Maybe you've been contemplating the purchase of a boat for years, or maybe it's time to upgrade to something larger, faster or more seaworthy?   Whatever your motives, owning a boat in Monmouth or Ocean County can be a relaxing and rewarding recreational option... if you know what you're getting into.

    After receiving tons of positive feedback from our convertible column in the last issue, we figured that the Summer issue would be a great time to offer some advice and information on some of the better boats you can locate and purchase in and around our area. 

            Obviously, there is no way we could cover every category and describe every boat, so we decided to gear this article towards some of the models that the boating industry has identified as "Good Values."   Please keep in mind: we're our definition of a "good value" is a boat that is safe, retains value well, is rated among the top of it's category and can be found in our area.  As you will see, we have listed some boats in excess of $1,000,000 as Good Values.  If you haven't learned this already, a boat will certainly teach you the lesson that, "you get what you pay for."

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy!

1. Who will use the boat? Just you and your family, or need room for friends?

2. How will you use the boat? Do you plan to take day trips, weekend trips or week-long excursions? Will you use the boat for fishing, water skiing or just cruising?

3. When will you use the boat? Occasional weekend trip or every day? Year-round or just the summer months?

4. Where will you use the boat? In the bay, river or on the ocean?

5. How much do you have to spend? Don't forget gas, maintenance, insurance, registration costs and instruction and safety course fees.

6. What kind of boat will fit your needs? Do you want a motorboat?

As you talk to boat owners, you'll also find out what problems people experience with their boats, what features they find most useful and how different types of boats handle. Pretty soon you'll know what you want and recognize a good deal when you see one.

7. Do You Want In-Board or Outboard Power?

8. What will your boat be worth in the resale market?  This one is tricky because almost nothing loses value faster than a boat.  However, we've seen several boats like Boston Whaler, Regulator and Viking hold value extremely well through the years. 

9. What kind of performance do I need? 

10. Does the boat have all the accessories and necessities you're looking for?

11.  How Safe Is My Boat?  Much like cars, boats have certain features and designs that make some safer than others.  Ask any dealer about the safety and handling performance of any boat they sell.  Specifically, you can question them about the rails, the core material, the shape of the hull and any warranties the boat might have.

Safety is a major concern. Here are just a few of the questions you need to ask to evaluate a boat's safety:

Is the boat stable?

Is the boat equipped with non slip surfaces on walking areas?

Are there flotation devices, flares, fire extinguisher, VHF radio and anchor?

Are handrails bolted through (not screwed to the surface)?

Major Boat Categories Suitable For Our Area:

Center Console - Usually a great choice for families who like to fish and be active on the water.  Sometimes these boats can be limited in seating and comfort, but a great starter boat in smaller sizes.

- Average Size 16-28 ft

- Price range $15,000 plus

- Outboard power

- Best for fishing bays and ocean

Top Brands: Boston Whaler, Regulator, Sea Craft, Grady White, Century, Edgewater, Hydrosport, Triton

Catamaran - Originally a design utilized in sailboats, these unique hybrids are now offering fisherman and families great comfort, affordability and performance in almost any size.  Their design allows them to slice through chop and waves quite easily and they are quite economically priced for today's market.  

- Average Size 16-32 feet

- Price range - $12,000 plus

- Outboard power

- Good in all conditions

Top Brands: World Cat, Twin Vee, Power Cat

Bow Riders -  Like a nice family sedan, they are comfortable, ride well in normal conditions and offer a nice appearance.

- Average Size 16-30 ft

- Price $16,000 plus

- Inboard / Stern Drive

-  Best for Bays and Rivers

-  Best usage would be cruising

Top Brands: Regal, Four Winns, Caravelle, Sea Ray

Luxury Motor Yachts

Motor Yachts - This class of boat can be very diverse and usually very expensive.  Offering the comforts of home on the water, many boats in this category can be customized for fishing, cruising, or anything else the lucky owner would like to take on.  This category is quite broad with models ranging from a classic "Sedan" version to sports fishing vessels ready to take on any adventure.

- Average Size 36-68 feet

- Price range $400,000 plus

- Inboard  Power

- Very seaworthy boats, more suitable for offshore usage due to their draft.

- Boats in this category can be highly customized so price range varies immensely

- Generally NOT for new boaters.

Top Brands: Viking, Carver, Silverton, SeaRay

            The following is a list we've compiled that represents some of the best values available in safety, quality and price.  Please keep in mind, there are so many quality boats on the market today, we tried to find better models available to you locally, so check around to find a dealer nearest you.

Small Yet Versatile

Boston Whaler Nantucket

At the Miami International Boat Show in February, Boston Whaler unveiled the newest and largest addition to its series of attractively priced boat /motor/trailer packages. The 190 Nantucket center console model is 18' 10" long and has an eight-foot beam. It comes standard with a Mercury Marine 115-horsepower EXLPTO engine and a galvanized trailer with drum brakes and flush kit. The base package has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $27,564 (price does not include freight, options or dealer prep charges).

Although it draws only 12 inches, affording shallow water operation, the 190 Nantucket's deep-V hull entry and 22" interior freeboard make it equally suited for operation offshore. Its 60-gallon fuel capacity ensures ample range for fishing or cruising.

A leaning post with storage is standard, but the mounting hardware also accommodates installation of pedestal seats in lieu of the leaning post. The optional pedestal seats are designed so that each can be positioned facing aft to serve as an observer's seat for water sports or to view lines while trolling. The fiberglass base supporting both the leaning post and the pedestal seat option houses easily accessible storage or it can be plumbed as an optional livewell with the leaning post configuration.

The 190 Nantucket has ample storage and convenient features for fishing, cruising or water sports. The bow anchor locker features a divider that creates a separate side storage area for gear or docking. For secure storage, the console has a lockable door and features a large area to stow belongings. Also within the console is a battery box and battery switch that are positioned so you can reach them with minimal effort.

Standard helm features include a compass, tilt steering, stainless steel steering wheel, electric horn, acrylic windshield, two drink holders, a mounting flat for bracket-mounted electronics and a spacious console face for flush-mounting components.

In the cockpit, there are under-gunnel rod racks, both port and starboard, and ample toe space for fish fighting. The port rear quarter seat base is hinged and can be completely removed and stowed inside the console. Beneath the starboard side seat base is another storage compartment and access to the aft bilge components.

Four Winns 19ft Horizon

The 190 Horizon LE gives you big boat space in a package that's easy to handle and a pleasure to trailer. Choose the standard seating package with a bucket seat at the helm paired with a back to back lounger, or an optional SunSport seating with twin buckets and a full sun pad along the stern. Storage and room are well above the norm in the 190 Horizon. The 190 can be outfitted with your choice of Volvo-Penta or MerCruiser power.

Twin Vee 22

Twin Vee builds strong, quality, affordable  and safe boats. They provide an exceptionally dry, soft ride in rough water and need very little water in which to float.  ( Great for shallow bays and rivers near us) Their efficient hull design allows the use of smaller, less expensive engines for great performance and low operating costs. Overall, their construction is sound and long lasting, plus, they are very customizable with options and features for fishing and comfort.

Medium Sized Values

Boston Whaler Conquest 23ft

The 235 is the newest member of the Conquest family. While it's a compact package, its most breathtaking feature is a spacious cockpit that's perfect for fish fighting and entertaining. The ingeniously roomy design extends to a convenient bow walkaround, plus a comfortable cuddy cabin. A deep-V Accutrack^TM hull makes the trip smooth and comfortable, even if the water kicks up a bit. And 125 gallons of fuel will get you there, let you troll all day and bring you back safe and secure.

The 235 Conquest is a fish hunter with all the comforts of home. The cuddy has a screened cabin hatch and ports, plush upholstery, lighting, a lockable door and portable head with deck pump-out. Naturally, it comes rigged and ready to fish. There are rod holders in the transom and gunnels, rod racks under the gunnels and in the cabin, a livewell, two fishboxes with pump-outs and drains, raw-water washdown, optional upholstered bolsters and more. Available with a single Mercury® Marine engine, the 235 combines big boat capabilities in a manageable size.

Triton 26 Center Console

Formerly thought of as a "fresh water" boat only, recent reviews have been singing the praises of this well built family fun machine.  The first thing that strikes you about the Triton 2690 is how clean and wide open it is. This is a BIG twenty-six footer. With a nine foot beam and a deep-vee hull, the 2690 looks big, rides big and fishes big. The layout places angler comfort and fishing convenience at the forefront. Details like cockpit bolsters are made to order for the stand-up, knees to the gunwale fisherman. And with a storage compartment never more than an arms length away, the gear you need is always close at hand. Regardless of the gamefish you pursue, you'll head off the beach ready for action aboard a new wood-free Triton 2690 Center Console.

Grady White 26ft Walkaround

Form and function unite in the 26 Grady Walkaround.  According to JD Power awards, this boat receives the highest awards for quality and function in it's class.  This truly is an all purpose boat since the relatively roomy cabin can offer shade, a bathroom and lots of storage while the deck is appointed with fishing amenities and a comfortable cockpit that will keep the fishermen in the family happy, all day long.  Grady White boats are known for their ability to handle rough seas and this boat is perfect for daily ocean excursions.  

Sea Ray 29 ft Bow Rider

            Boaters continue to ask for bigger and bigger bow riders. And this is one big bow rider boat. In fact, this could be the biggest and the best bow rider of them all! With a wide 9' 8" wave-calming beam and with the power of a MerCruiser® MX6.2L MPI Bravo® III stern drive behind you, the Sea Ray 295 will take you smoothly and comfortably over any water you care to encounter.  Very comfortable and well appointed on-deck, this is a unique choice for those who prefer sunbathing over sail fishing.

Regulator 32ft SportsFish

Built for the most demanding offshore sportfishermen, the Regulator 32 is raw sportfishing power. Head out when others are staying home with its wave-cutting 48-degree sharp-entry deep vee hull, complemented by its 24-degree transom deadrise. The fully integrated Fiberglass Grillage System and solid construction rewards with an unbelievably soft ride. partnered with twin 300 Yamaha HPDI's or F250 Four Stroke technology and reliability, plus 310-gallon fuel capacity, this is one powerful bluewater performer! Every inch is maximized with you, the die-hard angler, in mind, from the helm with leaning post and fully-finished bait rigging/tackle storage station, to the enormous forward in-floor wet/dry storage compartments, to the extra large 130-quart insulated fish box and 40-gallon recirculating livewell aft. And your list of amenities doesn't stop there ... check out the fully finished 6'2" stand-up marine head with shower and sink; in-deck locking rod storage box that doubles as a fish box; built-in anchor locker; and optional custom fiberglass t-top with locking overhead electronics storage and 18' outriggers on laydown mounts.

Large & Luxurious

Silverton 42 Convertible

New and exciting, the 42 Convertible offers incredible accommodations with superior appointments. A wide hardtop-crowned flybridge provides plentiful seating and storage. The command helm gives good visibility and the controls are at your fingertips. The unique molded steps are great for accessing the bridge. No more ladders to bump those knees. The cockpit is tournament ready and with the addition of the optional Fish-Pac, you outfit the 42 to the gunnels. When the day is done, this interior will swallow you in comfort and convenience. Even the split head and shower arrangement will make cleaning up so easy. Whether trolling for tuna or making margaritas, the 42 is the boat for you.

Carver Voyager 53

On the water or dockside, you can easily identify the 53 Voyager. Its stunning appearance stands out from everything else. With its beautiful styling and advanced engineering, it represents the perfect blend of art and science.

                     Choose either the pilothouse or sky lounge configuration, depending on your cruising style. Extra-large fuel, water and waste storage capacities allow for extended cruising. The spacious bridge is a gathering place for your family and friends, with a large dinette/lounge, plenty of seating perfectly arranged and

a wet bar, plus aft-of-bridge storage for a tender.

                     Its beautiful salon is above everything else you've seen. Elegant, dark cherry wood with high-gloss finish and soft Ultraleather seating adds warmth and beauty to the space. Special details include custom granite countertops and floor in the galley, available flat-screen LCD TVs and DVD players in staterooms and interior doors featuring sapele pommele panels with solid cherry wood frames.

Viking 48

Luxury and Tournament Fishing ability combine in one of the world's most beloved yachts.  The Viking 48 is more than capable in almost any condition mother nature can throw at your.  It has  an eye-pleasing sheerline and a beautifully proportioned profile, the 48 Convertible is a great fit in the Viking line-up. Large, frameless, tinted deckhouse windows flood the salon with natural lighting, bringing out the beauty of the varnished teak joinery. Teak cabinetry lines the starboard side, concealing Viking's home theatre system, the dual-voltage electrical panel, and plenty of stowage. Opposite, the L-shaped lounge converts to a sleeper, and provides safekeeping for fishing rods. The U-shaped galley is both elegant and practical with Corian countertops, recessed appliances and undercounter deep-drawer refrigeration. The dinette easily accommodates four comfortably.
 

The 130 square-foot cockpit is the winning formula for blue-water champions with a bait freezer, rigging station and abundant stowage. The 48C cockpit comes standard with engineroom access, a Glendinning Cablemaster, a recessed fishwell, stereo speakers, four flush rod holders, recessed hawse pipes, a transom door and a one-piece anodized aluminum ladder to the flying bridge. Visibility from the helm is razor sharp. Hydraulic controls, power-assisted steering and an engine synchronizer are standard. The tournament-proven helm design makes using the electronic gear a snap in any weather and leaves space for considerable stowage inside the console.

No matter what boat you choose in the end, the coast guard and Currents Magazines strongly suggests taking a boaters safety course and, for larger vessels, possible getting substantial training before you decide to take over the helm by yourself.   For you convenience, we have listed a few very useful internet links that will give you more information on buying a boat, professional boat reviews and other useful things.  
 

Have Fun On The Water!