Need help buying a Boat
 

My husband and I have decided to get back into the boating world and looking to buy a cruiser. Hoping to find one under $30,000.00 and within 100 miles of Cincinnati Ohio. Any suggestions of where to start our hunt? We have been checking the internet and only found a few that looked interesting. Thanks!

Walk the docks at marinas. You'll find many that have already been listed with no luck selling and have 4 sale signs on them. More than likely you'll get a better price since the sellers have already tried the advertising route and are now more willing to negotiate. I bought mine last yr from our marine on the same dock as my slip. Walked by it several months and seen the 4 sale sign, then decided to check into it more. Got it for a good price as the owner has been trying to sell it for a couple yrs. just not going all out listing it all the time. There are tons of them 4 sale at my marina, many for a long time.

Thanks a lot. We should be having some nice weather here so we just might do that.

Make a weekend of it, and go to lake cumberland and walk the docks there. You'll see 100x more boats there than you would driving to every marina within 100 miles of cincy.

There are lots of members here that like to spend other peoples money :) Have you narrowed down what your wanting? Length, single or twins, generator, make and model, year range, overnighting?

Ok, here goes! We're looking for a cruiser, and no smaller than 34', not older than 1994, would love a shower that wouldn't wash down the entire bathroom, now my husband would like a fresh water boat with twins and oh yeah a generator would be a must. I don't like the larger boats with the cuddy cabins! Now for the biggie....price....I have capped off at $50,000. If the boat has to be delivered then that should be considered in the cap price. Ok guys, go to work because I'm at my wits end here! Thanks!

A guy at my marina has a 34' Baja motor yacht, twin 502's w/gen. Mid 90's. Very nice shape, looks new. It's been for sale a couple yrs, just with a sign on it though, not really listing, but I heard he needs to sell it. I considered it, but just more boat than I wanted. Priced right around your range. It's in Bloomington, IN on LAke Monroe.... might be worth a road trip.

Try :
www.yachtworld.com
search brokers and then find a state.
Great listings.

Will you be keeping it in a boat slip somewhere? If so you have to pay attention to the beam width. Almost all cruisers over 28 feet will have at least a 12 foot beam. Something to think about if you already have a 12 foot slip.

Also, stick to the popular engine/drive packages. Mercruiser or Volvo only. NO Omc.

Thisis the boat they are looking at getting. What are your thoughts on it?

Couple to look at on www.riverbills.com
 

There is a 99 Carver Mariner and a 02 Chaparral 30 footer. Both are a little more than you may want to spend but considering their age and available financing for that class and age of boat you'd probably end up with the same payment as a least expensive boat, if your financing. These boats are very different from each other and represent the different kinds of cruisers out there. I've owned both brands. You would not be disappointed.

I am a fan of Cruiser Inc since I own one and know they are good quality. I would love to own a Sunseeker someday also because of their sleek design and they are a good compromise between a go fast (for him) and a floating condo (for her).

Here's a few you might consider.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...ROGUE-96670725

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...-3675-92657527

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...ancer-95360332

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...sprit-95732598

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...ancer-96631276

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...330DA-95689596

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...ofino-96304785

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...nique-93719730

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...press-96567844

Looks nice. With any used boat, GET A SURVEY.

I have a very nice 32 wellcraft st.tropaz that has been redone in and out. Its across the river from port huron were the st clair river meets lake huron. The boat needs nothing and can be wash and waxed and put in the water.

Im selling only as i want a race boat or somthing i can turn into a 3 man bolster boat... Anyone want to trade for anything interesting

3075 Cruisers
 

Bald Knob Marina in Illinois has a 2001 3075 Cruisers that has very low hours. The 3075 feels much larger than a 30 footer and is still trailerable if you need. Very nice cabin in the 3075. We looked at several a couple years back. I think it could be bought for around 50K. Not sure if it has a Generator but I believe the boat comes harnessed for one so it's not a difficult add.
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...press-95716517