To wait or not to wait?
 

So I know that a 28ft would be a better ride, and have some more accomodations, but it will take anywhere from 2-4yrs till I can afford one. I could swing a 24ft for this season.
So, do I wait for the bigger boat or get out there and start enjoying myself?

get what you can afford now, you can always sell it or trade up!! Get on the water!

What are you looking at and what price range?

I voted to wait for the 28 but seeing as you're talking that time span, I would go with the 24 now and start enjoying it. You can always trade up when the time is right. That's what I did. I started out with a 24 and now have a 311. Next step will be a 38. Good luck!!!!

I did the same thing your doing and went with something smaller than what I really wanted 30ish...

Pro... got to get out there

Con... never happy because I settled for something other than what I wanted.... Trying to sell now to get what I want and unless you give it away, it's a tough sell in this market...

Suggestion.... get something at a bargain price now so you don't lose your shirt when you go for what you really want.... when you go for what you want... make sure it will be the one to last you a long time.... moving from one boat to another can be a costly jump...


Good luck!!!

It sounds like you are talking about new boats. What about a used '28 for the same $$ as the new '24? Then too, there are '24 boats out there that can run as good as some '28s. Give is some more details.

I was told you should always buy your second boat first.Our first boat was a 25' used ,kept it one season than bought a brand new 25' Baja Outlaw, keep it one season than bought a Baja .38 Special. Which we still have. When we bought the first one we thought that was all we could afford but once you get over sticker shock you would probably save money getting the bigger boat. You always lose money selling boats.;)

or at least the wives do. :D :D

I tend to agree with this...you'll always be looking forward to the 28 and not fully enjoying your 24. If you have friends with boats, boating with them will take the edge off.

BUT...there are some bargains out there like Fred said, look hard, you never know what's out there.

The money I lost on buying smaller boats was wasted when I look at what I lost on the 20, 22, 25, 28 I could have just waited and bought the 30+

Go for what you can aford today. Who knows what the next 2-4 years will bring. As people go through life they are seldom sorry for things they did, but rather for things they didn't do.

With a slight change of wording, same advice could be applied to women...

Seriously, though. You only live once. Each boating season you spend on the dock is one more year of missed fun & experiences. I bought something very affordable (under $12k) and will run it until if falls apart. By then, if business continues as current, I'll have the $$$ to purchase (almost) anything. But, I won't have missed out on the fun.

See you out there,

D. Ocean
Pompano Beach, FLA

Thanks for all the respones guys.
I've put the buy off for a few yrs now...
and I'm kinda itching to get out there.
My father has a sportfisher which I can go out
on anytime... but its still not mine and it ain't HP.
My few friends who have boats have a 24 searay:( and
a 28 Formula. But its just not the same. When I was younger I had a 13 then a 17 whaler... and it was a trip, just going out alone to put some wind in my hair and clear my mind.

Yellowbird, funny you keep posting pics of Pantera... cuz that's what I want. The used 28's and even new(too old's) would run 70K+.
I could get into a used 24 in the teens.
There are few used 28s(no outboard please) less than 40k, which is still alot more than the teens.

If I paid 13-15 for a boat, how much of a beating could I take if I had to sell it?

Either way, it would be fun to have a HP!

I boat in the LI sound, so more length would be nice,
but I believe the 24 would slice through a 2-3ft chop.

Also, I'm not looking to do 80mph+. I've got 2 young kids that will be coming out w/ me occasionally.
I'd think low 60s would be suffice.

Again, thanks for the help... this forum is great!

I'm not lookin to get bashed here so I will come straight out and say that for a 24, I think the Pantera is as good as they come. But there are other makes that are good boats and maybe just a little more affordable. I have'nt seen to many cheap Panteras unless they were beat. For example, I got a 1988 Baja 240 Sport that, except for a couple of scratches, is pristine. Paid 24 for it and a heavy duty trailer that can tow a 28 footer so it rides better and will last longer. Boat had 272 hours, fresh when I bought it. Maybe I paid too much maybe not. But the boat has been great and trouble free. Good luck in your search.