Boat Buying - Suggestions?

M

Midnight Thunder

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2007
Messages
27
Hello All;

My family has been boating for years and it's time for a new power boat for the cotage.

We will use it to take a few people out at a time - a bowrider is a consideration - we'll also use it for light fishing. Skiing and water tubeing will be a real must.

So we're think of a I/O or Outboard with 120HP or just over.

The boat will stay in the water for the season in the northern lakes where unfortunatley there is a high concentration of iron in the water.

We looked at a Bayliner but with a little research found that the hulls are a little thin on the fiberglass - we prefer a good sturdy boat over speed.

I'm also concerned about the staining effect of the water and wonder if aluminum is a better bet.

I'm open to suggestions of boats, makes and fiberglass vs. aluminum. We are trying to keep it under $30k.

Thanks!
 
K

KCook

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: Boat Buying - Suggestions?

I think this would depend in part on the lake. For a popular lake with lots of chop I would lean toward a fiberglass boat. But for quieter lakes or times there are some very nice aluminum boats to choose from. Used to be that you could expect the aluminum boats to be lower priced than fiberglass. But the price of aluminum is going up, and the price of outboard motors has gone way up. So it's possible the fiberglass I/O boat may have the lower price! Anyways, here is another good thread on aluminum vs fiberglass -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167088

Kelly Cook
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Boat Buying - Suggestions?

the old bayliners stay away from. 95 an newer OK. for the water sports you want atleast the 4.3L i/o the 4 cylinder will be sluggish, and a slug on the water.
 
E

evilratgirl

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
82
Re: Boat Buying - Suggestions?

Hey Midnight,
You don't mention what northern lakes you're boating. Here in the eastern Minnesota/ western Wisconsin the lakes are pretty rocky.

Cooks mention of aluminum boats used to be cheaper has never applied here. An aluminum boat may get dented and scratched but you're not likely to knock a hole in it. I'm not talking about the typical basic fishing boat either.

Also as far as staining I would think the fiberglass may also be more prone to stain depending on the lake.

I've had 2 older fiberglass outboard boats prior to the aluminum I/O we have now. Ours is an 88 Crestliner 18.5 with the feared 2.3 OMC Cobra. It fits our needs perfect, fishing, tubing or putting.

But as mentioned everyones needs are different for both location and use. Best of luck in your search.
 
D

dbarnett66

Recruit
Joined
Jul 7, 2007
Messages
3
Re: Boat Buying - Suggestions?

tashasdaddy said:
you can keep it around $20K with this. i definately would by one. it gets a 9.9 out of 10 from me. the 2008 205 from Bayliner completely redesigned. and tough as hell. the fish N ski set up sounds just right. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=198208
Click to expand...

Tashasdaddy,

I think you have me hooked on the 2008 Bayliner 205 with the fish and ski option, but I notice that MSRP is around $29k without the fish and ski package. Did Bayliner surprise everyone with a price increase? Just curious. I intend to purchase a boat sometime next year, so I hope to get in on some end of the year pricing...

Oh I forgot....My name is Dan and I am a boat owner noobie. I have rented a few but never owned. I am looking for the versatile boat to handle two young boys and a wife. I intend to fish, the boys will fish, tube, and ski, and the wife will layout on the bow....
 
orion25

orion25

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
386
Re: Boat Buying - Suggestions?

I just bought a 2007 Larson LXI 208 with a Mercruiser 5.0 MPI engine for a good bit less than $30K. I am loving the boat so far. If you are willing to drive and pick up your boat I will email you the dealer I got it from. They had the best price by about $1K that I could find.
 
K

KCook

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: Boat Buying - Suggestions?

Of course exact prices will depend on your local dealer. But you may find that the Glastron GT competes with the Bayliner.

Kelly Cook
 
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