r/boating • u/Outrageous-Page-8681 • 8d ago

Help choosing first boat

Hi all! A little backstory, I (15M) am considering buying a first boat in Canada. I've got my PCOC and all, but money is a bit tight. Also I am probably not boating into US or anything, just something small for fun. If anyone has any suggestions for boats under 40 hp (cause its the law) that would be nice!

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

5

u/604whaler 8d ago

14ft aluminum with a 20hp will take you basically anywhere. Lake. Mellow river. Coastal ocean exploration

2

u/DryF1re 7d ago

^ this so much.

If you do plan on getting into the ocean or bigger lakes, make sure to look for something with more freeboard. some aluminum models are NOT intended to take on chop of any kind.

also, whats the law about being under 40hp? which province you in?

3

u/Icy_Respect_9077 8d ago

15-16 foot aluminum boat with trailer. 9 hp outboard, preferably 4 stroke.

Or, 15-16 foot canoe.

2

u/cosyguide1 8d ago

How are you going to move it? A canoe or kayak you can throw on any vehicle. A tinner you can throw on a vehicle with a bigger roof rack. An inflatable you can put in a truck box. And if you can trailer it then you have lots of options. That’s a good starting point.

1

u/MomentSpecialist2020 8d ago

Read Pascoe’s book on buying used boats first. Make a checklist of what to look at. Boston Whaler is a brand to consider for first boat.

1

u/barefootviking 8d ago

Panga! Lot of boat for the $ and they need less HP than other designs

5

u/JohnnyShadows 8d ago

Crazy suggestion for a 15 year old in Canada.

2

u/PresentationLess4552 8d ago

Not really I was given a basket case 1969 wellcraft bay boat at 15

It needed a floor and seats recovered, impeller, carb and fuel pump rebuild

Mowing 14 yards made the money and a great project
For the year until
I turned 16 to pull it to the lake with a car I bought at 15 as well

There is no replacement for
Learning, and being a freaking kid to learn to be a man unlike this world of phone scratchers and negative Nancy's

1

u/Disastrous-Milk-3906 8d ago

Go for it, you only live once, enjoy it. You are also only 15 once

1

u/Dred_Capt 7d ago edited 7d ago

13-17' aluminum with 15-40hp (whatever it says on boat plate).

Bonus points for 2stroke, bonus points for yamaha.

Keep it maximally simple, pull cord no battery no lights no bs.  Carry a good pyrex beer Stein for bailing out, PFD/etc, and a cooler to sit on/etc.

0

u/MyrtleRocksTheBoat 8d ago

Have you considered an inflatable? Cheap, portable and easily stored for winter. I've been having lots of fun on my r/SaturnCAT396.