Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

[fdlsrv]

Hi guys,

I need your help with a new bowrider...

Basically, it's to ride on a calm lake 95% of the time... I will tow some skiers, tube, etc...

I will use it maybe 3-4 hours/week end, between june and september, but that's it... so maybe the gas comsumption is not really a factor here. On my lake, I have to ride on maximum 2-3 feet of water before joining the biggest bay of the lake (so I need a boat that don't need much water). I want something reliable (I don't mind spending more bucks to have more quality).

Can you help me with that?

Thx a lot, I really appreciate your help!

(sry for my english, i'm from Quebec).

 

[fdlsrv]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

nobody can help?

 

[StevenT]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

I would recommend first finding a ramp on the biggest bay. You can expect to spend lots of money on props and outdrive if you plan on running in 2-3 feet of water. I have been boating with bowriders for 25 years. I very highly recommend V8 power. Do yourself a favor don't even consider a four cylinder engine. Hope this helps.

 

[fdlsrv]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

Thx for the advices, the little river is only 30 feets long to attempt the biggest bay and is 100% sands... so it's not a big deal...

Don'T you think that a V6 will be enough for tow sport?

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

I would recommend @ least a v6 in a bow rider. I have owned a bow rider for over 13 yrs now and it's supporting a 4 banger and it will tow skiers and tubes with no issue but the little thing is giving all it's worth most of the time even when not towing and it does take it's toll pushing my 17 footer around. As for the shallows of 2 to 3' man you better stock up on props as said above or avoid that area for launching all together. If it were me I would go with something in the 19 to 20' range to avoid the 2'itise later because you will find that you will always want to go bigger.

 

[StevenT]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

Yes a 4.3 V6 should get you by ok. How many people do you plan on taking out for towing etc. ?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

Thx for the advices, the little river is only 30 feets long to attempt the biggest bay and is 100% sands... so it's not a big deal...

Uh yes it is, in fact sand can be just as bad as anything else at that depth, the engine cooling water is taken in via the bottom of the out drive, sand taken in through the outdrive will then pass to your impeller and destroy it, ask me how I know. Steven has a very good point and one that I agree with, Is there other boaters that run up the river you live on? I don't have any good advice for you, another 2 feet of water and I think you are fine but 2'-3' I think is just asking for trouble if your looking for a bowrider. I think you could get a 4.3l motor and be fine with it for power and fuel efficiency but thats a personal opinion you need to prove to yourself, I couldn't do it, I have a hard enough time living with a 454 MPI!!

at 30' I suppose you could simply raise your trim and coast in but that doesn't help you getting out...

 

[haley]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

I do not have as much experience as the previous posters, and do not disagree with their points. I'll just toss this in:

- An out boards can be raised more than an I/O (although I bet the range with the prop spinning s close to the same.

- An outboard is easier to winterized ( tres froid dans Quebec)

Again, I agree that the big I/O is the better all around boat, but sometimes special needs confuse things

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

Consider a jet boat...look at either the Yamaha or Seadoos. 2 to 3 feet are plenty for those boats.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

Another option would be a fish & ski version of bowrider with trolling motor to make that 30'. Or, as mentioned, an outboard could trim up higher and just idle across.

 

[3gsdad]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

I think you could find a Bayliner in that price range. Do they sell them in Canada?
As for the shallow water get a push pole. I have used one with my bowrider to get out of situations I should not have been in. You can kill the motor and raise the prop all the way up then stand on the swim deck and pole it out to deep water. Mine is a Dotline telescopic aluminum pole that fits in my storage area under the rear bench seat and it extends to 12 feet, it was only $29. As for 2 feet if water I am not sure you could even pole it that shallow maybe 3 feet.
I am new to boating and have already learned how much damage a sandy bottom can do to your lower unit so be carfull.

 

[fdlsrv]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

You guys are absolutly awesome!! I plan to tow only one guy at the same time...

Thx for pointing me out the sand problem... So basically i Will need to shut down the engine, and either or use a trolling electric engine (amazing idea) or use a pole ( another amazing idea!).

I have looked at a Doral Sunquest 170, and do you think that a 90 or 115 hp engine can be enough to tow a skier?

Actually I can buy a Bayliner 175 br 2009 for 14k$, brand new, or a Maxum 1800 '09 also brand new for 17k $... A Mariah r18 2011 for 20k, a Doral 170 for 20k, a 175 for 21k or a 08' Monterey 180 brand new for 22k (including a wakeboard tower)... All of them has a 3.0 except the Monterey!

And yes it's really cold in Quebec , your french seems good .

 

[StevenT]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

IMHO I would stay away from 3.0 power. Boat companies sell them underpowered for price point. I would go with at least a 4.3 V6. or even better a V8, It helps with resale value with more power. I agree with a previous post having owned a 4 cylinder bowrider before. I had to pretty much give it all it had to pull kids on towables. I currently have a 19' bowrider with 5.7 power. No power problems now. for me it makes my boating much more enjoyable.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

Are you completely set on a new boat?

If so, that's fine... but you should understand the depreciation involved. You'll lose between 20-30% in the first two years, absolute minimum, whereas 2 - 4 year old boat is still basically new and will not depreciate much at all.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

Consider a jet boat...look at either the Yamaha or Seadoos. 2 to 3 feet are plenty for those boats.

Actually, the newer models have extremely high efficiency jet pumps and they don't recommend running in that shallow water anyway. They will literally suck up the bottom at 2 feet. The cost to replace an engine water pump is chump change when compared to replacing an impeller and wear ring on a jet drive. Regardless, those boats are qway above your price range.

To get to the cove we fish, swim and relax in requires me to run through a 100 yard sandy shoal, 2 feet deep. On my OBs and I/Os I tilt up till the prop is above the bottom of the boat. My trim gauge on the I/O is calibrated so i know exactly where that point is. Then I run in at 800 rpms. been doing that for years without any issues with the U-joints or water pump. Just gotta go slow!

Chose the OB or I/O of your choice and don't worry about the 30 foot obstacle.

 

[Mama Juana 10]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

I would also consider looking at a deck boat with a head. The deck boats have plenty of room for everyone, and plent of power for skiing, tubing etc. If I were to buy another bow rider, I would go right for the deck boat. Bow riders tend to run out of room when you pack all the gear in...

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

You can get a barely used boat with a 6 cyl cheaper than a new 4 cyl. Let someone else take the depreciation hit and get the motor you really want. ...and +1 on the trolling motor idea.

 

[oops!]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

hi....good luck with the foot ball game today. !

im going to go against the grain here.....

a bayliner with a 3l. is all the boat you need. the new bayliners are running 45 mph top end and can easily pull a skier or a tube.
great on gas....and it will have a better resale than an outboard in your area.
i agree with buyig a slightly used boat with a bigger motor.....the 4.3's are also good on gas.....but at 6 bux a gallon on the street (next season). i would go for the 3l

im a little worried about this sand type river you are going down to get to the bay....so i would suggest a trolling motor....

in the lake i boat on is a channel between two lakes. you cant boat in that channel with out whacking a prop. it is the same depth you are talking about.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

I think I agree with Oops! here. I've always heard that the 175s were good for 45 MPH, and the 3L will be more efficient than a larger engine. I love my 4.3L, but my 18.5' Larson is about a thousand pounds heavier than a 175, and with 70 more horsepower I can only go 3 MPH faster than that 3L 175 could! Maintenance is easier on the 175 as well.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Comparing brand new Bowrider between 16 000$ and 20 000$, plz help me

I had an 05 Bayliner 185 with a 3.0 and it did just fine with skiers and tubing. However, my current 3.7 (still a 4 cyl) is significantly more powerful. But it also uses significantly more fuel.