Advice on buying used boat

boatgrunt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 28, 2005
Messages
285
(this is double post but trying to get as many opinions as possible)<br /><br />Well, I've determined it's time to scrap my 89 Citation boat with a 4.3/OMC! Don't know what I'm going to do with it and don't care. Don't want to discuss the decision. <br /><br />Here are the criteria I'm using to find a new boat:<br /><br />Must be...<br /><br />1. Used<br />2. 1991 to current - there are always exceptions, but all things being the same, i think you will generally have less problems with a newer, well maintained boat that you will with an older, well maintained boat. <br />3. Volvo or Mercruiser I/O setup - don't know outboards and don't want to pay upfront or maintenance costs for an outboard. I want nothing to do with OMC's.<br />4. 21 - 25 ' - want more room than my 19' but don't want something too big that can't be easily trailered. Should be big enough for ocean but small enough for lake. <br />5. cuddy cabin - need it for the kids<br />6. reputable boat manufacturer<br />7. budget = 10,000 +/- a couple hundred<br /><br />Other questions that I am asking relate to maintenance, number of owners, saltwater vs freshwater exposure, problems, why they are selling. <br /><br />That being said, I've listed my finalists. Any opinions or suggestions would be welcome.<br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/167807113.html <br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/167733963.html <br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/167551729.html <br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/168424834.html <br /><br />Well, I've determined it's time to scrap my 89 Citation boat with a 4.3/OMC! Don't know what I'm going to do with it and don't care. Don't want to discuss the decision. <br /><br />Here are the criteria I'm using to find a new boat:<br /><br />Must be...<br /><br />1. Used<br />2. 1991 to current - there are always exceptions, but all things being the same, i think you will generally have less problems with a newer, well maintained boat that you will with an older, well maintained boat. <br />3. Volvo or Mercruiser I/O setup - don't know outboards and don't want to pay upfront or maintenance costs for an outboard. I want nothing to do with OMC's.<br />4. 21 - 25 ' - want more room than my 19' but don't want something too big that can't be easily trailered. Should be big enough for ocean but small enough for lake. <br />5. cuddy cabin - need it for the kids<br />6. reputable boat manufacturer<br />7. budget = 10,000 +/- a couple hundred<br /><br />Other questions that I am asking relate to maintenance, number of owners, saltwater vs freshwater exposure, problems, why they are selling. <br /><br />That being said, I've listed my finalists. Any opinions or suggestions would be welcome.<br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/167807113.html <br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/167733963.html <br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/167551729.html <br /><br /> http://boston.craigslist.org/boa/168424834.html
 

phatmanmike

Captain
Joined
Oct 24, 2003
Messages
3,869
Re: Advice on buying used boat

that 23 sunbird looks like a real hard core machine!
 

boatgrunt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 28, 2005
Messages
285
Re: Advice on buying used boat

yeah, i'm liking that one more and more since it doens't have all the vinyl to worry about and appears to be built rugged and to last. Only drawback is the OMC Ford engine...not too many of them out there as I understand, so hard to find parts and technicians.
 

deejaycee_2000

Captain
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
3,447
Re: Advice on buying used boat

Damn man If I stayed in the US I wouldn't think twice about that 22' FOUR WINNS 1996 CUDDY CABIN ...... good deal ...
 

dakk1

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 22, 2003
Messages
418
Re: Advice on buying used boat

I like the Sunbird for ocean and fresh. Nice looking boat.<br /><br />Dave
 

cobra 3.0

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
1,797
Re: Advice on buying used boat

Any of the boats you have shown a great looking boats. Your choice will be more evident upon closer inspection and how well maintained they have been. Be carefull with I/O's used in salt. Those darn manifolds are frequent to replace.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Advice on buying used boat

to me the sunbird is out because of the OMC. the 4 winds is up in the air as it doesn't state the power plant. the crown line and the chris craft are both mercs, but it does not state the power plant for the chris craft. both the crown and chris are nice family boats. can you get more power plant info.
 

boatgrunt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 28, 2005
Messages
285
Re: Advice on buying used boat

Only know that the Four Winns is a volvo engine and outdrive. Crowline and ChrisCraft have 5.7 Mercs, and Sunbird has a Ford with Volvo outdrive.
 
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