Less chance of trapped gasoline vapors causing an explosion in the boat. That's how I got started. O/B Pontoon, although it was 24 feet long.

How many modern boats explode? I have only seen it once in 52 years of boating and then it in a boat that was over 20 years old (maybe 30?) and the owner had modified it and then lent it to another family member.

I went with less than 18' but think 18' - 20' is also fine. I don't think engine type matters much as long as it runs well and is dependable. If engine is prone to stalls, hard to start, etc., the aggravation could really hamper the learning experience.

I checked all three of these classes and an I/O. No matter what the budget, these will be easier for a newbie to start with. Kelly didn't mention the owner's age, family size, estimated uses, etc. and those could easily change my answers. But for now, these are the ones and I'm sticking them.....,

210 - 225 class 9 (24%)
192 - 205 class 10 (26%)
180 - 190 class 12 (32%)

Lowrider78 - I agree with you on the jet choice. The old 454/Berkley setups have far, FAR greater appeal to me than motorcycle motors. Of course today's market will have none of that. "Progress" sucks!

retro Kelly

PS - I just picked up on an oddity. We now have 1 vote for IPS, but still 0 votes for any boats over 26'. Hummmm.

I chose the 210 to 225 class with a sterndrive because I feel that the little extra length will not hamper manuevering or trailering much but will possibly prevent one step of two foot-itis.

I also think the extra size and weight may be safer since newbies do not always know how much weather is dangerous.

I think most beginners will struggle with the over 26' class simply because they have so many more systems to maintain.

When we were shopping and just after we bought (first boat), I thought 18 ft’r all the way.

Looking back... after six months of the 18 ft’r – I sure wish we went bigger.

23-26 was my answer.

Prober, LL, and I are thinking alike here. Keep it small enough to be towable and maintainable, but big enough to be happy with it for at least a few years if not longer.

New boats get attention from their selling dealers. And there is a warranty to back them up.

Slips tend to add to boating time. And slips can change boat size.

Great point seabuddy. IMHO a beginner is best off to keep his new boat at a marina the 1st season. Leave learning the ramp wars for his 2nd year. So focus on handling the boat instead of riot control.

wude Kelly

I had lots of experience in ocean time on 30 to 40 foot sailboats. I had zero time on inland lakes with any boat.

My first boat is an 18.5 foot bowrider I/O. I like the 18 feet for learning how to trailer, to launch, to retrieve and because it fits in my driveway and anything bigger wouldn't and because my two wheel drive F150 can handle it easily.

I've got friends with 21 footers and V8's instead of V6's. I find the feel of their extra length, weight, and power is desireable. With these boats I feel that I would need more truck and would be pushed into storage fees, as well. After 3 years towing my 18.5 I still feel that the 21 footers would be at the upper end of towing comfort with the crowded, bad, and narrow highway conditions I encounter.

I'm not sure, but I also think with the falling water levels in my local lakes that I'll be able to launch my 18.5 footer longer; that might just be inexperience talking. So, for me, trailering, launching, retrieving, storage, and water level issues I like my 18.5 footer. With the more solid feel on the water I like the 21 footers.

bryan459 - Our backgrounds are alike, I learned sailing first. Though my first power boat was even more modest, a 17' aluminum bass boat. For trailerboating I think that the "small boat first" path makes real sense. And I suspect our poll results reflect that to a large degree.

Starting out with a marina kept boat can be a VERY different game. Sadly, I have not had that experience. But I've been told that with a little training a newbie can start out in any size (up to say 55 foot?). So I did include the large boats in this poll.

Around 22 - 27' sizes this topic gets really muddy, as you can find some folks who trailer, and some who don't. In fairness I should have structured this poll to cover those differences. But I felt the beast was ugly enough already, and kept it more simple.

Kelly

I went with the 20 footers and no preference on the drive.

If the hull shape is similar among the candidates then they will handle somewhat the same, only with different reaction times and turning radius.
However the drives are not the same. I assume the student will also be learning to service the drive himself. For that reason there is no difference in the drives because they are all so very different. Whatever one is chosen the student will learn how to service that style but those skills may not transfer to another drive.

A two stroke outboard does not share a lot with a V-drive.

There should have been a DP/B3 option.

Should be a requirement for new boaters....no dicking around finding the right prop or need to worry about underpowered.