Future boat purchase... Idea's ( need to go bigger)

[not2worried]

While I love my 85 SSV167.. I may need to go bigger in the future.
Right now its me, the wife and 4 young kids.. its tight. But not bad.
But in a few years. Those girls are going to get big and six of us in the boat just isn't going to work.
So the what size should I be looking at? At this point I will buy a used boat. And it will be at least 2+ years till I move up, so I can save!

[CVX Fever]

Just don't do what I've done twice when I went bigger, and buy the cart before the horse. Otherwise you'll be shopping for a new tow vehicle as well! ...LOL

[Hotwired]

6 people in most any boat is a lot of people specially when you consider a days provisions in coolers and bags along with water toys being tubes or skis/wake boards. A deck boat or party barge (pontoon) is about all that is going to offer seating for more than 6 with ample cargo area.  A larger version of what you now have would likely be a good choice.    The V-195 is a stern drive that would likely fit your needs and also have a V8 engine with plenty of get up and go or a V-192 it's outboard counter part with a 150 - 200 HP engine.  A 18 -19 foot boat or bigger generally with an open bow configuration would be my choice for a grown family of 6.  It will give you enough room for everyone and also be rated for enough HP to give you good performance.  Most all boats will physically carry 6 adults but having the room to enjoy the day and the HP to get a fully loaded boat up and rolling is another story.  Even a lot of the larger boats like the CV-23 with a 260 HP V8 would be a tight fit for 6 adults being a performance orientated boat with the bucket style seating and rear bench and my CV-27 with combined HP of 400 (2 engines 200 HP each) with 6 people in the cockpit is a full boat but they will both perform well with 6 adults in them. A 18 foot boat with a 140 or 165 HP engine is going to struggle with a load that size. I had a group of 8 out in a friends 18 foot cuddy with a 260 hp V8 a couple years ago and we could barely get on plane (was not a Glstron  ).

http://www.classicglastron.com/80gl-v192.html

http://www.classicglastron.com/80gl-v198-195-194.html

[Jason]

I agree with Chris. A V195 would be a great choice. big enough for 6 people easy, V8 power, and still realitivaly small to be pulled my most vehicles.

I also love the V212!

I hate to say it but a Calson is probably not your best bet. Even a CV23 or CV27 would be tight with 6 people unless someone is hanging out below the bow!

V195


V212




The biggest issue.....Finding a NICE one of these like the ones above!

[Terry_Curran]

I agree with CVX on a tow vehicle.  Even though my Jeep Cherokee Sport is rated at 5000lb for towing, I feel that it wasn't enough for stopping my '86 SSV-191 with the original trailer with no brakes on the trailer.  Since the purchase I have up-graded both the tow vehicle, Trail Blazer, and an '05 tandem axle trailer with disc brakes on both axles, surge brakes.  My current boat and trailer weight combined, with about a half tank of fuel, is 4480.lbs.  So anyway, that being said, in the next year or 2 I will probably be selling my boat.  It has the 260hp merc i/o in it, and plenty of storage.  We hope to make it to the Minnesota meet this year.

Terry

[CVX Fever]

Good advice to go open bow. I used my first 2 boats for watersports and OB is the only way to go. I would guess w/4 kids you are doing some of that.
You could also spend some time looking through the years sections and find a few boats you like based on size, layout, amenities and styling. I think all those marketing brochures available online are an excellent resource.

Terry - Disc brakes on boats trailers are the only way to go!