How important are high gunnels for little kids in a boat?

[pmueller]

Boats are simply financial compromises. If I got every feature that pleased everyone, I never would be able to own one.
The girls want enclosed potties, not that I can blame them. Clients wanted this or that feature. Spend what you can to catch the fish the way you want to catch them. Used boats are a bargain, take advantage of it and make sure the stringers are solid, and the motor is reliable.
Good luck man.
BTW, I have two kids, my son hates to fish. thats ok. He'ld rather I tie him to the front and drive the boat as if it were his own extreme ride. My daughter, when she spends the time will fish and catch. She's a gurly girl too, but more than that, she's stubborn as hell (wonder were she got that trait from) and will catch fish.
Have fun man, thats what is all about.

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Thanks, and thanks to everyone. Well, it seems that 50% of you think low gunwales are inappropriate for little kids, and 50% think it should be OK, so that really clears things up!

I want to get thisboat, my wofe is starting to say "maybe we should put the $$ into the 529 plans, which are pathetically low", and she has a point.

We're not wealthy enough to have it all, so like most people, we have to choose one or the other. I will start posting photos of the re-build if we pull the trigger.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by pmueller

Boats are simply financial compromises. If I got every feature that pleased everyone, I never would be able to own one.
The girls want enclosed potties, not that I can blame them. Clients wanted this or that feature. Spend what you can to catch the fish the way you want to catch them. Used boats are a bargain, take advantage of it and make sure the stringers are solid, and the motor is reliable.
Good luck man.
BTW, I have two kids, my son hates to fish. thats ok. He'ld rather I tie him to the front and drive the boat as if it were his own extreme ride. My daughter, when she spends the time will fish and catch. She's a gurly girl too, but more than that, she's stubborn as hell (wonder were she got that trait from) and will catch fish.
Have fun man, thats what is all about.

Great post, and thank you. Are you a charter captain? I saw you reference "clients". If so, where do you fish out of, what's the name of your boat?

I believe in living for today, but at the same time, planning for tomorrow. Especially when you have kids.

I like investing in family fun time. When my oldest was born, we put in a pool. I have dreams of coaching his little league team, and having all the little guys over for pool parties and cookouts. I view the pool as an investment in "memories".

I view boats the same way, but even a little more so, because I have saltwater in my blood, and owning a boat is almost a spiritual thing with me, as I'm sure it is to a lot of folks here. Those days when I try to convince myself to get this Privateer, I tell myself, well, if it means I have to postpone retirement for 6 months or so, fine, it's worth it.

Also, I did some time in Iraq with the USMC, and at the end of the 3 or 4 toughest days, I swore to myself when I got home, I was going to treat myself to a 23-25 foot center console, regardless of my financial situation.

On one hand, I cannot imagine that I'll regret getting it on my deathbed, but I can see regretting it on my deathbed if I don't get it. On the other hand, it would sure be nice to put another $25k into the college fund. Especially since (1) we have 3 little kids, and (2) we live 50 miles away from southeast CT, where I like to boat.

I wish I liked lake boats, where $10k goes a long way! Those of us who like the saltwater, of more accurately, those of us who are chosen by the ocean to always be drawn to her, have an awfully expensive additction!

[Rip Runner]

I would look hard at a boat that has already been restored and someone is selling. You will do much better financially. You can't go wrong with an older 23 SeaCraft that has been restored. High gunnels and if you get caught in a storm she'll get you home. Another boat that I would take a close look at would be a 239 Hydra Sports. It's a very solid boat and family friendly, much newer than the Classic SeaCrafts but there are good deals to be had. Just make sure you don't have an old Ficht engine, has to be a 2002 or newer.

I agree on the memories, I have friends that sold their boats when they had kids. All I could think about was getting my kids on the boat. If I don't have charters on the weekends, my family and I will be doing overnights in Cuttyhunk, or MV, can't wait.