u/-good-squishy-

I’m looking to buy my first boat. Loads of boating experience but I’ve not bought one before. I see some nice options on the second hand market, but I’m dubious about 30+ year old boats.

I’m looking at Tugs and Trawlers between 25-30’. I know the motor and engine hours are key and I intend to have a pro survey the boats condition for me. I’m planning to take her around the loop and the general Hudson/New England area. It’ll stay in a slip or up on blocks covered but outside.

Given the above, is it unrealistic to think that a 30+ year old boat would get me 10+ years? 20+? Is it immediately unsellable due to its age? What’s the cut off? How old have YOU gone and how long do you keep em’ before you sell for something new?

E.g: on BT, there’s quite a few late ‘60s-70s Bertram 28’/31’ for around 50-70$k. They look great but they’re 50+ year old boats, is that foolish to buy off someone?

There’s a 1985 sundowner tug for $75k but that’s still older than myself!

A ‘96 Nordic Tug 26’ sold for $120k, massive price difference, still 30 y/o.

I’m not sure how to reason about boat age and longevity and would love some advice from you all. Especially appreciative of input from Tug/Trawler/similar owners.

Hello, so I’m very close to having decided to buy a boat. I’m interested in Ranger or Nordic Tugs, Trawler’s like the Marine Trader DC 34, Rosboroughs. 25-30 feet max.

My vision is a wee holiday home for use at weekends and holidays from NYC. I’m planning to house it with some combo of in season Marina and off season up on blocks. I hope to use it up and down the Hudson, Erie Canal, Up to Mystic and the Loop.

I’m an experienced sailor and am very comfortable on the water. River boats on the Shannon my whole early life, sailing up to 42 mono/dual hulls in Europe and the Americas.

I’m not considering sailing boats because space, a boxy layout and comfort, comfort, comfort are critical for convincing my wife to join me as much as I’d like. We also have a lab sized dog.

We’re getting ready to say goodbye to our 30s so we’re fit and capable with no special accommodations needed but a bit weary and not looking for the hostel/rough accommodation of our 20s and 30s.

I’m looking for input from you all on boat types, makers, dealers, favorite production years and maybe some expectation setting. As I understand it, it is a buyers market right now(?) (I’m reasonably well aware of the on going running costs, so let’s not get distracted there)

Let’s say my ceiling is $100k cash for just the boat. I don’t know what I don’t know and I’d love some input from you all regarding boats worth considering that reasonably meets this criteria.

I’m planning a 10 day, self guided trip with three mates to celebrate a 40th in 2027. Our group has mixed experience of American waters.

Our experience:
1 x ASA certified skipper (lots of experience sailing all over Europe, 3 seasons experience sailing Sausalito and New York. Open sea sailing, catamarans, motorboats, jet skis, windsurfing, river kayaking (In Ireland and Sweden)

Another person spent two summers guiding rapid trips in Northern California and as my brother has shared in much of my experience but has not pursued any accreditation or licensing and has not sailed in the US at all.

I’m not certain of the experience level of the other two but for arguments sake let’s say little to modest. They have participated in some kayaking, sailing, camping as friends but they’re not necessarily hobbies of their own.

I know the limits of my experience and am looking to the community for help in steering me in the right direction given the composition of my party.

I envision a
* Point to point, fully self supported
* Camping by or near or sleeping on the boat most nights
* Clear warm water, morning swims are non-negotiable
* Dark skies, dramatic landscape, feeling genuinely small
* Campfire cooking, cold beer, some fishing

I’m interested in the communities take on:
* What won’t we find on any website
* What would you suggest instead and why
* What do you wish someone had told you before your first American trip

Also genuinely open to being redirected entirely.

I’m planning a 10 day, self guided trip with three mates to celebrate a 40th in 2027. Our group has mixed experience on the water and modest experience specifically on American rivers and lakes.

Our experience:
1 x ASA certified skipper (lots of experience sailing all over Europe, 3 seasons experience sailing Sausalito and New York. Open sea sailing, catamarans, motorboats, jet skis, windsurfing, river kayaking (In Ireland and Sweden)

Another person spent two summers guiding rapid trips in Northern California and as my brother has shared in much of my own experience but has not pursued any accreditation or licensing and has not sailed in the US at all.

I’m not entirely certain of the experience level of the other two of my party. For arguments sake, let’s say little-some. Participated as friends but not hobbies of their own.

I know the limits of my experience and am looking to the community for help in steering me in the right direction given the composition of my party.

I envision:
* Point to point, fully self supported, downstream with the current
* Camping by or near the river most nights
* Clear (warm ideally) water, morning swims are non-negotiable
* Dark skies, dramatic landscape, feeling genuinely small
* Campfire cooking, cold beer, some fishing

I’m working my way through MyCCR but would love some direct tips. My own googling and prompting has come up with the below:

* Lower Salmon, Idaho. Dramatic canyon scale, dark skies, permit lottery required
* Buffalo National River, Arkansas. Beautiful bluffs, clear water, rainfall dependent
* Current River, Missouri. Spring fed, reliable water, quieter than Buffalo
* Eleven Point River, Missouri. Spring fed, most solitude of the Ozark options
* New River, West Virginia. Dramatic gorge scenery, reliable water, closest to the east coast

I’m interested in the communities take on:
* What won’t we find on any website
* What would you suggest instead and why
* What do you wish someone had told you before your first American river trip

Also genuinely open to being redirected entirely.