Starter boat shopping questions.

[Riperoo]

ey all, poking around the idea of picking up a small boat, starter boat per se, I have a place in Cape May NJ and would like to get out and explore the bays, crabbing, some fishing, really like to try some fly fishing in the back bays, like something small, 16 to 20 max, trailerable, if it can fit in my garage in the winter, that would be a big bonus. The gamut of used out there is pretty overwhelming. Like to get any and all input on suggestions. Background on me, approaching retirement age, never owned other than canoes and kayaks, been on charter boats and rentals, so been exposed, but don't even consider myself an amatauer. Like to be around the $10k level, unless you all tell me that going new is the way to go. Like to hear anything, good and bad, don't pull any punches, the good, the bad and the ugly!!! TIA

[Capt. Debbie]

I'd suggest you measure the garage. You may not be able to fit even a 16 feet inside a garage with a closed door on a trailer.

You want some higher freeboard. A flat deck to cast from fly fishing. A day boat. No cabin.

As they say pick your days. 14 footer is my go to crabbing boat with a 25hp on trailer to crab for decadess. Maybe a on a good day Raritan bay/ Sandy Hook. Even a few brief drifts around the Hook and into the Atlantic.

Boat traffic is a killer in smaller boats. You have "the" schedule to easily do Monday to Friday. That's prime time.

Also I don't believe is "starter" boats. A true waste of money. Learn what you have in person and with some trained help. Stupid to buy a boat while you actually want something else. Running a 14 footer and 28 footer have very little in common.

[Riperoo]

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

I'd suggest you measure the garage. You may not be able to fit even a 16 feet inside a garage with a closed door on a trailer.

You want some higher freeboard. A flat deck to cast from fly fishing. A day boat. No cabin.

As they say pick your days. 14 footer is my go to crabbing boat with a 25hp on trailer to crab for decadess. Maybe a on a good day Raritan bay/ Sandy Hook. Even a few brief drifts around the Hook and into the Atlantic.

Boat traffic is a killer in smaller boats. You have "the" schedule to easily do Monday to Friday. That's prime time.

Also I don't believe is "starter" boats. A true waste of money. Learn what you have in person and with some trained help. Stupid to buy a boat while you actually want something else. Running a 14 footer and 28 footer have very little in common.

Thanks Capt. Frank, all great advice!! I am just toying now, but I am kinda seeing the logic of going bigger now. More I think about the garage thing, the less sense it makes to me, but I do have an extra deep garage, something like 29 feet deep x 10 wide on the side I would store a boat on, but that would mean the back end of a boat sitting in my work area all winter, may not be the ideal thing, unless of course I am working on the motor!! Thanks again, appreciate the input.

[howarda780]

Ripper

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F113720432753

This will fit into your garage

[BCinerie]

Get a 18/20 center console with 90-150 HP for 5-9k with a canopy and you will be set for a long time! Enjoy. Can fish,crab tubi g for the kids etc.

[O'Man]

If it's going to live on a trailer, don't overlook an aluminum boat. They're lighter, so less power is needed. I had an 18' Starcraft CC that I took all over the place. The big plus was I could easily launch & land it alone, even at low tide.