Best used boat.

AEROCOOK

AEROCOOK

Master Chief Petty Officer
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I currently own a 14' aluminum with a 20hp tiller. the boat has been great, but with the family getting older, I want to upgrade to a used bowrider, 70hp or greater, with a budget of $5000.00 cdn or less.<br />the main function of the boat will be pleasure riding and occasional water sports.<br />Since asking which brand of boat is best would likely evoke a massive debate, I thought It would be better to ask if there are any brands or models to avoid.<br />I await your response.
 
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phatmanmike

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Oct 24, 2003
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Re: Best used boat.

i hear it coming.......<br /><br /><br />its not the boat that matters, its the people that have owned it before you and how well they took care of it. this means that its actually possible for a bayliner to be in better condition than a grady white.( although i doubt it)<br /><br />99% of boat problems are user error.<br /><br />get the biggest you can afford, and if youre not afraid of some elbow grease, you can save a bundle by getting a boat thats in need of some love
 
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srperry01

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Jul 13, 2004
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Re: Best used boat.

This is one of the first questions I asked. My suggestion is to go to www.jdpower.com and look at their reviews. Not that they are the end all be all of boat reviews but it's a helpful place to start. They also have very few brands compared with what is out there. From my brief expierence, all boats are decent machines and all boats have their problems. Good luck. Personally and in my opinion, some of the better boats include rinker, chapparal, crownline, sea ray, cobalt, ski nautique. AGAIN - That's just my very, very, unexpierenced opinion.
 
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cuzner

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2004
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Re: Best used boat.

Your a bit limited with your budget.. Auto trader .ca has a 1990 maxum 19 ft bowrider listed for 4999, with trailer 70 hp force, a little underpowered and from what I've heard force isn't a very good engine. Best idea would be for you to find something and ask for opinions on a specific boat. Doral,searay, fourwins, and chappral are some of the best brands but they don't make engines.A merc engine is the same on any boat.Any boat properly maintained is worth a look at.<br /><br /> Keep posting and good luck<br /><br /> Jim
 
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DJ

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Re: Best used boat.

Your going to have to decide if you want aluminum or fiberglass.<br /><br />There are some great aluminum bowriders out there. The alum. will allow you to get away with less horsepower and tow vehicle.<br /><br />Unless you are a boat nut and love maintenance, stay away from Force.
 
AEROCOOK

AEROCOOK

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Re: Best used boat.

Thanks for all of the input folks.<br />To DJ... My first choice is in fact aluminum, but their availability in the used boat market seems to be limited compared to fiberglass. Dont need one till next summer, so I will keep looking. <br />To PHATMANMIKE...A boat that requires TLC is exactly what I am looking for, I can fix just about anything. <br />Thanks again.
 
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Captcheetah

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Aug 21, 2002
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Re: Best used boat.

I'll side with the phatman.<br /><br />I am not particular to any brand (although, I do favor Mercruiser drivetrains), but I am a big fan of clean and well taken care of stuff. My first boat was an '83 Cheetah 180 V-8/open bow that I bought three years ago. It was super clean, hit on the first start, and never gave me one bit of trouble, all for $3,500. I kept it two years and sold it for $3,500. Older, well taken care of, and reasonably priced boats are not plentiful but they are out there. Look hard and have cash. Oh, for water sports I like the V-8's, I can't hardly find a older 4 cylinder that will get me up on a slalom, but then again I am 280lbs :eek:
 
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srperry01

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Jul 13, 2004
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Re: Best used boat.

It makes you feel better about the inside of the boat when the outside is well maintained. I'm not saying that the two go hand in hand but I would bet there is some relationship btwn the two.
 
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DJ

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Re: Best used boat.

COOK63,<br /><br />It sounds like you have a good plan. NOW is the time to buy. People would rather sell than store.<br /><br />Aluminum boats are easy to fix up, as long as they are not full of dents.<br /><br />Below is a link to my last aluminum boat project.<br /><br /> http://mypeoplepc.com/members/djohns19/djohns19/
 
AEROCOOK

AEROCOOK

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Re: Best used boat.

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> COOK63,<br /><br />It sounds like you have a good plan. NOW is the time to buy. People would rather sell than store.<br /><br />Aluminum boats are easy to fix up, as long as they are not full fo dents.<br /><br />Below is a link to my last aluminum boat project.<br /><br /> http://mypeoplepc.com/members/djohns19/djohns19/
Click to expand...
 
AEROCOOK

AEROCOOK

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Re: Best used boat.

Nice job!!<br />That thing must must fly with a 90.
 
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gsbodine

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Re: Best used boat.

sweet, DJ.<br /><br />Here's another, COOK. The guy before me had started the restoration, so it wasn't as bad as the last boat that I had to do what DJ did (of course, it didn't look as good as his, either, when I got done, but I was learning! ;) ), but I paid $3400 US for it. About the same ballpark you're in, I guess. <br /><br /> http://psogos.com/boat
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Best used boat.

CCOK63,<br /><br />Yes it did fly. 90 was max. HP. I sold it shortly after the resto.<br />I bought it to restoire and sell. It had sat for 16 years in the Arizona sun. It was a rare find.<br /><br />Ol' Norse,<br /><br />I love those boats. Nice job!!!<br />That's a Sylvan, isn't it?
 
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gsbodine

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May 4, 2004
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346
Re: Best used boat.

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> That's a Sylvan, isn't it?
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Actually, it's a '78 Crestliner. Which makes it an AMF/Crestliner. People do confuse it all the time with Starcrafts and other things. Everyone loves to guess at the lake and no one has ever gotten it right. I thought Starcraft the first time I saw it.
 
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Link

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Re: Best used boat.

COOK63 <br />I'm also a big fan of aluminum boats.<br /><br />phatmanmike<br />
i hear it coming.......
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LOL I thought it was going to turn into DC! Glad it didn't. <br />I agree with what he said.. just no L-Drves :) <br /><br />DJ <br />I followed your post on that boat. If I didn't say it over there, I will here. Excellant JOB! <br />I'm just starting on the inside now on mine and if it turns just 1/2 as good as yours I will be happy.<br /><br />COOK63<br />Here is another project in the process.. doesn't really matter if its Glass or Aluminum (Just different work is all) <br /><br />Ready to be acid etched and primed<br /><br />
www.myfishingpictures.com
[/url][/IMG] <br /><br /> <br /><br />Oh BTW there was nothing wrong before I started this except I was tired of looking at Dull Aluminum! Wanted to spruce her up a bit if you will!<br /><br /><br />
watermark.php
<br /><br />This was my first attempt and even though not perfect I'm happy with it so far. Now to get the insides to look like DJ's :rolleyes: Like thats going to happen! But it is a lot of fun!<br /><br />Keep posting<br /><br />Took 5 edits to get the first pic in.. having a senior/blonde moment here ;)
 
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