mptrimshop

Just for discussion sake, those of you that have started out small and moved to big. What size to you consider small? I know bigger boats are harder to handle, but couldn't the argument be made that conditions affect the little guys a lot more? What size do you think is a good one to start out at to "get in the game"?

Uncle Dave

They both have their challenges.

Docking and maneuvering a twin is much easier in close quarters than a single.

Where do you boat and what kind of boating do you intend to do?

What is your tow vehicle or are you intending to slip your boat?



UD

ICDEDPPL

On the big boy lake the 25 AT was a full time job to drive as I would any 25' boat would be..Calmer water at 80mph it would chine walk, I didn`t know how to get out of it except slow down .. kinda scary.
The 33 Outlaw was like going from a Jeep to a Cadillac. You don`t have to do much except sit and relax.
38Cig. is just another step up in handling bigger water ability.

On Lake Michigan size is your friend. I`d say 30' minimum.

Now getting around towing, filling with gas, etc, I~d say 18' is perfect.. nice single axle trailer oh yeah

CIG3

That is a very loaded question. You have to ask yourself, what speeds, what conditions will you be running in. As the last post from ICDEDPPL said. A 25' at 80 in flat water is a handful. A 25' in 3-4' chop is a handful but a lot of fun if by yourself or a buddy for a few minutes. In the 30-35 range the fun level in the flat is alittle more because you wont have to drive as hard. In the rough the fun level in 3-4's is much better for all.

My opinion if you want a good Great Lakes boat. That you will take out in not the best conditions some days. Find something with a little weight. 30-33 Scarab, 28-35 Cigarette, 28-33 Powerplay even a 32 Baja wouldn't be a bad first boat.

glassdave

Any boat smaller then the one i currently have i consider "small". . . . . I have a 38 Scarab so i consider a 377 Scarab as well as a 42 Fountain small . . . .

Black Baja

Docking hands down is much easier with a longer boat with twins. As far as big water running... That all depends on the hull I can think of a 27 I'd much rather be in 100mph in 3&5's than some 30-40' boats. Hull design and setup mean everything when you start going fast.

SB

Definately a loaded question as many people can't drive a car, and all boats are tougher than a car.

Edit in: Quickly thinking, a 22ft-25ft single would be the best to learn. One with easy access to the bow and stern (for the oh schit moments) preferred. ie: backing up/turning with current and/or wind especially in tight docks.

Nate5.0

Depends wants and needs in the boat. Both come with a challenge in one way or another.

I for one can not wait to move back down. 35/36' is too much boat for what I do. I know I will lose some handling in the rough but coming down to 28-30 area and twins will make life much easier on me.

F-2 Speedy

I started with a 2550 Arriva, then a Baja 272, then a 33 Outlaw, then a 38 Top gun, then another 38 Top gun, I use to boat all day long in the small one's, now I just work on them.

Edit: I think it takes more skill to handle the big'ens,

ziemer

I think the smaller boats you get a much better feeling on how the boat reacts and what input is needed to correct where the larger boats it's much easier to get complacent. Learning in my 20' Allison makes driving my 30 a piece of cake. But if you were to start in my 30 and go down to my Allison, you'd swear something was wrong with the Allison. A lot of guys will sat the same regarding a 24' Skater compared to the bigger ones when it comes to cats.