Is a 30' boat too big for a beginner?

dickiej · 11-24-2016, 08:48 AM

You getting her a new chain saw for Christmas?

Biggd · 11-24-2016, 10:08 AM

That's a lot of boat for a first time boater. You will spend a lot of time at the marina on weekends. If you can get on the water during the week you can get a lot of quality practice time. I don't know how you feel about pontoon boats but you can get them with a full enclosure for sleeping and you can go a little smaller because they have more room.

8gv · 11-24-2016, 11:38 AM

Much like an airplane, take offs and landings will require instruction and practice.

Hire a pro to train you.

Descant · 11-24-2016, 11:39 AM

Is American Boat Club still in business? The website comes up, but doesn't seem to have been updated since 2014.. Their variety of boats might give some options for the OP. They picture a cruiser, but don't list it in the inventory.

Liquorish · 11-24-2016, 04:14 PM

Hivolt, after having lived on our boat(s), 32-43 ft, for 12+ summers I can say positively get the 30 footer, especially if you'll have kids or family staying overnight, it gets cramped quickly. We've always found fellow dockmates to be extremely helpful, docking becomes second nature. As the boat gets larger you just have to become a bit more patient, as waiting for a parking space can take a while. Good luck !

Hivolt · 11-24-2016, 09:14 PM

Thank you all for the replies, after more spec crunching I am realizing that combined with being new, the difficulty it will be in finding a slip and the fact I will need a tow vehicle upgrade if I go that big, I think I am going to look in the 24-26 foot range, It's just me and the Mrs. and our two dogs. I don't know if any that size have a shower or regular toilet or a galley of any sort but regardless I think there will be too many "accessories" that will have to be purchased in addition to that size of a boat.

Plus the thought of docking a boat that big in a marina frankly makes me throw up a little bit.

Either way I think professional lessons are in my future, that seems like the reasonable and prudent thing to do.

Barney Bear · 11-24-2016, 09:53 PM

I believe that most, if not all, marinas have full toilet and shower facilities. ⚓️

Descant · 11-24-2016, 11:44 PM

If you're going to rent a slip, you don't need a trailer. If you're going to bring the boat home for winter storage there are companies who will do trhis for you. Much easier and cheaper than buying a new truck.
Some marinas have dog restrictions. We have a neighbor (dockmate) who lives on a 26' Sea Ray Sundancer for weekends. Other manufacturers have similar models, so you should be able to find a used one. Once you buy a house you may not need a liveaboard, but guests often get a kick out of sleeping on a boat and it can make a great guest house.

kawishiwi · 11-25-2016, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hivolt

Thank you all for the replies, after more spec crunching I am realizing that combined with being new, the difficulty it will be in finding a slip and the fact I will need a tow vehicle upgrade if I go that big, I think I am going to look in the 24-26 foot range, It's just me and the Mrs. and our two dogs. I don't know if any that size have a shower or regular toilet or a galley of any sort but regardless I think there will be too many "accessories" that will have to be purchased in addition to that size of a boat.

Plus the thought of docking a boat that big in a marina frankly makes me throw up a little bit.

Either way I think professional lessons are in my future, that seems like the reasonable and prudent thing to do.

If you move quickly you can buy a slip at Quayside Yacht club for a 24-26 ft for 40 to 45k, or rent the same for around 2400. Live aboards allowed, bath/showers provided, pump out, gas, cable tv, etc on site.

Rattletrap · 11-25-2016, 05:09 PM

Check the classified section of the forum for a slip

Dave R · 11-26-2016, 06:01 PM

Hivolt,

I think a 30 footer with twin engines is easier to dock than a 25 footer with a single engine. That said, neither is terribly challenging. I'd be happy to teach you to dock if you want some instruction.

I highly recommend getting something you can tow and spend multiple nights aboard. My wife and I tow our 25 footer all over the north east and have a blast exploring new bodies of water on 2 to 7 day trips. Winnipesaukee is our "home lake", but we've cruised the Hudson River from Saugerties to NYC, Lake George, 1000 Islands, Southern Maine and NH coasts, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, Lake Champlain, Narragansett Bay, and Sebago/Long Lake/Songo River (multiple times). Outside NH, you can drop anchor and spend the night anywhere you want. It's fantastic.

Hivolt · 11-26-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

Hivolt,

I think a 30 footer with twin engines is easier to dock than a 25 footer with a single engine. That said, neither is terribly challenging. I'd be happy to teach you to dock if you want some instruction.

I highly recommend getting something you can tow and spend multiple nights aboard. My wife and I tow our 25 footer all over the north east and have a blast exploring new bodies of water on 2 to 7 day trips. Winnipesaukee is our "home lake", but we've cruised the Hudson River from Saugerties to NYC, Lake George, 1000 Islands, Southern Maine and NH coasts, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, Lake Champlain, Narragansett Bay, and Sebago/Long Lake/Songo River (multiple times). Outside NH, you can drop anchor and spend the night anywhere you want. It's fantastic.

Thank you Dave, that is an extremely nice gesture. After much consideration I think I am going the boat club route this year just so I can get hours at the helm. Boating was never a family tradition and I don't know why the heck I took up the hobby but alas, here I am.

Another year will give me time to figure out exactly what I need, which a lot will depend on whether I end up with an island or mainland camp.

AmericanBoatClub · 11-25-2016, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

Is American Boat Club still in business? The website comes up, but doesn't seem to have been updated since 2014.. Their variety of boats might give some options for the OP. They picture a cruiser, but don't list it in the inventory.

We sure are still in business

The boat inventory changes over time. We traded in the 240 Sundancer, it was not getting enough use and was a little top heavy. It also had a bravo 3 drive, bad idea in the boat club

Our most popular boats are the pontoon boats and bow riders, so that is what we tend to buy. With boat slips next to impossible to find the boat club is a good option to get out on the water. You get unlimited access to all the boats in the club for $600 one time initiation fee and a $3900 annual fee. It is roughly the cost of renting a slip. IMHO it is a steal. More information can be found http://akwamarina.com/page/american-boat-club or http://americanboatclubnh.com/
We also have active FB and instagram accounts.

11-24-2016, 11:39 AM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,597 Thanks: 1,418 Thanked 1,705 Times in 1,109 Posts	Is American Boat Club still in business? Is American Boat Club still in business? The website comes up, but doesn't seem to have been updated since 2014.. Their variety of boats might give some options for the OP. They picture a cruiser, but don't list it in the inventory.

11-24-2016, 09:53 PM	#7
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 961 Thanks: 488 Thanked 274 Times in 175 Posts	Showering I believe that most, if not all, marinas have full toilet and shower facilities. ⚓️

11-24-2016, 11:44 PM	#8
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,597 Thanks: 1,418 Thanked 1,705 Times in 1,109 Posts	Trailer? If you're going to rent a slip, you don't need a trailer. If you're going to bring the boat home for winter storage there are companies who will do trhis for you. Much easier and cheaper than buying a new truck. Some marinas have dog restrictions. We have a neighbor (dockmate) who lives on a 26' Sea Ray Sundancer for weekends. Other manufacturers have similar models, so you should be able to find a used one. Once you buy a house you may not need a liveaboard, but guests often get a kick out of sleeping on a boat and it can make a great guest house.

11-25-2016, 05:09 PM	#10
Rattletrap Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sandown/Gilford Posts: 189 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 26 Posts	Check the classified section of the forum for a slip __________________ Captain of the "Day Tripper II" .......There are a lot better people a lot worse off!!

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11-24-2016, 08:48 AM	#1
dickiej Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: White Salmon, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 21 Thanked 171 Times in 93 Posts	You getting her a new chain saw for Christmas?

The Following User Says Thank You to dickiej For This Useful Post:
ishoot308 (11-24-2016)

11-24-2016, 10:08 AM	#2
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,421 Thanks: 2,428 Thanked 1,270 Times in 813 Posts	That's a lot of boat for a first time boater. You will spend a lot of time at the marina on weekends. If you can get on the water during the week you can get a lot of quality practice time. I don't know how you feel about pontoon boats but you can get them with a full enclosure for sleeping and you can go a little smaller because they have more room.

11-24-2016, 11:38 AM	#3
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,193 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	Much like an airplane, take offs and landings will require instruction and practice. Hire a pro to train you.

11-24-2016, 04:14 PM	#5
Liquorish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Medfield Ma & Meredith Nh Posts: 93 Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	Hivolt, after having lived on our boat(s), 32-43 ft, for 12+ summers I can say positively get the 30 footer, especially if you'll have kids or family staying overnight, it gets cramped quickly. We've always found fellow dockmates to be extremely helpful, docking becomes second nature. As the boat gets larger you just have to become a bit more patient, as waiting for a parking space can take a while. Good luck !

11-24-2016, 09:14 PM	#6
Hivolt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 61 Thanks: 39 Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts	Thank you all for the replies, after more spec crunching I am realizing that combined with being new, the difficulty it will be in finding a slip and the fact I will need a tow vehicle upgrade if I go that big, I think I am going to look in the 24-26 foot range, It's just me and the Mrs. and our two dogs. I don't know if any that size have a shower or regular toilet or a galley of any sort but regardless I think there will be too many "accessories" that will have to be purchased in addition to that size of a boat. Plus the thought of docking a boat that big in a marina frankly makes me throw up a little bit. Either way I think professional lessons are in my future, that seems like the reasonable and prudent thing to do.

11-26-2016, 06:01 PM	#11
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Hivolt, I think a 30 footer with twin engines is easier to dock than a 25 footer with a single engine. That said, neither is terribly challenging. I'd be happy to teach you to dock if you want some instruction. I highly recommend getting something you can tow and spend multiple nights aboard. My wife and I tow our 25 footer all over the north east and have a blast exploring new bodies of water on 2 to 7 day trips. Winnipesaukee is our "home lake", but we've cruised the Hudson River from Saugerties to NYC, Lake George, 1000 Islands, Southern Maine and NH coasts, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, Lake Champlain, Narragansett Bay, and Sebago/Long Lake/Songo River (multiple times). Outside NH, you can drop anchor and spend the night anywhere you want. It's fantastic.