CONTINUOUSWAVE

We're finally closing on a house that I will be able to keep a boat in the backyard! We have 2 boys, aged 5 and 7. I'd like to explore Fort Lauderdale and Miami- sand bars, intercostal, biscayne bay, etc. for swimming, sight seeing, and maybe even try to catch a fish. I'm thinking we'd like to spend under $10,000 when we start shopping in May. What models and year range would you recommend? I'd love to have a 4 stroke. Will a 15' Montauk be a good fit? Should I push up to a 17? Or a small outrage to handle the chop better?

I grew up with a twin engine 23' Donzi. I had a blown Donzi classic 22, then recently a Grady White 226. I'm looking to keep it smaller, simpler, but not regret what I bought. I hope I don't feel like I'm in a bathtub getting run over by 1000hp powerboats. But a simple boat that I can hose out at the end of the day and keep the kids safe and have fun will be perfect.

126 views in a month and not a single reply? Hmmm....

I realize I'd have to stretch the budget to get a 4 stroke, more like $20k. Besides the price though, how will a Montauk 17 do on biscayne bay or taking down to the keys?

I like the outrage 18's but hard to find in good shape and I've read they can have fuel tank problems.

For the various areas of water you mention, a 15' will be a bit hard in terms of comfort. L.O.A. really helps.

I would look at any classic 16'7 models and Montauk 17''s. Many have been repowered with 4 strokes.

Don't rule out:

Nauset - (See one in Ft Lauderdale)
https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/boa/d/17-classic-boston-whaler/6518075625.html

Dauntless 17

Outrage 22 Cuddy worth considering.
https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/boa/d/boston-whaler-cudi-22/6513832315.html

Some of the current listings are a bit overpriced. It is a sellers market at this time of year.

A 2004 or newer 170 Montauk with four stroke power should be in the 17-20k range and would be a good boat for your use case.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2007- ... %20listing

https://www.marinamikes.com/2006-boston ... in-stock=1

This is in Wisconsin a 2004 with fourstroke power at a very good price(even if you factor in shipping) plus a boat coming from a northern state will typically be used a lot less than a Florida boat https://www.boatexportusa.com/usa-boats ... ock=e1fe6a

Dauntless 18

zimm wrote:...a simple boat that I can hose out at the end of the day and keep the kids safe and have fun will be perfect.

Follow the same path others have been following for about 50-years: get a classic MONTAUK 17.

But for proper canal cruising in Miami, you will need to hang the MONTAUK 17 on davits from the aft end of your 100-foot yacht.

I live in the [Miami] area, and I can tell you that you will want at least a Montauk 17. That should keep you under the $10,000 budget. A Dauntless 18 will also be a great fit, but I haven't seen many in your price range; expand your search to $15,000 where you have some room for negotiation.

There is a [DAUNTLESS 18] for sale on Craigslist [for $13,900]. I don't know the seller, but I'm sure there is room to negotiate the price.

https://treasure.craigslist.org/boa/d/b ... 80768.html