Seeking advice on boat ownership & operation for newbie

You might have a better understanding of all the above information by chartering a boat for several trips and discover with your own eyes what is involved in operating a boat. Observe the various chores the crew performs on deck and what the skipper does at the wheel. It will make you think about what you will need to know and if you could handle it. Ask the crew how long they have been doing it and several of the other questions you have posted.

Ref docking, yes "great access" is about being able to get where you need to be -- safely, expeditiously -- to handle lines. Skinny or non-existent side-decks, for example, often aren't great. Side doors near a lower helm, for example, can be a useful feature. Another nice to have feature for docking is visibility from helm to crew, not always possible, often solvable with headsets if nothing else.

("Access" has another whole importance that you'll want to learn about/consider: the ability to service engines (all round access is ideal, not always available until boats get big) and other systems like genset, ACs, water heaters, etc.)

There will often be dock hands available at marinas, especially at transient marinas. OTOH, they can usually really screw up what started out as a perfectly good landing. In some cases, they really have a clue. In many (most?) cases it's a young kid who's never docked a big boat before, and isn't capable of following simple directions like "please make this line fast on that cleat." You will be best off learning to dock by yourself (yourselves). Ideally, no "pulling" required.

Somebody else mentioned Volvo IPS and Zeus; mostly that's the key to pods in boat ads.

Common systems:
- single engine
- single engine with bow and/or stern thrusters
- single engine with bow and/or stern thrusters and "yacht controller"
- twin engines
- twin engines with bow and/or stern thrusters
- twin engines with bow and/or stern thrusters and "yacht controller"- pods (usually twins, as far as I know)
- pods with bow and/or stern thruster (but the pods themselves can sorta-kinda do -- or help do -- what thrusters do)

Pros/cons for all, lots of reading (already posted) that you can do here or elsewhere. I've said "yacht controller" as short-hand for an addition system that let's you control gears and thrusters all in concert (and there might even be a brand name called that).

The short version is that each of these can usually be maneuvered -- in most weather, some easier than others, some at greater expense -- with some combination of gear, thrust, and line-handling. For the simple categories, you might read Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship to get an idea.

-Chris

Lots of good advice already. Just a couple of suggestions from our experience.
Never rely on dockhands! Not only are many not knowledgeable, but also there will be circumstances when you will want to dock with no one around. Those situations tend to be when there are weather issues or other unexpected events.
As you get older, you also have to think about what happens if one of you is not able to fully participate as a result of an injury. We have been lucky, but friends have suffered significant injury while on board and you have to be able to get to a dock and tie up.
The larger the boat, in general, the more the physical challenge.
As a proponent of pods, we find it very important for confidence particularly in docking for less experienced operators. My wife can dock the boat after a very short set of lessons from the salesperson who did three different days of lessons, one with me, one with both of us and one with her aboard without me there.

Most important, you want to be able to enjoy the experience and that means the boat has to not only provide comfort and safetly, but also needs to be something that fits both your experience and what your cruising plans are.

Enjoy!

Charter, charter, charter.....a trawler, a sport fish, a motor yacht, a run-about- or sport boat. Save your money before you buy and spend on some charters/rentals.
What all the others have said already with various info should be very well considered .
Can you do the needed upkeep and maintenance required for a boat or are you expecting the boat yard to do it for you? Huge difference in $$$ spent for that.

My two cents, make sure you can get around the boat EVERYWHERE with relative ease. From the bilge, engine room/space, all decks, fly bridge, fore and aft on deck and interior.
OH! Don't forget the @#$%er, when you sit on it, do you knees hit the bulk head (wall) door, etc..MOST important ! I know I need my space to '' enjoy the go ''.

The less steps and ladders the better.
Can you get to all around all motors and pumps etc. ? You will need to at some point, no matter who is maintaining the boat.

Look at Yachtworld. You'll get a better picture of available boats and can select by size and type and price. It will give you an overview of the market.

Another important thing is your first step!
Quite literally…

How easy is it to step a board the boat at the dock?
Will you need large cumbersome steps to get a board the boat which are heavy as hell and hard to load onto the boat and take with you.

In my opinion you want a boat that only takes one or two steps at the most to get a board.
Docks obviously very in height so sometime you won’t need steps at all but I think you get the general idea.

You want a boat that’s easy to board.
Just something to definitely consider.

I dunno much about ads on Boat Trader; I've usually shopped on Yachtworld, and info on IPS (or not) would be in the "Propulsion" section, either by engine nomenclature (e.g., Volvo IPS xxxx or Zeus xxxx) or in the Drive Type field (e.g., pods).

Thrusters may or may not be mentioned in another section, somewhat dependent on the quality of the listing broker... but if not mentionede, that's a good early question for the broker... and thrusters can usually be added after-the-fact.

-Chris

Can you walk and chew gum at the same time? If so you can handle the boat. Contrary to what many would say, it is not rocket science. Maybe a week cruise with someone knowledgeable and plain common sense will do the trick. I don't think there is any body of water better documented and electronic charts kept up to date than the ICW. Buy a boat in good shape and your good to go.

I would say just do it. Docking is easily picked up with a bit of practice and your VHF is your best friend. I have yet to see a marina that wouldn't have someone ready to tie a boat up when asked. In fact when I radio or call (cell) they always ask if I want a line handler ready.

Organizing your docking lines ahead of time makes the entire thing a non-event. Also, your wife might be better suited to be at the wheel and you handle lines. Probably a good thing for you to rotate so either of you can do either task. Its a sure bet there will be a time you won't be able to be at the helm for some reason.