New/non boat owner questions

[Alaskan-fisherman]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum, hoping to become a regular member. I'm looking at a 28ft Carver Montego - if my research is correct it is a Montego 528. This would make me a new boat owner, I have little boating experience and no one in my life who does, so I'm doing research in hopes of making an informed decision.

I'm interested in input on this boat: good things as well as downsides and things to consider. The boat would be used primarily as a fishing/hunting vessel in the Cook Inlet of Alaska (halibut fishing, crabbing, deer hunting, etc). It is being sold for $25,000 (including some fishing gear). There are 938 hours total on the engines, according to the seller it has a 570 inboard and a Volvo Penta outboard. We'd likely want to take it out on reasonable days, I'm not interested in getting into 10ft seas, but it would need to be able to handle changing weather (as can be expected in Alaska).

Would you folks be willing to offer opinions, both good and bad, about this? What things do I need to know? What questions do I need to ask? Is the price reasonable if the boat is in decent shape

 

[Concerto]

Welcome to the YBW forum.

This forum is mainly UK based and I very much doubt anyone knows anything about a Carver Montego as it not built on our side of the pond.. You might get a better response from the motor boat section of this forum.

A quick serch on Google suggests the price may be expensive but it does depend on the engine(s) fitted and the year it was built. You may find being in Alaska may make secondhand boats more expensive or cheaper than mainland USA. as there is such a limited market compared to other more temperate states. I did find a review of the boat here. https://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1992/Carver-Yachts/MONTEGO-528/10033738

 

[William_H]

As said this forum is primarily a UK boating forum. So while boats are essentially the same, location differences mean advice from one person may not be applicable to you.
As I have said before the really big decision to make is to whether to become a boat owner at all. Here at 32 degrees south one might describe conditions as perfect for pleasure boating yet it seems to me 90% of new boat owners have made a bad decision re becoming a boat owner. This is proved by the way boats are not used and left on a mooring wasting money and deteriorating. Yet of course this forum is made up of people who do love boating and their boats. I have had mine for 40 years with no regrets.
I can only suggest you look closely at boating in Alaska, consider where you will moor it or keep it/launch it and where you will go boating.
Certainly around here it is a buyers market (always will be as people discover they have made a mistake) so keep looking for a bargain. Accept that no boat will be perfect and even if it is it will soon need maintenance. good luck ol'will

 

[pragmatist]

You could also try the cruisersforum.com. They have a power boat section and the majority of users seem to be your side of the Atlantic. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[scottie]

Very similar post here not that long ago
worth checking?

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I would echo the advice given above, but would also suggest that you get some training, see uspowerboating.com for instance, and also have a look at the USCG website.
I have found that many intending motorboat owners assume that because a boat has an engine and a steering wheel, driving it could not be much different to driving a car, but it could not be more different and there is a lot to learn.
Some research about boating in the Pacific NW on US websites might also inform your decisions . Good Luck!

 

[ashtead]

Being a UK boat owner the first time I saw reference to a Carver was on a utube video by NautiStyles so someone like that might be a useful source of info for the OP however the conditions might be slightly different as well as facilities etc.

 

[ltcom]

Have you been to sea with others to experience it firstly? I am guessing you have. If not, do so first if possible would be my opinion. You don't want to spend money and then find after a few months you don't enjoy it as much as you thought you would. Good luck.