Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

[wintercress]

Soon-to-be first-time boat owner, new home on lake (300 acres) in Michigan. 3 choices - '99 Glastron GS205 at $11K (350 hrs, 2 owners, private party), '04 Chapparal 190 SSI at $16.5K (30 hrs, one owner, private party), and new '08 Four Winns H190 at $21K from dealer. Seems to be between 5-6K difference for every 4-5 years. All about the same size, although the Chap has a swim platform - very nice to have. 3 younger kids, so tubing, floating, then skiing - no need for huge speed so they all would work well and hopefully last 5+ years.

Can't stop leaning to the new one for warranty, support, etc., but most believe used is better for first boat. However, also seems important to 'buy' the retailer for the first boat.

Anyone regret a new boat as a first boat? I've read all the threads here and elsewhere...and want to do the deal this weekend.

Thanks for any comments - Bob

 

[Wvawitrado]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Well I am a first time boat owner as of the last two weeks...But what I have read is that in most cases used for the first is the way to go...Nothing hurts worse than damaging your brand new boat!!!!!! for instance a trim accident forgetting to put it up and many others that im sure im going to experience myself and there also is no warranty on slamming into someone or something....AKA THE DOCK!!!!!!! So in my no experience what so ever I would suggest used but if you have money to spend ROCK OUT!!!!

 

[QC]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

I believe almost all new boat/first boat threads I have read, and guys I have talked to, wish they had bought something different . . . Not necessarily used vs. new, but they really didn't know what they wanted until they had spent some time aboard . . . Also, every guy that has bought a new boat and had a boat vs. dock, or boat vs. bottom incident is heart broken . . .

Welcome aboard, would be nice to know more about the power plants despite your speed comments. I like the Chap, but seems high considering the boat market is very soft this year.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

you have a wide price and age range, but as QC mentioned nothing about the power plants and outdrives. these boat can be very nicely powered of very under powered, as there were many options for them. i don't have enough info to give an opinion.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old

 

[dingbat]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Just remember new doesn't mean trouble free. Personally I?d rather have one that's a couple of years old that had the bugs worked out while someone else paid for the depreciation.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Gotta agree with QC in that regretting buying new versus used is less likely than regretting a particular size/style of boat. If you buy new it can be much harder to get out of the boat you don't favor. You may get a bowrider and decide you'd like a cuddy or vice versa. I personally hate my closed bow with a passion and really wish it would magically turn into a bowrider.

 

[wintercress]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Thanks to all for the excellent comments. The Glastron is an Volvo 5.0 220HP, the Chap is a Merc 4.3 190HP, and the FW is a Volvo 4.3. All about the same size. Both the used boats had full mechanical tests done this week and passed. I'm going to check them out this weekend (but both are 1+ hrs away - maybe I can go as a Father's Day gift!). I'll take a mallet and check the structure -

Bob

 

[tmh]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Don't forget, in today's market most sellers are kidding themselves (or you) on price, so you ought to be able to negotiate down a bit.

I'm all for used for all the reasons mentioned. If you buy smart price wise, then if you want something different in a year or two you can sell for nearly what you paid - or at least not the hit a new boat would take.

That Chap seems interesting to me - a bit too new and costly but a good boat.

 

[Zamboni]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

If your financing some new boats have dealer/mfr supported loans with low or non existent interest rates that would bring the 6k dif even closer.

Not sure what Chap offers regarding rates but worth looking into. In my experience you never have the final price on new boat until day of signing-maybe the dealer will throw in an extended warranty or will still come down on that 6k dif....with privates you can more easily discover the sellers 'best price'.

I would think the best deals would be on used boats purchased in the past year-haven't found that new boat that someone else took the depreciation on myself. Still finding sellers want almost what they paid here in Canada.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Wintercrest:
Soon-to-be first-time boat owner, new home on lake (300 acres) in Michigan.

Where abouts in Michigan? We are in Roscommon. Five miles from North Higgins Lake State Park.

 

[wintercress]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

It's Birch Lake outside of Vandalia, MI. Great small lake - spring fed, very clean, and deep. Now I gotta find a boat! Thread comments certainly suggest a used boat is the better recommendation -

Bob

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Gotta agree with QC in that regretting buying new versus used is less likely than regretting a particular size/style of boat. If you buy new it can be much harder to get out of the boat you don't favor. You may get a bowrider and decide you'd like a cuddy or vice versa. I personally hate my closed bow with a passion and really wish it would magically turn into a bowrider.

I have a "magic" sawzall that oughta do the trick

Back to original question though...

+1 on buying used for the inevitable "oops" and to make sure you like the style of boat i.e. bowrider vs. cuddy vs. pontoon vs. etc.

 

[wintercress]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Thanks for all the advise here on the forums. Bought the '04 Chaparral Saturday night, and in spite of rotten weather Sunday still managed to go through 1/2 tank of gas learning to drive, dock, etc. Good thing the lake was pretty empty.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Congrats. How bout some pics?

 

[Nandy]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

WE insist on boat porn, photos pls!!!

 

[wintercress]

Re: Is $6K Enough Between New/Used

Sorry for delay in posting pic after your help!