Some of the enjoyment of boating is doing what you are doing right now, looking for your new ride.
So have fun doing it and dont make it angst, take your time.

If you lose a deal, relax, there are tons of boats out there.

Invariably 6 months after you find one and use it, you will get the evercommon disease.....onefootitus.

Good luck and have fun !!!

For what it is worth, I will add that some folks spend so much time looking, that they shorten thier time to enjoy. Educate yourself as well as you can, do your homework, narrow your choices, have a survey done, and pull the trigger! Just remember that when you buy, you have to be thinking about selling, so be in it right, and don't get anything too "kinky".

I have a buddy that gets what I call "Paralysis through Analysis". whether it be a boat or a TV, he gets so buried in comparing and afraid that he is paying too much that he never does anything! When he misses a killer deal through this, he measures all other deals against the one that he missed. He usually just shakes his head at me as I will buy and sell more stuff in a few years, as he will in his lifetime. he sure likes riding in my stuff, though! (and that is perfectly fine)

Don't buy any of the boats listed if you can not stomach spending at least 2k on it the first year. That is for repairs not maintenance.

That is of course assuming you are going to put some hours on it.

Good choice!! twice the boat the 272 is!!

That is a good point too.....for sure.

I have a friend like that also.

The other post re spending a couple of thousand in your first year is valid also.

If one or two thousand makes or breaks your lifestyle and will pisss you off, then boating aint going to be fun at all.

Boating will make your wallet yawn more than anything else based on my experience doing it.

I like this boat a lot but it's 1500 miles one way.

That is a good distance no doubt but dont rule it out completely.

Have the owner send you a lot of pictures of various areas and components- explaining your interest and distance.

Perhaps someone on the board here lives close to the boat and can give it a look for you??- just a thought.

I drove 900 miles to look at the boat we just bought and all I can say is that I am sure glad I did!!

Just my .02

Now that is one of only a few posts that I would agree with. some of the boats suggested or 10k more $$ The one that is cheaper is 33 years old
A 454 mag is not ready for a top end rebuild after 300 hours, unless you never took care of it.

I have friends that have been treated very well by Grand Sport Center. A survey is always a good idea.

Good luck!

i love the look of a boat without a windshield but i am affraid that its going to to cold of a ride.we hane a lot of days with overcast and high 60 deg days so thats the reason for a windshield.also we get rain showers with wind most days.

link please