Newbie

[Diesel65]

Great forum here glad I found it.
I live in West Palm Beach, I am a scuba diver,fisherman and father of 3.
I am just starting to look at a boat purchase, (I am fed up of being at others mercy, for my weekends), I would like a cc, with outboard motor and porta potti, I think 24' would be a good size, to be able to dive, fish and have family fun time with.

I have no previous experience with buying a boat so I would like to get your opinions on wether I am looking at the right size boat and what brand I should look at.

I would only like to do this once so I want to make sure I make the right choice.
I have a F350 diesel pickup, so I don't think towing will be a problem.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for your help.

[Deep C]

I live right here in PB Gardens... Welcome to the site... I was in boat sales for a while and would be more than happy to help walk you through into a good boat... Get a list of what you like together then we can start tossing out the ones that don't fit the mold. Then with what you got left I can help you shop one out and keep you from getting doinked...

[Proheat]

Welcome Aboard!
I'm sure that you will get a whole bunch of different answers. Like Deep said, make a list of what you are looking for and start from there. I'll try to find some previous threads for you to review and see what some of the answers were.

[c.behney]

Hey their diesel65
im a rescue diver / openwater free diver. My buddy has a seevee cc inboard with a yanmar diesel in it. we use it to go diving, it came with a nice swim platform on it. that makes it easyier for us divers, u just swim right up on it. plus it has a cabin up front for his kids. also it is cheap on fuel. he can run 60miles on $100.00 dollors of fuel. oh ya you can trailer them.

what do u think deepc their nice boats for his first one, my buddys has a bow truste on his. i think they come like that.

[flatbottom]

You are going to get alot of info before your purchase. Get that printer ready......

glad you found the site. flat

I have a newer wellcraft 232 and no problems.Here are some specs and a factory pic

Baitwell - 84-qt. with light and overboard drain
Beverage holders (6)
Cockpit courtesy lights
Cockpit overboard scuppers
Fish boxes (2) - 155-qt. - forward with overboard drain and sealed lids
Fold away rear bench seat w/ cushion and aft bolster
Glove box at helm
Hand holds - recessed - port/stbd stainless
Leaning post seat with (2) rod holders and (2) drink holders
Raw water washdown
Rod storage under gunwale - port/stbd
Skid resistant surfaces
Tackle storage boxes (2) with removable trays (4)
T-top w/ (4) rod holders, outrigger plates, sprader light, and PDF storage

22'4" length
max power 300.....I have 200
fuel 115
deadrise 22*
bridge clearence with my gps and radio antenna folded down 9'
weight of boat, engine, fuel and one guy approx 4600 lbs

[Deep C]

The sea vee rig is a great one. Dealer right here in my marina... Might be a bit much to start with though. It sounds like our new friend will be doing the local thing. If I didn't need the inboards for marlin raising in the islands I would have an outboard here in a blink.
Flats idea of a well craft or similr comes more in line with this fellow may need. I ran one a few times last year. Even did an Island trip with it... Good drifting easy to work wit. Parts easy to get...
D65... get some looking done and I'll be happy to help...

[c.behney]

i looked at the pick of the wellcraft thats a nice starter boat. But dont forget guys he a diver too and theirs not a lot of room for divers. Most diver dont dive alone, and trust me 4 dive tanks and gear for two can be alot. plus another person for a watch out. Also most divers get ready in the stearn of the boat, and enter the water from the stearn then go down the anchor.
Deepc you might be right about the see vee, a single screw boat can be much to dock. But he does need something with room too. Hes going to have to 50/50 it out him self. All we can do is give him pointers.

[Deep C]

I'm not saying wellcraft in particular but a simpler boat like that would be a lot easier... I see a group of four guys working out of what looks like a 17' mkee or whaler spearing cudas commercially on the 70 wreck from time to time. They get by with little space.
A boat with a console with a porta poti sized walk in is tough to find in a smaller boat but there are some out there... A cuddy sounds all nice and cute but this is florida. Its hot in the summer... That cabin will be nothing more than storage space...
We outfitted a bunch of makos for both fish dive. I've seen duskies in numbers done that way. The choices are limitless. If he gives us a hand we can narrow the playing field...

[Diesel65]

Wow, what a response,Thanks for all the welcomes, and ideas already.
I have sailed a 45 foot sloop, and divemastered on several commercial dive boats and had the use of a 24' Bayliner Trophy that I part owned with my father in-law, when we could keep the tired old tub running that was,that was 12 years ago. (I believe we paid about $4,000.00 for it) an excersise I will never repeat, Thank god for Sea Tow.
I am pretty confident in my boating capabilities.

I did have a good look at a Robalo last year with twin 4 stroke Suzuki's, and a Pursuit also, I liked both of those.
I also like the look of the Dusky, it's just the lines on them that does something for me.The 233 fc is looking really good to me.

A friend told told me to look at the new Trophies, he is trying to convince me they are excellent now, but I am a little gun shy of those, (see above)
and also the Sea Hunt line.

Being very inexperienced in boat ownership I am like a kid in a candy shop,everything looks good to me!!! That is why I would like the help of you seasoned veterans.

Pretty pathetic for a 41 year old but I would rather seek help and be happy than live with a boat and it's payment that I am not happy with.