Originally Posted by ICDEDPPL (Post 4771731)

Oh man I don`t know sounds like your boating lifestyle is pretty sweet right now and cheap .
You go down this road with a boat that needs work it can be an expensive one.
Do you have a place to work on the boat? The ability to do the mechanical work?
Best thing I love about a boat I can trailer is we see a ton of places and experience lots of different boating. I try and do 2 new destinations annually .
Is that something you will do more often? if not your boat sounds pretty good right now .
If you buy a project the price of the boat will be the least expensive part.

Originally Posted by Eddienel (Post 4771842)

No major boat repair places here and I can do lots of the work. The question I guess is do I want to? I own a carwash and do maintenance all day long. Mechanical plumbing etc. Sometimes I just like going home and boating .

Originally Posted by lucky strike (Post 4771847)

I know the feeling well!
I Started my car business there in 1971. Boating was my big escape also
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8c5fb9edff.jpg

Originally Posted by Eddienel (Post 4771687)

If I didn't live on a mud puddle it would be a done deal. At night you can hear the banjos playing. All bs aside Im totally conflicted. I use my boat almost every day from spring until November. Its not that much trouble fueling my 70 gal tank with my 8 quick fill gas cans (No gas available on the rive). So a big boat Ive got to load it every time I want to fill it up. My boat is 24 ft and Ive got the second biggest out here lol next to a 26ft SeaRay. Also my dock floats because the river rises and falls several times a year. Its going to need LOTS of love to handle the weight of a big boat. I got one estimate of $30k just for the dock and cover. Just paid my daughters last semester of college yesterday and my house is almost paid for. Im really leaning towards paying it off and going all in on a nice rig and traveling with it. Do some poker runs and rallys. We also love the Orange Beach area. For now Im enjoying living vicariously through y'all and just sitting the side lines for now. One day maybe one of my OSO friends will invite me for a ride hint hint lol....

Originally Posted by lucky strike (Post 4771847)

I know the feeling well!
I Started my car business there in 1971. Boating was my big escape also
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8c5fb9edff.jpg

Originally Posted by seafordguy (Post 4771862)

Honestly, a 35 or 38' cig isn't a "use every day boat". I think the luster would wear off quickly. Even for someone like me who is fortunate enough to have it on a lift in the backyard, it is still an event every time we use it - cover off, using it, coming home and flushing, washing, cover back on. It's work! I like the idea of using it 12-15 times a year. Unfortunately with life in the way, we tend to probably only use it 6-8 times a year.....

there was a time before the end of last summer (when we finally got the chance to blow a couple hundred gallons through it), that we had actually burned more fuel in my 16 Donzi than the cig. Part of that was a result of reliability issues, and I don't think any of these boats will have the reliability for you to do daily boating.....

Originally Posted by Eddienel (Post 4771865)

Interesting. Maybe less is more. I’ve always loved those Sweet 16’s. I really love that Dozi 22. I seriously almost bought one a couple of years ago but not much seating when you got kids and son in laws nieces nephews etc. My house is the party house around here. Not uncommon for me to cook for 25 or 30 people.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...84f3bf622.jpeg

Originally Posted by Full Force (Post 4771866)

now we talking my style... I love smoking food !