Choosing new boat issues

[lovetoboat33]

Hello all,<br /><br />First may I say that your advice has proved to be invaluable throughout my search for a boat. It has led me to many brands I never knew existed, but along with that has caused some further confusion on which boat to choose. My needs are pretty straightforward, but I wanted to post to become familiar with more people on the site and to see if anyone can provide some further information my way on which boat to select. <br /><br />My family consists of my wife, two dogs, and myself. We will most likely use the boat for watersports, cruising, beach camping, and from time to time I could see boat camping. This will be our first boat, and we were trying to stay around 20ft as we have fairly large family members that will be with us alot. We have bounced back and forth between deck boats and bowriders, leaning more towards the bowriders because of price. We are trying to stay right around 40k, but every 20ft bowrider we have checked out and have liked tends to be in the mid 40s. We have looked at Caravelles, Larson, SeaRay, Crownline, Regal, Larson, Glastron, Bayliner, Four Winns, Tahoe, Monterey, Chaparral, and Ebbtides. <br /><br />I am hoping to get something that will last for a few years, and can be used for multiple purposes. I would say that we liked the Regal, Caravelle, SeaRay, and the Chaparral thus far. However the price of those boats are a little to much for what we want. Does anyone have any suggestions for another brand worth considering? Should we just spend a little more and get a deck boat? Should we stay patient and just buy used, even though some of the perks of buying new appeal to us? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[rolltrain]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

My wife and I just recently bought our first bought. We had contemplated buying used, but ultimately decided that if we were spending close to 40 grand, we wanted all teh warranty we could get, so we bought a new Sea Ray 220 Select.<br /><br />Just out of curiosity, where do you live? Because 40 g's sounds like a lot for a 20ft'er. Even if it is one of the better brand boats. I have had mine less that 8 months and only paid 36 for it and it is a 23 foot boat with huge power upgrade.<br /><br />Anyway, good luck with your shopping and when you finally find it, it will be a thrill.

 

[KCook]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

Welcome to iboats lovetoboat33 <br /><br />Two dogs, beach camping, and boat camping all add up to a deckboat in my mind.<br /><br />I would expect SeaRay, Crownline, Four Winns, Monterey, and Chaparral to be rather pricey. The only way you are going to dip under Caravelle prices is to look at brands like Bayliner and Glastron. I agree with what rolltrain posted. 20 footers by builders like Caravelle, Larson, Glastron, Bayliner, and Tahoe just should NOT be up in the $40k bracket?!?!? Unless you are not in the US? Of course the obvious way to escape high prices is to buy a used boat instead of new.<br /><br />Here is a long thread on deckboat selection - Looking for a NEW deck boat?? any suggestions? <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

Send your e-mail address to gdelmoro@optonline .net & I can send you a good checklist of questions that are usefull when looking for a new boat.<br /><br />If you're buying a new boat there is a good book by J.P. Lammy "Boating Magazine's Insider's Guide to Buying a Powerboat".

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

I have to guess maybe you're in Canada? I too am confused by the $40K comment if you're in the US.<br /><br />Nonetheless, to further add to your fog I'd recommend checking out Rinker Boats. Lots of features and value for the money in their lineup, with high quality as well.

 

[lovetoboat33]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

Thank you for the quick responses, and I think I am narrowing it down to a couple. I am actually located in Phoenix, AZ. I think I have narrowed it down to the Larson 228 LxI w/ wakebaord tower for 36000 not including tax. I also looked at the SeaRay 200 Sundeck which was 43,000 without tax and wakeboard tower. Perhaps I am not good at negotiating deals, or I am buying to late in the season buying season but I find many dealers unwilling to bend. <br /><br />I am leaning more towards the Larson because for the price we are getting a lot of boat and great features that we have found to be important. I have noticed in my own personal opinion that the SeaRay has much better finishing features in comparison to the Larson, but I can't comprehend the exuberant price difference. Will I be paying to much for a 228 LxI Larson w/ wakeboard tower and a 5.7L Volvo Penta 280 HP motor for 36000 w/o tax??

 

[artburr]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

Lovetoboat33: If you live in Phoenix, what you really need is an air conditioner and a set of golf clubs.

 

[KCook]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

For feature count per $ Larson will win every time. Here is a thread on another site that talks a lot about Larson -<br /><br /> http://www.boatingabc.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/1/2393 <br /><br />Kelly

 

[sybaris2]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

Yep, sounds like you might look more towards deckboats to me too. <br /><br />I narrowed my choices down by looking at floor plans. When I was a kid we had a 17ft tri-hull with a 75hp Johnson hangin' off the back and I did NOT want to have to be climbing over a motor again just to get back in the boat after skiing. Plus I just like the look of an I/O. Deckboats with an I/O seem to be more accessable for a skier especially with a walkthrough transome and swim platform. This may not be true in all cases and some bowriders may offer the same accessability but I wanted room and comfort.<br /><br />I waffled between an 06 Azure AZ200 and 05 Crownline 220EX. I stumbled upon a barely used 220EX that came with a lot more features than the Azure did for the same price, mid 30k's. It might have been used but you can transfer the warranties through Crownline and Merc.

 

[QC]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

My only issue with most deckboats is transom deadrise. If you will encounter rough water with any consisteny I would vie for something with around 20 dgrees in deadrise which knocks out most deckboats, but not all. There are a few that build their "deckboats" on the same deep-v hull as their bowrider. An example is the SeaRay Sundeck.<br /><br />My .02 . . .

 

[KCook]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

QC makes a good point for Lake Mead. The lakes around Phoenix are generally not so rough. Most brands of deckboats are popular here.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[QC]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

Yeah Kelly, I don't think we know where he boats . . . For family comfort I have learned to stick with 20 degrees on almost any lake. You could argue you need 20 degrees plus 25 ft. for Lake Mead.<br /><br />If I was boating alone, it might be another discussion, but a 20 footer . . .

 

[KCook]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

Depends on the family I suppose. Hurricane deckboats are plenty popular here and they are certainly under 20 deg deadrise.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[1achterberg]

Re: Choosing new boat issues

I am with RollTrain, I purchased a new '05' Sea Ray 220 selecet last June, nicely equiped with a galvanized trailer and paid about the same price (acutally we are in the same area so probably the same dealer). I looked at everything from Bayliner to Cobalt, and dealer quality and proximity to my main boating area (Kerr Lake) were ultimately my deciding factors. I also went with the deeper V over the deck boat because I drop in at the coast about twice a year. <br /><br />I would go with the Larson though with that kind of price difference... Pheonix is getting pricey eh... <br /><br />Good luck, and happy boating!!