first time buyer

[60thjeep]

I am currently looking to get my first boat and have a couple of questions that if you could answer or send me to a post or website to read I'd appreciate it.

I am looking to buy a 18-20' bow rider. From my readings a 3.0L is a little small, would a 4.3L be alright in this boat size for occasional skiing or tubing. I imagine we will be doing more tubing.

Should I stay away from boats that have been regularly used in salt water?

What questions do I need to ask or what do I need to look for in a used boat? How do I rate condition?

A lot of the boat prices seem high. When everyone says NADA is off, is it off high, low, or just totally off high sometimes, low sometimes?

Thanks

 

[60thjeep]

Re: first time buyer

forgot to mention I am looking for a 2004-2007 boat if it makes a difference in responses.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: first time buyer

4.3 Should be good enough for water sports. Alot depends on how many people will be on the boat but I have never been on a 4.3 liter boat that had issues pulling a tube of skier. You won't pull a team with it.

Properly maintained a boat that was used in Salt water is fine. Fresh water would be better. As far as what to look for. Make sure you test drive it of course. If it vibrates it could mean a variety of things like a bent propeller or shaft. Does the boat slip smoothly into gear, or does it jump?Check the Bilge for Water CHECK FOR FLOOR ROT. Inspect the floor for soft spots, which indicate rot.Ask for a maintenance history on the boat. Find out what major repairs have been made to the boat.

It's a good idea to have a qualified marine mechanic thoroughly inspect the boat before purchasing it. If you are going to do it yourself check the spark arrestors and plugs, alternator, belts, hoses, strainer, blower, shift cables, engine alignment, etc. Check the oil and make sure it is not cloudy.

Take a walk around the boat and inspect the hull and make sure it is in good condition. Feel free to tap on the hull all the way around and make sure the hull is consistently solid. Also check for gel-coat blisters and dry rot. Check the prop for warping, cracks, or nicks. Any of these things can throw off the performance of the boat.

As far as NADA goes. A boat is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay. NADA is good to leverage if the seller is asking over NADA to get him to come down on his price. Chances are a 2007 boat has a lien on it and the seller needs to pay it off. Sometimes this will force the seller to ask too much for the boat.

Above all take your time, decide what your budget is and don't jump on the first boat you find just because the weather is getting warm.

 

[60thjeep]

Re: first time buyer

How does a 150hp outboard compare to a 4.3L(190hp). The power to weight is higher, but does that matter? What about around a 115HP outboard?
What about maintenance on a 5 year old boat...10 year. What am I going to have to do to each in the next 5 years both I/O and outboard?

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: first time buyer

A 150 outboard in that year should be rated at the prop in my opion if you want the most power and speed use a 150 outboard but most people like I/O because of less fumes when aft .Both outboard and I/O have difference maintenance shedules. in that year they both should have min maintenace over five years ,water pump ,thermostat, bellows etc your manual will give the general info good luck I would like to here everyones opinions...<*)))-}ps .the 115 would be under power 4.3 would be fine remember pulling a ski is a big load on a motor bigger is better

20 wellcraft v20
17 boston whaler outrage II

 

[scoutabout]

Re: first time buyer

If you were going to be into watersports in a big way you would probably find the outboard a PITA hanging off the back getting in the way of ropes, water toys, entry and exit from the water. Doesn't sound like that's the primary purpose to your boating so ease of maintenance and general all around easier access to the greasy bits might tip the scales to the outboard if you are a DIY type. There's also a whole other world of maintenance issues for the outdrive of an I/O. And speaking of scales, I believe out of two boats of similar size, one with OB and one with I/O -- you'd find the OB the lighter of the two.

I've owned both and enjoyed both immensely but they are two different animals. The fume issue mentioned above I notice far more with older two stroke outboards. My 4 stroke outboard stinks no more or less than my I/O did. You might also find that two stroke outboards are noisier than I/Os. At cruise some 4 stroke outboards can give an I/O rig a run for its money in the decibel department.

But most important, don't buy anything you can't spend some time with on the water.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: first time buyer

I have owned I/O out O/B. I prefer O/B motors myself for several reasons.
#1 nobody cut a huge hole in the transom
#2 No bellows
#3 Depending on where you live your season is a lot longer for the simple reason that O/B motors are self draining and winterizing consists of running stabil through your fuel system.

 

[60thjeep]

Re: first time buyer

I have found a 2004 Glastron 205 GX SF with a carbed 5L for under 13K. This boat has what I am looking for and I think its a good deal.

The only problem is there is a small crack by one of the cleats. Is this something that I shouldn't get myself into or would this be easy to take care of? I am going to have the boat surveyed, but before doing that and driving the distance to look at it I would like to know if this is something that is not worth the trouble.

I am not all that familiar with boats or fiberglass. Will a crack in fiberglass continue to run?

Thanks

 

[bhammer]

Re: first time buyer

The only problem is there is a small crack by one of the cleats. Is this something that I shouldn't get myself into or would this be easy to take care of? I am going to have the boat surveyed, but before doing that and driving the distance to look at it I would like to know if this is something that is not worth the trouble. Thanks

Are you sure that it is the fiberglass that is cracked or just the gel coat? The gel coat is the nice pretty "paint" on the outside of the boat. I'd bet that it is just the gel coat. In that case, it's like having a scratch in the paint of your car.

 

[Mscanon99]

Re: first time buyer

I have been running outboards for a few years, first a 99 Mercury 115 then a 1994 Evinrude 115. I liked the Evinrude better, however this is just my short opinion.

I am also looking into getting an I/O now. The outboard has great power, ease, low maintenance and so forth, however I would not mind more power, less fumes, no motor in the way of the tube or skiers, I would like a swim deck as well.

I am currently looking for only a 4.3 plus in motor, I don't think the 3.0 can run like a 4.3, 5.0 or larger.

I may not like the I/O after a few years, if so, I go back to an O/B in a heartbeat.

Mike

 

[grego]

Re: first time buyer

I run o/b mostly, the ski pole does Not foul lines any more than an i/b. I do find that the i/b needs more maint. Most people, trying to sell you a boat will say that it is less trouble. The o/b is alot easier to maint.

 

[dnifedem85]

Re: first time buyer

I would like to first start by saying that I LOVE my outboard Johnson 150 because of the ease in winterization, general maintenance, and you don't have to lean over a hole to work on it. It is easily accessible all around. In my opinion, outboards last longer and are made for the water, some I/O are not made for the marine environment.

Outboards can be used for tubing, but I would highly not recommend skiing or wake boarding behind an outboard, it can be dangerous. I/O are not the best either, but at least you can have a big swim platform covering the prop. Wake surfing is the new and upcoming water sport, but since I have an outboard I have not been able to try it due to the close proximity to the prop.

I would always go for more power if you feel uncertain. Plenty of people regret not getting a bigger engine, I have never heard someone complain that it has too much power.

 

[Begester]

Re: first time buyer

I had a 5.0L in an 18.5 foot ski boat when I used to do a lot of watersports type activities. The thing that you will like about that is that you will never feel like you're at a loss of power with a full load of people in the boat and also trying to pull a skiier out of the water. In my opinion its well worth the extra few bucks you'll be spending on gas.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: first time buyer

I would like to first start by saying that I LOVE my outboard Johnson 150 because of the ease in winterization, general maintenance, and you don't have to lean over a hole to work on it. It is easily accessible all around. In my opinion, outboards last longer and are made for the water, some I/O are not made for the marine environment.

Outboards can be used for tubing, but I would highly not recommend skiing or wake boarding behind an outboard, it can be dangerous. I/O are not the best either, but at least you can have a big swim platform covering the prop. Wake surfing is the new and upcoming water sport, but since I have an outboard I have not been able to try it due to the close proximity to the prop.

I would always go for more power if you feel uncertain. Plenty of people regret not getting a bigger engine, I have never heard someone complain that it has too much power.

Wake Skating is dangerous with an O/B but how is skiing and wake boarding dangerous? The ropes range from 40' to 75' (Most running 60') I can't imagine ever getting close enough to the prop unless you happen to be Wake boarding while holding onto a cleat... Your comment about "some I/O are not made for the marine environment." Is also kind of off base. These engines are designed and tuned to run at high RPM for a long time and are the same engines that are placed in the inboard wake boats as well as the big offshore boats. While I personally prefer O/B motors it is just that, a preference. Easy to winterize and there is not a huge hole cut into the transom.

As others have said, Buy the most HP that you can afford. I wish I had. I bought the most HP the wife put in my budget. LOL

 

[Wassachu]

Re: first time buyer

Before buying a used boat, I would have a Marine Surveyor look at it. The Surveyor will go through the boat checking for structure damage and motor problems. The 4.3L motor is a great motor in a boat. It's efficient and strong. In an O/B, I have an Evinrude E-TEC. It's also a great motor. It's lighter then a 4 stroke O/B and has far less maintenance and no smoke. I'd stay away from older 2 stroke carberated O/B's, they are the smokey ones. But no matter which motor, for pulling toys, it all depends on the prop on the boat. Some will give you a better hole shot while others will give you a better top end. A Marine Surveyor will be able to tell you if the prop is right or not. And if you have to replace the prop, you need to make sure the motor is running in the right RPM range, at least for an O/B.

 

[TJLMERC330]

Re: first time buyer

My opinion .. don't buy an I/O ... Outboard is the way to go ... O/B's are much easier to maintain and they are more economical ...

Just MHO ! Tom