First Boat, need help

[Imback31]

I am about to buy my first boat for the family. We will be using it for days on the lake and some water sports. (the kids are 5 years and 9 months so not too much water sports). I want a sport style boat with enough room to fit 4 adults and 4 small children. Price is an issue, my budget is about 22k plus taxes. I want new, (I do not want somebody else's problems). I have been looking at the following boats, Tahoe Q4, Larson 180 sport, Glastron 185 and the Seaswirl 175. Can anybody give me some opinions on these or any other boat that may fit my needs? If you own one of these what do you think? Do I need to upgrade to the 4.3 litre engine? Thanks in advance.

 

[KCook]

Re: First Boat, need help

Even though enough seating is there, 4 adults plus 4 kids will make a 17 footer a struggle. The Glastron 185 is the biggest model on your list as it stands right now. Also, that load will need the 4.3L motor. At this time Seaswirl is going through some big changes. It's still not clear whether they will continue with their sport boat line.

Kelly Cook

 

[Imback31]

Re: First Boat, need help

Just to be clear, at most we will have 2 5 year olds and 2 babys in the boat with the adults. Most of the time it will just be my wife and two kids.

 

[GreatRiverDucker]

Re: First Boat, need help

Welcome!!
Personally I'm not a fan of Tahoes. But I have had very good experiences with Larsons, though. As for the engine, are you going to want to ski/board/tube behind it? If so the 4.3 would definitely help pull people up and around.
Happy buying!

Beware of Two-Foot Itis

 

[Imback31]

Re: First Boat, need help

Why not Tahoes? I think I'm going to put the 4.3 in whatever I buy. I really like the larson but it is much tighter than the tahoe and glastron.

 

[KCook]

Re: First Boat, need help

Here is a very long thread on this size boat on another site -

"http://boards.trailerboats.com/cgi-bin/trailerboats/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=003047"

Kelly

 

[dvan1901]

Re: First Boat, need help

For two kids and two adults, I wouldn't go under 19'. I have (selling as I got another boat) 19' Larson and I've had 4 adults and two kids on it several times. If I had anything smaller, it would be very cramped.

 

[EricR]

Re: First Boat, need help

Buy the Larson. Why? Because I am from central Minnesota and want to support the economy there.

 

[GreatRiverDucker]

Re: First Boat, need help

Buy the Larson. Why? Because I am from central Minnesota and want to support the economy there.

I second that notion!!

 

[KCook]

Re: First Boat, need help

Chill guys. The Glastrons are made in the very same plant as the Larson. One rumor has it that Seaswirl production will move there as well.

Kelly

 

[etransfer]

Re: First Boat, need help

I am about to buy my first boat for the family. We will be using it for days on the lake and some water sports. (the kids are 5 years and 9 months so not too much water sports). I want a sport style boat with enough room to fit 4 adults and 4 small children. Price is an issue, my budget is about 22k plus taxes. I want new, (I do not want somebody else's problems). I have been looking at the following boats, Tahoe Q4, Larson 180 sport, Glastron 185 and the Seaswirl 175. Can anybody give me some opinions on these or any other boat that may fit my needs? If you own one of these what do you think? Do I need to upgrade to the 4.3 litre engine? Thanks in advance.

The Tahoe Q6 is perfect in this price range.

The Q4 will get rough on the water and the kids will not want to go
on the boat anymore.

There are some nice deals on the 2007 Q6 right now at your budget. Get the 4.3 220 EFI and not the 190 carb engine.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First Boat, need help

what ever you buy, 4.3 efi or you will be disappointed. with the baby you need something with shade. nothing worse than a sunburnt baby to spoil several nights sleep. also remember the infant life jacket.

 

[thunder219]

Re: First Boat, need help

I was looking at some of the same boats you are and I ended up with a Starcraft 1900 and alot of that choice was because of dealers. I have a 3 and 6 year old and the main things I was looking for was the 4.3, 8.5 beam, removable carpet,and I think the best thing with having the kids is the extended swim platform. Even with the outdrive in the trailer pos. the deck goes over the whole outdrive.

 

[Imback31]

Re: First Boat, need help

Looks like it will be a Glastron 185 gt (2008) with the volvo 4.3 and xl package. Anybody have this boat?

 

[GreatRiverDucker]

Re: First Boat, need help

Sweet!

 

[thunder219]

Re: First Boat, need help

Two guys I boat with just got gt 205 and so far they have been very happy with them. Post some pics when you get it and congrats.

 

[tmh]

Re: First Boat, need help

Well, based on what I saw at the boat show a while ago, you picked a great boat for your purposes! For the price point, the Glastrons looked to have excellent quality and were laid out nicely. Their design moves the winshield/console further forwrd to make the coackpit area larger and roomier than similar sized bowriders. Yes, you lose some bow space, but with little kids that won't be a problem.

When the kids get older and have friends along, maybe something else will be better for you. But for your family that's a sweet boat at a nice price! It should really move with that power package also.