Newbie here looking for info/suggestions

I bought my 40' 2010 Rinker Express Cruiser with Axius with low hours a year ago for $180k. I am in the rivers with current so I try to dock without cheating whenever I can. I've had to dock twice in the current on one engine without damaging anything, so the skill is necessary. But I have also pulled up along the seawall for concerts and sporting events when there was barely enough room for my boat to fit. It sure is nice to move perfectly sideways on command! My owners manual is in my boat on the hard so I can't wait to see if my 496 Mags have Sea Core for salt water. I'm pretty sure the coolant is internal. Not sure if Rinker is sea worthy enough for the Bahamas?

So I'm looking at $25K each for new crate engines after 5-7 years in salt? Even on a lift after flushing? Or dry stacked? That about right?

Wow, I had no idea....

Tim just go to Yachtworld and put in your search info, 40-50 feet, powerboat, price etc..you will find a load of boats to look at. You will get a simple free education on all of the different types of power boats, layouts ,designs etc, that fit your liking. You won't be able to find a new boat at your budget , but should find a clean one out there in good mechanical shape.
I think the Bayliner 48MY is a good choice for what you want. Also check out the many Grand Banks 42' to 49' trawlers there are a lot on the market in your range. The GB being a better boat over all than the Bayliner MY.
Just don't get a Blue Water Coastal Cruiser, I think then you will be removed from Yacht Forms...

Guilty on both counts.... Motorhome AND boat owner, although currently only a land yacht. Problem is you don't know what you don't know. I would highly suggest getting some training and renting something in the mid 30's feets. Go to a rental outfit that also offers captained charters. 9 out of 10 will give you lessons until they are comfortable with letting you take it out yourself. Then rent and go play. Learn what's out there and figure out what works for you. Sounds like you're a tool guy, this is good. Just like mohos the boats need repairs....all the time. (And I did the same thing. Bought the moho and never talked to the dealer again. Took care of things myself. Badgered the hell out of the manufacturer to send me the parts...... don't get me started on the Elkhart mafia.)

My Dad and brother both owned large rv's and they hated them. Compared to living on a boat - I'll take the boat any day of the week. They're both expensive. The depreciation on the rv is higher - 25% just off the lot. Scheduling repairs from selling dealer is horrible - esp when they don't have the parts. A CAT diesel oil/fuel filter change averages $300, valve lash adjustment $400. I used to take my rigs to the Petro Travel centers for half the price. Everything on a rv costs more because nothing was built by the same mfgr - the Workhorse or Spartan frame; the Cat or Cummins diesel (and associated EGR/DEF problems); Dometic, Amana etc. Fiberglas sides and poor insulation and worse paneling, leaking roofs, you name it I've experienced it.

So, it's probably a saltie for most of the time and a freshie the remaining time. I did they Great Loop, the Severn and Rideau a few years ago - the biggest problem there is going up the CalSag which has one bridge (that cannot be circumvented) with only 19ft clearance. And in the canals the max draft is 5ft. x 24ft beam. Otherwise it's a very pleasant trip. Condo boats will have problems that draft alone cannot correct.

Keep your boat under 40ft and you'll find lotsa cheaper anchorages. Rv parks charge the same whether you're driving a 23ft or 40ft. Not so for boats - you are paying by the foot and not just by the night. And you'll need electricity - metered at most marinas. You'll need a generator to operate that big fridge, stove and micro-wave. I didn't have all that - they operated on LP gas. Liveaboard marinas are on the environmental watch list and are getting fewer each year. Some will allow you to work off the books in the marina - like Green Cove Springs (Fla).

Then there's the fuel: Once you go out of the country it seems the prices double for the same fuel you just bought in Fla. On the lower Mississippi or TennTom not much is available, so you need to have enough to get up to Vicksburg or Demopolis. My old rv gave me 500 miles @ $0.78/ltr Two boats ago, I could get 750 mi range. This week I'm delivering a 47ft Diesel Duck with a single JD (non electronic) engine. With that I can make 1500nm without any problem. It has a watermaker and that saves me hauling around 250gal.

If you can keep the beam to less than 7m, it's the perfect loop boat

A lot of that is correct, some of it has gotten a lot better. "House" repairs at dealerships are torture.... But, 80% of all diesel pushers are on the Freightliner chassis, and there's an extensive dealer network that can fix things pretty quickly. Yes, it's expensive. So is a 15 gallon oil and filter change on an 8V71. The DEF/EGR technology is pretty well established now. No real systemic issues there anymore. Some coaches are built pretty darn well.

The Loop canals require less than 7m beam in order to fit into the locks. The 11m Gemini fits into standard slips.

Obviously you have not. The Rideau and Trent-Severn have beam restrictions. I say 7meters to be on the safe side. http://captainjohn.org/GL-Boat1.html

An alternate route that most loopers don't take, but some find most enjoyable.