Suggestions for another watercraft?

After the OBV is sold, going to be looking for another watercraft - non inboard or I/O.

Want something that would carry 2 - 4 people minimum,

can be launched, trailered and used in shallow water (sometimes about 1 1/2 feet),

can be used in fresh or salt water,

can handle being stored outside in the damaging Florida sun

preferably no vinyl upholstery (that needs to come out before storage).


Have had jet skis before getting into the Moombas. Had both the stand up type and the sit down type - "look at me, I'm riding a couch".

Not fond of them and would be an absolute last choice.

I'm not sure why I still don't have a shuttlecraft ....


http://www.kemah.net/shuttle/navigat...page_r5_c2.gif

https://www.seadooforum.com/images/i...013/02/578.jpg

http://www.kemah.net/shuttle/jetspor...page_r5_c3.gif

Ed, really enjoyed my Mako pro skiff 17, sips gas-could run all day on about 6 gallons, floated in inch's, minimal vinyl. super simple boat. Rode great for only being 17'-got into some pretty rough stuff out fishing the flats one time and was way impressed. very stable.

this boat and the 08 LSV are the two boats I wish I still had

We use Zodiac boats at dive rescue all with tiller steering but they go anywhere, rugged and they can take large outboards. A lot of different brands and styles. Good luck in your future boat.

Zabooda, I actually thought about the Zodiak. Could just my wife and I lift one of these off a trailer?

I'd get an airboat if I lived in FL
Covers your entire needs list and still rock a big V8

YOU might get one :) Actually there are a couple of them on my lake. Obnoxious as hell. Can hear them from 1/2 mile away.

The guys that have them just zoom down their back yard and right into the lake.

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Originally Posted by Ed_Geary

Zabooda, I actually thought about the Zodiak. Could just my wife and I lift one of these off a trailer?

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Zodiacs are made in so many sizes with ones that you can carry in your vehicle, inflate, install the floor and put the outboard on and go. I'm thinking that what you are needing for a boat would require a Zodiac in a larger size (15-18') and that would too heavy to carry. I had a small one when I lived in FLorida in the late 70's and it was great for crabbing and snorkeling.

yea, my wife wants something that we can go anywhere in and it has to be easy to get back into once we get out into the middle of the lake , jump in and float around.

Our lake is in another drought, 2+ feet low, can't launch the Moomba. We need something that can be launched and retrieved easily.


Hmmmm, I bet something like the Zodiac would be great during Scalloping season!

Stacy, just saw your post. Thx for the info.

Was the Mako the boat you and I took down the canal when we were measuring the depth?

Oh yea, we saw nude people in the woods too!

My vote, Boston Whaler. Maybe a 170SS? I am guessing the Mako mentioned is similar. We have a 150SS as a second boat as a tool for quick nights on the water and teaching our daughter how to safely operate a boat. They are very stable, draft little. We really like our 150SS.

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Originally Posted by Ed_Geary

Stacy, just saw your post. Thx for the info.

Was the Mako the boat you and I took down the canal when we were measuring the depth?

Oh yea, we saw nude people in the woods too!

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nope, that was the little tin boat.

there is a Mako dealer just north of you too.

Dandy, thx for the tip on the Boston Whaler. I'm kinda liking the 130 SS.

Ed, the 130, even the 150 will be really tight with 4 people, but they are great boats. I dont recall the specs, but with the motor up, I would guess our 150 drafts about 8-9" Warning: these are not cheap boats but my grandkids (someday, I am 40) will probably get this boat. They are very well put together. I think we paid something arond $16-18k for our 150 in 2015. No regrets though.

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Most of the time (90%) of our boating time it will just be my wife and I. I will check out the 150 too....if my wife will even look at another boat, she is really pissed I'm selling the Moomba.

Was the price you stated an out the door price?

Can you get the boat in the water if the trailer wheels are only submerged up to the axle?

Ed,

also checkout a Keywest 1720--bet its about 1/2 the price of the Whaler

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Originally Posted by Ed_Geary

Most of the time (90%) of our boating time it will just be my wife and I. I will check out the 150 too....if my wife will even look at another boat, she is really pissed I'm selling the Moomba.

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your boating world will open up so much being able to go into salt water, she will get over it

Thanks Stacy - that's what I'm thinking - with a smaller boat we can take it with us everywhere.....however, she is addicted to wakesurfing.

funny - usually it is the wife that wants to get rid of the boat.

Stacy - you got PM

Hope I'm not out of line, or late to the party, but have you looked at any of the small Sea Doo twin rotax powered jet boats?
Small, light, go anywhere, fair amount of power.
(15' or so I think.)

Seems like there is always a fairly clean one on the local CL for not a lot of money.

Just a thought.

Thx for the suggestion - seems that they haven't made these in a few years.

I'm looking to purchase something new.

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Originally Posted by Ed_Geary

Thx for the suggestion - seems that they haven't made these in a few years.

I'm looking to purchase something new.

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Got it.
Wasn't sure if "previously enjoyed" was on the radar.

Man, found a 2005 sea doo 200 for sale at about $17,500. Boston Whaler starting to sound cheaper :)

I really want something with the steering console on the side.

Ed - Getting back to you on the BW 150SS. I was off a bit.
We paid $21K for it, not including taxes. It is a very spend little rig, but we love it.

As mentioned above, you may have similar boats available in your area (Mako...). I don't know how their builds compare to the Whalers as we don't have them near us. In addition, at the time I had a Nautique that we purchased from Marine Max and they carry the BW's so I worked with them.

Also, you could probably negotiate a better price - I am not a great negotiator.

Anybody ever seen one of them jet boats set up to surf? Wonder if you can surf it with a suckgate?

I've never seen a jet boat in the water - few in my area, but they are all on trailers, uncovered and rotting away.

I was thinking more along the lines of the SeaDoo speedster, twin rotax.
15' or so I think - I was thinking "downsize".

I believe the 200 is a 20' jet.

they must have quit making these in 2012.

Ed - I am targeting the fall/winter of this year when it is more of a buyer's market to acquire two, used, identical, 3-person PWCs. Given our family and friend logistics, this is the place for us to start rebuilding following the sale last year of our Outback. Our crew lives elsewhere, with the boys now men. When they, their friends, and relatives at large visit, the PWCs will provide a fun factor (tubing, wakeboarding, skiing, just cruising) that does not require me to take a full day off from work (trailering, launching, retrieving, driving, etc.). Maybe in another year we will be able to find a pure ski boat (like a Boomerang), which is my interest. Ultimately, I'd like to have the funds to buy an open-water-worthy, twin engine, center console that can handle the ocean. - Stuart

Dandy.....does the BW 130 or 150 have a function where the engine will tilt with a switch or do you have to do it by hand?

Something like this?

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bo...241175758.html

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Originally Posted by aquavette

Something like this?

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bo...241175758.html

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I saw one of these on our lake a few weeks ago. Looked like a lot of fun. Small enough to deal with easily.

the small jet boats do look like fun. I don't think they are made anymore.

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Originally Posted by Ed_Geary

Dandy.....does the BW 130 or 150 have a function where the engine will tilt with a switch or do you have to do it by hand?

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Ed - sorry, I missed this post. Yes, the BW 130 and 150 have the trim button for the motor on the throttle handle.