Looking at a new boat

[SuzukiChopper]

So I've had my very used boat for almost two years now. Completely rebuilt/modified it over the winter and think it's great now. Everything seems to be good with it, just adding in all the storage compartments I had planned for it, will cut open the bow for a casting platform/pedistal seat and trolling motor, etc, etc. BUT I've had my eye on a boat and fell in love with it the first day I saw it. Basically no other boat has made me drool as much as this one, and I think in a month or two I'll be a position to purchase one.<br /><br />It's a Four Winns 180LE Horizon fish n' ski. (http://www.fourwinns.com/line_prod.cfm?family=sportboat&model=180H) with the stern drive fish and ski seating. The dealer just out of town has two of them there, and with all the extras they provide, it's almost a $15,000cdn savings on the MSRP on the website (usd). I'm seriously thinking of taking the plunge and purchasing one but wanted to get some opinions first. The motor package is the Volvo Penta 4.3l 220hp. Comes with fish finder, trolling motor, etc, etc, etc. What do you think? Is it worth it?

 

[Billnicole]

Re: Looking at a new boat

Looks like a lot of boat for the price. I bought a new boat a while back and wouldn't do it again only beacuse the value drops so fast. You might find a better deal on something a year or two old. Just my 2 cents

 

[DJ]

Re: Looking at a new boat

You can't go wrong with that package.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Looking at a new boat

Mine was new in 01, and I enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to guess who did what. Like a puppy, it was raised by us. Value drop is an issue but it will balance over a few years. It is a rush to own a new one at least once. Also stressful waiting for the first ding.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Looking at a new boat

You are definately ready for the boat. Do it. You know the treatment it has had and will get. Enjoy the memories it will give you.

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking at a new boat

Dunno what US builders are up in that part of Canada. But if there is a Caravelle dealer somewhere also take a look at their 187 F&S.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Looking at a new boat

Well I'm very pleased to see nothing negative about the boat. The price is $29,500cdn. Hook it up to my truck drive away and plop it into the lake, so that's pretty cool. If I remember right they even throw in ALL the safety gear, plus enough ife jackets for the capacity of the boat. They also register and license it with the Canadian Coast Guard as well.<br /><br />Now I'm even more excited about it! Think I'm going to go there tomorrow and look at it again and ask a bunch of questions.<br /><br />BTW, we only have 2 new boat dealers in the city, one specializes in aluminum fishing boats (which I have also thought of), and the other one is a Bayliner, Mariah, type dealer. Nothing there ever catches my eye. Haven't seen any place here that has Caravelle's or even other fish and ski boats for that matter. I will definately keep looking until the fateful day of purchase Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking at a new boat

The FW LE is certainly a better choice than today's Mariah!

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Looking at a new boat

I thought Mariah closedup in the USA?-----------My aluminum fishing boat sweats heavily from the water line to the keel in the St. Lawrence River.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Looking at a new boat

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Looking at a new boat

It's possible that Mariah is gone. The boats they have may be last years or 2003's models. Never really looked.

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking at a new boat

The Mariah story

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking at a new boat

The outboard fish and ski setup is a bit more useful if you plan on doing much fishing.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Looking at a new boat

Originally posted by roscoe:<br /> The outboard fish and ski setup is a bit more useful if you plan on doing much fishing.

I thought that at first too but then I got to see the stern drive in person. I have to say that I like the stern drive setup ALOT more. It still has a place for the rear pedistal, which is up higher than with the outboard setup (which I like), but also has the nice full padded deck at that back when my ol' lady or her sister decides they want to do some tanning. It's a toss up between the two but I think I'd take the stern drive over the outboard after seeing both.

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking at a new boat

I agree that the sunpad over the inboard makes the I/O a better choice as a cruiser. But I would still give the OB the edge for fishing shallow water. I/O setups are not happy runners when tilted up.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[Straightup]

Re: Looking at a new boat

I agree with Kelly and Roscoe on the OB. OB's are sooo much lighter, and in my opinion easier to work on. That's my take on it. We had an IO for 5 years and now have a smaller OB powered boat. We fish and ski as well. So far we like this boat MUCH better.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Looking at a new boat

I'll definately keep that in mind. However, because it comes fitted with a trolling motor it'll be able to get me out of tight spots, and the shallowest we ever fish is about 8 feet of water in spring/early summer for walleye. After the water warms up they move deeper. Usually never any shallower than 8 feet.

 

[KCook]

Re: Looking at a new boat

8 feet only counts as shallow water if you're in a Hatteras!

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Looking at a new boat

*laugh* well I hope it doesn't with this because just about every launch around here is only 4 feet until you get out of the no wake zone I'll be making them take me out on a test run before I buy it to make sure it can handle that shallow. Otherwise it'll be OB for me.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Looking at a new boat

It will run in 3 feet. Always trim the I/O to the running up limit. If you launch in shallow or have to climb up or down from the trailer. It should do + 54mph / 1 person.