Amateur Hour Here!

[cdjeeps25]

Since you would be offshore often in the gulf with its unpredictable weather and you mentioned taking extra friends and families onboard at times, I'd go for the larger 21' boat for the added freeboard and extra engine for redundancy. I had a 192 and it did fine in the gulf with 5 people onboard but it gets tossed a little. A taller boat and more room will be better in the long run IMO. I'm not real big on the TR1 engines and would prefer the 1.8L's if it were me.

What are your reasons for the preference of the 1.8?

 

[haknslash]

@cdjeeps25 the 1.8's are more powerful, better top speed and many years of use in the jet ski and jetboat industry to prove its a reliable engine (since timing chain upgrades of course). The TR1 may be a little more fuel efficient idk but performance numbers seem way down compared to the 1.8L engines. If you intend to have ballast or heavy loads with people you will want the most power you can get. I'm not saying the TR1 are a dog as I've never been in a boat with them but based off reports on here and other boat test articles they don't seem on par with the 1.8. More economical maybe but if performance is your game you'll likely be craving more power if running heavier loads. If you don't care about the performance so much then by all means go with the most fuel efficient option.

 

[marcham]

...mods ... please fix the spelling on the topic! My eyes keep reading armature instead of amateur....

As for buying a boat right now, I wouldn't. I'd take that money invest and have 20% more next year...

Have you been out on Tampa Bay in a light 19ft? Is this the right hull shape for your main boating area? Where will you store it? What boat have you tried? You can get a lot of used boat for the same cost as a new 195. My only reasons for buying this one and not many other boats is that I wanted to do some casual wake surfing and wanted a boat I could use in salt water without modifications.

If I were to buy a boat just for the ocean, I probably would have found a nice used Grady White with 250 outboard and a kicker. Boating in the gulf? I'd get a used 210 twin or larger over a single 195.

These boats are unique. Can do lots of things, don't excel at anything. A niche market.

 

[Patman941]

...mods ... please fix the spelling on the topic! My eyes keep reading armature instead of amateur....

As for buying a boat right now, I wouldn't. I'd take that money invest and have 20% more next year...

Have you been out on Tampa Bay in a light 19ft? Is this the right hull shape for your main boating area? Where will you store it? What boat have you tried? You can get a lot of used boat for the same cost as a new 195. My only reasons for buying this one and not many other boats is that I wanted to do some casual wake surfing and wanted a boat I could use in salt water without modifications.

If I were to buy a boat just for the ocean, I probably would have found a nice used Grady White with 250 outboard and a kicker. Boating in the gulf? I'd get a used 210 twin or larger over a single 195.

These boats are unique. Can do lots of things, don't excel at anything. A niche market.

Edit completed!!! Lol I’m a little slow!

Most boats I’ve been out on are center console flats boats. And I’m too inexperienced to know the difference in hull designs and what works best for the intercoastal areas and the gulf.

After speaking with several members I think I have come to the realization that the 210 would be the minimum boat I would want for the uses I have in mind. I really am leaning towards the AR240 now. Not sure about new or slightly used and the pros and cons to each. But I will definitely need to be saving a lot more now and continuing to research.

 

[marcham]

And btw, welcome to the forum! IMHO, you're leaning in the right way. Buy your 2nd boat first...

Looking at boattrader for your area, there are 242s for sale with the new style tower under 40K and under 200hrs. There's another thread on the forum that talks about what to look for in a used boat. You can also pay for a dealer inspection and ask for a sea trial.

 

[swatski]

Edit completed!!! Lol I’m a little slow!

Most boats I’ve been out on are center console flats boats. And I’m too inexperienced to know the difference in hull designs and what works best for the intercoastal areas and the gulf.

After speaking with several members I think I have come to the realization that the 210 would be the minimum boat I would want for the uses I have in mind. I really am leaning towards the AR240 now. Not sure about new or slightly used and the pros and cons to each. But I will definitely need to be saving a lot more now and continuing to research.

I have done the annual jetboaters Bimini trip in a 190 and in a 240.
Yes, there is a difference, lol, but neither was built for offshoring.

The big advantage of 19's is towing and storage, if that's a concern.

--

 

[Dean P]

Edit completed!!! Lol I’m a little slow!

Most boats I’ve been out on are center console flats boats. And I’m too inexperienced to know the difference in hull designs and what works best for the intercoastal areas and the gulf.

After speaking with several members I think I have come to the realization that the 210 would be the minimum boat I would want for the uses I have in mind. I really am leaning towards the AR240 now. Not sure about new or slightly used and the pros and cons to each. But I will definitely need to be saving a lot more now and continuing to research.

LOL, You're a braver man than me. But, When I bought my first boat I had no where near the support such as this forum. If you can afford it, get a used 24'. Let someone else take the hit off new and find one that has had some mods done (maybe from a member on the forum!) Don't be afraid to drive to get it. If it's slightly out of reach and you're tired of waiting, get a 21'. These have the same engines, perform a little better, don't put as much stress on the engines, slightly better fuel and range economy. As I noted, I had the 19 and wanted a 21; got a 22 but am thrilled with the size. It perfect to do any water activities, island hopping, going out to eat or just hanging out. Good luck!!!

 

[J-RAD]

Edit completed!!! Lol I’m a little slow!

Most boats I’ve been out on are center console flats boats. And I’m too inexperienced to know the difference in hull designs and what works best for the intercoastal areas and the gulf.

After speaking with several members I think I have come to the realization that the 210 would be the minimum boat I would want for the uses I have in mind. I really am leaning towards the AR240 now. Not sure about new or slightly used and the pros and cons to each. But I will definitely need to be saving a lot more now and continuing to research.

1 vote for AR240 here! ?‍