Thinking And Looking

So just when I think I want one thing, another thing pops up.

This is a 1989 Wellcraft Coastal 250. It is a 25 footer, with TWIN Mercury 150 hp outboards, a dual axle trailer, and electronics (GPS/Sonar, VHF radio, Stereo with CD player, washdown pump, onboard battery charger).

As you can see, this is a "walk around" hull. The current boat is a center console. What is the difference? Well the 25 footer has a cabin. It would make a great weekend cruiser. The 18 footer has the console in the center of the boat - with the walk around the console is on the starboard (right) side of the boat. Like a car in Europe, the helm (steering wheel) is on the "wrong" side.

My dad and myself are going to take a look see at the thing Saturday after the marine flea market in the Keys. I can not exactly afford the darn thing, but other people can. I can handle the 18 footer - it only cost $2.5k. And it has been a good boat! I like the little 18 footer. It is easy to pull, easy to launch, easy to get back on the trailer, and super easy to pilot out on the water.

The 25 footer will probably be too big for my V6 truck to pull unless I get a massive trannie cooler and an oversize radiator. And even then, I will be pushing the limits. Good thing FL is so darn flat! But I do have access to a Dodge Durango 4x4 with a 318 cubic inch V8 - that will pull the proposed boat. The 25 footer has twin engines, which is VERY COOL - with twin engines boat piloting is just so darn much fun. You can put one engine in forward and one in reverse and spin the boat around on its axis. Cant do that with a single engine.

But it also will consume at least twice as much gas. If I go out in the 18 footer and run the engine a lot - I may go through 20 gallons of fuel. No big deal. The 25 footer with TWO engines could go through 50 gallons or more! Yikes. This is probably one reason the dude is selling it. However if I just launch the boat, go somewhere, shut the engines off, and chill out the fuel consumption will be a lot less. I do this a lot when I go out.

And then there is the problem of what to do with the 18 footer IF the 25 footer comes home. Two boats? That is kind of insane. I do not think either one would get used enough to justify that. Get rid of my little 18 footer? I may not use the larger boat as much due to the "pain in the ass" factor. The 18 footer is not a big deal to drag out. A larger boat - bigger deal to drag out.

I will have to discuss all the details before someone makes a decision on this beast of a boat. I am sure I would like it if someone bought it and I can just borrow it whenever - but I will miss the smaller craft.

I do not think this will effect the "I want a wave runner" thing. It may, but who knows. It all depends on the deal I can find on an older model OR used ski.

So much shit. So little spendable funds.