1st time boater. Help deciding...

[steve_garofalo]

Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to the whole boating scene, and am looking to buy a boat for the summer to have some fun with the family. Always been around water, and have a few previous friends with boats but nothing consistent so i would consider myself completley green when it comes to this topic.

Looking for a smaller (less than 20') boat and think I've narrowed it down to two choices.

1997 Regal 17'
1997 VOLVO PENTA 130HP
Horse Power: 130
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Engine Type: Inboard/Outboard

or a

1990 Bayliner 19'
2.3L OMC COBRA I/O
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Engine Type: Inboard/Outboard

Some friends of mine (also nonboaters so I take it with a grain of salt) said that there were some issues with the older OMC stuff as they are out of business now.. How hard is it to find parts if something goes wrong?

Both boats are similarly priced, and wondering why the bayliner even though it is 2' longer would be priced like that and 9 years older...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Steve....

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

For what its worth..Do yourself a favor and stay away from the OMC product.
Parts are becoming scarce, quickly as well as trained shops that will be able to do your repairs. OMC now means Obsolete Marine Company..lol
Go to the Mercruiser Volvo OMC I/O repair forum and do a search forum on OMC.

Lots of guys have em and keep em going, but these are ols salty guys that have had years of experience..Def not a 1st timers boat...

The Volvo is a much better option, or better in my mind is a Mercruiser set up, plenty of parts and techs avail..from a company still in biz

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to the whole boating scene, and am looking to buy a boat for the summer to have some fun with the family.

Steve, I was in your shoes this fall and purchased the boat you see noted below. However, I think you're going to find the experienced folks on this board will want to know more about your boating needs/desires; how often will you use it, what type of water will you use it on, how many people will be in the boat, what will you be hauling it with (if it's trailered), etc. Otherwise what you find is a bunch of people start offering advice but no one really knows which boat is 99% right for you because they don't know your "situation". Maybe you can fill in the blanks?

Best of luck!

 

[steve_garofalo]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Thanks for the replies so far.

Bit more information,, I can see us using this boat mainly on the weekends, in freshwater inland lakes. We are close enough that the occasional after work trip could be easily done but for the most part it will be weekends and days off, for tubing, skiing and basically crusing around and having fun.

I'll be towing with a Dodge Dakota 2 wheel drive pickup truck.

Hope it helps,

Thanks Steve.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Sounds like a 17'-19' bowrider would suit your needs well and could be easily towed with your Dakota. You'll have to decide for yourself whether you prefer an outboard or an i/o. There have been many threads on here in the past debating the advantages/disadvantages of each. I personally prefer outboards and find them to be less maintenance but that's just my opinion. In i/o's stick with Mercruiser or Volvo. With outboards avoid Forces (discontinued).

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

def go with the volvo. I owned that exact OMC setup, and while it was reliable (with the help of a rare OMC mechanic) it was underpowered for ski activities.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Between the 2 choices.....VOLVO hands down!
Volvo makes a rock solid drive system and plenty of shops work on them.

The 2.3 OMC in the Bayliner is way under powered in my opinion also..
The 3.0 is a tough little motor!

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

I'd with the Regal for sure. Thee Bayliner is a low end boat line and this one is nearly 20 years old. Might be OK but you might spend your summer pouring $$$ into a hole in the water. The Regal is newer and has a better power plant at minimum. I'd also bet it has a better HP to weigth/length ratio.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Regal....hands down.

It is a way better boat with a way better drive.

I can only imagine that the Regal is significantly more expensive. If not then all the more reason to buy it.

Edit: I just re-read the original post. If they are close in price the Bayliner is likely way over priced for the market. Keep that in mind.

 

[steve_garofalo]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Thanks for the replies everyone! If things do not work out for the Regal ( and I really hope they do) but on the off chance that they don't do you think the 2.3 in a boat that size would have enough power to pull a skiier?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Thanks for the replies everyone! If things do not work out for the Regal ( and I really hope they do) but on the off chance that they don't do you think the 2.3 in a boat that size would have enough power to pull a skiier?

If the Regal doesnt work out, seriously move on and keep looking...Its up to you but I strongly advise against the OMC...Ballpark $$ wise, how much are we talking about here?

 

[steve_garofalo]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

The Regal is 5295 and the bayliner 4900

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

The Regal is 5295 and the bayliner 4900

Cool..not being nosy..but if things go south on the Regal...4900 bucks can get you another volvo or merc or large HP outboard 19-20 plus footer easily...

It takes time, but it is a buyers market and there are hundreds of deals out there

 

[steve_garofalo]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Thanks CheapboatKev I was thinking the same thing. One coveat I have is that I am looking to trade in a 2002 Buell White Lightening to the dealership.. The Regal is on consignment and they won't take a trade in on consignment boats, the Bayliner Capri is also from another dealership and will trade me even up for it.. Just swap titles..

My thought was IF the boat was sound, and somewhat worth the 5k they were asking for it,, I wouldn't be opposed to a motor swap next summer and either build something that would drop in there to give me enough power to pull skiiers and or find a rebuilt merc or volvo.

I've done a little bit of searching around on motor swaps on these boats and looks like bayliner's have potential for not enough space for larger inboards, but then again I could be wrong....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

I don't mean to be a downer, I really don't. But a 19' Bayliner with an obsolete and underpowered to begin with 2.3 is worth NOWHERE NEAR $5k even if it is in showroom condition. It could be worth maybe $2000-$2500 and that is probably only if it sells to someone who doesn't know the issues with OMC's. And if you're thinking of an engine swap in the future you probably couldn't find a less universally compatible boat if you tried. Keep looking. Where are you located? Some people on here search Craigslist for sport and may be able to clue you in on some better deals.

 

[CAVU V]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

There is no comparison, go with the Regal.

 

[cbavier]

Re: 1st time boater. Help deciding...

Steve wecome to iboats.

Go with the Reagal no doubt.

Bayliner is an entry level boat. OMC is obsolete and a 2.3 will not pull a skier.
So it's the Regal hands down or keep looking. Besides you can buy a Brand New 4.3 LTR Bayliner for 13K out the door.