Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-29-2014, 04:33 AM   #1
Newbie
 
City: Carmel, Indiana
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Smile Central Indiana

Hi,
I am a newbie on this site. I have been looking for a boat to buy for my wife and I to put out on Lake Michigan from Michigan City Indiana. We have been thinking of making the "Americas Great Loop" someday. I am two years away from retirement but not sure if we will ever get to make the trip due to my health problems. I have been reading about different boats to buy and have become more confused after reading than anything.
I am looking to spend around 30,000.00 for a used boat. We want to spend weekends and vacations on the boat during the summer right now. We live 2 1/2 hours from Michigan City. If you
have any suggestions for us please feel free to email me.
Thanks
TerrySturgeon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 05:05 AM   #2
Guru
 
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
Welcome. Starting out is daunting. Spend your time looking at and getting aboard as many boats as you can in your price range. Look for your likes and dislikes.

Make sure your partner is with you and listen carefully to what she has to say. There's a lot of boats sitting around because the wife didn't like it.

Do not concern yourself with brand names, boat types or any of that jazz right now. The great loop can and has been done in almost every type of vessel.

Depending upon the health issues keep your mobility in mind. Our boats previous owners had health/mobility issues happen so sold our boat and purchased a single level houseboat that was more accommodating to their needs.

Most of all, boating is a pleasurable activity and shopping for one should also be. Have fun and don't make it a burden. Good luck and happy hunting.
__________________
Craig

It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
CPseudonym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 06:06 AM   #3
Newbie
 
City: Carmel, Indiana
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Thanks for the reply. I have been married for over 30 years so your point on making sure my partner has a say is great. I have a 18' bass boat that we use on smaller lakes right now and we have a blast. When I use the trolling motor, she has a big floater she lays on while I am moving around. I get full access to the boat and she has her floating sun bather and never has to kick her feet. We both love the water and want to spend weekends on the water.
Thanks for your pointers on what to do
TerrySturgeon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 06:06 AM   #4
Moderator Emeritus
 
Bay Pelican's Avatar
 
City: Chicago, IL
Vessel Name: Bay Pelican
Vessel Model: Krogen 42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,993
Welcome aboard and good luck with the boat search. Your $30,000 budget and the desire to do the loop someday narrows your search. What may work best is a diesel trawler from the late 1970s or 1980s in the 30 to 36 foot range. This will likely mean one stateroom one head.

My suggestion is to take a look at boats in this size range and see if it is acceptable to you. There may be some on display at the Michigan City boat show coming up the first weekend in August, although the Michigan City boat show has not had a large number of boats lately.

Reason for the diesel is the assumption that with a $30,000 budget for the boat you will not want to have large fuel bills on a 6,000 mile Great Loop trip. The difference in fuel cost for a small diesel such as a 30 ft Willard and a twin engine gasoline boat such as a 34 ft Sea Ray are significant.

If the size is acceptable to you then start your search. At the $30,000 price level you will need to find a gem and it will be necessary to double check the mechanics and hull for problems.

Good luck
__________________
Marty
Bay Pelican is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 06:34 AM   #5
Newbie
 
City: Carmel, Indiana
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Hi Marty,
I have been thinking about the 28-36 foot range. The gas or diesel was another thing I have been concerned about. The big thing I have been pondering over is the year of the boat. I have noticed that in my price range that I will have to consider an older boat. I have been concerned about the shape of a boat in that year range. My wife ask me if buying one of that age would be safe taking on a longer trip.We are planning a trip to Michigan City on July 5 to just look around at boats and what is on the water there. My wife was looking for Motels and did not find any on the water. We want to spend the night and then look at some boats for sale close by.
Thanks for your post and that does help me. I have been looking at the length of boats you have suggested. That will help narrow my search.
Thanks again
TerrySturgeon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 07:28 AM   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
jwnall's Avatar
 
City: St. Marks, Florida
Vessel Name: Morgan
Vessel Model: Gulfstar 36
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by TerrySturgeon View Post
Hi Marty,
The big thing I have been pondering over is the year of the boat. I have noticed that in my price range that I will have to consider an older boat. I have been concerned about the shape of a boat in that year range. My wife ask me if buying one of that age would be safe taking on a longer trip
There are some older boats that are no good, and other older boats that are just fine (I think of my 1973 as being in the latter category). Part of it has to do with how well it has been maintained, and part of it has to do with what previous owners (PO's) may have done to it to improve it (new fuel tanks, barrier coating the hull, etc., etc). Even a 40-year old diesel engine can be in very good shape if it has been taken care of.

Do not fall into the trap of paying low dollars for a piece of junk thinking that a little elbow grease will turn it into a treasure, unless you are very skilled at that type of work (some of the people on this Forum are, but most of us are not, alas).

Bottom line: Do not be afraid to look at older boats (with your budget), but sometimes you gotta kiss a lot of frogs before the right one turns up.
__________________
John
jwnall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 07:37 AM   #7
Newbie
 
City: Carmel, Indiana
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Hi John,
One of the big problems I have being a newbie is just what you have stated about buying a boat for low dollars. I am on a budget when it comes to buying a boat and do not want to buy one and find out it needs major work before we could even enjoy it. I am not skilled at working on boats. Thanks for sharing not to be afraid at looking at older boats. I will need to find one I am interested in and then have a professional check it out for me. I think I would rather pay to have it checked out rather than end up being upset because I spend all my time and money working on one.
Thanks for your input
TerrySturgeon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 08:58 AM   #8
Member
 
richterpooh's Avatar
 
City: Ortona on the Okeechobee
Vessel Name: Winnie the Pooh
Vessel Model: Morgan designed 46' Trawler
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Terry, several boats in your price range come immediately to mind. Try looking at the Albin 27, Albin 25 (commonly trailered) and the Mainship 34. All 3 are diesel powered and pretty common on the used market. Look for a boat with a long-term owner who loved her. A boat that had 3 owners in the last 3 years is not a good bet.
richterpooh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 09:19 AM   #9
Guru
 
ranger58sb's Avatar
 
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,087
Quote:
Originally Posted by TerrySturgeon View Post

I have been thinking about the 28-36 foot range. The gas or diesel was another thing I have been concerned about.

Given your earlier comment about interest in The Loop, consider what it might be like spending a year (even if you do it in stages) living in a 28' boat compared to a 36' boat.

Initial acquisition cost for diesel is usually higher than for gas. OTOH, you usually get better fuel efficiency with diesel, and there are some (manageable) safety things about gas that can make diesel an attractive option. Lots of threads you can search about pros and cons of gas vs diesel here and on other fora.

-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA
ranger58sb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 09:26 AM   #10
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,143
I'm thinking you need to consider the 3 legs of a pyramid.

That's because you have stated a very low price of an extended cruising boat and are on a budget.

Not trying to be a downer here...as I would do the loop in a kayak or a wheelchair if I really wanted to....but money and health issues are a concern when cruising even in populated areas....but again...if you want to..go for it but armed with the right info and best intentions.

The three legs I see are boat, budget and health needs.

The boat is easy...people have done it in little sailboats with outboards and loved every minute of it because they REALLY wanted to go and explore...the creature comforts were a distant desire.

Budget is important because it determines progress, what you can and can't do along the way, sure there's the cheap way and the Marriott way....you have to peek ahead and determine whether you want to go through the planning process based on that constraint.

And finally health concerns. Sometimes on the water you are in the vast wilderness even though a town may only be a few miles away...but getting there and to the care you need can be complicated and longer than you want/need. Also how much could it interrupt the trip to return to appointments/Drs? Travelling while cruising can be way more expensive due to remoteness and/or high cost areas. Could the illness prevent travel even when it's necessary just to move a bit to be in a better place due to weather? Many personal questions need to be thought through and sometimes that takes enough experience or info to even address them adequately.

Again...just info to ponder....very little can stop you...the question what might?????
psneeld is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 10:03 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
SaltyDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 251
Greetings. Steven's Marine and the Mariner's Network are the two most visible brokerages in the area. Michigan City is a great home port. There is one facility on Trail Creek called Bridges that has had rooms to rent (at least up until two years ago. I missed last year and have had next to no time this year - yet).

There are a number of nice boats in your price range, but most are twin gas engined. The popular boat among the fishing charter guys is the 32 Marinette. Aluminum boats with twins that they find more economical than other similar boats. Not so sure they are loop economical though. Many of the boats have been in only freshwater. That certainly is a plus.

I think half the people in boating have plans to do much more cruising than they actually have the time and money to make a reality. What would work for active local boating, somewhere around 200 hours a season, and what would be needed for looping even at a leisurely 25 hours a week is a big difference. If you haven't spent time living with a bigger boat and maintaining one it might be worth looking at getting that experience while health and time permit. Local boats that are quite acceptable for local use are selling slow, so there are bargains out there. The price of fuel is one of the factors.

There are not that many boats that fit your criteria, but all boats are compromises.

Give a shout - I hope to be around next weekend.
SaltyDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 10:56 AM   #12
Guru
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
City: Hailing Port: Charleston, SC
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,276
Don't overlook a small cruiser powered by a 4 stroke outboard. They have good fuel economy, quiet operation, and don't have the maintenance issues of diesels. It doesn't take much power to cruise at 7 knots.
__________________
Don on Moonstruck
Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
When cruising life is simpler, but on a grander scale (author unknown)
https://moonstruckblog.wordpress.com/
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 05:03 PM   #13
Guru
 
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
Great point Don. I think the Nimble Nomads outboard powered and great little cruisers to boot.
__________________
Craig

It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
CPseudonym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 09:17 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
City: Maryville, TN
Vessel Name: malu lani
Vessel Model: Albin 27 FC
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 113
inexpensive cruiser

Howdy Terry, I lived in Westfield for 19 years and kept our boat in So. Haven, MI. We cruised and lived aboard for15 years after that. If you have health issues, you have to consider maintaining your vessel also. We had a 42' sail and then a 44 trawler. We moved inland about 6 years ago, but we really missed the water so went out and bought another boat! I'm 72 now so wanted something that we could handle easier, not to mention fewer steps and good access to the engine compartment. I considered a C-Dory 25, the nimble nomad etc. but really fell in love with the Albin 27 family cruiser. Recommend you go to the website for "albin owners group" and look them over. They also have a lot of good advice on all of the Albins. Your price range falls right in there for a " very good condition" Albin in the 27 model. Like the forum here, they have a classified section also. Don't get in a hurry! Your boat will find you. Good luck, Ben
tego is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2014, 09:43 PM   #15
Guru
 
Alemao's Avatar
 
City: Fort Myers - FL
Vessel Name: ORIGINAL
Vessel Model: Hi Star 55
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 669
Welcome Terry


Sergio "Alemao" Sztancsa
Sent from my iPhone, using Trawler Forum
Alemao is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2014, 11:17 AM   #16
Guru
 
River Cruiser's Avatar
 
City: UMR MM283
Vessel Name: Northern Lights II
Vessel Model: Bayliner 3870
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,357
Central Indiana

We had a 3270 Bayliner that was a very comfortable boat for a couple for several weeks at a time and would accommodate kids and Grandkids on long holiday weekends. Ours was gas powered, 260 hp 305 ci Chevy, most were Hino diesel powered and are very economical to run. There should be several for sale at your budget, I still miss the king size master berth. Most important thing is no matter what you decide on get a proper survey, I picked mine from the BoatUS site and was very pleased with his thoroughness, not in your area but here's a sample:
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1988...s#.U7bUC2K9KK1
__________________
Ron on Northern Lights II
I don't like making plans for the day because the word "premeditated" gets thrown around in the courtroom.
River Cruiser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2014, 01:30 PM   #17
Guru
 
River Cruiser's Avatar
 
City: UMR MM283
Vessel Name: Northern Lights II
Vessel Model: Bayliner 3870
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,357
Here is one that's posted on TF that someone should jump on. At this price you could afford to transport it to your area.
http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s...obo-14336.html
__________________
Ron on Northern Lights II
I don't like making plans for the day because the word "premeditated" gets thrown around in the courtroom.
River Cruiser is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
boat purchasing, trawler sale under 46', vacation, weekender

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012