What's best for 1st time boat owner - 16ft or 22ft?

B

billzbub

New member
I've been in a lot of lake and bay boats, usually open aluminum and 14 to 17 feet long. Always as the fishing partner, never as the skipper or driver when towing.

We're expecting to do mostly day trips (cruise/fish) in Lake Washington and Puget Sound, hopefully extending to weekend trips as we get more experienced. Would like to be able to invite another couple along for day trips. Will be trailering with my 1985 F150.

I think a 22ft angler or cruiser would make my wife happier, but am concerned that it might be too big for a beginner.

Our budget is about $15k, which, based on local Craigslist listing, puts a newish 16ft or older 22ft in our price range.

We'll be taking boat safety classes, too.

So, what do you think? I've been lurking in the forums for a few weeks and you folks really seem to be a top-notch crew!

- Bill
 
As someone in another thread said recently, figure out the biggest boat you can afford and then buy the next bigger size. Not sure you could find a 22 for $15K, even an old one. If you could, it might have to be repowered, you won't get a reliable 4 stroke engine with it at that price. Two couples for any length of time is too much for a 16 IMHO.

Good luck, welcome aboard and let us know what you decide!

Charlie
 
As the result of sort of a long story that I won't go into, I found myself as a newbie boater with both 16' and 22' Anglers. We sold the 16 after determining that the 22 better suited us, who do just about what you describe - weekends with the two of us, and occasionally entertaining another couple for an evening. I think you'd find the 16 too small for that.
I don't remember much difference in learning to handle and dock the two sizes, but I do recall feeling more confident on the "big water" in the larger boat. I did prefer fishing out of the 16, since you're just a step from pilot chair to downrigger, and sometimes I'd even hold a rod in one hand while I steered with the other.
I have occasionally seen 22s in your price range. Cheeto was a good buy at $12,500 six or so years ago. Repowering an older boat will certainly be necessary at some point. So far my 87 70hp Johnson is still running great, so I've managed to spread out the cash outlay, in any case.
 
22' at least. Size versus experience to me isn't that big an issue. A few more systems on a larger boat to learn. Sometimes bigger is actually easier to handle as they aren't as impacted by wind.
 
A few years ago I started in boating, my first boat in 2006 was a 16' runabout, after a hairy trip back to the dock in 2 ft windwaves I started looking for a bigger boat. I found an 1851 Striper for a fantastic deal, now that boat handles great, however I find I would like a pilothouse boat to keep the wife warm so I can boat more often. Hence, I am looking at a used 25 C-Dory. My wife wishes I had held out and got the boat I really wanted instead of 2 foot itis. So my advice go for the larger boat and make your wife happen so you can enjoy the boat more often.
 
As someone who just last month went through the same process, I would say get the 22. In 4 weekends of ownership, we have taken 2 day trips and 2 overnight trips. We are scheduling a three day and making plans for a two week cruise. Yes, I think we are c-dory addicted already! However, if you can only afford to buy a 16, I would also say that some boat is better than no boat. We hope in a couple of years to graduate to a tomcat, which we couldn't afford now.

We were lucky and had the opportunity to meet a wonderful group of owners at the Chesapeake c-dory gathering last month. Their input was invaluable and led us in the right direction.

Oh, and as a woman, the extra space in the 22 is definitely worth it. :)
 
Thanks for all your feedback!

I was looking at an Arima 21' hardtop yesterday and that convinced me a 22 footer is what I want.

Walldog, thanks for the tip on the 22 footer. I'll contact the owner.

Thanks again!
Bill
 
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