[magellan]

Originally Posted by ram2

2) If you want to tow a skier or tube, then you need more boat and MORE horsepower. A 17-20" boat starts to look good about then with a 165+ HP inboard/outboard. Sucks more gas, trickier to handle, and a lot more cost for purchase and insurance (plus it costs more to register it every three years.)


Why an inboard/outboard? I prefer outboards - easier to work on and are true marine engines.

For pulling a skier or tubers? I would say no. Most IO's have decks in the back that make loading and unloading way easier. Our tube is one of those wide two passenger ones. I can't even imagine how we'd pull it onto the boat over an outboard engine.

Anyone else tried that? I've seen pontoons with outboard engines pulling tubes, but always wondered how they managed it.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by AVTechMan

I am just down the road from Macatawa Lake. I don't fish or anything so if I wanted to start out a decent small-sized boat would be just fine for me. And it wouldn't be a money drain either.

I've no doubt that learning the rules of boating is different from a car....but since I've learned how to drive a car, then later on a semi-truck, I am sure I can learn the rules of boating too.

Check with the marinas in Holland or Grand Haven and see if they rent boats. I have to imagine Grand Isle Marina does.

[jeeg]

This is a question I've wondered myself many times (how to get started in boating). I'm well versed with canoes/kayaks/little fishing rigs, just nothing bigger that has a real motor.

I'll have to look for both the boater safety courses and marinas that rent boats.

My problem will be getting one large enough to comfortably fit all six of us, yet on a small budget.

Anyhow I've enjoyed the thread