So, having never been a boat owner, I've been thinking about buying a relatively low-cost beginner option. (NOTE: I know - the two happiest days I can expect are the day I buy it, and the day I sell it).

Looking to mainly just cruise around, with occasional use as a ski/wake pull vehicle. My neighborhood has a private ramp and dock, and it seems like I should at least give it a try to see if we're boat people. I'll also need a trailer to park it in a 20-foot boat garage.

Based partly on a former employee's experience, I was pretty locked in to a SeaDoo Speedster jet boat - the 4 seat, 16 foot model with 225 hp were discontinued in 2012, but a gently used 2008-2012 model can be had for $10-12k (incl. trailer). Seems like they're compact, fast, relatively low-maintenance, and offer bimini tops for a modicum of shade. I have heard they are not ideal ski or wake boats, which is not a deal-killer for me. Worst case, I figured if I hate it, I can just sell it, and take a loss of a few thousand. Ongoing maintenance is a concern, since SeaDoo no longer makes boats, but the theory is that SeaDoo PWC dealers will still service them for a good while.

I would also consider a higher-end Personal Watercraft, such as the Yamaha FX Cruiser, SeaDoo GTX Limited iS 260, or SeaDoo WakePro 215. I know nothing about them, but those seemed to meet the general usage criteria I have. New ones cost $13k-17k+, and that seems pricey to me. I don't think I really want to spend more than $15k on something that might not even become a hobby.

My questions are many - any suggestions you have regarding alternatives, or pros and cons of my thought process are welcomed.

You may want to try this thread on the Outdoors Board. Only thing I might suggest is that you will find your best deals in Sept/Oct.

Oh, and...
http://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2627005/replies/43067064#43067064

If you just want to see if you're boat people, have you considered joining a boat club? Easier than purchasing and maintaining if you're not sure yet.

You don't want a PWC for Austin. I think they often ban them on holidays, at least they used to. Austin it's too damned crowded, it's like boating on I 35.

I have a 19' boat that I will be selling in that price range soon, but the trailer wouldn't fit in a 20' garage. Mines on Travis.

If you don't have a slip on the water right now, that means you will never have a slip on the water on Lake Austin.

Good luck learning how to back a trailer into the water when people like me are waiting in line behind you.


Go be a learner on some other body of water. Seriously.

Read the OP, Gilligan, he's got a private ramp.

Never mind, I missed the private ramp. Y'all in Bella Lago?

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If you don't have a slip on the water right now, that means you will never have a slip on the water on Lake Austin.

Good luck learning how to back a trailer into the water when people like me are waiting in line behind you.


Go be a learner on some other body of water. Seriously.

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Thanks for the advice, Skippy!

I grew up on and around boats, so I shouldn't ruin any of your lake days. I also grew up backing dual axle trailers on a daily basis, so backing a small boat trailer is a snap.

Never a line at my ramp and dock, either (you can't get in, by the way), so you basically completely struck out on your assumptions!

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To the nicer, and more constructive posters, any thoughts on the choice of boat/PWC itself?

I considered a boat club, but what I've seen on Lake Austin is $750++ a month, which really doesn't fit what I plan to spend.

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I should at least give it a try to see if we're boat people.

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I grew up on and around boats, so I shouldn't ruin any of your lake days.

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I should at least give it a try to see if we're boat people.

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I grew up on and around boats, so I shouldn't ruin any of your lake days.

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1) First time boat owners

2) Teenager = did not own boat

Sorry if it was unclear.

Keep in mind that boat length does not equal total trailer length.

I got that part. Just wondering how someone who grew up on and around boats isn't quite sure if they're a boat person. With that in mind, I can say that for someone who isn't sure, owning a boat (or PWC) would probably be a big pain in the ass. If you're already on the fence now, you most likely won't use it as often as required to justify the purchase, you'll regret it, and you'll be happy to sell it. Hence, the two best days...

I'm a boat person, from a family of boat people, with many "boat people" friends. My honest advice for someone who isn't sure is simply not to buy one. There are plenty of other options for getting out on the water without having to make that sort of commitment.

That's why I brought up the possibility of the boat club. Let's ballpark it and say it's an annual fee of $1,000 and another $250/month for dues. So for $4k plus gas, you'll get a whole year to figure out if you're a boat person, but you won't have to worry about storage, the trailer, equipment, fees, insurance, or maintenance. If you have fun and really want the freedom of having your own boat, quit the club and buy one. If you don't like it, quit the club and flush your boat idea down the toilet. You're only out $4k after one year, and that's relatively small for someone with enough disposable income to consider the purchase in the first place.

My hope would be that you love it and eventually buy one. It's a lot of fun. But if you're not into it as much as you'd originally intended, I'd hate to think that you went through all that hassle and money in finding out.

Just my two cents. Best of luck and be safe!

Gramercy Riffs: Thanks! That's great advice. I may check into the boat club concept a little more. Are you familiar with the ones on Lake Austin? It seems like there are 4-5 of them, but as near as I can tell, they're pricier than what you mentioned (the closest to me is at the Ski Shores marina, and starts at $750/month).

Sorry about the "boat people" confusion. The difference is that the last time I was a boat person was over 30 years ago. I think we may like it, but just not sure yet.

rather be fishing: Thanks - that's also good advice. The SeaDoo boat is actually only 15 feet, and the trailer is supposedly just over 17 feet, so no problem fitting that one in the boat garage, but it is quite a limiting factor. The good news is that this won't tempt me into buying a bigger more expensive boat!

Still interested if anyone has thoughts on a small jet boat vs. a big jet ski vs. just saving myself the trouble and flushing 150 Benjamins down the commode ...

I would always buy a boat over a PWC. You can't hang out on a jet ski, and take people with you, which is half the fun of boating.

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Are you familiar with the ones on Lake Austin? It seems like there are 4-5 of them, but as near as I can tell, they're pricier than what you mentioned (the closest to me is at the Ski Shores marina, and starts at $750/month).

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I'm not a member of any of them, but I've heard good things about Volente. Here's their pricing sheet:

Membership Options


And here's an interesting page (note the very expensive boat they used in their example, but the theory is the same):

Ownership Comparison

Volente is the cheapest but is also way TF out there.

If you want one on Lake Austin, I found this one. However it seems a little too good to be true. $300 a month and no startup fee

Lake Toys Boat Club - Lake Austin

Ah - that's me not paying attention to the OP. Yes, Volente is a Lake Travis club. I'd prefer to be on Lake Travis anyway, so I didn't pay attention to that part. My bad.

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If you want one on Lake Austin, I found this one. However it seems a little too good to be true. $300 a month and no startup fee

Lake Toys Boat Club - Lake Austin

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All they did was take the startup fee and spread it out over 12 months. A year's worth of boating would actually be $200 more expensive than a year of Volente's cheapest package.

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Volente is the cheapest but is also way TF out there.

If you want one on Lake Austin, I found this one. However it seems a little too good to be true. $300 a month and no startup fee

Lake Toys Boat Club - Lake Austin

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Keeper: That would be perfect, but...

"With boats on Lake Travis in Paradise Cove Marina by Carlos & Charlies"

It also does sound a little too good to be true. Only two reservations at a time, but still, seems like a good deal. I may have to check it out for fun, maybe try a month or two?

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I may have to check it out for fun, maybe try a month or two?

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It looks like you commit to a full year (which nullifies the 'no startup fee' part):

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You join the club for a year for the low cost of $299 per month and instantly have access to all of Lake Toys' boats.

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Well, the reality is I would probably never use it anyway - My house is a block from Lake Austin, so that's where I want to spend my time.

I have a jet boat and hate taking it out on lake Austin. I would recommend getting a prop boat so it does not get clogged with all of the hydrella in the water. I also don't understand why anyone would be unpleasant at a public boat ramp, if you can't handle waiting a few extra minutes on someone that is learning then maybe recreational boating is not for you.

People that have Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget. If you are that big of a prima donna, get a slip.

If it flies, floats or fornicates---rent it!

On LA this morning trying to fish. Zoo

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On LA this morning trying to fish. Zoo

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Yeah - not really a good fishing lake. We have a kayak that never gets used because the water's usually too rough. My next door neighbor uses a stand-up paddleboard, but goes out early, early in the morning. It can be too rough or crowded for skiing or wake-boarding at times, as well.

This is why I believe I need a simple solution to be used mainly for cruising around. And not a pontoon boat - I'm not THAT old yet.

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On LA this morning trying to fish. Zoo

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Yeah - not really a good fishing lake. We have a kayak that never gets used because the water's usually too rough. My next door neighbor uses a stand-up paddleboard, but goes out early, early in the morning. It can be too rough or crowded for skiing or wake-boarding at times, as well.

This is why I believe I need a simple solution to be used mainly for cruising around. And not a pontoon boat - I'm not THAT old yet.

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It's really only fishable at night. I used to put in at dark and fish till around midnight or a little after. Good fish to be caught out there, but I had more a-hole encounters on that lake than all other lakes combined. A bunch of people that are out there running ski boats and don't know the laws and regulations and have zero respect for others.

I have a 1994 Sea Ray Ski ray that would be a good starter boat. It is solid. I can sell it to you for $5,000. We take it to Lake Austin all the time. I have four kids so its getting a bit small for me.

Email me Brent at donquick dot com