Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

[Lodger]

Option one:

1995 Glastron 17 1/2 FT. BOW RIDER,120HP MOTOR

BOAT IS IN PRISTEEN CONDITION FOR YEAR,TOTAL OF 40HRS. ON MOTOR AND BOAT.THIS IS ORIGINAL TIME.NO SALT WATER USAGE.BOUGHT FOR USE WITH KIDS,THEY ARE GROWN UP AND GONE.USED ONCE IN LAST 4 YEARS. INCLUDES,LIFE JACKETS,ROPE,FENDERS,FIRE EXTING.,AND ANCHOR.HAS BIMI TOP,AND BOW CANVAS.TILT MOTOR CONTROLS,FULL GUAGES.120 HP MERCURY (FORCE) MOTOR.REGULARLY SERVICED,AND WITERIZED.CRUISE ALL WEEKEND AT 30MPH AND 20GAL. FUEL. WITH TEEL/BLUE ACCENTS.

Option two:

19.5 ' Bayliner Classic, 130hp Merc Outdrive

Boat is a 1992 but has only 198 hrs. Until I bought it, the boat was shrink wrapped and in storage for several years in Eastern Washington.
Includes just about every option there is:
2 downriggers with weights
Sunbrella
Water skis
New large tow tube
Galvanized trailer with bearing buddies and new tires
Fish finder
Anchor, bumpers, lines etc.
Never been in salt water


I will basically be using it for hanging out, a little wakeboarding or tubing. I don't really care too much about the engine sizes being on the smaller end. Any concerns about the Force? I've read a few things on here, but don't know enough to know if I should stay away.

Thanks for your help!

 

[zach103]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

i thik it all comes down to what one you like better. and with the kids gone what one is best for just you and the wife to relax and doo the other things you like.

 

[Lodger]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Thanks for the reply. I actually don't have kids yet, each of those two summaries are copy and pasted from the original adds.

 

[cordell]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

I have a 15 foot Glaston trihull with a Force 85 horse on it, boat goes 34 mph on a twisted river. I have yet to clock it on a wide open lake. Anyway Force is all about how it was treated, the motor is a entry level motor and most who bought them didnt know what or how to maintain a motor, thus a bad name. I love my motor and boat. I wouldnt mind having a Johnson but for now I dont need one. The Force motor seems to be strong all day long, no power loss after a hard ride. Dont make your choice off of words though takem out for a ride, and most important talk the price down! lol

cordell

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

All else being equal.. Tough call.

The 3.0l would largely be regarded as too small for a 19.5'. If it was 17' that would be a different picture.

The Force is something I would also look away from, but if the choice is one or the other, I would have to go for the 95 with the force. Better fit of the power package. If the force barfs you can always strap something else on it. With the 19.5' with the 3.0l, you will not be able to change the powerplant and mostly likely will be unhappy with the performance.

Thats my perspective..

 

[Lodger]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Would the 3.0L be to small on the 19 even if we aren't going to be skiing?

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Too small is really a subjective determination. But in my opinion yes.. I owned a 17' with the 3.0l and was very happy. It was very economical and easy to work on. I could ski or tube and carry a boat full.

But with the load I would normally carry I had to prop it down to ensure it was operating in its perfered band and would plane quickly. My to speed was high thirties.

On the 19.5' you could only get worse than that. You may br satisfied if it is only you and another person, but my guess is that is not the normal load.

 

[erlindbl]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

I think you will find the Bayliner to be way underpowered. I would go for the Glastron with the Outboard. The performance will be much better. The 17 1/2 foot boat with the 120 HP outdrive will perform well for wakeboarding and tubing. You will probably drag a little if your a single slalom skiier. It is a much smaller boat than the Bayliner, and with power to weight ratio, you will find the Force gives you more performance than the Merc even if they were on the same boat.

Take them both for a test drive.... Also, I didn't see anything about price. Are they similiar....

 

[Lodger]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Sorry, I thought the prices were in the headlines. The Bayliner is $4750 and the Glastron is $5500. What are your thoughts on those prices?

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

For 13 and 16 year old boats with mediocre power plants, I would say too high. I would keep looking in my opinion. You can come up with better power/boat combos for $5k.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

personally, i would pass on both of them. there are and will be better boats, and deals.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Between the two I would go with the Glastron,even with a Force just because of the better name, Bayliner has alot of negative mojo attached to it.
With only 40 hours I don't see how you can go wrong.
Agree with everyone else about the deal aspect, with the economy like it is there a million boats for sale, but between the two, the Glastron.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

I was leaning towards the Glastron because of the outboard until I heard the prices. I wouldn't buy either one unless you can get the Glastron closer to $3000-3500.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

For hanging around and boarding, the smaller boat will be better fitted.
The bigger will cruiser better, but that is not what you are looking to do
with it.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Don't think you can ever go wrong with buying a Glastron as long as the price is right and looking down the road it would be much easier to repower if needed than the Bay, simpler to maintain too!

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

pass on both and look for a better deal.. at $5,500 i would use that as a down payment on a brand new boat..

 

[salty87]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

used once in the last 4 years and barely used at all in 16 years are kinda scary

 

[Lodger]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Thanks for all of the replies. I hear what everyone is saying about the price and better deals. But I have been on Craigslist and Boattrader for several weeks and prices here in Seattle seem to be higher than what others on this board around the country would expect to pay.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

Thanks for all of the replies. I hear what everyone is saying about the price and better deals. But I have been on Craigslist and Boattrader for several weeks and prices here in Seattle seem to be higher than what others on this board around the country would expect to pay.

I've noticed that both boats and vehicles are more expensive in the PNW area than in other parts of the U.S, particularly the south and midwest. So locally that is probably about on par with what is out there in the immediate Seattle area.
That said, how far are you willing to drive to get a deal? Have you searched the Spokane Craigslist? or Nevada? Maybe combine a weekend in Reno or Vegas? (not that this would save you money...hmmmm) Perhaps for a longer days drive you can knock a couple of thou' off your price? Have you searched all of the Washington States craigslist...I think there are quite a few.
Most importantly is not to rush. Get an clear idea of the range of want you want so you don't 'wander' in your search pattern. Get a good idea of price and budget and then be diligent and consistent. When you get a few 'hits' within those requirements set yourself up for success by getting a test plan ready for when you look at the boat. ie: compression test, floor check, history, maintenance records, measure the owner/house/neighbourhood a bit, etc. Again, be patient....its a buyers market.
Good luck and keep us posted.
BP

 

[Jerico]

Re: Help me decide between these two...quickly (please)

If you buy the Force, get it serviced by a qualified mechanic if you don't know much about it. Most importantly make sure the water pump is replaced. Low hours does NOT mean it doesn't need a water pump. That painful lesson cost me having to buy a motor long before I intended to...

I have a 17.5' with the 3.0. Great motor, amazingly durable and fuel economy. As has already been said, I have to switch props if I'm going to pull a skier. 19' with a 3.0 is going to be ok for just cruising with a couple of people in the boat. Speed and/or play it is going to be a dog.

Be sure on both boats to check the deck (floor) and transom areas for weak spots.