Time for a Different Style Boat?
08-31-2022 | 06:29 PM
#11
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Orlando, FL
It's hard to know how much you're going to enjoy a different style of boat / boating until you try it. If you hate it, sell it, and try something different. I've bounced around a little bit these last several years, and in my mid-40s, I'm starting to narrow down what it is that makes me happy. I'll probably have it all figured out by the time I'm as old as SB.
08-31-2022 | 07:57 PM
#12
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Joined: Feb 2022
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From: Harrison Township, MI
I'm 52. Went from a 23 formula in my 30s, to a 28 scarab in my 40s, now a 34 scarab in my 50s. I doo keep the boat on a hoist in the backyard. I trailered before, and I don't think it's very fun. I get what you're saying with the hassle, but I think you'll get bored. Just my opinion.
08-31-2022 | 08:16 PM
#13
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,120
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From: Seaford, VA
We trailered the first couple years and then I put a lift in.
With two kids playing soccer (11&9) we could never find the time any more to trailer. Having it rack stored or on a lift at the lake might solve your problem if you can swing it!!
I probably won't leave a go-fast until I'm physically unable to jump over the side, crawl around in the bilge, etc... But that day will clearly come one day and some days I swear to God the gunnels on my tiger are growing....
With two kids playing soccer (11&9) we could never find the time any more to trailer. Having it rack stored or on a lift at the lake might solve your problem if you can swing it!!
I probably won't leave a go-fast until I'm physically unable to jump over the side, crawl around in the bilge, etc... But that day will clearly come one day and some days I swear to God the gunnels on my tiger are growing....
08-31-2022 | 08:28 PM
#14
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I have a 32’ Fountain and I love it. It’s in great condition and I have it the way I want it BUT it is starting to feel like a hassle to use. I trailer it to the lake and my wife isn’t the best help, so basically I do everything.
Thought about downsizing but I did that once. 29’ fountain to a 19’ jet boat. Fun for a while but i bought a 27’ fountain a year or two later, now my 32. I’m 34 now and looking for a way to make boating easier and more convenient. So I thought about going to a cruiser. 32’-38’ Searay Sundancer or similar. Something that I can leave at the lake during the summer and move to dry storage during the winter. Maybe even change lakes. This way all I would need to do is drive a car to the lake and start boating.
Terrible idea?
Thought about downsizing but I did that once. 29’ fountain to a 19’ jet boat. Fun for a while but i bought a 27’ fountain a year or two later, now my 32. I’m 34 now and looking for a way to make boating easier and more convenient. So I thought about going to a cruiser. 32’-38’ Searay Sundancer or similar. Something that I can leave at the lake during the summer and move to dry storage during the winter. Maybe even change lakes. This way all I would need to do is drive a car to the lake and start boating.
Terrible idea?
08-31-2022 | 08:54 PM
#15
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Posts: 612
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From: St. Louis / LOTO
Getting out of the trailering game was a game changer for me, especially after a season with a 38 Scarab. Even though my wife loves boating, loading up at the end of a long weekend could lead to a quiet ride home after showing her how to run the winch for the 82nd time.
Like others have said, I’d try the rack storage first before trading boats. If it’s still a hassle, you can always make a change then.
The boat, that is…
Like others have said, I’d try the rack storage first before trading boats. If it’s still a hassle, you can always make a change then.
The boat, that is…
08-31-2022 | 10:08 PM
#16
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Indianapolis, Lake Cumberland
By myself I can load and unload faster than a lot of people with pontoons or fishing boats. I know what I’m doing but it’s still a hassle.
I know I’m young so if I feel this way now, I can’t imagine 20 years from now.
My thinking with the cruiser is it will be already at the lake.
Dry stack storage would be awesome but I live in the middle of nowhere KY.
I know I’m young so if I feel this way now, I can’t imagine 20 years from now.
My thinking with the cruiser is it will be already at the lake.
Dry stack storage would be awesome but I live in the middle of nowhere KY.
Sounds like you need a lift at a marina. There’s no way I could have lasted the past 20 years performance boating if I had to lug these beasts around every time I wanted to go boating. And there are some pretty dam nice lakes in KY - like Cumberland.
08-31-2022 | 11:13 PM
#17
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Joined: Feb 2013
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I've been thinking abt moving from go-fast to a cruiser. Maintenance is the biggest concern for me. I've been able to keep the costs to a min doing my own maint, but once that option is gone, I'm afraid the additional costs may start rapidly draining my enthusiasm.
08-31-2022 | 11:37 PM
#18
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,296
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From: Virginia Beach
I'll add a cruiser and keep the go-fast. May be a pain in the ass, but I'm not leaving. I'm pretty much following Seafordguy's plan.
Rack storage is much easier and I'll admit that I used the boat more when I had it stored. I might do that more next year now that the boat is back together. Rack storage is few and far between here... you'd think being at/near the ocean with this water all around there would be more options. The special interest groups make things stupid difficult here. Most rack storage here has waiting lists that are years long unless you head down the ICW.
Rack storage is much easier and I'll admit that I used the boat more when I had it stored. I might do that more next year now that the boat is back together. Rack storage is few and far between here... you'd think being at/near the ocean with this water all around there would be more options. The special interest groups make things stupid difficult here. Most rack storage here has waiting lists that are years long unless you head down the ICW.
09-01-2022 | 02:34 AM
#19
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Joined: Jan 2021
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I launch and retrieve my boat generally by myself, I give the gf simple instructions ie. hold this rope here and don't let it float away, she brings food and drink and the rest is on me .I realize this is my dream not hers unless you count tanning.
Asking for a friend, would second wife help or hinder the situation?
Asking for a friend, would second wife help or hinder the situation?
09-01-2022 | 03:50 AM
#20
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,422
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From: Orlando, FL
I launch and retrieve my boat generally by myself, I give the gf simple instructions ie. hold this rope here and don't let it float away, she brings food and drink and the rest is on me .I realize this is my dream not hers unless you count tanning.
Asking for a friend, would second wife help or hinder the situation?
Asking for a friend, would second wife help or hinder the situation?
Incidentally, that advice probably applies to boats as well.
