I've been lurking around this forum for months now, and finally decided to register and contribute. I love the free exchange of ideas and information that forums of any kind provide. I'm a big "modder" of everything I own, so hopefully I can pass on some good ideas and steal some of yours.
The wife and I started out last winter with a "fixer-upper" 1980 Crest 25' toon, We repainted it, tuned it up, reupholstered the seats, etc...and loved it! We named it "Chillaxin' " (Chillin' and Relaxin') Sadly, the framework was rustier than we thought and the right pontoon snapped completely off crossing a really big wake last September. The wife nearly drown as the bow line became tangled around her foot. I had to swim under and save her, and tore my right rotator cuff. Everyone was okay in the end though. Man, what a nightmare!
So instead of being scared away from boating, she said "Stop being cheap--No more fixer-uppers; No more Craigslist crap. I want a brand new boat...and the only things it better need are a coat of wax and the registration stickers!"
HOW CAN A MAN ARGUE WITH THAT?
So we started shopping around, and settled upon a leftover 2014 Sweetwater 2286 Cruise Model. We had a brand new trailer from the old boat, and it was the last 2014 on the lot, so we stole it for a flat $20K out the door. We put 40% down, so our payment is nice and low.
We named it "Chillaxin' II" It is the "base model" but we're more than happy with what it came with!
22' long x 8'6" wide
Seating for 10
Cooler storage under the helm
One table
3 gates
Aft swim ladder
Nice stereo head unit
Plenty of Gauges
Mooring cover and support poles
Yamaha F-70 LA 4-Stroke
Carpet (wish it was vinyl)
Sun deck with pop-up, but no changing room installed. I'm going to fabricate my own.
So far, I've added:
- Stainless steel bimini clips to hook the fenders to
- Porta-Potty
- Faria digital depth gauge that matches the other gauges
- Replaced 2 factory speakers and added 2 more: Fusion 6.5" 2-ways
- Sony add-on XM Satellite radio tuner kit
- Cupholder / Caddy / Armrests from Terry Graber at buycupholders.com--really nice!
Future plans include:
- Bimini Buddy front bimini top
- Under seat LED mood lighting
- 2nd Battery and selector switch
- Full aluminum underskinning
- DIY changing room framework and curtain
- DIY center ottoman / cooler / table for the bow seating
- 8" Subwoofer under helm with amp
- Docking lights
Anyway; glad to be here and look forward to hanging around the forum!
