Thinking of a boat

[Ponyryd]

Thinking of getting a boat, something just to bomb around in with the family (me, wife, 8, 10 y/olds), and my father in law will likely use it for fishing, under 20’ I think would be good (towing with a Grand Cherokee V6). Now does anyone have any insight about inboard/outboard engine? I was told an outboard is best cuz it much less trouble, which makes sense, but I’m fairly handy so not real worried about maintenance, so much as seals between inboard/exterior. Really just tossing this out to see if anyone has any wisdom to share, I don’t have a licence yet, looking to stay under $10k, and newer than 1992.

[Laffs]

What about the smaller SeaDoo Jet Boat? Like a Speedster

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/sea-doo-b...203C4&sprx=250

My best friend owns Dan's Nautical on the Drive, he suggested them to me when I said I wanted something to just bomb around in.

I was originally thinking of a Bow-rider, but he talked me out of it since it would have been double the money to get same age range, plus took up a lot more space for storing.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/sea-doo-b...203C4&sprx=250

[Ghost Rider]

What about the smaller SeaDoo Jet Boat? Like a Speedster

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/sea-doo-b...203C4&sprx=250

My best friend owns Dan's Nautical on the Drive, he suggested them to me when I said I wanted something to just bomb around in.

I was originally thinking of a Bow-rider, but he talked me out of it since it would have been double the money to get same age range, plus took up a lot more space for storing.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/sea-doo-b...203C4&sprx=250

the link you posted is a Sportster, not a Speedster...huge difference in fuel bills between the two...just a heads up

[Laffs]

the link you posted is a Sportster, not a Speedster...huge difference in fuel bills between the two...just a heads up

Tomato/potato. Ya ones got twins and ones a single, but they look similar enough to give him an idea of the type of boat I was referencing.

Here is Speedster

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/sea-doo-b...%203C4&sprx=-1

[Hutch]

Tomato/potato. Ya ones got twins and ones a single, but they look similar enough to give him an idea of the type of boat I was referencing.

Here is Speedster

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/sea-doo-b...%203C4&sprx=-1

I looked at buying one of these. Costs to repair are crazy as is fuel consumption. There is a lot of stuff to break and those engines don’t seem to last long before needing a rebuild. My 91 boat has the original 91 V4 Johnson outboard. Those engines are virtually bulletproof.

[Ponyryd]

The older Maxums are meh...not the greatest...but not the worst either, however that one looks to have a Black Max motor, which are great motors, however a 75hp is very under powered for that boat...especially you plan on taking the kids water skiing an such, I really don't think you would be happy with it...however more room for say fishing and such vs. the jet boats...

Thanks, I do really like that one posted, has a lot of new stuff and really, I think of a boat like a fox, if the structure and paint is good and the price is right, the rest is easy, lol. I may go have a look at that one if he still has it next week.

Tomato/potato. Ya ones got twins and ones a single, but they look similar enough to give him an idea of the type of boat I was referencing.

Here is Speedster

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/sea-doo-b...%203C4&sprx=-1

I really like the idea of it being easily washable, but there’s just not enough room for my needs. I’ve also thought of seadoos because they’re so small and easy to ride, but that seems rather pointless since I’m sure ill never be out on the water alone.

Big thanks to everyone offering opinions on this, I’m still a newb to boats, should probably get my licence, lol.

[Ponyryd]

Thx Chris, I thought about those but given the amount of room I need I think a bow rider is best, I’ve been looking at them for a couple months now, and the prices are all over the place depending on the condition. Both my sister’s have kids, as well as my brother in law, so it would be nice to have room to take a couple extra kids if needed.
I’ve seen nice bowriders between $6-14k so far, but I don’t want to go over $10k for a toy.
Did you end up getting one?

[Laffs]

Thx Chris, I thought about those but given the amount of room I need I think a bow rider is best, I’ve been looking at them for a couple months now, and the prices are all over the place depending on the condition. Both my sister’s have kids, as well as my brother in law, so it would be nice to have room to take a couple extra kids if needed.
I’ve seen nice bowriders between $6-14k so far, but I don’t want to go over $10k for a toy.
Did you end up getting one?

He's supposed to take me to the auctions in Michigan at the end of the season to go look. One thing he also mentioned is to check on parts. Apparently certain older outdrives are near impossible to get parts for. If you find one you like send it over to me and I can have him give the ad a look and see if any red flags pop up.

[Ponyryd]

He's supposed to take me to the auctions in Michigan at the end of the season to go look. One thing he also mentioned is to check on parts. Apparently certain older outdrives are near impossible to get parts for. If you find one you like send it over to me and I can have him give the ad a look and see if any red flags pop up.

Thx bud, appreciate the help.
I was thinking of looking in Michigan as well but with the exchange and the new tariffs I didn’t think it was worth it.
This one is on the low end in year and price, but it looks about perfect to me, I keep going back to it trying to find a reason not to buy it.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-mo...ationFlag=true

I may just wait until fall or winter and watch what comes up, I’m in no rush and really just thinking out loud. As of right now I don’t even have the time to clean out my garage, let alone have time for a boat, lol.

[Ghost Rider]

Thx bud, appreciate the help.
I was thinking of looking in Michigan as well but with the exchange and the new tariffs I didn’t think it was worth it.
This one is on the low end in year and price, but it looks about perfect to me, I keep going back to it trying to find a reason not to buy it.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-mo...ationFlag=true

I may just wait until fall or winter and watch what comes up, I’m in no rush and really just thinking out loud. As of right now I don’t even have the time to clean out my garage, let alone have time for a boat, lol.

The older Maxums are meh...not the greatest...but not the worst either, however that one looks to have a Black Max motor, which are great motors, however a 75hp is very under powered for that boat...especially you plan on taking the kids water skiing an such, I really don't think you would be happy with it...however more room for say fishing and such vs. the jet boats...