1st time buyer, advice please

[srperry01]

Hi thanks for reading, I'm a first time buyer and the problem is that I know nothing about which brands of boat makers are considered good and which brands a seasoned veteran would steer clear of if he/she were buying this style boat. Here's what I'm looking for and maybe you can tell me what brands to look for and which to stay away from.<br />19-22 ft. / bow rider / btwn 1994-2004 / inboard / and hopefully less than $10,000...<br />I'd be using this boat in freshwater Texas lakes with friends for cruising and occasional skiing/wakeboarding. <br />I really appreciate any feedback you can give me. I of course started out looking at Bayliners but have heard they are made cheaply and things like that. I've found some Larson's that I like, but fear they may be on the same level as the Bayliner. Basically I'm looking for the "toyota" of boats. Not the Mercedes and not some hunk of junk either. Thank you very much.

 

[dorelse]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Larson's are awesome quality made boats, Glastrons are great too (same manufacturer, Genmar). Four Winns, Crownline, Rinker, Starcraft (newer ones) and Sea Ray are others I'd look at.<br /><br />Personally, I think Bayliners are a quality boat as long as they've been well taken care of, have been made in the last 10 years, or are a new one. I own one and have been very very satisfied with it.<br /><br />Your range is wide enough that you'll be able to get a very nice boat in your price range. Larson are most certainly a cream of the crop boat, especially up in my neck of the woods...

 

[salty87]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

sounds like you're looking more at inboard/outboards (i/o). most of the inboards you find in that length will be comp ski boats and wakeboard boats.

 

[srperry01]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Yes I've considered that salty but I have found some inboards that suite me just fine. I'm not completely opposed to i/o but that's probably due to being naive. Do you have any favorite boat makers?

 

[KCook]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Every brand has some happy owners. So it is hard to say there is any brand that is "junk" or that you should "steer clear of". Including Bayliner.<br /><br />Larsons are very sharp looking. But I would reserve "awesome quality made" for Cobalt alone. Which will be a lot more $$ than most others.<br /><br />Direct drive inboard ski boats are outstanding for skiing (duh). Even the cheapest inboard ski boat is better quality than most I/O bowriders. But again, also more $$.<br /><br />Here is another thread that thrashes through the bowrider brands - New Boat <br /><br />Lots of choices,<br />Kelly Cook

 

[srperry01]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Thanks for the thread and words of advice Kelly. I'm reading it now.

 

[KCook]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

In very general terms you get what you pay for. And each of us has a different comfort zone on the price scale. Shop em all. Let us know the specific deals that interest you (brand, model, motor, and price). Then we all can spout off more. <br /><br />Kelly

 

[salty87]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

it all depends on what you're looking for a boat to do. i also boat freshwater in TX but wakeboard most of the time or cruise/relax so i have an inboard. i won't say i've never gotten a line wet but there isn't too much fishin going on in my boat. without a cuddy, there's no overnighting either.<br /><br />so if you have any idea of how you will be using the boat, you can start narrowing down your choices.<br /><br />inboards are great for boarding and skiiing but not so great in rough water. i/o's are pretty good for boarding and skiing but not as good as an inboard. i/o's often give you a drier ride in rougher water than a true inboard of the same size.<br /><br />inboards are easier to work on if you'll be doing the work yourself. i/o's get better gas mileage but higher maintenance costs due to the outdrive. inboards generally retain their value better but it really depends on the particular boat.<br /><br />these are just some generalizations. they won't help you decide what you want to do with the boat but are some of the things you can expect from inboards and i/o's.<br /><br />each of the 2 categories has higher end and lower end boats. but, as the boats you're looking at get older, the care they have recieved over the years means more than the reputation they had as new.<br /><br />as a reference i paid $8500 4 years ago for a 1987 23' inboard, no trailer.<br /><br />there's a saying that goes something to the effect that a boat is just a bunch of compromises. no one boat does all things the best for everyone, find the one that best suits your needs.

 

[srperry01]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

I understand what our saying salty. Most of the use I have is just for cruising but I'd like the capabilities of pulling a wakeboarder/skier. The more I look the more I learn. I've been looking at some crownline's that I really like and according to some review sites they seem to be a great maker of boats. <br />I've also found that if I want to get the size of boat I want (22), then I'm going to have to add some years onto my search. I really just want something that I can take my friends on and be comfortable or atleast not feel like sardines. That's one of the biggest reasons I want a bowrider. <br />I'll keep searching but I'm still very open to advice or knowledge. I still have quite a bit to learn about boats. As far as the inboard vs. i/o matter, I'm pretty open to either. It looks to me like the i/o's are running cheaper (i'm sure for a reason) than the inboards. Thanks again salty and let me know if you think of anything else. Nothing you say is going to be old news to me and I'm sure it will help me.

 

[KCook]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Great summary of the differences between inboard ski boats and bowriders by salty87.<br /><br />A couple of thoughts: 1) A 22 footer is bigger than most of us started with. If you will keep it at a marina, then no problem. But for trailering a boat that big will need a serious truck/SUV. Here is another thread on towing different size boats - Can my truck pull my boat? <br /><br />Thought 2) is that shopping for a used boat is very different from shopping for a new boat. Really requires a whole different outlook. Here is another thread on boat shopping - Dilemma..... Should I compromise? . Ok, that thread is something of a ramble. But it does show the confusion many of us go through. <br /><br />Lots of "stuff" to consider,<br />Kelly

 

[srperry01]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Ok great Cook. I'm checking out those threads now. I have a full size Chevy truck and I've actually pulled a friends 22 footer two times for quite a ways and not had any problems, but I'm definetly not overlooking that aspect. I'm fairly used to the actual driving of a boat, it's the mechanics, maintenence, and nuts and bolts that I'm a novice at. That's why I'm more concerned with getting a quality boat than something that looks good. I really do appreciate all of your very helpful advice. I've still got a lot to learn but hopefully one day I'll be in here giving someone else a few tips like you all are. Thanks again and if you think of anything else that may be of help please do post.

 

[KCook]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

All boats from the cheapest to Cobalt use the same Merc or Volvo motor and drive. So the price level of the boat will not make any difference as far as "mechanics, maintenence, and nuts and bolts" go. Rather the difference is how comfy the boat is, how sharp it looks, and how fast the upholstery and minor stuff ages. But zero difference on most maintenance issues. Seriously.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[srperry01]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

That's the first time I've heard that but I guess I can understand it. What about things like guages, handling, etc? Would you say that there is a difference there? I'm just trying to understand what the reasons would be for buying a Crownliner vs. a Bayliner, for example. Looking at J.D. Power web page they show things such as realiability and quality for money. From that info alone there is no way I would touch one of the "cheaper" boats.

 

[KCook]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

True the higher priced boats will have higher quality hardware. But this rarely has any impact on reliability or maintenance, at least for the first several years. Just means that the boat ages more gracefully. Mostly the high priced boats are about comfort and style. Which is important to some folks, not to all folks. When you get down to specific boats we can cite specific differences.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[summit1]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

I am in the same position as Knew B. What does anyone think of Mariah boats (bowrider)? The one that I am interested is a little older (93) 18', but has had one owner...older gentleman with all of the maintenance records, has been garaged for the life of the boat. It appears in great shape (interior/exterior in 'like new' shape). Has a 4.3L Mercruiser. Is this boat going to pull skiers? What type of overall performance can I expect from this engine? Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KCook]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

summit1 - An 18 foot boat with V6 can certainly ski. For the ultimate in ski performance you will want a separate prop set up just for skiing. Top speed on a boat like this is usually in the upper 40s. With 10 year old boats condition is a bigger concern than brand. Here is another thread on examining the older boats - 90 Chris Craft 177 Bow Rider Questions <br /><br />Kelly

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Jumping in,<br /><br />One of the things you need tothink about is how much work/money you are going to put into your new purchase.<br /><br />I had one chair redone on my 88' cabin cruiser. Over $600. So how was it stored, what kind of cover, how is the gel holding up, quality of the hardware, (rails, cleats, window frames, hatches)are very important. These can add up to big bucks after the fact if cheap or not cared for. A quality boat will cost less down the line. And a beautiful boat provides pride of ownership and therefor increased useage.<br /><br />Regal makes a good boat, of high quality, and modern design. Crownline, cobalt, Powerquest, formula, 4 Winns (w/Volvo no omc), are other names worth looking at.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

dup!!

 

[summit1]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

Thanks guys for the responses. The hull,floor and interior were in excellent condition, the engine was clean with all service records. The owner let me drop it in and take it for a run...was great. I bought it!

 

[KCook]

Re: 1st time buyer, advice please

That was quick summit1! <br /><br />Kelly