I've got the itch!

[CharlesRiver]

Hello all,
I am new to this forum, and to the boating world and I've got a few questions...

Im looking to purchase my first boat (USED), and I have a few decisions to make. I want a bowrider, in the 18' range. I'm not afraid of either IB or OB engines, but the self draining / winterizing feature of an O/B engine interests me. I should say Im not interested in a fixer upper... Most boats in this region of this size are I/O. I understand the 3.0L mercruiser is a solid engine that is great on fuel... How does it compare to the 4.3L? Power vs fuel consumption? I know it takes fuel to make power, but is a 3.0L plenty for your typical 18' bowrider? How does the 3.0 volvo compare to the merc?

My next question should start some debate... I live in NB Canada, on the Saint John river system. Its beautiful country, but the water can get choppy in a hurry in places.. I want a boat with a decent "V" hull to cut. Should I avoid the stingrays with the faster hulls? I've been looking at a few Regals with the stepped hull, and a maxum, a few sea rays and a couple bayliners. Any suggestions?

I'm looking for some general suggestions, and things to avoid...

Thanks!

 

[agallant80]

Re: I've got the itch!

My 21 foot stingray which was a 2011 got knocked around pretty bad in any chop. Unless you want to go really fast or boat on calm water I would pass on stingray.

 

[jestor68]

Re: I've got the itch!

Look for a V hull with at least a 20 degree dead rise for a decent ride in a chop.

In the 18-19 ft range, I would recommend the 4.3L over the 3.0L. The fuel use is not much greater, but the power is. If you consider the fact that a 4.3L cruises at the speed that a 3.0L would have to be running nearly wide open to keep up, the 4.3L will use less gas.

 

[scott8058]

Re: I've got the itch!

First of all welcome to the site, it is a great place to learn all things bout boats! I have boated my whole life and just bought my first one last year, while i am NO expert by any means here's what i have learned with my experiences.

First off.....18ft is not that big, we have a family of 5 and a 20ft and i wish i bout a 23 so consider how many people go with you and what kind of gear your carrying.

Next i have 2 buddies that have the 3.0 and while yes its going to be easier on gas they are all disappointed in the performance when skiing or wake boarding with a boat full of people and coolers etc. I wouldn't buy a v6 w/o getting a 4.3, 18fters with them run about as fast as my 5.7

As for the volvo.....i couldn't tell ya anything except that merc parts are readily available and easy to find, i think you'll be fine on the river too as most bow riders sit pretty high and i have taken a 16.5ft crestliner thru chicago and onto lake michigan ( on a calm day of course) but there was still 2 foot swells and it handled it fine.

Most of the boats you've looked are higher end boats and i think you'll really like them, mine is a bayliner (much cheaper) and the biggest thing ive noticed between mine and higher quality boats is the hull. When we hit a big wave the wrong way it almost sounds like you hit a rock or blew a giant hole in it lol, the hull on the bayliner is much thinner i believe. While my buddies sea ray and baja sounds much more solid.

Bottom line is that if gas is the biggest worry then you probably can't afford a boat in the first place considering how expensive it is to maintain a boat properly in general. Once again im just some joe schmo but before you buy really think about how your going to use it and what kind of load your going to carry.

Good luck and hope ive helped some..........post some pics after you purchase too!

 

[CharlesRiver]

Re: I've got the itch!

Thanks for the reply,

I want to have a boat that is easily trailer-able, as I do not live on the water, nor am I interested in mooring it. I have family that lives 5 hours away, and I want to have something that I can haul back and forth with out stressing my pathfinder too much!

I have a family of 4, 2 young children under the age of 5, and I don't expect to be carrying many others. As an inexperienced boater, I am hesitant to start off with too large of a boat. I've spent many miles in my brother-in-laws 15' sunbird with 7 people. I know what a loaded boat feels like! lol

I appreciate the advice on the 4.3 vs the 3.0, I will certainly keep that in mind as I keep looking. I am not afraid to travel a little ways for a boat, but I don't really want to drive 8 hours and be disappointed!

 

[rallyart]

Re: I've got the itch!

The Regals with stepped hulls are really nice riding bowriders that are well built. You won't go wrong with one of them. When you get them trimmed right, the noise and vibration vanish as you ride on the air. They also turn nicely. When you are cruising, the 4.3 and the 3.0 will have identical fuel consumption. The more powerful engine only uses more fuel when you are using power that the 3.0 does not have. That's when you travel faster than you could with the 3.0.
An 18' bowrider is a nice size for a family of 4 or 5. It is surprising how much the boat shrinks as the kids grow so when your kids are in their teens you might find it small but that is a long way off. If it was me I'd prefer the 4.3, but you should get the four cylinder for quite a bit less than the V6.
You will have a wonderful time with your family in whichever boat you get. Enjoy.

 

[scott8058]

Re: I've got the itch!

I wish you the best of luck and def take the advice on the 4.3 bc even as a new boater you'll get sick of wot at 35mph or less quickly i swear! I grew up boating in a 16.5ft crestliner and honestly 20ft is not much different than trailering that little fish and ski, just want you to have the best experience for your money, my kids are 7 5 & 4 and im telling you you'll want the extra room!

 

[CharlesRiver]

Re: I've got the itch!

Should I be concerned with the number of hours on the engine? I guess how many hours is a lot? I've seen a 2004 regal 1800 with 39hrs, and a 2001 with 260 hours. When should I worry?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: I've got the itch!

Welcome to iBoats CharlesRiver . . .

I thought you might be from Boston for a moment, based on your handle.

anyway, you are right about the Stingrays being light and bouncy. Also, the others who have replied so far are right about an 18 foot boat being a poor match for choppy water. Where I boat (Buzzards Bay/Cape Cod) it gets fairly choppy; 2 foot in the AM and then builds to 4 foot in the afternoons. I see the 18-20 foot boats of the kinds that you mentioned launch go out on the choppy days . . . about 20 minutes later, I see them come in and anchor in the protected harbor.

In terms of looking for a boat to handle the chop - look for 'deadrise' and look for 'weight' - more is better.

So, you might want to go more in the 22 foot range versus 18 foot and research the specs of the various boats for their deadrise and weight. less than 18 degrees of deadrise is quite flat (therefore bouncy) . . . 18-20 degress of deadrise is fairly flat (still bouncy a bit) 22-24 degrees of deadrise is generally known as "Deep-V".

Of the boat brands that you have mentioned so far, SeaRay & Regal are the only ones that I would pursue, but that are many. many brands of boats to choose from.

Also, think about your budget, if you have not already done so. That will indicate what size, age and condition you can shoot for. you mentioned 'not a fixer', but if you are willing to do some maintenance (DIY or outsourced) then you can open up more possibilities.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I've got the itch!

forget the cramped unseaworthy fragile bow riders. get a 19' center console, built-in bow seating, OB, deep v, single axle trailer. Hands down the best rig for all of your needs. Tons of room especially for a family like yours. For examples go to the sea hunt web site, although there are dozens of other brands just as good (But avoid the new Mako).

Nice thing is you can buy an old used one with little worry about hull condition.

Also, if you are trying to compare deep V's, the "deadrise" number is deceptive, because that indicates the shape at the stern, but it's the shape of the bow that matters more.

 

[OllieC]

Re: I've got the itch!

If you would like to go a little larger, my Sea Ray works really well in chop - works well on Lake Superior for that matter. 22', 19 degree dead rise modified V.

Have you considered aluminum? I have a few buddies who have Lund Tyee's. I've been on them in rough water and the run really well.

As far as fuel, at cruise, with a similar size and weight of boat - (I believe they once made a Sundeck with a 4.3 v6 MPI I/O) It was like 1 gph difference between my 5.0mpi I/O and 4.3 mpi v6 I/O, or there about.

 

[90stingray]

Re: I've got the itch!

Lets remember the op has a pathfinder for tow rig. He should keep tow weight in mind as well. So large 20' + boats are prolly a bit too much for his rig.
But i think home cookin has the right track. Most amount of room and the ob... should do nicely and wont outgrow it right away. And a single axle trailer is very easy to maneuver.

 

[CharlesRiver]

Re: I've got the itch!

There are plenty of runabouts on the river system here, all in the 15' plus size. I have some experience on the river, and while it can develop some chop, 2 plus feet is a rarity. All I need to do is make it up river 20 mins, (either by boat or trailer) and the river narrows and is much more sheltered.

Ideally I would find an aluminum fish/ski boat, with a deep V, but my wife wants a pure bow rider. She grew up doing water sports and lazing around on the lakes back home in Nova Scotia, and that's her experience. I want to be able to trailer this boat back home to those same lakes.

I've looked at the Center console boats, and they would be idea in the right areas, if I was planning on heading offshore into the bay on fundy, on into that serious chop. They don't quite fit when it comes to running around towing skiers on lakes etc. thanks though, I really appreciate the comments.

I'm really thinking hard about the Regals, like the 1800 or the 1900. I've found a 2001 regal 1900 lsr, with the 4.3 for $10,500. I appreciate the deep V at the bow, 22 degree, and the flat stern when up on plane. I've spoken to a few regal owners in the are and they speak highly of their abilities!

Now my question is, is it too old? I know age matters little when compared to condition, but the boat has about 300 hours. The interior looks really good, but the hull seems a bit sun faded. Pictures only tell so much! How many hours before I should be concerned? I want a boat that I can rely on. I am able to do the small maintenance stuff, like fluids and filters, but not interested is doing much more complex jobs than that.

Thanks again for all your opinions!

 

[rallyart]

Re: I've got the itch!

I have a 1980 18' with over 3000 hours that I seldom use but which is solid and the engine smokes a little but runs fine. I have a 21' 2006 with almost 500 hours. It runs like new. I put 80-120 hours per year on but the normal in Canada is about 35 for a casual boater. I would be more worried about a boat that had remarkably few hours than one that had high hours. If you get a chance to drive the boat you can tell much more than just looking at it.
Rely on a boat that has readily available parts. Get a leak-down test performed, or at least a compression test. Look at service records.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I've got the itch!

"They [center consoles] don't quite fit when it comes to running around towing skiers on lakes etc."

not true but suit yourself.