new to the Yacht world please be gentle.

You are around some of the best river cruising waters there are and a great place to get started. Carver, Bayliner, Sea Ray are all popular for your purpose. A lot of houseboats in your area too. Just be careful on two points. First, on what it will take to bring an older boat to the condition you want and second on what it will cost to own and operate it. There are three aspects to the budgeting-purchase price, upgrading/repairing, and annual costs of owning.

My first question of you would be "what is your boating experience?" How much of the TN river and Cumberland have you covered? There are a lot of boat rentals available in your area.

Here's some reading that may prove useful, for starters.


Carver Yacht - YachtForums.Com


Sea Ray Yacht - YachtForums.Com

You can rent most any type somewhere in Tennessee or on the river. I don't know your city or area to direct you better.

And my other question was to your experience?

And who will normally be boating with you?

I ask not out of being nosy but providing advice tailored to you. Experience plays a major role with how and where to start. The "Crew" with you is also important in selecting a boat. For instance, if it was just you, alone, with no experience, you'd have a very difficult time with all the locks on the TN river. In addition if your experience is limited, I'd recommend a power squadron school or another form to gather information on things like navigation and handling.

Avail yourself of the SEARCH feature above. Key Word the boats your considering. Also key word things like 'new boater', the waterways you hope to cruise, cost, etc. You'll find a wealth of info.

One of the things that new boaters tend not to notice while looking at boats is the lack of storage space; another is access to the mechanicals. Also, when you get to cruising boats, check how they handle the worst conditions you can find. One surprise a lot of new owners get is that they're impressed by the amount of living space on a boat but don't realize that it comes at a cost. Eventually you have to put it into s slip, which can get very interesting if it has a lot of sail area, little weight and a stiff breeze blowing across the slip. When you sea trial don't jut go for the boat ride the broker may want you to take. The sea trial is your opportunity to really check it out.

Life is a game.

Enjoy.


Amazon.com: boat simulator 2008

You are in Sea Ray country, enough said.

Getting a Bayliner / Carver would be like rooting for the Wisconsin Badgers or Washington Huskies

Get a used Sea Ray Sundancer in the range of 34', perfect starter boat.

Something like this: http://www.**************/boats/200...1603/Fort-Myers/FL/United-States#.UxsqEY2YaUk

It's a buyer's world, get the newest model you can make a deal on for your $80k budget and don't be afraid to make an offer on $100K asking prices.

Here are some 34' Sea Rays closer to home, for a look-see.

New And Used Boats For Sale On BoatTrader.com - BoatTrader.com

Tennessee's Official Boating Safety Course and Online Boating License Exam

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - Boating Safety Education

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - For Boaters

Tennessee's Official Free Safe Boating Course

Boating

Try this for your training.

United States Power Squadrons® Safe boating fun thru education

You are in a paradise for learning. Lakes in all directions. Houseboat capital of the universe north of you, Percy Priest for lake near, great boating to your SE in Chattanooga. If you google each lake with the lake name and boat rental you'll see the options.

I'd take some time just to explore these waters. Take the courses. Rent a runabout on Chickamauga. Observe locking at the dam there. Cover lots of ground on that lake. Then try a small houseboat on Kentucky Lake. Meanwhile just look at boats but wait to get serious and decide on one. After doing some boating it will be much easier.

At that point then how many people and how many days at a time on the boat. If mostly just the two of you and short times then a 28-32 foot might be a good size. If four people and weeks at a time, definitely the larger sizes you've thought of.

While Sea Ray country in one manner of speaking, I just noticed on some of the dealers in the area like Erwin a lot of Carvers, some Cruisers, Silvertons. Looking at your overall future plans, one option you might consider too is start with something like a 2001 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer (26') for $29,900, which I see they have available. They're a Sea Ray dealer so good place to buy. Learn on it a few years then trade up to larger. But it would be a great boat for two people to spend two weeks cruising the river. Start at Chickamauga, lock through Nickajack, Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, Pickwick, to Kentucky and back. Easy for two to handle. A bit of time on it and you'll feel like pros on river navigating, locking and docking and then also know what you want as you move up in size. Or just rent for a couple of years and then decide.

First two priorities though are some classes and then get out on the water, one way or another.

Have the boat surveyed.

If it passes, buy the boat.

Hire a freelance Captain to teach you.

If the price is right and you have a change of mind, you should be able to sell for little if any loss.

Does it look something like this?

1988 Bayliner 3818 Motoryacht Boat for Sale (25286) in Kings County, NY - Specs and Photos - POP Yachts

The Sundancer Models below 30 feet are just not a good compromise - too much interior space for the loa resulting in too high of a center of gravity, too little power and poor visibility at the helm when getting on plane, and just not a good handling boat. It's just trying to offer too much, especially in a 26 foot trailerable platform. I would not touch one with a ten foot pole.

The 34 is a world of difference, especially the ones newer than 2005. In the 34 size range, head and shoulders above the models you mention.

Check this for on-line classes:

Boating Safety Courses

The Power Squadron, aside from their workshops and classes, has a great book and DVD that I think you should start with. It would be the best first investment to begin your boating life with, and there is the famous Annapolis Seamanship DVD, not to mention the Chapman Piloting and Seamanship and/or Boaters Pocket Reference to keep on your boat for further reading while you are learning hands-on.

I am with Old-Phart on hiring a captain for the hands on. A captain will let you know your boat inside and out, how to handle and care for, will teach you tips and tricks that will boost your confidence and will give you and your wife all the time you need to learn. Will also hook you up with good references for maintenance, fuel, parts, marinas, etc. Worth every penny in my book! Shop for a good captain and he/she might find you THE boat you are looking for.

Best of luck.