SoCal Jet Boats
Discussion => The No Wake Zone => Topic started by: Socal_Dad on July 16, 2012, 11:41:29 AM
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Hi Guys, I've been lurking for a while and have learned a lot! Thank you!!
I am new to boats, but not new to engines, electrical, carbs, etc. I have some questions on what setup to start with. I'm looking for a fun boat for our family of 4 (kids are 11 and 13) to learn to ski and just enjoy. Probably the biggest constraint on this whole deal is that I want something I can keep in the garage and wall-to-door is exactly 20'6". 20' would be best. I'm thinking I am basically limited to an 18' boat with a v-drive and a swing away hitch. How much length does a jet add in general?
I really like the idea of a mini day cruiser with a small block and v-drive. If it was just for me, I'd like flat bottom or always had a liking for a pickle fork, but is the mini day cruiser better for comfort? Top speed and performance isn't the goal.
I would love to hear input on this and ideas so I can zero in on what to shop for. Realistically, this will be used 6-8 times a year and my budget is in the $4000-$5000 range. Thanks in advance for help and suggestions!!
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no way in hell would a family of 4 enjoy a flatbottom. they're small, theres a lot of rigging involved that you'd have to climb over, nowhere to put anything such as chairs, ice chests, etc.
day cruisers are a great hull for a family, especially with kids since most of them have some type of hatch, either a full hatch with a bench seat or a "doghouse" where just the motor is covered and theres 2 small seats on each side. you can increase seating capacity by finding an open bow. but daycruisers and mini days are 19-24 footers.
im in the same boat with garage space. 20' standard garage only fits so much. i have a 18 footer and my trailer BARELY fits inside with maybe 1" or so of room. however most 18 foot trailers are like mine, if you look at the front where the tongue is, there isnt any room for a "swing away" receiver at all...
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F471515_10150838225534833_1699156132_o.jpg&hash=23bdffc847e0b06741a5fec91a053fcaf9766909)
try looking for an open bow 18 footer.
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi201.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa150%2FSleepercp%2FBoat%2520Pics%2FBoatpictureatTPRrun.jpg&hash=187d6d255aa3c2ae3447530fc73a9cac2ff6d066)
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You could gain some space by backing your new jet boat into your garage real hard the first time and build a box around your jet in the room behind your garage.
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You could gain some space by backing your new jet boat into your garage real hard the first time and build a box around your jet in the room behind your garage.
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lol some guy cut a hole thru the wall to fit his jet pump, it like went into his living room inside of a cabinet.
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.performanceboats.com%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D46463%26amp%3Bstc%3D1%26amp%3Bd%3D1246462179&hash=9590457290fb5ca3dfca763919f8ae2908c06921)
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lol some guy cut a hole thru the wall to fit his jet pump, it like went into his living room inside of a cabinet.
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.performanceboats.com%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D46463%26amp%3Bstc%3D1%26amp%3Bd%3D1246462179&hash=9590457290fb5ca3dfca763919f8ae2908c06921)
I'd take it a few feet further and have a swimstep beer table.
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That's awesome. Thanks for the ideas, this is a big help already. I was looking at the garage wall to see if something like that was possible, but the hot water heater is right there.
I'd love to see more examples of what can fit in the garage. I guess I need to keep my tape measure handy as I look, but I'm thinking I can save myself a heck of a lot of time and just not look at boats that won't fit anyway.
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Continuing to look and learn here! OK, I REALLY like the Spectra 18 or 19 mini-cruisers. I need to do some measuring, but with an 18 I can probably fit a jet. It looks like most have a 460/Berk combo with some Chevys here and there. Either is OK with me.
Any idea what these weigh in at? There is not a lot of info out there. The Spectras have the classic lines I like, the space, and a nice healthy drive train. Gotta find the right one. It will be with me for a long time so no rush.
Please help educate me, but the Eliminators and Schiadas all look to be in the longer class, 21' ?? Are there other options I should look at in the 18' - 19' size?
Thanks! :thumbup:
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where will you be taking the boat? river or lakes? reason why i ask is these type of boats are not meant for your family to be on all day with out getting out of the boat.. basically what i mean is you can fit 5 people in a flat bottom to get to point A to B in style, fast, and ski behind but dont plan on keeping all your belongings on the boat.. (A)being launch ramp and (B) being the beach where you set up camp. for an example: i just bought an eliminator 19 foot formula with a 454 and dominator pump. back in 94 my dad was the orginal owner. he took my two brothers and my self which i was 13 then.... yes i know im young. but he took 5 people in our boat, we set up camp on a beach at a lake, some places on the river... and man we had a blast. all 5 of us would load up in the boat from the beach, ( all ice chests yadda yadda on the beach) and go out and ski and haul ass around the lake. really it was fun becasue we were doing it in a jet boat. i had soooo much fun that i bought the boat back and plan on doing the same thing when i have kids. my eliminator has a dual axle trailer sitting sideways in a 20 foot wall to wall garage as well. if you have more than 5 people you plan on taking, get an open bow. and if that still isnt enough. just to mulitiple trips!!! ^-^ jet boats are bad ass... get one ;) oh i also picked up my eliminator with 90 orginal hours, clean paint, and bought it for 4 grand O0.. yes it was a steal in my opinion. conclusion.... your kids are young enough to fit in the boat with you and have cheap fun. ... cheap in the boating world anyways. sorry for rambleing on very very slow at work :-[
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i know where a clean 21ft mini day cruiser is for sale. i can post pics if you are interested. I know its bigger than you wanted but if you are looking for some comfort and a lot of storage a minday would fit your needs.
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i absolutely love the spectra 19's. the deck shape is awesome, its sleek looking and its versatile. hatch for the kids and room to toss a bunch of stuff into. bench seat in the back, lots of room under the deck, built like a TANK. the 21 daycruiser is more rounded in the front whereas the 19 is more pointy and the deck doesnt have that typical "cruiser texture" gelcoat on it, usually no bowrail.
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi714.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww146%2Fedog_103%2F_DSC6367.jpg&hash=b964ee4a5b821e20db54781f3190414d579d8411)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/3146569760.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/3146569760.html)
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Tomanyprojectz, I love that story! That's exactly what we have in mind. My family doesn't have the stamina to do this all day anyway! I picture us cruising around an hour, learning to ski for a couple hours, beaching it somewhere for a break and lunch, dragging the kids around on a toy tow, cruising for a while and loading it up. I would think Pyramid Lake, Silverwood, and Mojave, Mead, or that area a couple of times a year for 3-4 days. We are not social/party types. Just play with the boat and quietly enjoy our day.
Aquaholic, I think 21 is too big for us but thanks!!
ka0tyk, that's a sweet boat! They are really growing on me and I will be watching for the right one.
Thanks guys!
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I have a 21 foot team Hawaiian, and my trailer has a swing away tounge for extra clearance and it fits in my standard 18x20 garage. I love this boat, it's roomy and is great for family and friends to come along. It does sit kitty corner in the garage and takes up all the space but if it wasn't there, the wifey would have it full of crap anyway
Btw with it in the garage kitty corner the swim steps touch before the jet Evers comes close to the back corner
Hope this helps
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Thanks UncleBOBBY,
That does help! I've got to park straight in. We have a 3 car garage, but still need the wifes SUV and 7 motorcycles in there... ;D My car is getting kicked to the driveway.
What is the weight of these boats roughly? 2,600 pounds or so? And with the trailer and fuel, 3,500 total?
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My 21' daycruiser measures 22'6" bow to reverse bucket, and the tongue is another 48"
As far as weight- Mines only a guess 3800-4200 lbs (2011 21' eliminator bowrider, 350 bravo= 2800 lbs, per eliminator, and trailer ~1000 lbs competitive trailers)
18' saguaro measures 19'2", and another 30" of tongue, prolly weighs 2500 lbs total
An old school jet or v-drive flatty make an excellent family boat...IMHO
Daniel
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Yea thats probably pretty close on the weight.
With all the gear& tanks full its gotta be close to
35 to 3800 lbs
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Here you go SOCAL DAD
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/boa/3148967722.html (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/boa/3148967722.html)
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Thanks!! I called and left him a message. The mustard color is a bit marginal and the Olds power is not my first choice. But heck, it can't hurt to discuss it and check it out. They aren't deal killers if the thing is in great shape otherwise!
I also left a message on this one. Haven't heard back yet. I like it even better...
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/3143046987.html (http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/3143046987.html)
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Thanks!! I called and left him a message. The mustard color is a bit marginal and the Olds power is not my first choice. But heck, it can't hurt to discuss it and check it out. They aren't deal killers if the thing is in great shape otherwise!
I also left a message on this one. Haven't heard back yet. I like it even better...
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/3143046987.html (http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/3143046987.html)
if he didnt include the ghetto blaster that would be a deal breaker for me...
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if he didnt include the ghetto blaster that would be a deal breaker for me...
I was thinkin more like throw in the lonely blonde
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I was thinkin more like throw in the lonely blonde
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she would probably just drink all the beer.
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she would probably just drink all the beer.
And then??
My point.
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http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/3147817869.html (http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/3147817869.html)
if all checks out, this could be a BAD ASS float.
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That is a nice one! Since it's a first big boat for me, I want to stay with something ready to hit the water and focus on keeping it reliable and learning to ski.
Thanks for thinking of me and I really appreciate you posting any links here. It is just a matter of time and I'll be posting "SoCal_Dad's new ride"!!
Thanks again! :thumbup: