Bought our first boat, any advice???

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Volffas

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Hello all, we just bought our first boat. It is a 1989 Carver Montego 2157. I have been peeking in on the Carver forum for the past couple of weeks thinking about buying the Carver that we ended up with. I look forward to speaking with everyone and getting our boat into tip top shape. If anyone has any advice I would love to hear it. My wife and I have two daughters ages 8 and 2 and they are just as excited as us to hit the water this spring. The picture attached is the first night that we brought the boat home two weeks ago and my daughter standing in front of it. We have already started to clean it up a bit and have got all of the ropes etc off of the front of it. We paid a whopping $2500 for it. It is in pretty rough shape on the outside and as you can see in the picture will need bottom paint and new seats before we launch her. But the interior is almost perfect. Happy boating!
032.jpg
 
For that price if it floats it's a good deal :) No joke, enjoy the fun of being on the water. If your first boat, take the boater safety course & get the required safety gear. Then if not already done, I'd get a survey of the boat & engine before taking any family cruise - Safety first. You don't want to be stuck who knows where before you know the important safety gear in on board. If cost is a factor, maybe a friend who knows boats can review your purchase for safety? Off the top some things such as Bilge pump, Anchor & line (not listed on safety gear but very important if your motor craps out) through hull fittings in good condition, fuel lines, bilge fans, spark arrestor, VHF Radio, tank or fuel leaks, steering cables etc . The key is to make the first few trips around very uneventful with the wife. If she feels safe & enjoys it it's all fun & downhill. If she feels unsafe or alarmed your boating days are over. Start right :)
 
It will end up being a very nice boat for you...probably the biggest 21 footer ever. I see it came from Ohio...what part? What engine package does it have? I think my dealership may have sold it.
 
Thank you for all of the great advice so far. I agree if my wife doesn't feel safe in it, our boating days will be over. Can anyone tell me what the average survey should cost? We bought the boat in Cincinnati from the second owner, the first was the guy's niece who bought it new. Not sure where they bought it back then. It has a 5.7L Mercruiser. We are already in love with the boat. I agree that it is a HUGE boat for being 21ft. I would also be interested in knowing what the boat sold for new in 1989. I have the original owners manual and was hoping to find the sticker price in there but I did not. Thanks again.
 
Tanqueray...start eating...2157 Carver...hull length, 21 ft. LOA on the other hand...a bit more. Volffas, it sold new in the mid to upper 20's...it sold reasonably well, and will be quite fast with the 5.7L
 
Congratulations on your first boat! It is always so exciting to get on the water in your very own boat. Here are a couple of websites which will provide lots of valuable information.

http://boatsafe.com/
http://www.uscgboating.org/

I also recommend you and your family [get a sitter for the baby] take a boating class. You will learn a lot more in a setting where others are asking and answering questions! Find a free class near you: http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/courses.htm

The best way to learn what equipment your boat requires and what is recommended is to have a safety inspection. These are also free. Go here to find one near your boat: http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/

And of course keep coming back here to ask any questions and get lots of excellent advise! That is the purpose of this website and it does it very well. Welcome aboard!
 
First thing is to make sure the kids understand that they will always be wearing a PFD. After that look at all of the safety gear you are required to carry by your state and look at the coast guard website Flutterby put up. All in all congratulations and hope you love it.
 
Okayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.............I'll get my Chainsaw out to make the bites more manageable.

Meanwhile...Where does it say it's a 2157? Post the Serial Number.
 
Tanq...I can tell by looking at it that it's a 2157, but Volffas, please post the hull number so I can decifer it for everyone.
 
Sure does look huge for a 21 footer. Maybe it's a relly small kid!
 
According to the manual the serial number is CDRB5126L889. Not sure if that is the same as the hull number or not. I did happen to look on the Carver website and download the Specification sheet for the 1989 Montego 21 and it lists the length including the integrated swim platform as 22'11" and the Overall length with the swim platform and bow pulpit 24'9". It does say in small letters on the second page of the spec sheet under construction that the hull length is 21'.

Does anyone know if painting the bottom of the boat is something that I might be able to do without any special equipment? Also what kind of paint should I buy, where could I get it, and how much would it cost?

I would still like to know if anyone has an idea of what a survey might cost me.

Thanks for all of the great advice so far.
 
Volffas, congrats on your new boat. Get all systems checked out before leaving marina. Minimal crew first time; no kids; too many distractions for new skipper in unfamiliar craft. Try to find experiaced boater(s) you trust to go with you. Practice manuvering especially in and out of marina/slip. An experiaced captain showed me how to operate my new boat (Carver) for 4 hours, and it was well worth it. Think of what your recovery plan will be as your think of things that could go wrong. Be safe then take familiy. Congrats again.
 
Looks Great! Give it a good Christening with some fine sudds and Take Care. Have Fun.
 
"CDRB5126L889" Here's the breakdown:

CDR - Carver

B - 21 ft

5 - Montego

126 - hull number (126th one made at the Pulaski location, not made in North Carolina as some Montegos were)

L8 - Made December of 1988

89 - 1989 Model Year

Tanq...Definately a 21...start eating!
 
Well allrighty then. I guess a trip to Kentucky is in order. I need a vacation anyways. Shall I bring the Chainsaw or will you be supplying it?
 
I'll give you a pass on the lunch as Volffas just bought the boat and hasn't even used it yet...we'll check with him next year :-)
 
Congratulations on your new boat, Volffas! The 2157 is a fine model, one of the biggest 21s
ever made and a fine boat. What powerplant is in it???

Oh and Gary, you're gonna get indigestion from all that Fiberglass [:-mischievous]!!!
 
Please don't cut up my boat just yet. Like RamSport47 said, at least give me a shot at using it this summer. I might be posting later on for someone to come and cut it up, but not just yet.

PBardunias, it has a 5.7L Mercruiser in it.
 
You'll have more friends and family now than you ever thought possible
 
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