Long time fishermen but now completely lost

[newbie1111]

Hey guys and gals, I'm looking to buy my first boat. Im a surf fishermen in the monmouth county area but ready to help my fishing addiction with a boat. I'm looking for a walkaround, at around 20 to 25 ft with a single outboard. Would fish mostly inshore for striper, fluke, seabass and tog. I have a family and that's why I'm looking for a cuddy cabin so if need be they can get out of the sun. I'm looking to spend up to 35k but a boat at that price I really wouldn't wana do much work to it for a year or 2. What should I be looking for while inspecting and making sure it's not underpowered and hour wise? Any other helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

[tjd24]

I think your choice to purchase a boat at this time may be a problem. The used boat market is not buyer friendly. I saw a guy offering a 12 year old 23' CC Parker with a 2016 Yammie 300hp 4 stroke with @ 400 hours For Sale. Guys were telling the seller that he could ask between $45,000 and $50,000.
I don't agree but it depends on the desperation level of the buyer.

I wish you Good Luck in your search.

[newbie1111]

Aren't Parkers always super expensive? If I'm gona buy a boat what should I look for besides cracks in the jellcoat before I waste my money on a surveyor?

[Duffman]

X2 on prices being thru the roof right now.

FWIW, if your willing to drop 35 on a ride, spend the money and get it surveyed.

The last thing you want is to be dealing with issues all season long on problems you didn’t know how to spot before the purchase. This is supposed to be fun, not stressful.

[Skolmann]

If you can, wait it out. My son is a boat broker and feels that with high price of fuel that there will be an abundance of used boats coming on the market in the next few months. You might be able to find a diamond.

As Duffman said, spend the $$ and definitely have a survey done as well as an engine compression test.

[TomKaye]

Newbie:
Comments and advice above from TJD, Duffman & Skolmann are all very valid and worthwhile heeding.

Here's some additional reading material for you on a rainy day B4 you decide:

https://www.docksidereports.com/your_first_boat-1.htm

Tight lines & stay safe all.

[newbie1111]

Thanks for the help and info.

[Skolmann]

If I'm gona buy a boat what should I look for besides cracks in the jellcoat before I waste my money on a surveyor?

There are obvious cracks that can seen by a lay person and not so obvious cracks that a trained expert such as a surveyor can see.

In addition, a good surveyor will have the tools needed to determine if there are soft spots on the deck, moisture in the transom and a host of other potential issues.

When my son and I were looking to buy a boat, we had several boats looked at by a surveyor (each time costing a few hundred). We walked away from all but one (the one he eventually bought) based upon the surveyors report. IMHO, only a fool would buy a used boat without having it surveyed.

As a side note, even though a boat might get a very favorable survey report that does not mean that you wont encounter any issues as there are something that even a surveyor can not detect.

Just remember what BOAT stands for;
Break
Out
Another
Thousand

That being said, I love having a boat and all (both the good & the bad) that comes with it.

[newbie1111]

Does anybody have recommendations on a surveyor?

[newbie1111]

Is it worth getting a boat shipped to another state? Like Florida

[Irish Jigger]

Hello Newbie. Paul Case in Atlantic Highlands is a very reputable surveyor along with his group. I brokered boats for quite a while, and you pay for what you get. A good survey is worth every penny no matter what your budget is, and what your looking for. What's nothing to someone is a-lot to another. Go in with the price your comfortable with and stick to it. If you love the boat, buy the boat. Boats are only worth what someone is willing to pay like anything else. Have any questions pm me. Have sold many boats including some sponsors on this site. I am no longer in the industry but can steer you in the right direction!!

[Jigman13]

Is it worth getting a boat shipped to another state? Like Florida

My father found his Tiara in FL. He drove it back NJ/LI rather than have someone else do it. He found a gem down there...

[shrimpman steve]

Lots o boats down here in Florida.

[Capt. Debbie]

Cracks in Gelcoat are scratches on a used car.

The O/B is the BIG ticket item.

Two cycle engines whether well maintained or not tend to blow up by 1000-1500 hours.

Four Cycle engines will run several 1000 hours. The Sea Tow Suzukis in FLA we have approaching 4000 hours.

Another O/B problem is service. Which guys are near you to fix or get parts from. A small deal, but could be a real problem. Another consideration.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Lots of great advice above. Since you are not going offshore, I would try and stick with a single outboard rather then go with twins. I would also be looking for a four stroke engine, not a 2 stroke, they are better on gas and more reliable. Yamaha, Suzuki or a later model Mercury. Avoid Evinrude engines since they recently went out of business and it will eventually be hard to find parts for.

I’m with everyone above on getting whatever your plan on purchasing surveyed. If it’s an older boat some insurance companies actually require it and if you are new to boats it could uncover things you may not see and save you a ton of money and grief in the long run. At a minimum you want to water test the boat and be sure the engine gets up to the RPM Wide Open Throttle (WOT) its rated for, if it does not it could mean there are issues with the engine.

Boats with trailers typically get used less then boats that stay in slips. For that reason I’d be looking for boats with that come with a trailer and are not bottom painted.

Good luck in your search and don’t be in a hurry. Take your time and find the right boat.