Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

[Fordiesel69]

Ideally, I want to find a nice 19-21 foot boat but my max is a 23'. I found a really nice 1990 Bayliner Capri 2052 CK w/ 5.0L engine but it was way too far away. It had a custom prop and only 140 hours. Sold for $3500. However after missing the deal, friends and coworkers said I should be glad I missed it as was a bargain basement lowest grade boat money could buy. Is this really the case?

For a starter boat, what should I consider buying? I really need ideas. I kind of like the cuddy for storage and space, but would also like a little room up front for one person to stand to fish.

Ideas?

Thanks - Mike

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Oh, and no higher than $5,000.

 

[imperial200]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

should be an easy find in this economy. . . personally i like a cheap boat that i can fix up so that i know everything about it, but if you have 5g to spend get to it! I say your best bet look around untill you find a boat that appeals to you. Name brand and all that mean nothing to me. Look for something well taken care of and documented. . .good luck I hope you find what your looking for

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Before you do anything, spend a month reading iboats forums for an hour or 2 a day, you will learn about boats and learn what type of propulsion you are comfortable with and what type of boat might suit your needs best.

IMO Right now you are ahead of the game because you came to iboats before buying something.
Read some new threads, read some old thread and dont forget to separate the bogus junk from the good info and you will be much less confused. Great knowledge base here that is for sure.

Are you in a boat all year part of the country ? Or boat in the summer and buy in the fall when folks are ready to part with their boat instead of storing it another year ? Its getting close to winter storage time here and I have heard reports of boats selling pretty cheap.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Along with your budget...what are you going to tow it with? Your tow vehicle can narrow down your choices pretty quickly.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Along with your budget...what are you going to tow it with? Your tow vehicle can narrow down your choices pretty quickly.

Man you beat me to it!! Very true statement. Really think about what it is you are going to use it for, Are you going to beach it alot(bowrider 18'-20') Just drop anchor and sit offshore (cuddy 20'-24') Do more fishing than boating(fishing boat), I/O or OB?? Really take the time and think about what it is you see yourself in and for what purpose. I have a 20' bowrider(not by choice) but it fits perfectly for what the Wife and I use her for.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I will be using a 99' Lincoln Town Car. Air ride so tonge weight will level out nice and the brakes are that of a F-150 on the front and of a ford ranger on the rear. I also have a 95' E-350 extended van, but need to get a hitch installed and wiring, no biggie.

I already made up my mind on th drive, it need to be an I/O. And I have the size factored into a 19-23'. No other sizes I would desire.

I want to use it for fishing (3-7 mile each way), rafting, sking, and the occasional ancoring and to sit.

What do you guys think?

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Imo Bowrider 20' I can lift the front end with one arm.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I will be using a 99' Lincoln Town Car. Air ride so tonge weight will level out nice and the brakes are that of a F-150 on the front and of a ford ranger on the rear. I also have a 95' E-350 extended van, but need to get a hitch installed and wiring, no biggie.

I already made up my mind on th drive, it need to be an I/O. And I have the size factored into a 19-23'. No other sizes I would desire.

I want to use it for fishing (3-7 mile each way), rafting, sking, and the occasional ancoring and to sit.

What do you guys think?

Use the van, not the car for towing. it will just be easier.

As for the boat, id say a sport style boat. you can fish off them and do the other things you want to do. With a fishing boat its hard to do everything.

Id go to as many dealers in the area as you can find and talk to them, see what they have, get on the boats and picture your day on one.
then go and find a used one like it.

If nothing else if fun to go and sit on brand new boats, they sometimes have a couple in the water that you can drive.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

What do you guys think about this boat? Even though auction ended, it is still avail outright.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0346399516&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[JimKW]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

That's a lot of boat. It looks very nice, but it's pretty old so maintenance is the real key. Check on the weight and make sure you can tow it. Looks like a pretty big boat to me, but I have a 18' open bow.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I think your going to need a little bit more than your van to pull that, Flat ground is one thing but now you need to pull her out of the water, backing in is one thing but getting her back out is a total difference. Are you launching at every use or putting her in a slip??

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Why do you have it narrowed down to I/O? I/O's are fine, and have their advantages, but outboards also have several advantages. And in my experience, you can often get a boat with an outboard cheaper than a boat with an outboard. I've had both and would not hesitate to get either again.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

What do you guys think about this boat? Even though auction ended, it is still avail outright.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0346399516&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Noticed the CL add is from Chardon, OH. You near there? Are you thinking you want to hit Erie? If so, bigger is better

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-24-38-5694-0-0-0&l=1&w=24&p=38&f=5697&m=1370&y=1985&ml=S&gc=mr&gtc=MR&d=1600156972 Here's a link to the value. Says it weighs 4,050 lbs dry. Add another 1000 for a tandem axle trailer, plus fuel and all the gear and you start getting up there in weight.

 

[diesel5599]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

That does look like a lot of boat to trailer. Usually towing a boat is not an issue, its stopping that can be a problem. If you are going to trailer it make sure the trailer has brakes and they WORK, a lot of older trailer brakes are frozen up. I tow a 21' Sea Ray cuddy with an Expedition and it still has problems stopping sometimes.

I would go with the recommendations others have made here, skip the cuddy unless you plan on spending a lot of overnighters on the water. Cuddys seem nice and most of mine have been a cuddy, but honestly it is very rarely used. You will probably like a bow rider or deck boat better and both are much lighter than a cuddy.

I also would definitely not rule out an OB. If you can find one in that price range, I would pick it over an I/O. I have currently sworn to never buy another I/O but that's a story for a different day.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I've always had open bows, can't see a reason to buy a Cuddy. It's not like the cabin is large enough to live in. You could maybe lay down and sleep in one, but everyone one I've ever been in is HOT in the sun. I guess you can use it as storage, but I don't carry enough stuff to need all that storage. I'd rather have the extra deck space of an open bow. Not saying there aren't reasons to own a cuddy. Just that they aren't worth it for me. Consider how you'll be using it when you make your choice.

When and if I get a larger boat, it will either be a larger bow rider, or something with a usable cabin with a head and AC.

 

[diesel5599]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I've always had open bows, can't see a reason to buy a Cuddy. It's not like the cabin is large enough to live in. You could maybe lay down and sleep in one, but everyone one I've ever been in is HOT in the sun. I guess you can use it as storage, but I don't carry enough stuff to need all that storage. I'd rather have the extra deck space of an open bow. Not saying there aren't reasons to own a cuddy. Just that they aren't worth it for me. Consider how you'll be using it when you make your choice.

When and if I get a larger boat, it will either be a larger bow rider, or something with a usable cabin with a head and AC.

That has been my experience as well, until you get over about 25' a cuddy isn't very useful. And without A/C you aren't in it very long. The main reason I get a cuddy still is I'm in FL and you really want a closed bow if you head offshore. Even on a clear day, a bow rider could get swamped by a passing cruise ship or barge.

My main cuddy usage is when it rains...still makes for a completely miserable cramped, hot, undesirable experience, for storage, and for the very rare overnight offshore fishing expeditions.

You will get a lot more boat for your money with a bow rider, deck boat, or ski boat.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Ok, I looked at the 23' today and it sure was a jem. Very smooth and in great shape. You can tell they kept it up. It had been in the family since new. Engine was orignal and has original paint. Cabin was free of odor and was in great shape. But the 23's are out. Too big for me. My van would pull it with no prob.

I am now down to 19-21'. After looking at boats all day today I am even more confused. Outbaords are not an option for me. I can;t work on them and labor costs more than the whole motor as our local shops rip you off. To have a evinrude 4.5 hp tuned and re-ringed with its factory pistons, resealed, was over 800 dollars. My buddy got a nice 9.9 for $600.

Anyways I guess I could get a bow rider I guess but for water skiing I figure a cuddy is better and yes I live in erie. I drove to cleveland to look at the 23'.

There is also a 1973 reinel 21' boat a buddy has. Sat in barn since 1996, has a 302 ford i.o with a hard top. Interior is in need of some work, but floors were redone. Basically it and the trailer need gone over completly. Is it even worth it?

If you guys could look at one listing and tell me if you think this was worth it. For some reason I keep coming back to this one. The style and shape of this really appeals to me, but it is a bayliner.

Here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270454439595&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[JimKW]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I just can not understand why anybody would want that small cabin over an ope bow. Looks like being inside the trunk of a car to me. That is a nice looking boat though.

 

[BackWoodsTracker]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I can undersatnd the want for a cuddy. I mostly boat on Lake Michigan. Most days, an open bow would take on lots of water. I have a buddy with a 20' open bow, and his pump works quite a bit on an average day. My dad's cuddy stays dry all day, the pump has never kicked on. Plus, we store all the fishing gear up there. With the hatch and door open, it's not too hot to sleep in, the kids do it all the time. I do have big doubts about that Bayliner doing 50, unless it's on the trailer.