Am I nucking Futz.........

[2kwik4u]

OR...am I on the right track here?

After the boat show this year and all the climbing over/thru/around the boats there. Then after being on a friends 22' Celebrity Cuddy last night helping him work through a few bugs (mostly audio and lighting wiring issues). I'm starting to see less and less I like about the 20'-23' range of boats currently offered for sale. Here's my thought process, and I'll let you guys decide if I'm off my rocker or not.

I currently own a nice 18'6" bowrider. It's a nice small size, and it has been very economical to purchase and own so far. Great first boat for me I think, and I really enjoy it. I doubt I'll be upgrading for a few years, but I can't help and already think about that next bigger/better boat. The truck has ~3.5years left until payoff, and the boat will be paid within the next 12 or so. The soon-to-be-fiancé and I have already agreed to drive "beaters" daily so that we can have one large boat payment, and still live comfortably. I even purchased the Yukon this summer with a larger boat in mind for the long term, knowing that I'm going to want to keep it for about 10 years or so. I've currently got myself set on finding a gently used 246 to be the next best thing. It's a sizable jump at ~7'6" additional length, ~6" of additional beam, and 2,300lbs additional dry weight. It's a $75k boat brand new, and probably a $40k boat used (although I just saw someone on another site pickup a leftover '06 model for $37.9K), so it is a sizable upgrade.

Now here's the part that I'm all wierded out over. I didn't see anything in the 20'-22' range that we really liked out there. If we're going to drop about 5 times the money on our next boat we want to make sure we get something MORE than what we have now. Aside from a few amenities here and there, and some newer technology, it looks like that segment doesn't offer us anything more than we have now. Seating for 6 looks to be OK, and seating for 8 down right crowded on the new 226. That’s quite literally the "same boat" (pardon the pun) we are in now. There are more modern power options, and newer construction techniques, but when you get right down to it, they don't DO anything more than what our current boat does. The capabilities are fairly even when looking at all the measurable factors, and only start to seem any better when you start considering the emotional factor of owning a "new boat".

Am I totally and completely out of my mind for wanting to upgrade that much on the next boat, or does it seem logical that if spending $45k on a newer boat I should expect at least SOME added capability? Am I missing some aspect of the newer "short bowrider" segment that makes it worth the cashola to upgrade? Am I wrong to think that the next logical step is something that is such a significant increase in size/weight/etc?

Any thoughts are welcome, maybe I just need to hear someone say I'm not nucking futz! I just don't want to spend all this time dreaming, planning, and saving if it's something thats seems like an unreasonable direction?!?!

[rdlegacy]

Hey Mike

A move as you are describing is pretty much a personal decision, and one based on what you and your soon to be bride want.  I moved from a 18.5 BR, to a 232 cuddy go faster big block.  Had that for a few years and then moved to the 270.  While we really liked the 232, our boating 'style' was basically the same.  doing the same things with a nicer, and more expensive boat.  

But when we moved to a cruiser, our boating style changed dramatically...for the better.  We rarely do water sports unless someone brings their kids.  We cruise, anchor, party, and cruise.  We can actually take trips for weeks rather than day tripping.

but if you want to continue your current boating habits, with a nicer boat....I can't imagine that with all of the boat mfg's out there you can't find what you like.  There are hundredds of thousands of used boats let alone the new ones available.

Just keep searching, one day a boat will be calling your name!

Bob

[Dream 'Inn]

Bob's right, it's really hard to tell you exactly what you should do, it kind of depends on your (& gf's) style of boating.  I will say though, when we moved to the area from OH, all I had ever done was watersport type boating.  I laughed at people that actually had air conditioners on their boat, come on!  After a couple year's here, we bought our first boat.  Thought it was gonna be something for the day, like a bowrider.  Well, after hitting the Annapolis boat show, that changed.  We moved up to a 24' cruiser, before we even owned a smaller bowrider.  I did do some watersports behind it, even slalom.  After several years of boating with it, I added air conditioning. :)

[Dan&Darci]

Mike,
It's hard to add anything to Bob & Dream's comments.  I've been on the boat escalator as well, going from 17' to 20' to 22' to 32'  :mrgreen: .

Anyway, I don't think you're nutz (futz)   .  As you get older and become more a "man of means", you'll find that the little things that a bigger boat brings will mean more & more to you.  The transition from watersports junkie to relaxed cruiser doesn't happen overnight, but it surely does happen.

[cettialpha6]

:lol:  Art  08 246 br

[chesbay]

Mike,

As my fellow RBO members have said...size and style of boat are dictated by finances, preferred boating style, size of your family, how often you entertain, where you boat, how often you boat, how often you overnight, cruise, watersports, fish, party, etc...

You certainly aren't nuts...most of us start researching the next boat...approx. 1 week after buying our current boat.  It's all part of the sickness...

[rdlegacy]

chesbay......I was rolling!

"You certainly aren't nuts...most of us start researching the next boat...approx. 1 week after buying our current boat. It's all part of the sickness... "

well stated!

Mike......given all of the uncertaintly today in the boating industry, job insecurity, economy and that 'stuff'.....just enjoy what you have and be glad you have a boat to enjoy!  At least you're on the water...., boating!  sofogedaboudit!

Time has a way of making things more clearer.

Bob

[4LakeBums]

You also need to look at the average people that you will have on the boat at one time.  I own the 226 and I have a friend that owns the same size boat as yours.  I have had 8 people in my boat 1 time since owning it and yes it was too crowed.  I think 8 people on a 246 would be too crowded as wee.  Most of the time it is 4-6 and it is very comfortable.  The difference in ride and the extra comforts is what made my decision.  

I bought this boat over the 246, for price, storage, and that I have no need for a bigger boat.  Eventually when my kids grow up I can see me and my wife moving to a cruiser to enjoy that lifestyly in our second stage of life.

I would recommend to test drive as many boats as you can and you will see the difference.  I drove 5 different boats from different manufacturers before making my choice.

And by the way we are all nutz....Boating is expensive, time consuming and sometimes a pain in the butt...I would not have it any other way...

[DaleM]

Hello.  My name is Dale and I'm a boater!!  Yep it's an illness.  Started with a 14' runabout then to a 17' fish-n-ski then got the 232CC.  The exwife and I loved it for overnighting.  Now I'm heading to the cruiser lifestyle with the purchase of a 270 last fall.  I hope I stop there.  Really like the idea of being mobile as I will be trailering this one.  But life takes us places we never knew we would go.  Someday I may end up on a 30'+ boat slipped in Lake Michigan.  And yes we are all nuts.  Consider what you could do around the house with all the $$$$$ we blow on boating.  Personally I truly enjoy sharing my insanity with all of you, my fellow boaters.

[craigb]

Amen Brother!!!

[Dream 'Inn]

Hello.  My name is Dale and I'm a boater!!  Yep it's an illness.  Started with a 14' runabout then to a 17' fish-n-ski then got the 232CC.  The exwife and I loved it for overnighting.  Now I'm heading to the cruiser lifestyle with the purchase of a 270 last fall.  I hope I stop there.  Really like the idea of being mobile as I will be trailering this one.  But life takes us places we never knew we would go.  Someday I may end up on a 30'+ boat slipped in Lake Michigan.  And yes we are all nuts.  Consider what you could do around the house with all the $$$$$ we blow on boating.  Personally I truly enjoy sharing my insanity with all of you, my fellow boaters.

Could not have said it better!

[PartsMan]

Nailed IT! Your asking the wrong people if you should get a bigger boat.

[2kwik4u]

Thanks for the replies from all! Some good, much needed insight.

I guess I really should try to make it to one of these "raft ups" this year and see about getting some of you guys to take me for a test drive. Maybe the 226 has more room once you're on the water, than it felt like at the show?!?!

My biggest concern was upgrading too fast, after reading of a couple people completely skipping the short bowrider segment, and then seeing a couple people go from 18' bowrider to 30' cruiser, I guess it's really not that big of a jump eh?

[DaleM]

It's never too big of a jump if you are willing to take the leap.  Have a aquaintance that went from a 23' jetski type boat to a 46' Carver.  I thought that was a jump.  Then he got a 56' about 2 years later.  He was going to be a live aboard.  Things do happen and we change plans accordingly.  Last I heard he was looking to get back into a mid 40' boat and scrapping the live aboard idea at this point in time.  Whatever you do or end up with, it will be the right thing for you at the time.

[Dave M]

If you can fight the 2 footitus a small boat can be just the ticket. I miss my old 17 ft. checkmate :x

With that all said I can't stop thinking which boat I would like next 27 ft. baja or 270 rinker? [-o<