Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

[65fordguy]

Hey guys, new here... Im on the market for a new boat... and thought I would run a few by ya.

Im looking at a 2003 Glastron GX 185 SF, 2004 Crownline 180 BR, 2004 Tahoe Q4, and Bayliner new 2009 175 or used 2004 185

all of these except the tahoe have the little 3.0
I would jump on the Tahoe.. but its white and green.. im not a big green fan.


My gut tells me Glastron is a better boat... but thats likely just because I know the name... and its rich history in boating.

Im not familar with any of the others..

I Grew up on Mastercraft and Ski nautique Boats... or old bass boats.

Thanks for the help,
or if you have another option that would be around and under 12k
Im open!

 

[TBONE59]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

my vote is glastron havet had much expirence with the other boats you have listed. i purchase my boat from a boat show so i was able to look at the boats u have listed over all i am very heppy with the glasstron because of its price, styling/options, and "fit and finish"

 

[cr2k]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

Everything else will have to be considered but Bayliner and Tahoe are entry level boats. Not that that is a bad thing, depending on your intended uses. In some cases a little "lighter duty"

Glastron has been around for ever and is a quality boat, Crownline is at the top end of the newer makers of boats.

All that said, if you are looking for a light use weekend pleasure boat, look for the boat that has the features, etc. you like. It will probably serve you well.

If you plan on harder use rap the hulls and see which one has the thicker glass.

 

[koko1]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

If you plan to use it for skiing, knee boarding, or wake boarding I would go with the 4.3 engine in the Tahoe... If just for joyriding the 3.0 should suit you fine though..You can do all that with the 3.0 but trust me you will be kicking yourself later...Or look around and wait some more and find a Glastron or other brand name boat with a 4.3 in it...I have boarded behind some boats with the 3.0 in them and I just don't like it... It seems like the engine is pushing itself to hard, just my opinion though...

 

[livin4real]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

You can find bigger and better boats than those you listed for $12K. Checkout www.boattrader.com

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

You can find bigger and better boats than those you listed for $12K. Checkout www.boattrader.com

I agree 100%

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

I wouldn't go with anything less than the 4.3L. Corwnline will be the best overall boat out of the manufacturers you listed, but there are many more out there. I personally would try to find a 20' model.

 

[lrdchaos]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

I have a white and green tahoe, like you are describing......The reason I bought it was because it was a left over boat and I saved 12k off sticker. That being said, I've had good luck with the boat, fit and finish isn't as great as a crownline or glasstron, but I will give up some of that for displacement. Just remember whatever boat you buy, there is no replacement for displacement. I would highly recommend buying the biggest engine you can find in whatever boat you chose to go with.

 

[RMB]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

I'm new to the forum, but have been around boats all my life. I don't know much about Tahoe, but with Bayliner, Glastron and Crownline, you just about cover the entire spectrum in boat quality/reputation.

Bayliner is more of an entry level boat. Glastron is more middle of the road (even in the Genmar line) and Crownline is on the upper end, easily comparable to Cobalt and Chaparral for stern drives. If you look at the boats, you should see a difference in the components used. For example, Crownline will usually use a higher grade upholstery, and will usually be a heavier boat than the other two. The differences are more apparent in the larger boats, but even in an 18 footer can be seen.

I agree with others about looking for a 4.3. You probably would not sacrifice much in fuel consumption, but you will gain quite a bit in performance.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

I agree with others about looking for a 4.3. You probably would not sacrifice much in fuel consumption, but you will gain quite a bit in performance.

Yup I agree, try to find that 4.3. It's a strong durable engine that has enough performance for water sports but small enough to not guzzle gas like it's going outta style. I am perfectly happy with my 20' boat and 4.3 carb'd engine. Sure a little more grunt would be nice for showing off...but my glastron sure doesn't need it. (49mph, 4 adults GPS).


Ian

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

Just some food for thought, my Crownline is two feet longer than the one you are looking at which in a bowrider isn't much more weight, and I'm running the 5.7 merc setup. It is a rocket ship but I love the power of it and the pulling power with a hi five prop is amazing. No complaints of boat build quality fit and finish is top notch along with some neat little things that are exclusive to crowline. The 3.0 would probably get you up on a ski, tube etc. but its not going to be any powerhouse for sure. You will save some gas but seems like in the world of boating thats a part I'm willing to give up saving a few bucks for the beef under the hood. If storage, tow vehicle, etc allow I would go at least a 20 footer the difference in the interior space is amazing especially if the boats you are looking at have the "sport" seating which so many do these days. Sport seating in an 18 footer makes for a very small deck space, crownlines do however have a wider beam than most in there same category which is nice for interior and for stability. Good luck I'm sure you could find a nice 20" with at least a 4.3 in it for that kind of dough.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

The bigger engine usually doesn't make much of a difference in top speed with this size of boat, it's about the torque/holeshot. It's a lot different pulling up a 200+lbs slolam skier with a 3.0 than it is with a 5.7L. The 3.0L will require a small bit of dragging; the 5.7L will pretty much pop you right out of the water. I actually wouldn't ever buy a boat without a v8, but if your choice is 3.0 vs 4.3L, the 4.3L wins hands down.

 

[65fordguy]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

Well, most of the boats Im finding with the larger engines are 2001 year models and down.. Which plays a roll when trying to get financing... apparently 7 years old is the limit? with out special permissions and lower year terms.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

I found several boats in that price range and with the 4.3.... but almost everyone had something semi seriously wrong with it..

.... So I just bit the bullet and bought a brand new one.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

I found several boats in that price range and with the 4.3.... but almost everyone had something semi seriously wrong with it..

.... So I just bit the bullet and bought a brand new one.

Exactly what I did, got fed up with other peoples lack of maintenance, and when you get that close in model year, the savings just aren't worth it. Gimme a warranty please...thank you.

I have a theory about vehicles, you can pay the mechanic or you can pay the bank...it's all a wash at the end of the year.

ian

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

Exactly what I did, got fed up with other peoples lack of maintenance, and when you get that close in model year, the savings just aren't worth it. Gimme a warranty please...thank you.

I have a theory about vehicles, you can pay the mechanic or you can pay the bank...it's all a wash at the end of the year.

ian

I purchased a new one this year as well. My current boat is great, just a little smaller and less power than I wanted.

Now I have the luxury of the bigger boat, bigger engine, and what you`ve said fishy on the maintenance. I know it will be well maintained because I`ll do it from day one.

65fordguy....everything`s been said on the boat.... I`d certainly encourage taking the larger engine, or finding the type of boat you`d be happy with, and with the larger engine.

 

[jkust]

Re: Glastron, Crownline, Tahoe, or Bayliner

Well first you are buying at a great time. A couple of thoughts about the brands. Since you are in a buyers market, I suggest getting a premiem brand boat. Only Crownline in your list would be considered premium. The premium brand prices have dropped a lot this last year but also take into account it is not winter any longer. Bayliner and Tahoe are not in that category. I have a Bayliner and the boat in my sig so a low and high quality boat. I would bypass the Bayliner and it's too bad Tahoes have such quality issues because they look nice. If you don't care about which engine you get, the Crownline wins hands down. I looked at them also and they are more sporty than classy plus for whatever reason they never had snap out carpet which is a must for 12k. Nothing wrong with sporty just not my taste. Now regarding the engines, again in this market get the biggest engine you can. The 3.0 is the the smallest and really doesn't move too much slower on top end but the 4.3 is the winner in my book. A lot more torque and it is very noticable out of the hole and when pulling. The v8's in the 18 footer range is tougher to find but generally more available on premium brands due to heavier hull and capacity. I only have the 4.3 because I bought in a sellers market and boats were scarce pre-recession and sold in hours. I would look hard for that V8 if I was buying today or settle for a 4.3 but not a 3.0. I didn't catch your location but I would test out a few boats for yourself with different engine options. You will see for yourself what everyone is talking about. I am amazed but some people swear by their 3.0's so check them all out for yourself.