Small boat on the big lake.

Just Sold · 03-25-2014, 09:16 AM

Small boats like an 18' can be OK on the lake but not on every day. Like others have said the broads are always changing and it can be quickly. I did do the broads in extremely rough weather 4 years ago in a 14' Starcraft closed bow (a very bad choice) and I know of another who did it regularly in the 60's in a wood flat bottom 12' home made boat "Puddy Tat" Today I would suggest a 19' - 21' as the minimum size for occasional cruising on the lake. Also go for the widest hull width as that will help with stability in rough water too.
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Size: 65.4 KB

mcdude · 03-25-2014, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Sold

Like others have said the broads are always changing and it can be quickly. I did do the broads in extremely rough weather 4 years ago in a 14' Starcraft closed bow (a very bad choice)

Ken: I will never forget our ride home across the broads from Rattlesnake Island that day.....and that was in a big boat!

Just Sold · 03-25-2014, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

Ken: I will never forget our ride home across the broads from Rattlesnake Island that day.....and that was in a big boat!

Yup a 1989 22.5' Four Winns 225 Sundowner cuddy cabin. My 14' Starcraft ride was when we rented your place on Hills. My wife comented how good I was at navigating the rough waters but little did she know just how bad it was. Real bad.

Machz · 03-26-2014, 07:16 AM

Thanks for all the info, I figured it wouldn't be great on the weekends. I may just suck it up and go with a larger boat something we can overnight on.

Thanks all

robmac · 03-26-2014, 07:42 AM

I would strongly recommend waiting till ice out and drive before you buy, find what you feel most comfortable with. Before signing on the dotted line ask your self what are the 5 things you and your family have to have in a boat then narrow your search. Good luck see you on the water

fpartri497 · 03-26-2014, 08:15 AM

I just bought a 2013 Monterey 280SY Anxious for Ice out.

Just Sold · 03-26-2014, 10:17 AM

We were looking for something smaller and I was heading towards a 19'. Well, the wife had other ideas and as of right now we will be up to 21' with a cuddy. The 23' Wellcraft we really loved is pending and we will miss her but the new boat a Four Winns is in nice shape and met our needs and budget. As the saying goes Happy Wife .....

Greene's Basin Girl · 03-26-2014, 11:18 AM

It can be difficult to find a place to park at a public dock ( Wolfeboro,Meredith, Alton) on the weekends with a larger boat. We have trouble finding a spot with our 25 foot tritoon. I can go out in my Seadoo anytime and find a place to park. With the Seadoo I am limited to 3 people. Our larger boat holds 10 people. Of course with a larger boat it is very easy to anchor and have a cookout on the boat.

03-25-2014, 09:16 AM	#1
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,616 Thanks: 1,086 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	Small boats like an 18' can be OK on the lake but not on every day. Like others have said the broads are always changing and it can be quickly. I did do the broads in extremely rough weather 4 years ago in a 14' Starcraft closed bow (a very bad choice) and I know of another who did it regularly in the 60's in a wood flat bottom 12' home made boat "Puddy Tat" Today I would suggest a 19' - 21' as the minimum size for occasional cruising on the lake. Also go for the widest hull width as that will help with stability in rough water too. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

03-26-2014, 08:15 AM	#6
fpartri497 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Concord NH Posts: 681 Thanks: 97 Thanked 48 Times in 39 Posts	I just bought a 2013 Monterey 280SY Anxious for Ice out. __________________ dont worry be happy

03-26-2014, 10:17 AM	#7
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,616 Thanks: 1,086 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	We were looking for something smaller and I was heading towards a 19'. Well, the wife had other ideas and as of right now we will be up to 21' with a cuddy. The 23' Wellcraft we really loved is pending and we will miss her but the new boat a Four Winns is in nice shape and met our needs and budget. As the saying goes Happy Wife ..... Attached Images __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

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03-26-2014, 07:16 AM	#4
Machz Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks for all the info, I figured it wouldn't be great on the weekends. I may just suck it up and go with a larger boat something we can overnight on. Thanks all

03-26-2014, 07:42 AM	#5
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 950 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	I would strongly recommend waiting till ice out and drive before you buy, find what you feel most comfortable with. Before signing on the dotted line ask your self what are the 5 things you and your family have to have in a boat then narrow your search. Good luck see you on the water

03-26-2014, 11:18 AM	#8
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	It can be difficult to find a place to park at a public dock ( Wolfeboro,Meredith, Alton) on the weekends with a larger boat. We have trouble finding a spot with our 25 foot tritoon. I can go out in my Seadoo anytime and find a place to park. With the Seadoo I am limited to 3 people. Our larger boat holds 10 people. Of course with a larger boat it is very easy to anchor and have a cookout on the boat.