Buying First Boat - Need Opinions!!!!

[DH171]

After chartering for years, I've decided to buy. Price range will be around 60,000. I'm thinking Hydra Sports 28' CC or Grady 28' Sailfish. Want something big enough to safely go to stream (40 - 60 miles out) Can't decide between CC or Cuddy. Is a cuddy really wasted space? Couple of questions:

Boat will be paid for with cash.
How many hours is alot on the engines. Should you get compression check? ETC!
What will ballpark insurance cost per month on boat like this?
What is monthly slip cost? (Ballpark)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks!!!!! Hope to see yall on the water soon!!!!!

[Ace1st]

Not to take anything away from the boats you mentioned, but those would be used? Correct. Cash money, consider a New DUSKY with new 4 stroke Suzukis. Seems like I saw an ad in Big Game Mag advertiseing a new one with twin 150's for less than youre talking. That boat was a center console and Duskys are tough boats. If creature comforts of a cuddy are not an issue go with the CC. I personally hate the Cuddies myself. Its my understanding that Dusky is sold direct from the Factory. So you may save a few bucks this way.

[LuckyLady]

After chartering for years, I've decided to buy. Price range will be around 60,000. I'm thinking Hydra Sports 28' CC or Grady 28' Sailfish. Want something big enough to safely go to stream (40 - 60 miles out) Can't decide between CC or Cuddy. Is a cuddy really wasted space? Couple of questions:

Boat will be paid for with cash.
How many hours is alot on the engines. Should you get compression check? ETC!
What will ballpark insurance cost per month on boat like this?
What is monthly slip cost? (Ballpark)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks!!!!! Hope to see yall on the water soon!!!!!

I can't help you with the slips and insurance being you are in a totally different are than us.

A lot of hours depend on the motor itself and the year of the motor. Maintenance is a critical thing.

100% on the compression test but it is not a fail safe thing because things tend to go at any time.

There are alot of questions but it all comes down to how well something has been maintained and that will be an over view of the longevity of the motor.

Both Yamaha and Mercurys have been great other than a couple issues in between.

1998- 2001 Mercury Optimax, some carb's had issues and would stay away. 2005 Verado's are a 50/50.

Older Yamaha OX66 SW series motors start getting touchy after a lot of hours some 600 hrs and some over 1200hrs. 600hrs normally need pricey maintanence and over 1200 usually corrosion realated failures, or low compression.

1999- 2001 V-MAX Yamaha 250 had some problems with the high pressure fuel pumps.

HPDI's drink a lot of 2-stroke oil and some foul out plugs because of low trolling speeds and some fuel pumps.

If 4-stroke engines fall in to your price range I would definatly but them over a 2 stroke. Eventually I think we will see the EPA phase out 2-strokes but I can't sware to it.

Baically no motor is really better than the other and every engine is bound to have problems.

By no means am I an expert but I have been working with the outboards for the past 9 years with warranty and service and have a pretty good feel for them.

You are more than welcome to PM me with any questions in the future. I am always willing to help out!

Best of luck in your hunt!

ps. If interested I have a 2000 25 Open Contender with a trailer and ready to go with 410 hrs on it, that is incredibly priced right that is within your price range. It has everything you would be looking for to do what you need to do!