Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

[willbaker13]

We are looking to purchase a used boat and are searching for unbiased opinions as my wife and I differ. Here are the boats we have narrowed our search down to:

2001 Sea Ray 230 Sun Deck $19,000 engine Merc 320hp
2000 Sea Ray 210 Sun Deck $17,000 engine Merc 240hp
2004 Sea Ray 220 Sun Deck $22,000 engine Merc 5.0 liter

2003 Four Winns 200 Horizon $19,000 engine VP 270hp
2003 Four Winns 210 Horizon $17,000 engine VP 270hp

We're looking for a family boat that we can spend the day on (lake) with two kids, and potential friends, skiing, tubing, etc. Smooth ride, quick to plane, good fit/finish/quality. Both builders have plus/minus. Please let us know your thoughts!

Thanks,

 

[oops!]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

where are you? those prices seem kinda high for a 2000 ish boat.....

over 21 feet you want a higher hp motor.....

vp drives are the best.

if you are not intamately framilliar with boat construction....hire a good marine surveyor.....


both of the boats.....ray and 4 winns....are very good boats.....high resale....so its a coin toss. lake test them all

what you want to buy is up to you.....what do you like and what do you dislike........

really examine the reasons you want a boat....for example if you want to fish once in a while....a ciggarette boat may not be your best choice...it will help you narrow down the features you want

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

agree but i prefer the volvo drive. i have a 5.7 SX drive, 23ft chris craft deckboat.

 

[Labman]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

"vp drives are the best."

Doesn't vp stand for Volvo-Penta?
If so I agree 100% with oops.

 

[willbaker13]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

We are located in MA. The listed prices are what the buyers currently have listed as their sale price but I am counting on talking them down - but both are on the low end of the NADA book values. I think we have narrowed our choices down to

2001 Sea Ray 230 Sun Deck $19,000 engine Merc 320hp

or

2003 Four Winns 210 Horizon $17,000 engine VP 270hp

I like the layout of the Sea Ray 230 and the bigger engine and my wife likes the Four Winns. Everything I read say's the VP would be the engine choice if given the option. I think I can sway my wife if I can convince her the Merc is just as good (or close) as the VP - or am I way off?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

the VP outdrive is much more user friendly for repairs. and 4 winns make a compareable boat as far as quality imho. it will take the extra 50 hp, to push that extra 2 feet of boat, i don't think you will see much performance difference. besides if the wife is not happy, no one is.

 

[willbaker13]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

My wife is driving me crazy. It took me a while to talk her into a boat now she can't decide on which one. Here are her latest choices:

2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon $29,000 VP280hp/dp engine

2009 Four Winns H220 $36,000 VP300hp engine

The dealer on the 2009 says he is coming down in price from around $56k. Normally I would say that newer is better, but I have to admit that I like the idea of the extra 2ft.

What are your thoughts on a 24ft boat with the 280hp engine? Does the dual prop really make that much difference? Or is the 280hp underpowered to push a 24ft boat with 5-6 people and skier? I don't know that much about dual props so any insight is appreciated. I just want my wife to make a decision. THANKS!

 

[tmh]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

You really need to look at boat weights and hull design to determine if those are properly powered or not. The 2009 230 may be about the same as the 2005 220 .... boats have gotten longer recently without getting any bigger! Check the weight of any and post back.

That said, you're on the weak end of power for a true 23-24' boat for what you want to do, IMO.

btw, your wife seems to be making lots of sense not rushing into anything! Lots of boats out there!

If you plan to have a mechanic do some/all the engine work, still way more Mercruiser mechanics than VP I think. Just food for thought. Merc drives are fine, btw, I'd bet even those who posted favoring VP would agree that you shouldn't be afraid of mercruiser.....right guys?

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

Looks like not only did you talk her into buying a boat you talked her into upping the budget a good bit. You're my hero.

 

[willbaker13]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

The boat weight for the 2005 230 is 4290lbs and the 2009 220 is 3790lbs. The dealer selling the 230 is saying the dual prop makes up for not having the bigger engine - is that bogus or...I don't know much about the benefits of dual props.

Obviously the 220 with the 300hp engine should suffice...

We appreciate all the feedback/insight!

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

i would buy the one with best compression, cleanest oil and engine bay. also one that you vehicle can safely pull

 

[mthieme]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

Unfortunately, I am biased.
I own a Searay.

 

[willbaker13]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

Update - We purchased the 2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon. We liked how quickly it got up on plane, with the dual prop 280hp engine, and the extra two feet made a difference in how it handled compared to the smaller 22 ft Horizon. I am still hesitant about having 5-6 people in boat and pulling a skier but only time will tell...

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Purchasing Used Boat - Decision Help

Congratulations - We need pictures!!!