Newbie from PSL Looking for Information on Jet Boats

[PSLDanny21]

Morning Everyone! I'm excited to have joined, as I've been background reading this forum for a little while, and it really does seem like there's a good community here, which is why I joined, so credit to whoever is running this place, they keep it clean and fun!

I'm newer to the coast, moved to PSL around 1.5yrs ago from Lakeland, and now looking to purchase a boat around January 2021. My neighbor just purchased a Scarab 195 (I believe it's the ID), and took us out a few days ago. Seems like a really fun ride, we went out in Fort Pierce and ran into some heavy chop but once it was in decent water it rode like a unicorn.

I'll tell you about myself, I'm married, have 4 boys (11, 6, 2 and 1) and I'm looking to take the family out comfortably plus maybe another family of 4. I'm assuming 20+ would be the way to go to keep everyone comfortable. Everyone (but me of course) is lightweight, so weight shouldn't be a factor. We'd ride mostly around the jetty, fort pierce areas, but would look to maybe take it out in a lake. Would store it dry and clean in the backyard with a cover.

I do want something that I'm going to be able to take out in the open every once in a while and open it up and maybe even do some fishing, so center consoles peak my interest quite a bit as well, and I know scarab has a few Center console offerings.

I'll throw more out there but any initial recommendations would be helpful.

 

[jjmparsons]

Welcome to the Forum @PSLDanny21. This has been and continues to be one of the best run forums out there so I have to say you are definitely in the right place!!! I will be looking forward to your adventures!

 

[dyfanf]

Ahoy! Welcome aboard Danny! Good luck in your search. As others have stated, we MIGHT see an influx of recent model, used boats in Q1/Q2 of next year when people realize they have to continue to pay the note and pay to store it even when they can't use the boat...
So waiting might help you!

 

[Dixie Highway]

It's not necessarily the weight, the Coast Guard passenger rating of a boat can become a legal and safety issue if disobeyed. Exceeding the rating will get you a ticket if you are stopped, regardless of how heavy the passengers are. Even an infant counts as 1 passenger. That being said, not sure how Scarab rates their boats but Yamaha rates their 21' hull at 10 people and 12 for the 24' (I think, someone with a 24 please confirm). This will limit your ability to take the other family of 4 with your 6 if you were thinking of a 19' boat.

Personally I have had 10 on my 21', and while not uncomfortable it is kind of a pain. Inevitably one person has to move to be able to open any compartment, distributing weight for performance reasons, all a hassle. 4 of the 10 were even moderately young children, and it still kind of sucks. Once at the sandbar/beach/wherever you can spread out but in between it can get cramped.

 

[Dean P]

Boats tend to get smaller the longer you're on it. I've had 8 on my 19'; doable but very tight. I'd suggest getting a 21' is min. If you can go with and pull a 24' get that. Buy your second boat first. You're gonna love it; I promise. Get the biggest you can afford. You won't regret it.

 

[PSLDanny21]

That's good feedback already @Dixie Highway & @dyfanf I appreciate it.

I'm telling you, other than my neighbor, I don't know anyone else who owns a boat so I'm pretty much alone through this process so I'll probably ask a lot of questions.

I'm currently buying a house and as of January will probably be pretty low on cash. Credit is good. How long do people usually finance boats for and what kind of interest rates are to be had with good credit?

 

[Dean P]

That's good feedback already @Dixie Highway & @dyfanf I appreciate it.

I'm telling you, other than my neighbor, I don't know anyone else who owns a boat so I'm pretty much alone through this process so I'll probably ask a lot of questions.

I'm currently buying a house and as of January will probably be pretty low on cash. Credit is good. How long do people usually finance boats for and what kind of interest rates are to be had with good credit?

Everyone's circumstances and financial pain level is different. With that said, I bought a home, a car and a boat all at the same time.

 

[biglar155]

Welcome!

If you're totally new to boating (even if you're not) I'd suggest a Boater's Education course. It's mandatory in some states to be able to operate.

Bigger is usually better - unless you're restricted by tow vehicle size or storage. We have 4 kids as well and moved up from a 17' Rinker to my current boat (SX230) in 2010 (getting close to my 10-year Boataversary). We love the amount of space we have - even when we have a friend or two along. We've had 10 in the boat when my in-laws were visiting but it was more of a short "This is what boating is like" cruise. It gets a little cramped when trying to work the lines etc. (Station your crew that knows how to help strategically. Well-meaning guests can cause a lot of damage or hurt themselves.)

As far as loan terms, I took mine out for 15 years at 2.8% (a pretty spiffy rate in 2010). Not a wise financial move for a toy (in my opinion) but the total cost of interest on the loan was something like $5,600. We decided that was a number we could live with to have the boat in 2010 while the kids were still young. It's a decision I'm still happy with because my kids are all teen+ now. I don't think we've had them all out on the boat at the same time in a couple years. So that's the other side to the "Time Value of Money" equation. Time (having the boat sooner) has value too. That's a decision you have to make.

Good luck in your search. Don't be afraid of a gently used 230 - though the capacity is 10 rather than the 240's 12. I'm still a big proponent of the 230 series (an no, mine's not for sale ).

 

[PSLDanny21]

@biglar155 Thank You for sharing your experience! I definitely plan to do the course with my wife. She's still a bit hesitant to buy a boat just out of normal fear of a big purchase, safety, etc. I personally have operated and been in a decent amount of boats during my lifetime to feel confident getting behind one right away, but I need a rules/laws refresher for sure.

I definitely see boat ownership as an avenue to keep the kids away from the electronics and away from their rooms, and to me family time together is priceless, so I'm not really worried about 400-500/month if it means more time together with the kids as they grow.

Now I really have to do my research on specific boats, what's everyone's "short list" around here?

 

[HangOutdoors]

Boat > Vehicle > House > Dog > Kids > Admiral (wife) > Job

If I lose my job, I still have the Admiral. If the Admiral takes off, I still have the kids. When the kids move out, my dog is with me. When my dog moves on to greener pastures, I have my house. If I lose the house or sell it, I just need a vehicle to tow my boat. If my vehicle is gone or I sell it I will just live on my boat at a dock.

Buy your 2nd Boat first and as much as you are comfortably able to spend.

 

[sfadchi]

Welcome to the Forums! I boat in Stuart quite often. If we weren't in COID times I'd take you and the family out. I have a 24' and wouldn't want to be in anything any smaller. We are a family of 3, my daughter is 3-1/2 and absolutely loves the transom area.

 

[PSLDanny21]

Thanks for the replies everyone!