2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

[lfunk11]

I have been lurking on this site for the last few weeks as I finally decided I wanted a boat. I took my kids out on a rental boat at the local lake a few weeks back and they loved it. They are 6 and 8 so I figured since we lived so close to a lake that now would be a good time to try out boating.

I am looking at a 2005 Crownline 192BR this week. Its offered at $9K (NADA is $12K+) since the radio isn't working, the cover is in rough shape, and there were some mildew spots on the seats. It looks clean in the pics so I will see when I go to see it. He didn't know what motor it had in it and I thought that was strange, but he might just be someone who doesn't care?

I can fix the radio - well I am pretty sure I can fix it. When I was a teenager I used to mess around with car audio so I figure it shouldn't be too hard. The cover isn't too expensive to replace, but I am concerned if water has been getting in. Would this year have a wood floor? I was hoping it doesn't , but the pics show carpet so I am assuming wood.

The boat is currently docked at a marina and I can keep it there if I buy it for the rest of the season. I realize that is not good for the boat, but I would rather enjoy the boat more than worrying about taking it back and forth to the lake. I live up a narrow windy mountain road so it would be a pain in the rear to take the boat back and forth to the lake.

Anything about this current year and model I need to be concerned about? I have read that Crownline is a good boat and I have not seen one anywhere near this price and this age. I have been looking under $10K and its mostly been Bayliners and a few other brands.

I am going to see if there is a boating safety class offered around here, but I will likely have to go up to Pittsburgh. Is there anything online I can watch since I have never owned a boat before?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

Maybe they are just motivated, but that does seem like an almost too good to be true price. I wouldn't sell you my same year Bayliner for 9K. I'd have an experienced mechanic look at it pre-sale if you are not experienced with boats.

Nothing wrong with leaving the boat in the water, it is not "bad for it".

 

[agallant80]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

Just a word of caution. When I bought my first boat I figured I was handy, and I worked on my own house and my car has never seen a mechanic because I did all of the work myself to it. Boats are not like cars. There is much more going on then one would think. 9K sounds a little too good to be true. There is no such thing as a free lunch, someone is fire-saleing it for some reason. Perhaps its a divorce or something like that or perhaps it is some structural or mechanical issue that will cost thousands to correct. At any rate, don't trust your untrained eye. Have a surveyor look at it.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

Nearly every time a price is posted here it seems high. Even for my area that price is low. If it has a carpet floor you can bet is covers wood or wood covered by glass. The only way to be sure about the stringers and transom is from factory information. By 2000 many builders started eliminating wood but as recent as 2012 some still use it.

 

[lfunk11]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

thanks - I thought the price seemed low. He mentioned they just had a baby, but who knows. I need to make some calls to have someone check it out to be sure there isn't anything wrong.

2005 Crownline 192BR w/ trailer

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

I'd also ask for some current pictures - those appear to be 2012 registration stickers in the pictures

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

I think that if you are serious about a boat this would be a very good purchase, IF the imperfections the owner mentioned are the only things wrong with this boat, so as everyone has previously stated you need to look it over with a fine toothed comb, I would expect this boat to have a 4.3L motor which is plenty for its size, there is nothing specific about this model year to be worried about Crownlines are great boats. you may want to ask the owners forum crowniehq.net though for more info, I would be ready with money when you go look at it I don't think it will last long, but like I said, don't be afraid to walk away if you find rot or those hairs on the back of your neck start taking to you.

Good luck!

 

[lfunk11]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

I'd also ask for some current pictures - those appear to be 2012 registration stickers in the pictures

I think WV registration is good for 3 years, but the boat is right down the road from my house. I am going to look at it on Wednesday

 

[jkust]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

Crownlines are notorious for not having snap in carpet when by all accounts they are a premium enough boat brand to have included it as a standard. On the flip side I see more MPI engines in the early days of MPI like this year than probably any other bowrider. The stereo is a non issue as a marine replacement unit is practically nothing cost wise and ten minutes to R&R. The price is concerning only in that it is low even by southern state standards because the identical boat price can vary drastically depending on which state it is sold in. The price should prompt you to get out there very quickly and bring someone with you that can adequately assess it's condition. If it is the real deal, there's lot's of people likely scoping it out as well. That isn't even the lowest model of Crownline which is usually the one I see bargains on.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

I think WV registration is good for 3 years, but the boat is right down the road from my house. I am going to look at it on Wednesday

MN is the same, but the sticker lists the year it expires not the year you buy it

 

[lfunk11]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

MN is the same, but the sticker lists the year it expires not the year you buy it

oh - then that is something to look at

 

[jkust]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

MN is the same, but the sticker lists the year it expires not the year you buy it

Not quite as bad as the tow vehicle I was looking at a couple years back on Ebay that had low miles for the year but the pictures the guy sent me were from when it was brand new but represented them as recent. I caught him red handed when I figured out with some deduction where he lived, googlemaped his house and the trees in the pictures were ten feet taller now than in the pics. He finally send me the real pics and I passed. It takes all kinds as they say.

 

[moosehead]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

I'll go ahead and take the optimistic view. If the boat was truly maintained and winterized by a third party mechanic, has no soft spots or evidence of taking on rainwater through the old cover or otherwise, and has no hull blisters or damage, you may have a winner. A surveyor and service record check can verify the above. Maybe hire a surveyor in advance so they can start upon your first viewing. If all is clean, she will sell instantly. If there are issues, you'll know via surveyor. The cover and stereo are generally non issues.

You may get lucky and catch a clean craft, combo season end seller, with growing family pressure for cash. Good luck.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

At least the guy has used a cover...so much so that the cover is now disheveled. That's a good sign if true and since it is stored on the water, the boat can properly drain rain water. When it is stored on a trailer, even if it is just a little bit un-level, the boat can not drain as intended.

 

[calvinator]

Re: 2005 Crowline 192BR - possible first boat

Would be a good boat for the family & kids.

All about condition. Either you look it over yourself and take the risk, or hire a surveyor for a full report.

In my waters -- mid to northern Ohio, the under $10k boats move fast. Rarely do they get surveyed. And sellers don't take deposits to hold boats for surveys because there are too many buyers cash-in-hand. IMO, Buyers just want the boat and accept the risk there might be $3k in repairs.

Could be a nice boat the owner is just done with. Last year, I had a similar boat and I priced it $2500 less than other similar craigslist ads. I just wanted to move it quickly and it sold in 1 day. It was also 6 weeks before end of season and I didn't want to pay for storage, winterizing, etc.

You'll have to make the call if you buy this one that is value priced and learn as you go, or, read up on iBoats for 6 months and learn before you buy. Only thing I tell myself when I am shopping, is there are a lot of boats for sale. If the deal doesn't feel right, I keep shopping.