1st time boat buyer 16' boat

[jrl5678]

I am looking for a boat to hang out on. I am looking for a boat to ride alone on. I also have a person or 2 with me. I am constrained by storage and tow truck. I have looked at several 14 to 18 foot boats and I think one of the 16 foot toons will do me well. I live in Houston and would like to drag it to lakes and rivers and the back bay if I can. I know small boats have limitations but will a 16 toon handle other boat wakes and some current and what not? I have spent my youth sailing 14 ' boats all over the place I took the off shore and around rivers. I am not experienced driving a power boat. Price is a consideration for sure but storing and towing are way more important than size.
Well thank you for all your input.
Jonathan

[steveiam]

Welcome Johnathan--

I have no experience in the size toon you are asking about but I bet somebody here will give you some info--

[ron nh]

Are you looking for new or used? apex marine makes 16 & 18 footers with the same quality as others do on there 20' plus boats. most companies really skimp when it comes to there 16 or 18' entry models. sun tracker makes nice small toons as well. I tested a 16' tri-toon with a 90hp mercury. that thing flew. so you can get as nice as you want to pay for. There are at least 4 marinas in Texas that sell Apex. My 18' handles wakes and waves great but it is a tri-toon. I've been out when I shouldn't be but thats no fun on any toon.

[ralph]

As far as wakes/waves go, i think if you get pontoons with a larger diameter than standard you'll have a better ride. Mine has 27" pontoons and does great in wakes and waves.

[smltooner]

Welcome to the club.

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Welcome to the Club.

Know a guy with a 16' SunCatcher on El Dorado.

It's his "Runaround" boat as he also has a houseboat.

His does well and he seems to like it fine.

So if there's a SunCatcher Dealer (Yamaha) near you, I'd look at one.

I have a 22' SunCatcher and just got back from a great day at the lake with my Admiral and the daughter of one of my buddies. Did some tubing, enjoyed some grilled burgers and cold beers and all in all had a perfectly good time with it.

[jrl5678]

I am open to used but have not seen any used ones in the 16' range. I have sat in the 16' Sun Tracker. I would like to find some more it is hard to find 16' to experience.

[RcgTexas]

Welcome ! I think a 16 footer would be a good boat and safe as well. Surely safer than a 16 foot monohull.

you may can find a deal on a used 20 footer that wont be that much heavier and be a better all around vessel for what ever you have in mind.

[jrl5678]

RCG I have found several 20' used in good shape but they will not fit in my backyard. I am a little frustrated because a new 18' right now is cheaper than a new 16' (last year vs this year and quantity sold etc.) I think I would really enjoy a tri toon they seem to be a little more sea worthy in general even though they are a little heavier etc. I can sneak a 16' sub 8' boat in to my back yard storage area. If I have to pay to store it, my cost jump up a bit. Basspro carries the sun tracker, has anyone here driven one of those, gas not Elc.
JRL

[litgrep]

2nd vote for an Apex Marine. I have a Quest Edge 816. It's been great on my 70 acre fishing lake and quality is very good. Easily pulled by my Chevy Traverse and handles pulling around grandkids.

[PontoonRon]

Hi, don't know if you are calculating in the length of the trailer and outboard in your equation. My 20' pontoon is close to 29' from hitch to propeller. just sayin .....

[NonHyphenAmerican]

http://www.shadycreek.com/boat-details.aspx?id=877