First Time Post / First Time Boat Owner
09-18-2011, 06:47 PM
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First Time Post / First Time Boat Owner
**Will also be posting this in the general discussion section as well.
Like the title says this is my first post on OSO and I'm also in the process of purchasing my first boat. Figured I'd say hi to everyone and introduce myself. Stumbled across OSO over a month ago and ever since I've been lurking on here. Everyone seems to be pretty cool, level headed and friendly on here. This site can get addicting as sometimes I spend hours on end reading all the info on here trying to learn as much as I can. I've been looking at boats off and on for the last couple years, but I'm now at the pont where I want to pull the trigger on one. I was hoping to get any advice/recommendations that anyone is willing to offer. I have been using the search function to find threads on newbie boat buyer topics, questions, etc. which has helped a lot, but I also figured maybe you guys would be able to give advice that is more specific to my situation. So maybe it'd help for me to give you guys some background info on myself, what I'm looking for, etc.
I'm a 29 y/o male living in St. Louis, MO and work as a mechanical design engineer. I thought I was a relatively young pup on this site, but reading some of the posts on here some of you guys are in your early 20's already in the OS scene! Good for you guys. I would've started earlier in life, but I ride/race motocross and that took up most of my time over the years. I've tapered off on the riding/racing and do it for fun on occasion anymore. My family had a Baja ski boat growing up, couple of my current friends have ski boats, and I've had a SeaDoo RXP jetski at my disposal the last few years, so I'm not a complete stranger to the water and have driven them. One friend has a 27' Wellcraft Nova w/twin 350's up in MI, which we go out on a couple times a year, so that is the extent of me being on any type of OS type boat.
As of right now I will be boating at LOTO only, at least for now, until/if I buy a larger truck down the road (currently have a Toyota Tacoma w/4.0). Plan is to have it dry stored/racked down there and have the marina dump it in the water for me. Most I'm willing to spend is in the $30's, although if the right boat comes along I may be willing to go higher. Looking for something late 90's-UP model, although would consider something older if it was clean and nice enough. Of all the boats I look at I keep coming back to Baja Outlaws, but will still consider other brands. I was originally looking at 25' OL's, but for LOTO I think I'll get beat up too much on the weekends with it? Anyone boat down there with these? I figured bumping up to a 29' OL with twins might be a decent compromise, maybe not too big for a first time boat but not too small for LOTO. Although the more I read & talk to people, it seems unless you're on a cruiser you'll be feeling the washing machine chop water down there on just about anything.
Also, I don't plan on having my first few outings on the boat during a busy weekend at LOTO. I figurd I'd go down there during the week when it's more mellow, drive the boat around, put some hours under my belt, get a feel for it, get familiar with it, etc.
So what do you guys think? Am I out of line starting out on a boat like that, spending that much, storing/racking it, etc? I'm open to comments, criticism, sharing personal experiences, or anything you have to offer. One thing I've learned in my 29 years is that time is valuable, especially your free time, and you get what you pay for. I'm willing to spend more money up front for something a little bit newer/nicer and avoid something that I'm going to be spending more time fixing than actually using.
I guess one thing I'm trying to avoid is buying a smaller boat to get my feet wet with, only to get tired of it quickly and wanting to upgrade. Seems it'd be a hassle, instead of just starting out on something bigger but respecting it and taking it slow/easy at first with it. Reminds me sort of my first motocross bike when I was little where I started out on a KX80 race bike, instead of a entry level trail bike. First ride or two were a little bit cautious, but after that it was no problem.
I guess this post kind of turned into a book, sorry about that and thank you to those who read through it. If there is any other info I can provide that may help you in providing advice/recommendations please let me know. Again, thank you to everyone for your time. I appreciate it.
Steve
Like the title says this is my first post on OSO and I'm also in the process of purchasing my first boat. Figured I'd say hi to everyone and introduce myself. Stumbled across OSO over a month ago and ever since I've been lurking on here. Everyone seems to be pretty cool, level headed and friendly on here. This site can get addicting as sometimes I spend hours on end reading all the info on here trying to learn as much as I can. I've been looking at boats off and on for the last couple years, but I'm now at the pont where I want to pull the trigger on one. I was hoping to get any advice/recommendations that anyone is willing to offer. I have been using the search function to find threads on newbie boat buyer topics, questions, etc. which has helped a lot, but I also figured maybe you guys would be able to give advice that is more specific to my situation. So maybe it'd help for me to give you guys some background info on myself, what I'm looking for, etc.
I'm a 29 y/o male living in St. Louis, MO and work as a mechanical design engineer. I thought I was a relatively young pup on this site, but reading some of the posts on here some of you guys are in your early 20's already in the OS scene! Good for you guys. I would've started earlier in life, but I ride/race motocross and that took up most of my time over the years. I've tapered off on the riding/racing and do it for fun on occasion anymore. My family had a Baja ski boat growing up, couple of my current friends have ski boats, and I've had a SeaDoo RXP jetski at my disposal the last few years, so I'm not a complete stranger to the water and have driven them. One friend has a 27' Wellcraft Nova w/twin 350's up in MI, which we go out on a couple times a year, so that is the extent of me being on any type of OS type boat.
As of right now I will be boating at LOTO only, at least for now, until/if I buy a larger truck down the road (currently have a Toyota Tacoma w/4.0). Plan is to have it dry stored/racked down there and have the marina dump it in the water for me. Most I'm willing to spend is in the $30's, although if the right boat comes along I may be willing to go higher. Looking for something late 90's-UP model, although would consider something older if it was clean and nice enough. Of all the boats I look at I keep coming back to Baja Outlaws, but will still consider other brands. I was originally looking at 25' OL's, but for LOTO I think I'll get beat up too much on the weekends with it? Anyone boat down there with these? I figured bumping up to a 29' OL with twins might be a decent compromise, maybe not too big for a first time boat but not too small for LOTO. Although the more I read & talk to people, it seems unless you're on a cruiser you'll be feeling the washing machine chop water down there on just about anything.
Also, I don't plan on having my first few outings on the boat during a busy weekend at LOTO. I figurd I'd go down there during the week when it's more mellow, drive the boat around, put some hours under my belt, get a feel for it, get familiar with it, etc.
So what do you guys think? Am I out of line starting out on a boat like that, spending that much, storing/racking it, etc? I'm open to comments, criticism, sharing personal experiences, or anything you have to offer. One thing I've learned in my 29 years is that time is valuable, especially your free time, and you get what you pay for. I'm willing to spend more money up front for something a little bit newer/nicer and avoid something that I'm going to be spending more time fixing than actually using.
I guess one thing I'm trying to avoid is buying a smaller boat to get my feet wet with, only to get tired of it quickly and wanting to upgrade. Seems it'd be a hassle, instead of just starting out on something bigger but respecting it and taking it slow/easy at first with it. Reminds me sort of my first motocross bike when I was little where I started out on a KX80 race bike, instead of a entry level trail bike. First ride or two were a little bit cautious, but after that it was no problem.
I guess this post kind of turned into a book, sorry about that and thank you to those who read through it. If there is any other info I can provide that may help you in providing advice/recommendations please let me know. Again, thank you to everyone for your time. I appreciate it.
Steve
09-18-2011, 07:21 PM
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well steve that is one heck of a first post! let me the first to welcome you to oso! these guys are awesome when it comes to getting answers to any questions you may have, i give you credit for starting out with a 29 foot boat, though i totally understand your logic as i had 5 ft idis after my first boat which was a 21ft hammer, baja is a good boat for the money and they are plentiful so finding what you want should not be an issue, other will chime in on other options out there in your price bracket, i myself and partial to nordic and the 28 ft heat is an awesome boat, good luck!
09-19-2011, 09:09 AM
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Welcome Steve, I started out with a 29' Power Quest twinn 454's and soon realized i was spending way to much $ on fuel and maintenance. I purchased a 27 baja Boss and found that the size was comparable to the 29 and it is faster. i cut the expense of boating way down to where it is fun again without sacrificing performance and space. My Baja is for sale in the classifieds if interested, I am looking at a deck style boat. Good luck. Patrick
09-19-2011, 09:30 AM
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If you're boating @ LOTO exclusively,
get as big of a boat that you can afford.
There are times down there when my 33 isnt enough
get as big of a boat that you can afford.
There are times down there when my 33 isnt enough
09-19-2011, 05:59 PM
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Hey Steve, it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. so what ever you buy just take it slow learn the rules of the water and how your boat handles and you will be fine. I agree with JT, get as big of a boat as you can afford, and welcome, BOATING IS A SICKNESS!
09-19-2011, 11:56 PM
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Welcome Steve, I love the long post, in OffShore longer is better!
You had alot of the same questions i had when i found this very same site. You wont find a better group of men and woman than in Offshore boating. I can remember when i was looking to purchase my first boat, i was all over the place. Looking at Searays, open bows, deck boats and then I stumbled on OSO and all hell broke loose! I had a price range in mind and thought i knew what size boat I wanted, I was all over the place from 24ft to 40ft from single to twins. Quite a few from OSO chimed in to help a new boater out. This was going to be my very first boat and i wanted to make sure I was going to be happy. One of the first observation I made was everyone always wanted bigger. For the right reasons too. Overnighting, rough water, twin motors incase one stops running ect. Than i noticed everyone that wanted bigger kept increasing a couple feet at a time. I thought to myself that seems expensive. Than I started seeing everone building bigger motors and more power $$$$$. Well I finally pulled the trigger in 07' I was 31 and bought my first boat off another OSO member. He would be able to answer a few of your questions too. I purchased a 1999 36ft Outlaw w/Mercury 500HP's Blue Motors. The boat came from MI, I had it shipped to Las Vegas. When my new boat arrived I could not believe how big this thing looked out of the water. I was in Love, i had never even driven a boat with twins and the last boat I had driven was a 1986 19footer. Talk about a rush. Anyway your more than welcome to email me with any questions. Baja made really nice boats during those years and i think for the money you cant beat the quality and the size of boat for the money. Be patient and do your home work. There are so many deals out there you will find what you want.
You had alot of the same questions i had when i found this very same site. You wont find a better group of men and woman than in Offshore boating. I can remember when i was looking to purchase my first boat, i was all over the place. Looking at Searays, open bows, deck boats and then I stumbled on OSO and all hell broke loose! I had a price range in mind and thought i knew what size boat I wanted, I was all over the place from 24ft to 40ft from single to twins. Quite a few from OSO chimed in to help a new boater out. This was going to be my very first boat and i wanted to make sure I was going to be happy. One of the first observation I made was everyone always wanted bigger. For the right reasons too. Overnighting, rough water, twin motors incase one stops running ect. Than i noticed everyone that wanted bigger kept increasing a couple feet at a time. I thought to myself that seems expensive. Than I started seeing everone building bigger motors and more power $$$$$. Well I finally pulled the trigger in 07' I was 31 and bought my first boat off another OSO member. He would be able to answer a few of your questions too. I purchased a 1999 36ft Outlaw w/Mercury 500HP's Blue Motors. The boat came from MI, I had it shipped to Las Vegas. When my new boat arrived I could not believe how big this thing looked out of the water. I was in Love, i had never even driven a boat with twins and the last boat I had driven was a 1986 19footer. Talk about a rush. Anyway your more than welcome to email me with any questions. Baja made really nice boats during those years and i think for the money you cant beat the quality and the size of boat for the money. Be patient and do your home work. There are so many deals out there you will find what you want.
09-20-2011, 07:06 AM
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Welcome and good luck in your search.
Something else to consider.....I always liked the performace and Outlaw series boats. These two lines have a lot of similarities.
I've owned both a 29 OL and a 302. Both great boats and you should be able to find a good clean one in your price range.
When I bought the 302, I was shopping for a 29 OL as well. Just looked for the best deal. When I sold the 302 I really missed it and ended up finding a nice 29. Did the same thing with my current 342. Compared the 33 OL. Wherever I could get the nicest one for the money.
Lots of good knowledge on here. I've learned tons and met some great folks!
Tim
Something else to consider.....I always liked the performace and Outlaw series boats. These two lines have a lot of similarities.
I've owned both a 29 OL and a 302. Both great boats and you should be able to find a good clean one in your price range.
When I bought the 302, I was shopping for a 29 OL as well. Just looked for the best deal. When I sold the 302 I really missed it and ended up finding a nice 29. Did the same thing with my current 342. Compared the 33 OL. Wherever I could get the nicest one for the money.
Lots of good knowledge on here. I've learned tons and met some great folks!
Tim
09-21-2011, 09:33 PM
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Hello and welcome to the site!
I was in your same situation a year ago. I was 25 and looking for my first powerboat.
I ended up buying a 02 29 Outlaw with twin 496's. At first I was very intimidated by the size of it, in and out of the water. It took a few times going out and just practicing. O was not used to driving a boat with twin throttles, k-planes, two trims, etc. It doesn't take long to learn the boat. I'm so glad I picked this boat as my first and don't plan on going to a larger boat anytime soon. I love the feel and looks of the 29'. It's plenty big, I have been parked next to a 27' Fountain and felt like I was in a oil tanker.
I was in your same situation a year ago. I was 25 and looking for my first powerboat.
I ended up buying a 02 29 Outlaw with twin 496's. At first I was very intimidated by the size of it, in and out of the water. It took a few times going out and just practicing. O was not used to driving a boat with twin throttles, k-planes, two trims, etc. It doesn't take long to learn the boat. I'm so glad I picked this boat as my first and don't plan on going to a larger boat anytime soon. I love the feel and looks of the 29'. It's plenty big, I have been parked next to a 27' Fountain and felt like I was in a oil tanker.
