Changing Boating Styles - Advice?

[WayCool]

I have owned about a dozen boats over the past 40 years - mostly water ski rigs and bass boats. I presently have a 2002, G3 (Skeeter) HP190 (19' aluminum bass boat, 150 EFI Yamaha, tandem custom trailer, totally loaded) that was to be my last boat. While its a great boat, since I bought it I have had 3 heart attacks and 20 months ago rolled a SUV and nearly died. Getting out and fishing alone is almost more than my old beaten boady can take. Thus, the G3 probably doesn't have a total of 50 hours use.

I have decided to sell it and buy a cruiser and want something in the 35-39 foot range not more than 20 years old, nor more than $100,000 (I was inspired by my son-in law's new '48 Cabo which was only $1.8 million).

I live in Arkansas and my first look gave me the impression I need to ne looking at Sea Rays or Maxums in the 1988-1995 vintage probably presently on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Any advice???

What

 

[KCook]

Re: Changing Boating Styles - Advice?

Yikes, 3 heart attacks would scare the pee-pee out of me! I can't help much with the older cruisers. But here is another thread that touches on them -

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=1029015

Kelly Cook

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Changing Boating Styles - Advice?

i'd throw rinker in the mix for a good value. you've obviosuly done your homework and know what that class will cost. i'm in the same 'boat', looking for just that right 32-36' express fishing boat, max price of $100K. only suggestion i have is visit the various websites often (iboats, boattrader, yachtworld, saltydog) and really learn the market values of these boats. educate yourself enough and you'll spot that deal and be happy with it. good luck-

 

[tommays]

Re: Changing Boating Styles - Advice?

A LOT of those size boats are underpowered when there sold with the base engine package

The brands you are picking from will limit you to mercruiser drive packages


You would want to avoide a boat that size that had Alpha drives and look for ones with Bravo drives


Tommays

 

[skibug]

Re: Changing Boating Styles - Advice?

In that size of a boat I would not be looking at I/O boats. I would be focusing on Inboard diesel engines.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Changing Boating Styles - Advice?

Man, you weren't kidding. From a trailerable jon boat to a $100,000 slipped 2nd home. Quite a change indeed!

 

[KCook]

Re: Changing Boating Styles - Advice?

WayCool, I wus hoping you would get more response here. Iboats is a terrific resource for small boats. But for boats as big as you are now looking at I would also be using the message boards over at BoaterEd, BoatUS, GoBoating, and TheHullTruth.

Kelly