraded to boats with toilets to make their wife and kids comfortable (and many purposefully haven’t so they stay at the dock).
Most boat savvy people could look at the list above and get a somewhat clear picture of the general location you need to head in, and know your priorities.
This is the part that is going to sting. You need to make this list, then find all the boats that meet your priorities, then get an average price range.
Throw out all the lowest priced boats (unless you have an expert find you the “deal of a century”) and throw out the highest priced because they are probably new and you don’t need that. That average should be your ballpark budget.
As mentioned above, if you let the budget solely dictate your purchase, you may make the mistake many many beginners make and it could be your last boat and not to mention a strain on your relationship.
Remember, when you envision yourself in a boat, you don’t dream of what the boat cost, rather what you can accomplish with it. The freedom it brings you and your loved ones and the memories and experiences.
If you buy a lemon or a fixer upper (without the knowledge of what it takes), it will become a driveway queen that drains your wallet, gives you a bad taste for boating, and makes you the butt of all the family boating jokes.
I know this doesn’t answer your question of “what you should buy”, but let’s start with the basics of what you “have to have” based on what you want to do with it.
If you can’t afford the boat you really need to accomplish the mission, waiting until you can will make it that much more rewarding. The ocean and the fish aren’t going anywhere.
