Advice for a Rookie

[sychan29]

Hello all,

Thanks for a great forum…as a newbie, I’ve done my homework and learned a lot of the past few months, but getting ready to pull the trigger and I still have a few Qs. I want something manageable and affordable (who knows where boating will take me in a few years) and something I can handle. Boat will be used almost exclusively on a large lake for a little skiing and lots of hanging out on the water. I’ve read up on the Bayliners and heard about past problems, but they seem to have been rectified so I think I am going to go with the 185. Certainly not the top of the line, but a good starter, I think.

I’ve settled on new for the first boat….do I still need a surveyor if I am buying new? Or will the warranty pretty much take care of things for me.

(Car and boat dealers) all seem to be pretty good about giving me prices over email. How much room do I have to negotiate from there given the boat and the time of year? I’m in Virginia and will likely buy this week or next? Should I shop around for any 2006 models? They seem to be available.

Thanks again to everyone

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

I would think on a new 2006 model you should be able to negotiate the price down a good bit.Plus you would still get full warranty. If its new i wouldnt worry about a surveyor.

Welcome aboard!!

 

[QC]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Welcome to iboats sychan29!!

I agree with Gary, but also wanted to make one more plea to you to consider a used boat. I guarantee that within one season you will:

a) have a much better idea of what you want

b) hit enough stuff that you will wish you had started with something that a ding here and a ding there won't break your heart . . .

c) be way ahead on $ due to the combination of a and b.

I know the warranty sounds good, but the biggest expenses are going to be maintenance anyway, so if it is either a reasonable deal and/or the power package has been well maintained by the previous owner, I think you will be way ahead . . .

Good luck, either way, be prepared for a lifetime obsession

 

[mike176]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

QC is right. you should start out with a used boat. you could look into something like a used whaler or maybe a keywest. If you buy something just a few years older thats no wood consruction you will enjoy it just as well, if not better then a new boat. My boss just sold his 93 keywest and to be hoest it really looked fresh off the lot. if i was you i would look into something around 00-01.oyster bars, rocks, stumps, or floating loggs could make you feel sick when you look at that brand new boat. i tell ya my first boat went trough hell befor i started gettin it right.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Besides, down there in Virginia, your new boat is going to be sitting in the driveway 75% of the time (depreciating) and be used 25% of the time if that, but the notes must be paid 100% of the time. Used is the better way to go.

 

[KCook]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

If the boat (any boat) has a 3L motor (135hp) then try to get the power steering option. That is standard on the V6 motors (and bigger).

Kelly Cook

 

[troypolla]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

I found my 05 with 15 hrs on it. Just keep your eye out and you will find that perfect boat for you. Its worth taking your time and making a well informed decision. Plus you will be way ahead on notes if you want to upgrade in 2-3 years.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Another nice boat to check out in this price range is the Glastron. They are made of a solid mold, have 100% no-wood construction, fiberglass deck (with snap in carpet option makes for easy cleanup), and a 10 year warranty. They are fairly simple in design with very little "frilly" accessories/trim that breaks/cracks/fades in entry level boats. I think they all come with Volvo power.

 

[tmh]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Well, I certainly took others advise and went with a used boat - glad I did for all the reasons mentioned above. After a few years I may upgrade, but to tell the truth, i like my boat just fine it turns out. So put me in the "buy used" camp.

Either way, get a boat big enough and with enough power. The leftover new boats are usually the underpowered ones they have in the showroom to bait and switch to a more expensive one with enough power. Too little power makes for lousy family boating IMO.

Also, if you're on a large lake, you may wish you had a bigger boat than te 185 (18' right?) mentioned. Again, used brings a bigger boat into the price range of new/smaller boat! A BIG selling point for buying used.

One thing I discovered trying to make a buying decision is that I was looking at used boats like I'd look at used cars - 4 to 5 years old is "past it's prime". After getting educated a bit, I realized that because boat engines see so much less use than cars, they can be running absolutely perfectly even 8-10 years old. The condition of the interior/exterior is something you can see, and if well cared for can be close to new also - VERY close in some cases. Yet, boats depreciate very fast the first 5 years! Well-cared for used boats are just a great deal.

I agree with the person who said look at Glastron for the lower cost boats. I don't know how far back you can go with Glastron and get the quality they have today, but I sure liked their boats at a recent boat show compared to the other lower end 20' types. No they aren't Searay or Cobalt - but they are pretty nice for 1/2 the price!

Good luck.

 

[sychan29]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I certainly understand the positives to buying used...maybe I need to do a little more thinking.

Either way, I appreciate the input and am looking forward to it.

 

[arthat]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Welcome sychan29,

I have bought used and new. I figured new would mean all will be 100% correct with the boat. Turned out that to get the boat the way I wanted it took additional time and $$ The used boat I bought needed total overhauling and I ended up spending more than if I went new. That was an extreme case however as it needed everything. You should be able to locate a boat 2-3 yrs. old in terrific condition at a significantly lower price than new. Just as shiny too. Whatever you choose, let us know and again, welcome!

Successful Boating,

Art

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

If buying used (regardless of age), make darned sure you get an on-the-water test run. Taking someones word that its in excellent shape or it just needs a little TLC generally means it needs much more. And just so you know - as someone so aptly put it,
B-O-A-T stands for bust out another thousand. d
One more consideration is the tow vehicle. Make sure what you buy can be safely towed with your tow vehicle.

 

[hal2814]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

I'll also have to jump in the "buy used" camp. I can't even count the number of times I did something stupid in my first year of boat ownership and thought, "Glad I didn't do that to a nice boat."

 

[tmh]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

If buying used (regardless of age), make darned sure you get an on-the-water test run. Taking someones word that its in excellent shape or it just needs a little TLC generally means it needs much more.

While I agree with the advise of taking a test drive, I'd say this is more to make sure the boat handles like you want. I disagree that when buying a late model used boat you have to assume the seller isn't telling you the true condition - most do, AND it's easy to tell a well cared for boat from one that is't. If it's less than 5 year old, as i expect you are looking for, it should look pretty much like new. That's pretty simple. then have a mechanical survey done as a contingency for the deal.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

i've seen pretty looking boats rotten as hell.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

i've seen pretty looking boats rotten as hell.

I've seen girls like that too!

I like new boats.

 

[sychan29]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Thanks again everyone for the advice. It's is all valuable. Wish me luck.

 

[cgBosun3]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

My 2 cents worth:
Amen to a recent used boat. Let someone else pay the depreciation while you enjoy the ride! What if it turns out that the model/features you thought were just what you wanted were not such great choices for you? Maybe after a few trips you find you can't get by without a cuddy cabin and head? What if you find fishing is now a consuming passion? You will find bowriders make lousy fishing platforms and those pretty cushions don't look so good with rusty fish hooks stuck in them!
Go for a recent, well-maintained used boat and don't sweat the learning curve so much! Save the difference in price/payments for your next "perfect" boat!!!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

Great advice so far. Boats are like motorcycles and other toys. People sometimes buy them and then let them sit in the driveway for years before admitting they made a mistake and sell it. That's good news for you! With a little patience you'll find a great gently used boat in like new condition for $$$$ less than you'd pay new. In fact, you'll probably get a better boat than you could afford new (speaking for myself anyway). Like was said above, a boat that's been cared for is very easy to spot. Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[woodchip]

Re: Advice for a Rookie

used can be great if you can find what you want.
I got a fantastic deal on my truck.But for my boat itwas a whole different story.aluminum boats are not popular here.So to get the type,style and outboard configuration I wanted,I ended up with a new boat that was old stock at a dealer.
Because I shopped around for three years for a used boat,I knew what i wanted.So far our new boat has fit us perfectly.And because it was new I did 2 % better on the interest rate.
A used boat would have been a better deal but there is nothing wrong with a new boat if you choose wisely