Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

[kcinnick]

Will the Bayliner 175 be a suitable boat for the gulf of Mexico. Most common launch locations would be Grand Isle LA, and long the emerald coast (From Mobile Alabama to Panama City with Perido Key, Navarre, and Destin as all locales we frequent in between) We would also use the boat in local freshwater and brackish water lakes and bayous. (I am in Baton Rouge LA)

I would imagine the boat would be used for fishing 25% of the time, Diving 25% of the time and just family cruising 50% of the time.

I am looking at the Bayliner 175 as a 3-5 year boat, to see what I really want, and I also like the fact that I can just go write a check and bring the boat home, rather trying to finance a 25-30k boat. (that I might want to upgrade after a couple years of boat ownership) Being gulf worthy to say 10 miles or so on a calm day is absolutly necessary. I also do see an option for a swim deck like on the 185, is it there one available.

I was also looking at the traker tahoe q4 for 15k. There is a bass pro right down the road, and the always have 2-3 q4's in stock, but if I can save 5k and have an almost as good boat (it is 1' shorter) than I will pocket that 5k for my next boat. I am open to suggestions, and a used boat is not out of the question, just need to know what I am looking for. Cuddy's also interest me, but a bimimni top will be good enough to provide shade for the family, and is much, much cheaper.

I even looked at RIB's, but new they cost more that fiberglass boats, and used ones are nowhere to be found at a decent size (18').

Thanks

Nick

 

[hazwild]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

After having my 175 on the icww in NC.I will tell you if you know you want to stay in boating i would go for an 185.I am the the mercy of all the big boys wakes and it rides hard.That being said i does what i wanted , it let me and my wife see if we liked boating for about 8k instead of 25k.

If thats what you want get the 175.If not go for the 185 for the better ride.

Just me 2 cents
Bob

 

[tommays]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

Just realize that with ANY small boat your days in the gulf will be very limited buy the weather compared to any bigger boat so as long as you have other places to use it on windy days you will be OK

 

[marine4003]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

For your purposes its fine...i would recommend the 18' over 17' Bayliner has a bad rep,but only because its an entry level boat,and the price reflects that.Overall the major difference between a "blue water" boat and an I/O "cruiser is the way the boat can slough off water...typical fishing style boats dont allow water to enter the bilge,it goes on deck then out scuppers, primarily powered by an outboard motor,also more foam in hull=more buoyancy,makes it safer,Now the "cruiser " style has a heavy inboard motor,water has access to the bilge,only a bilge pump keeps the water from filling her up and down she goes.for your needs a walkaround style might work better than an bowrider style,it allows you to fish/scuba and cruise plus it has the added benefit of being a "fishing" style,making it safer 10 miles out,as you know the Gulf can brew up a good storm quick,so in a smaller boat i'll take all the advantages i can get.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

the gulf is a beautiful place to boat, the weather conditions, limit any boat. somedays a 12foot open fisherman can fish all day, other a 30 footer takes a beating. the gulf is shallow, and a squall, can make it very rough, in just a few minutes.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

So of the different uses you listed above, am I to guess that 100% f the boats usage will be in the gulf?

That's a tall order for such a short, flat bottomed boat. There are plenty around here that have gone out in a boat like that but they'll also tell you they watched the weather reports and played it smart too.

I know you said you don't want to finance, but it would really make sense to take what you have as a down payment and finance the rest. You would not believe the difference between a $15k boat and a $25k boat. I'd be looking for something with taller sides and a little more weight with a nice V-hull. I saw a very nice 19.5' Trophy CC with a 115 on it at a show for $21k that would work pretty well for what you're doing...

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

I like the new 2007-08 bayliners. a 175 would be fine, you just have to keep a close eye on the weather.. like we do anyways.. good luck..

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

Yes the 175 will work, but the 18' RIB would be ALLOT more fun! And you wouldn't need to be so concerned with the weather all the time. You really can't get into trouble with an adequately powered RIB that size unless you really don't know what you're doing.

 

[kcinnick]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

This will not be 100% gulf use. Most of the time it will hit a local river, Bayou or lake. There is more water here than land....... Probably could go more places than my truck.

This will be my first boat, but not my first time boating. Both of my Grandfathers had boats most of my life. I remember taking a Jon Boats and Bass Boats out into the gulf on calm days, not that I would buy a boat for that purpose today. My dad won't buy a boat, even though that would be the natural progression of boat ownership in the family, he says they are not practical. I know that, they are fun (and a pain in the rear but still fun).

Another reason I want to stay on the small side is Fuel usage. I can probably go all day in a 175 or simular on $75-$100 worth of gas, less if I was just going to a destination and coming straight back. On a big boat I could sink $200-$300 a day for the same amount of fun.

Does anyone have any recomendations for a Dual console or Walk Around they could recomend. If needed I will watch for used boats, I just need to know what I am looking for. I might try to find an 07 or even 06 in a boat yard, but again, I need to know what to look for.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[marine4003]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

less expensive brands include ProLine...Robalo,renken...theres a ton of makes out there..go to e-bay and search walkaround or fishing just to get an idea of the brands & pricing.

 

[kcinnick]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

I find Ebay prices can be way off from reality. Some people are asking 95% of what a new boat cost on their 2 year old boats, some are even asking more than MSRP.

I hate that websites don't have pricing on 90% of the boat brands, not even an MSRP price. Does Renken have local dealers? I could not find a dealer list on their site.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Chip73]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

I have a 2008 175 and use it on the ICW in Georgia and I go to the barrier islands with it. The water can turn up pretty quick and the little boat does well but like any 17' boat it is at the mercy of the weather and bigger boats. The advantage of the 185 is more in weight than real size. Compare the dimensions of the two and there is not a large difference (6" in length and 4-6"" in beam I think). There is though a 500LBS difference. Though my boat does pretty good it has gotten hairy. because of this I am entertaining a 192CU, a little more money but the hull design and cuddy style deck seems better suited to my water. Just my 2 cents.

 

[kcinnick]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

That cuddy looks nice for the money. That would be a nice boat to have, but I think if I was going that far I would get a 23-24 cuddy. I one day want to own an express cruiser, but those days are far off. I might just drop my idea of bluewater boating and get the 175 and stay in the bays when I get to saltwater.

I did look at at some sea hunts today at a local dealer. He recomends a 22 foot boat with a 4 stroke for around 29k. He also had a 19' boat with a 2stroke for around 22k, but that is the smallest he recomends for traveling to the rigs off the louisiana coast. For that kind of money I would lean towards the 19' bayliner cuddy, or a larger deckboat(but I don't know if larger would really mean more seaworthy in that design).

Thanks

Nick

 

[Chip73]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

For that kind of money I would lean towards the 19' bayliner cuddy, or a larger deckboat(but I don't know if larger would really mean more seaworthy in that design).

Thanks

Nick

becareful of the deck-boat. The new Bayliners seem to have a pretty shallow, flat hull and do not look like they would handle the chop well. If you research you will see that the 05 Bayliner deck-boats have a really nice V, not sure why they changed.

 

[kcinnick]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

I think what I am calling a deckboat is really more often called a dual console. I think I am going to increase my budget and get a 19' bay boat. Anyone have any suggestions. Going over 20' cost too much for me to justify right now, I am only 25, I have plenty of time to get a big boat.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

You should start seeing some killer deals on the Sea Pro boats around noe that they have 86'd the name. The boats will live on under different brand names and of course the warranty will be honored at any Brunswick dealer...

I absolutely love my Sea Pro SV1900CC and it would do exactly what you are looking to do. I've compared it to several other brands and I liked it the best. I'd definitely buy it again.

I went with the bigger engine and rear seat options on mine but if you are ok with the boat as they sell it you can probably go out the door for under $20k right now on one...

 

[kcinnick]

Re: Bayliner 175 in the Gulf of Mexico?

I have been searching all day, and I think the Trophy 1952 Walk Around might be the boat I am looking for. Are there any other boats simular to this (under 20ft walkaround I/O that can go offshore). The closest dealer I can find for Sea Pro is in Fort Walton Beach Florida (4 hour drive). It might be worth the drive if the price is right. If I don't have a boat by time we go to Navarre in October, I might head towards fort Walton to try to make a deal.