Advice on Starter Boat (under 25 hp)
 

Looking for suggestions on a starter boat for the kids - safe and shallow draft so they don't hit too many rocks. Also any boat safety classes in the area?

Hard to beat a used 13 foot Boston Whaler. They are rugged, very shallow draft, unsinkable and hold their value very well, so when it's time to sell, you won't take a bath.

I'll second the 13' Whaler. It's perfect for a starter boat for kids or grandkids.

I suggest an open Aluminum boat with a 10-18 HP outboard for kids just getting into boating. There is floatation under the seats. They already know how to Swim....Right..? Aluminum is bulletproof. Can't scratch it. Bounce it off a rock..no problem.

Whalers are of course fiberglass. I rented a Whaler on Lake George a few years ago with a 50 HP outboard. The boat could NOT get on plane because the space between the inner and outer hulls was full of water. Within 10 minutes of my taking delivery of this Rental I returned it for another. The next boat was the same kind of boat ..without the extra water. It worked fine.

The point here is that with an OPEN Aluminum boat you can SEE whats going on. NO SECRET spaces that may be flooded. :look: :look: NB

14' Lund
 

A few years ago we bought a 14' Lund with a Honda 9.9HP motor - pull start. It's been great for our son. The bow and gunwales are way above waterline so boat wakes aren't a problem, although not the best in high wind. The Honda motor is great, and I wanted just pull-start so we didn't need a battery. The 9.9 is about the biggest motor you can easily pull-start. That motor on that boat doesn't go too fast -- perfect for kids.

So they understand...
 

There's a philosophy around that has children rowing their boat first.


1) Kids will greatly appreciate having an engine later and

2) can have "near-miss" experience and

3) learn docking and navigation and

4) experience the "wake-effects" of powerboats.


I subscribe to that philosophy, anyway—having that very same "life-experience" myself. :)




:look:

...say...I have a 14 or 15' open aluminum Starcraft boat with a totally beautifull, like new-perfect condition 1996 Mercury two-stroke 25-hp tiller handle, starts first time-every time, that's for sale for the low, low, price of just $650....boat has two comfy pedestal seats, new paint...formerly a Rattlesnake Island utility....give it a test drive t:)day, and putt-putt it home t:)morrow! No trailer included. No leaks what-so-ever! Factory original floatation from 1972, which was a great year for 14 or 15' open boats!!!


Can be seen from Buoy FL-3, on the embankment slide, under the big oak tree, and under a green, home made cover.

Can't really go wrong with that combo FLL, a great setup for the task.

I agree with the aluminum boat as well. My son sport a 1970 vintage aluminum boat with an 8 HP Merc. Him and his buddies run around Green's Basin and all have similar boats (except for one with the mini replica of an off shore racer). They are great on gas and a good way to learn the lake.

Regarding the safety course, depending on your kid's ages they may not be eligible. My son is only 14 so I had him take the online class and practice test ( I used 90 or better to pass)

Triumph
 

Polypropylene boats - literally indestructible and unsinkable - great for kids and other novices. Bounce them off rocks and docks - no affect!

We have a 17' CC as our run to town boat - thrilled with it.

They have a 15' CC model in the current 2010 model year (40 hp minimum) http://www.triumphboats.com/index.cf...siniterx=150CC and you can get the discontinued 12' that takes a 25 hp http://boats.iboats.com/triumph/650548.html

How does the Triumph take the waves Grady? I've seen their ads before, and pretty intriguing concept.

Boston Whaler
 

My first Boat was a 15' Boston Whaler very safe and a great boat to learn the ways of the water.

As well as most boats that size. It considerably more flexible than a fiberglass boat so it rides softer - more like a wood boat. It handles the waves much better than the 16' aluminum it replaced. Have a neighbor that has 22' Triumph, he says it does just fine in the rough water and we get the brunt of it crossing the opening between Barndoor and Wolfeboro.

PS: Polypropylene floats like wood which makes the boat stay up in the water better.

You need a 1946 39' Noank Cutter
 

Very durable boat, nice and beamy, don't be stupid like I was and tie off a big fish to the transom cleats. That's trouble.

Here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women!