Boat length Pros and Cons
 

Boat length Pros and Cons

I see advantage of getting a larger boat form the normal 18-20 ft boats, as it rides nicer and can handle bigger waves with ease.

Now if I get on longer boat I can run a big block, longer yet twin smalll blocks.

If I get to about 30 ft I can run twin big blocks.

Now if i run a lakes and such what advantage do I gain by getting a bigger/longer boat at that point? I view ~30 ft boats as the smallest/light boat can handle xxx amount power. It seems like if I get a bigger boat I will just need more power increase just to run what a smaller boat will run with stock engines.

What advantage do you get to run a boat longer than ~30 feet?

Thanks for the info all.

Cyrus

Bigger sunpad

Bigger boat = bigger ego. :evilb:

Bigger boats have more room. mine seemed big at first but then i went on a buddies boat that is about 5-6 ft longer. May not seem like a huge difference if you are used to a smaller boat but if you go with a 34.5 baja or something similar(just for example) you can run 60+mph w/496 bigblocks, have a kitchen, shower, a/c, flush out toilet, gernerator, and plenty of room in the cockpit to move around. All stock and nice looking with room for a few extra people to come. You can make runs to marinas and stay on the boat at night instead of paying for dock fees and a hotel. maintenance is usually easier with more room in the engine bays (sometimes). and if you ever do decide to take it to the ocean, the longer the boat the better it handels in the big waves. And definately bigger sunpads!

and/or smaller man parts (in an effort to keep it somewhat clean)...... :lolhit:

more room, ususally handle more water, can go faster.

CONS- they are bigger, cant go in shallow water, cost more, cost more to maintain/insure/operate. They weigh more which means you need a truck that can pull it etc. But these are the cons anytime you get something bigger.

I think if you start getting larger than 30ft and are looking for speed you start talking big boy money, docking the thing instead of towing etc.

Bigger Boat= Bigger Repair Bills.....:eekdrop:

where do u boat?

do u overnight on the boat?

family?

Thats the weakest...most immature thought and saying ever...and usually only made by people jealous of others with bigger/better things.

Mind you I dont hve a "big" boat....Ive always had BIG trucks...12-20" of lift and I drive them because I LIKE them not cause I have a small penile organ and am compensating.

I want a bigger boat cause well....they are cool and bigger sunpads are obviously AWESOME!

The bigger the boat, the costs go up exponentially. It all depends where you use it, how you use it, then where you can launch it, where you can store it, if you can work on it yourself, etc, etc.

I haven't owned one personally, but been very much involved with a 38. It was not fun, turned into more of a hassle than it was worth. But the circumstances also contributed to that. If I could afford a 38, along with the rack storage to go with it, count me in.

For now, my 24 is big enough for Erie, easy to tow/launch solo if need be, storage is easy, so it works for now. I will be looking to move up to something in the 30 foot range in the next two years, and that is as big as I plan to go for the time being.

Well what was meant as a joke to most, seems to have struck a nerver with some (or at least one).... Hmmmmm small man parts???:evilb:

And for the record, if you read my post, you will see it was a reply (quote was included) to Powerplay J's comment/joke "Bigger boat = bigger ego." Might want to do a search for the humorless section SBX if you cannot see the joke.....

Seeing SBX other posts I think his was meant as a joke as well everybody....

Some people... :lolhit:

Well what kind of lakes are you talking about? Great Lakes... LOTO.. They can make a 30' boat wet it's pants and run for cover.

Pro's lot's more room, lot's more comfort and the ability to go with much bigger power

Con's Cost, Cost, Cost

Yeah I was joking.....I am small lol

V's up to 38 are pretty easy to trailer and launch. Storage and gas is pricey once you go above 30'. Figure out your needs/wants and buy what you really want. Having a bigger boat opens up a bunch of possibilities...

:lolhit:

I have always had single engine sport boats, but I am really contemplating stepping up myself. However I am looking to go from a single Big Block to twin O/Bs strapped to the back of a Center Console w/small cuddy. Just seems like a more practical solution for my boating purposes......

I personally like cats, and think the best size for west coast lakes is 32-33. I have a 38 and its a hassle to launch and dock. Plus, it's 10'4 wide and trailering it takes getting used to. But, it is rock solid at 130 MPH with lots more to go!

I went thru the same debate.. hell you can read about most.

I debated a scarab 302 CC, 29ol, Baja 302, and my ultimate goal of a 33ol to really handle the rough water in our lake and the gulf.

Wanted a 30ft or really at least 29 ft wetted surface.. we go out in the gulf to ship island and usually only boat.. = 2 engines.

I have a 4 and a 7 yr old that don't like the rough and wanted some cockpit space..

I found a 302 scarab with 300xs's and was about to put an offer and wife decided she wanted a sunpad..

So we started looking at 29 ol b/c Baja 302 are scarse with mags and windscreen..

Then I found a deal on my boat.. shy of 40. Good vinyl that was redone at some point.. still firm.. and NEW 454 mags with only 12 hrs..
Plenty of cockpit space and enclosed head for kids and women...

so both times you use it you will be comfortable!!

your not funny Mike!! We will be able to use it more now b/c Robin isnt' scared to cross lake in this one!!:lolhit:

Made the jump last year from a Baja 252 / 454Mag to a Baja 342 / T/496 Mags.

the room, and aminities are night and day, let alone the bigger boat ride. the fuel bill is more though... and everything you work on is 2X the price as you going to do it 2 times. but so far, love my move.

I'd buy the biggest boat you can afford and tow/store.

Once you go to two engines your maintenance/repairs are the same whether you have twin 502's in a 30 or twin 502's in a 38.

When I bought by boat home I thought it was the biggest thing in the world. Now I look at it and think how small it is. You get very used to it VERY quickly.

I also think you're talking right in the length range where a couple extra feet really create a measurable ride improvement as it relates to spanning waves. Just my .02.

This is so true, when I pulled up to my 342, it was the first time i had seen one on a trailer. Me and my buddy where like, OH ****, thats going to be a *****. and now i dont think a think about it. seems normal.

and I agree at the point of 30 feet, 3-5 feet extra is not going to change ANYTHIHNG about trailing it. just more room when floating.

I bet the drive thru ladies at McDonald's were like WTF when you drove thru!! Lol

haha they do give you some wierd looks! and then ask if i catch alot of fish! haha

Glad to see I'm not the only one that tows through the drive through!
If you can fit it in your yard at home there isn't much of a difference in cons going from 30-40'. Only problem I've had was docking at a couple bars on the bay didn't have room for me, about 43' with the platform, where as 28-32 would have been able to fit.

I hate when people ask me about fish, I give them the "you're the idiot of the year look"
Seriously, here in az we have some mountain based lakes. I am over the length limit on those windy roads.

Some good comments here. It sounds to me like you are aware of the cost differences. Seems to me you want to know what is in store for you with a bigger boat that you perhaps hadn't thought of. If you are towing there are some disadvantages to think of. You have to plan your trip with as few right turns as possible ( when I measure from tongue to end of my drives I am 47 feet long. NOT including the tow vehicle). And what right turns can not be avoided there better be a lot of room to make the swing. Which gas station you chose is dictated by room to swing in and out. Docking was mentioned above, but I never ran into that too much. There always seems to be a way around that. The "I hadn't thought about that" moment hit me the first time I showed up at the ramp I had always gone to with my 30'. The parking lot was not big enough to park my rig in. Believe me that's a killer. Even if you want to go through the extra hassle of unhooking the trailer some places won't allow that. Now is my ah ha moment enough to deter me. ABSOLUTELY NOT.

very good points. I think guys are usually pretty good at understanding the initial cost is more and that there will be more cost in gas and maint. But ive seen it a lot, people figure out they have an inadequate tow vehicle, cant store their boat in the garage or drive way, docking becomes an issue etc. All things that only compound the cost.

or the trailer will drag in the middle as the ramp and parking lot angles are to sudden.

trailer for is 42 feet toung to props;

Well I poised the question to find out why go bigger than 30 ft and got plenty of answer. probably the most accurate is "because I can".
Well I took my project boat (formula 302 LS) out for the first time a two days ago, I re-did the stringers and bulkhead (first time for me). First words from the pay station were "why did you buy that big of a boat?". Out on the water it seemed great. I like the 302 it allows me big blocks but i am still getting used to the size.

Cyrus- 30 ft will fit on most larger bodies of water. Some of the smaller inland lakes it may be too big for. But you will get easy to drive it soon.

Wannabe

I know in Seattle anything longer than 30 feet is a total pain in the a**!! Most of our launch areas dont allow large boats which means you pretty much have to moor anything over 30 feet. Then you have the issue of finding dock space if you want to park at a restaurant or marina--most of the slips and dock space are limited (high demand) and they just didnt design most slips to accomodate anything over 25 feet. Once you add in the increased maintance and fuel bill it would NEVER be worth the hassle (at least here in the great NW) of owning something larger.