Bayliner or FourWinds?

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

Pick the one you like the best with the cost figured into the equation. Buying a small bow rider based on estimated resale value is stupid. Buying one (of any brand) makes no sense at all if you are thinking about depreciation. Nothing depreciates faster than a small boat.

Personally I'd consider stepping up to a 185 or 195, a 175 is pretty small and you may outgrow it quickly. Also make sure you are negotiating your price not just taking what the dealer has it priced at. In 2005 I bought my 195 for $17K which was way under the sticker.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

who cares about resale? No one buys a boat as an investement and unless you plan on selling it in a few years, why does it matter the depreciation?

Get the one you like best

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

I would go FW over Bayliner from what I've seen I've looked at 3 Bayliners vs 2 FW so far... Bayliners just looked horrible compared to them.

Anyways, the local dealership here went from my 6k-9k budget for a used boat and is trying to get me to drop 19k on a glastron volvo 3.0 I'm like nooo way.

 

[duanemc]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

Never thought of that part but this is going to be a boat for me for many years (so really depreciation isn't much of a concern)my little guys are young and it is a good outing especially when they get big enough to ski. I was looking more at the 4W but the bayliner is cheaper mind you only 1500. cheaper. Should see what the dealer will take for the 4W and then do same with Bayliner right now the Bayliner people are getting back to me answering questions and such and it is hard to get answers from the 4W people.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

Well, if your kids are young and you plan on keeping it, 175 may be a bit small as someone posted above. our dad bought a 175 mariah when we were growing up, and maybe 3 years later we upgraded to a 23' pretty much on neccessity. I would say try to find a 19-20' if you can get one in your price range. it will handle rougher water a little better also.

About bayliner, customer service says alot also in my book. I would be inclined to go where the help is, because it will probably be there after you buy the boat as well. Four Winns makes some nice stuff, take the Liberator for example. But Bayliner also makes some really nice yachts too, so the potential for quality is there on both makers IMO.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

who cares about resale? No one buys a boat as an investement and unless you plan on selling it in a few years, why does it matter the depreciation?

Depreciation matters in this case because the vast majority of those who buy entry-level models like the ones the OP asks about, will eventually upgrade. And that's where they'll wish they had thought about depreciation.

You are correct, boats should be considered as expenses and not investments, but depreciation IS an expense--it's actually money out of the owner's pocket.

The two most often cited reason for selling a boat are:

1. Need the money for other purposes.
2. Buying a different boat.

In both of these cases, depreciation of the boat will certainly matter so I think now is a good time to consider that aspect.

Grouse

 

[duanemc]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

think I am going to go see both of them this weekend and figure what one I like best. Like I said I know the Bayliner guys are very helpful and the 4W have finally gotten back in touch with me so lets see how this plays out. Cause as for options and all that stuff they are pretty much the same.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

It may come down to who you can get to throw in the most extras

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

You need to look at them to determine quality. Crappiest new boat I've seen recently was a brand new searay 17-18 foot. Suprised me, but the interior looked like a 5 year old put it together. Normally searay is a pretty nice boat.

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

During my boat hunting I went to several dealerships. I looked at a Chapperale, a Carvalle, a Regal, and two Bayliners.

One of the Bayliners was a 175 at $14,500 and the other was a 195 at $19,500. The others were all in the $25,000 Price range. I liked the 195 better. The deeper hull and higher walls make for a better ride and is more stable on the water. It is also much safer for little ones and those that are uncomfortable in boats and are not great swimmers. The price difference was about $5,000 between the two Bayliners.

If I had to choose between the two and I had cash it would be the Four Winns.

Bayliner boats are getting better and it seems that US Marine (same company builds Searay boats) is trying to dispel the bad name that Bayliner earned 10 - 15 years ago with the quality of their boats. Offering Fiberglass floors and encapsulated composite stringers with a lifetime warranty. The drive and motor warranty was also better than the other much higher end boats.

In the end I bought a good running motor and a good drive. Mercruiser 3.0 and Mercruiser Alpha one drive that came with a well cared for boat.

Did I pay too much for her? Probably, but out of the 14 hours I put on her in 5 days on the lake after I and the dealership fixed a couple of minor issues I don't regret paying what I did for her. By the way NADA value is completely worthless.

When I get home in mid September I will be putting as many hours on her as I can before the season ends. I decided that Paying cash for a boat and not being in debt for one was much better than having a Brand new shiny boat with a boat payment for 5 years.

I regard a boat as an investment not in the Boat itself but in the family.The experiences that family will get out of it are the return on the cost of the boat.

I have learned quite a bit from my 1988 Invader 181 (Thread and pictures to follow) already and can't wait to learn more. Perhaps after owning her for a few years and have my tow vehicle payed off I will be ready to splurge for the brand new shiny boat.

If I had the cash and I were you I would offer $12,500 for the Four Winns or $11,000 for the Bayliner and see what the dealer says. That is if I had the cash.

Personally I like not having a boat payment.

Just My 2 cents worth

 

[reap182]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

Get the one you like. I have no complaints and haven't been stranded yet. Depends on how well you take care of something, plus having good customer service is a plus.

 

[dls322]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

i was looking at the fourwinns, the bayliner link won't work.......why do they make boats without tachs? Geez....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

i was looking at the fourwinns, the bayliner link won't work.......why do they make boats without tachs? Geez....

Bayliner link works for me. Odd that the 4 Winns only has 3 guages (fuel, trim, speed) - no tach. The bayliner looks like it has 7 guages, but I can't tell what they all are from the picture.


4 winns pictures. This particular model looks pretty crappy actually.
http://www.fourwinns.com/model/H180LE/photos_video

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

4 winns pictures. This particular model looks pretty crappy actually.

http://www.fourwinns.com/model/H180LE/photos_video

I agree. Talk about building to a price point. No excuse to not have a tach.

 

[jkust]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

At quick glance both of those boats are pretty spartan but the links were to new 2010 models not 2005. When you compare them (your subject boats) side by side what are the differences you see that appeal to you? When I shopped 18 footers a few years back it didn't take much to figure out what I liked and which models fit our needs better. In other words it was very obvious which model was say built with better components, wired nicer, had better quality vinyl, etc because those types of metrics were important to me. The 18 foot slot of boats runs the spectrum from boats that are built cheaply to get you out on the water and boats that although are only 18 feet are constructed as nicely as the large and much more expensive cruisers of that manufacturer. I have a Bayliner open bow and a Chaparral open bow of similar length. Both do their job well and we have fun in each. One boat might get scoffs and the other is a conversation starter.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

At quick glance both of those boats are pretty spartan but the links were to new 2010 models not 2005. When you compare them (your subject boats) side by side what are the differences you see that appeal to you?

The original poster is looking at new 2010 boats. The 2005's were brought in to the discussion by someone talking about depreciation.

 

[jkust]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

The original poster is looking at new 2010 boats. The 2005's were brought in to the discussion by someone talking about depreciation.

Ok well that makes it a bit easier. I will say then that the Bayliner overall has improved dramatically over this decade and in general I'd prefer the FW over the BL even for $1000 more. That said those prices could get you a nearly new, premium bowrider model. I looked new then premium used and there was no comparison for the money. It is hard to argue the possibility of more for less and at least in my state no sales tax on used boats (from private parties).

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

Ok well that makes it a bit easier. I will say then that the Bayliner overall has improved dramatically over this decade and in general I'd prefer the FW over the BL even for $1000 more. That said those prices could get you a nearly new, premium bowrider model. I looked new then premium used and there was no comparison for the money. It is hard to argue the possibility of more for less and at least in my state no sales tax on used boats (from private parties).

If you looked at the 2010 Bayliner 175 and 4 winns, I'm curious why you would choose the 4 winns? The 4 wins looks like a piece of junk compared to the bayliner (which I admit is odd, but it does). As for the premium brands, I think you'll be suprised when you look at their entry level boats. SeaRay for example has an entry level BR which is pretty sad looking.

The bayliners don't get much fancier as they go up in size, where the other brands do - but I think their entry level stuff (17-18 ft) starts at a higher level than most.

 

[Mordekai]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

I just went thru all this and decided on a tahoe q4, basically the same money with a lil bit more room/options.

http://www.tahoe-boats.com/boat/?boat=3215

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner or FourWinds?

I just went thru all this and decided on a tahoe q4, basically the same money with a lil bit more room/options.

http://www.tahoe-boats.com/boat/?boat=3215

That is a very good looking boat. Noticed them earlier this year when the local dealer chain picked them up to replace Glastron.