Help a guy out

[ripler]

I am getting that itch to buy a new boat. I actually got my wife to go out tire kicking on Saturday, so at least she is not totally against it. I also got a few points when my 10 year old daughter jumped up in the boat and looked around with a big smile on her face saying "this is awesome". I'm not totally new to boating, I used to have a 1994 Chaparral 1930SS that I bought off of my father in law for dirt cheap, we sold it when our daughter was born and we decided to build a house, but now I'm back in the market after seeing some new boats in the neighborhood.

I'm looking for a 19-20 foot boat that I will keep in my garage, my garage is 24' deep. We looked at a 2010 Searay 185 sport with the 4.3 Merc carburated, I'm not sure of the other options because I didn't see the sticker, but the salesman said it was a 33K boat that he could sale to me for 25K, I really didn't negotiate because I still want to look around, so I'm not sure if this is a good price or not. We also went to a different dealer to look at a Bayliner 185 with the 3.0 Merc, I will not even consider this boat, and my wife even had a negative opinion on it, which is a good thing. I also want to look at a Seadoo 180 Challenger and a Chaparral 186 SSi before I make my decision.

I guess my question is, does anyone have an opinion on these 3 boats or any other makes/models in the same class and also is now a good time to buy or should I wait for the off season here in PA. Thanks in advance.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Help a guy out

Just a couple of comments. First off, I personally think the Sea Ray Sport's are BEAUTIFUL boats. Not that it should be the deciding factor, but it may help with the wife's decision! I wouldn't discount the Bayliner entirely. The big question is how long are you going to have this boat before wanting to trade up. If it's 1 year, then maybe look at a Bayliner (cheaper, less depreciation, can get a small one and move up). If it's forever, you may want to look at the higher end boats/bigger boats.

Lastly, if you are going to move up any time soon you should look around at used. You have to be careful, but there are better deals available when you let someone else take the depreciation hit. Example, I'll be picking up my new-to-me 2006 Procraft this weekend. Near as I can tell, it is about $32,000 new. I am purchasing it with 62 hours on it, and full of extra safety/docking/fishing goodies for $13,500. Down side? It's taken 3 months of looking, negotiating, and waiting on a title issue to be cleared up to find this deal. If all goes well, it will still be worth it.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Help a guy out

Finding a newer used boat is the way I'd go. All the factory bugs and issues have been worked out, and you'll be spending a lot less money...but have it surveyed by a reputable surveyor!

 

[45Auto]

Re: Help a guy out

Don't listen to them. Somebody has to supply the used boat market. Buy a brand new one so I can buy it from you in 3 or 4 years at 1/3 of what you paid for it!

 

[seabob4]

Re: Help a guy out

Don't listen to them. Somebody has to supply the used boat market. Buy a brand new one so I can buy it from you in 3 or 4 years at 1/3 of what you paid for it!

And I work for Proline, we WANT you to buy a new boat!

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Help a guy out

Curious what you didn't like about the bayliner? The searays are very nice.

 

[fossill]

Re: Help a guy out

Around here, good used late model (2yr) costs almost as much as new.
Anyway, there are a lot of options out there depending on your budget. I like Crownline myself. If I had lots of extra cash, I'd be looking at Mastercraft

 

[JimJam]

Re: Help a guy out

Check out the Bayliner 192 Discovery on the Bayliner.com website. It is a cuddy so the bow is covered and there is room to stow items protected (it even sleeps 1 or 2 people. Consider it with the potty, fish package and 4.3 MerCruiser v6 upgrade IMO. There is a thread on it on the BOC website (owners have nothing but good things to say).

 

[ripler]

Re: Help a guy out

Thanks for the replies, the wife didn't like the Bayliner, and the interior looked cheap to me, plus I can get the Sea Ray for a couple thousand more. I called the local Seadoo dealership and they don't have anything. The local Chaparral just took delivery of a 2011 186 SSi but they won't budge too much on the price. As far as used boats I can't find anything that is only a few years old in the Pittsburgh area right now, I guess people are using them with the hot weather we've been having.

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Help a guy out

Thanks for the replies, the wife didn't like the Bayliner, and the interior looked cheap to me, plus I can get the Sea Ray for a couple thousand more. I called the local Seadoo dealership and they don't have anything. The local Chaparral just took delivery of a 2011 186 SSi but they won't budge too much on the price. As far as used boats I can't find anything that is only a few years old in the Pittsburgh area right now, I guess people are using them with the hot weather we've been having.

If it's only a few more thousand and you are ok, get the Searay for sure. Happy hunting and boating.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Help a guy out

I've been shopping for a new (to me) boat too. Same size range. Can't see why you'd want to get a brand new one...WAY too many used boats on the market right now...

I've settled on Sea Ray and Chaparral, mainly because they are owned by much larger, diversified companies, and stand the best chance of surviving this economy. Both still have sales brochures and powertrain specs archived (Chaparral has them kind of hidden in their "forums" section), and have a relatively healthy dealer network for parts. When I looked for local dealers for some relatively well known brands, I found out the closest dealer was a few states over now...

Sea Ray sold TONS of boats between 2000-2005 (at the height of the HELOC craziness) and the 210/220BR's come up pretty frequently on CL for under 16K. Most have less than 150 hours. People bought them, used them a couple times a year...and now the mortgage payment is a bigger concern.

Financing is a real pain for private party sales right now, but if you can get cash together, you'll never find better selection of used boats than right now.

 

[ripler]

Re: Help a guy out

I've been shopping for a new (to me) boat too. Same size range. Can't see why you'd want to get a brand new one...WAY too many used boats on the market right now...

I've settled on Sea Ray and Chaparral, mainly because they are owned by much larger, diversified companies, and stand the best chance of surviving this economy. Both still have sales brochures and powertrain specs archived (Chaparral has them kind of hidden in their "forums" section), and have a relatively healthy dealer network for parts. When I looked for local dealers for some relatively well known brands, I found out the closest dealer was a few states over now...

Sea Ray sold TONS of boats between 2000-2005 (at the height of the HELOC craziness) and the 210/220BR's come up pretty frequently on CL for under 16K. Most have less than 150 hours. People bought them, used them a couple times a year...and now the mortgage payment is a bigger concern.

Financing is a real pain for private party sales right now, but if you can get cash together, you'll never find better selection of used boats than right now.

The only boats I'm finding in my area (Pittsburgh) are way too old and if I wait until the off season I can't test drive in the winter, people just aren't selling newer boats in my area. Just like buying a car I have never bought someone else's problem, my first boat I bought off of my father in law, so I knew all about it. I can't even find too many new boats in stock in my area. I may have to travel a few hours just to see some of the boats I'm interested in.

 

[Bliner175]

Re: Help a guy out

I'm also in the Pittsburgh area and went through this myself a few months ago. Started off by looking at used (Craigslist and every dealer within 40 miles). Absolutely nothing used that was in my price range and looked good!

I ended up going with a brand new Bayliner - it's my first boat, in my price range and the warranty makes me worry less.

I'm guessing the Sea Ray was from Fox Chapel - I think they're the only dealer in the area...but I will warn you that they're VERY expensive.

 

[ripler]

Re: Help a guy out

I'm also in the Pittsburgh area and went through this myself a few months ago. Started off by looking at used (Craigslist and every dealer within 40 miles). Absolutely nothing used that was in my price range and looked good!

I ended up going with a brand new Bayliner - it's my first boat, in my price range and the warranty makes me worry less.

I'm guessing the Sea Ray was from Fox Chapel - I think they're the only dealer in the area...but I will warn you that they're VERY expensive.

Now I don't feel so bad not being able to find something used. I also looked at the Bayliner, but the only model they had in stock had the 3.0l and I at least want the 4.3l to pull my butt out of the water. Yes the Sea Ray was at Fox Chapel and the salesman told me he would discount the boat by almost 8K, and I also found out from the Sea Ray website that I could get another 500 off with a Costco membership and another 500 for use in the costco store. I'm going to try to head down to Deep Creek just so I can see the boats I'm interested in in-person. I may have to wait for the boat show in order to actually see the boats in person. I really want to return to Chaparral since it's what I had before.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Help a guy out

The only boats I'm finding in my area (Pittsburgh) are way too old and if I wait until the off season I can't test drive in the winter, people just aren't selling newer boats in my area. Just like buying a car I have never bought someone else's problem, my first boat I bought off of my father in law, so I knew all about it. I can't even find too many new boats in stock in my area. I may have to travel a few hours just to see some of the boats I'm interested in.

Interesting. Here in the Sacramento area about 20 boats PER DAY are listed in my price range, out of those, 1-3 will be Sea Ray. You have to jump on the good ones fast...I waited 4 hours Sunday to call/email on a 2003 Chaparral and am #5 in the pecking order to have a shot at it.

 

[Bliner175]

Re: Help a guy out

Now I don't feel so bad not being able to find something used. I also looked at the Bayliner, but the only model they had in stock had the 3.0l and I at least want the 4.3l to pull my butt out of the water. Yes the Sea Ray was at Fox Chapel and the salesman told me he would discount the boat by almost 8K, and I also found out from the Sea Ray website that I could get another 500 off with a Costco membership and another 500 for use in the costco store. I'm going to try to head down to Deep Creek just so I can see the boats I'm interested in in-person. I may have to wait for the boat show in order to actually see the boats in person. I really want to return to Chaparral since it's what I had before.

I wouldn't worry about the 3.0 pulling your butt out of the water, unless you're a very, very large man.

We've towed skiers and tubers with a full boat - she does just fine!

 

[JimKW]

Re: Help a guy out

I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and still follow the Steelers as the best team in all of sports. Although Ben has really ticked me off.

I now live in the Columbus, OH area and if you happen to find something that is a reasonable distance from me I would be more than willing to go and check it out for you. It's only three hours away from Pittsburgh and would not be a hard tow for you to get one here if one was available.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Help a guy out

Just did a quick check on Craigslist and this one kind of jumped out at me:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/1850777535.html

My bet is you could get it for well under $$20K.

 

[ripler]

Re: Help a guy out

Thanks for the offer Jim, and yes Ben has really ticked alot of people off including me. I'm the type of person that takes 2 hours to pick out a new pair of shoes, so picking a boat may not be easy.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Help a guy out

You can pick out a new pair of shoes in two hours? You're pretty quick. If I'm shopping for shoes, my wife won't even go with me.

I am a guy that always buys used on cars, so to me it was a no brainer to buy a used boat. So far, I have only had to do very minor repairs/maintenance to it and I've had it for a year now. I paid $10,750 for it and could not be happier with my purchase. Now I'm shopping for the perfect to vehicle.

Good luck on your hunt, and the offer stands if you should happen to find something in thie area.