Loaded question (boat selection)

M

mrc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 8, 2001
Messages
149
Hiya folks, I'm looking for some advice.<br /><br />I'm looking for good quality 17-19ft Bowrider style<br />boat with outboard for Skiing/Tubing/Fishing... etc<br />all around family use. I live on a smallish inland<br />lake so use will be frequent, but under relatively<br />benign conditions.<br /><br />So mousing around various places one reads that Bayliners suck, and Searay et all aren't much better. I'm not really looking to spend $25K+ on said boat<br />unless I'll seriously regret it later.<br /><br />So who makes a boat I'll be happy with?<br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br />Mike
 
E

ElfPower

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Joined
Jul 6, 2002
Messages
12
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

I'm kind of in the same situation as you...looking for an 18 foot bowrider. <br />I don't claim to know much about boats, I don't even own one yet, but I've been browsing around the internet and doing some research and I think I've narrowed my choices down to Four Winns Horizon 180 , Crownline 180 BR or Stingray 180. <br />We like the Four Winns the best out of the 3. It's got more of a luxury look to it. Same with the Crownline. The Stingray is more sporty looking. All I think are right around $20k, maybe even less if you get a 2002 model before the end of the year. Anyway...that's my .02 cents.
 
I

icatcher

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Jul 31, 2002
Messages
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Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

I purchased a 'dreaded' 1999 Bayliner 1800 Capri bowrider complete with the even more dreaded Force 120 outboard new in 1999. <br /><br />We are a family of 6, and we use the boat mostly on weekends and about three solid weeks of holidays per summer. We fish, wakeboard and tube.<br /><br />Through 3 seasons, I have only paid approximately $100cdn to have the boat/motor readied for winter storage at our local dealership. The boat/motor has never left us stranded on the water and has always started easily. It easily pulls two skiers or wakeboarders and I often troll for hours through the use of a trolling plate on the leg.<br /><br />With respect to everything bad one hears about Bayliner boats, take it with a grain of salt. For the time each year we are able to use our boat (inland lakes - fresh water, frozen 4-6 months/yr) we could not justify spending an extra $10,000cdn for a more 'trendy' boat. I paid 15,000cdn for my boat/motor/escort trailer/eagle depthfinder/anchor/paddles/fire extinguisher and mooring lines in 1999 which is about $9500usd. <br /><br />Yes there are better quality boats. Yes, there are more fuel efficient and more technologically advanced motors on the market. But for our type of use, this Bayliner package was exceptionally priced and has never let us down.
 
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icatcher

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Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Pay $20,000usd plus for your new boat if you want to but, although as you put it, Bayliners suck, they do offer great value if properly maintained.<br /><br />I purchased a 1999 Bayliner Capri 1800 bowrider c/w with the 'dreaded' 120 hp Force engine for $15,000 cdn (about $9,500usd). Our family of 6 (kids are 7,9,11,13) use this boat for both fishing and waterskiing/wakeboarding in freshwater lakes. We use the boat mainly on weekends and for 3 weeks of holidays each summer. Typically the boat is in storage 6 months of the year (lakes are frozen). <br /><br />Further to the initial purchase price, I have been satisfied with both the performance and reliability of this boat/motor package. So far I haven't experienced any of the negatives that Bayliner/Force bashers proliferate.<br /><br />Just my experience & 2 cents.
 
L

L Christopher

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 12, 2002
Messages
141
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

You guys just looking might want to check out J.D. Powers website and go to boats. My $ 0.02 buy as much power as you can afford, you will not regret it.
 
M

mrc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 8, 2001
Messages
149
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Thanks for the responses... I currently own a 1986 Bayliner Capri, purchased last fall,repowered with a 1970 85hp Johnson. Force is currently in garage being reassembled after putting in new pistons, and boring of block.<br /><br />I have put new floor in boat, reupholstered,and<br />rewired electronics. Had fun doing it, but I'll<br />keep my day job. Gave me a pretty good look at<br />how the boat was built.<br /><br />I'm currently on my third motor this year.<br /><br />Everytime I take it out, I'm at full alert waiting<br />for the next sign of something breaking.<br />(Suspect I'm going to be re-doing the transom this<br />winter or next).<br /><br />About the only way that I would purchase a new bayliner is if pretty much all the new boats under $25K suck the same. <br /><br />I'll be getting new, because around here (MN) used boats are priced at a premium, compared to many parts of the country. And after my experiences this year, I just want to be able to enjoy the boat and let somebody else fix it under warrenty :) <br /><br />In addition, If possible I'm going to apply a lesson I learned purchasing my tools, "buy the <br />good one first rather than second or third"<br />(The bayliner was a winter project not a boat<br /> when I bought it, so it doesn't count as a<br /> first boat :) <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mike
 
J

JRJ

Commander
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2,992
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

You did say it was a "loaded guestion" let us know what you buy. :)
 
I

icatcher

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Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Sorry to hear of all your problems with your '86 Bayliner. So far - so good on mine but I sure hope I don't have the same problems you have encountered down the road. Is it possible that newer Bayliners are made better than in '86? Is the 1999 Force motor a better motor than what was made in '86?<br /><br />Maybe the fairly infrequent use up here (Saskatchewan, Canada) and the fact the boat is only in the water when it is actually being used helps to minimize problems. <br /><br />Still, a new 18' boat with a 120hp outboard at $15,000cdn when other boats/motors were easily $25,000cdn and up was hard to ignore - especially in our short season where actual usage is probably 25-30 days out of the year when the boat is in the water.<br /><br />I plan to trade my boat off in the next year or two for a Lund aluminum fishing boat. The local Bayliner dealer also sells Lund. They offered me what I purchased my boat for on trade for a new Lund 18' so it doesn't appear I will lose much on this deal after 4 years of use. ;)
 
D

dutch135

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 23, 2002
Messages
143
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

As a current owner of a 18ft bowrider, (SeaRay Seville) IMHO if i were to purchase a boat today, I would consider one of the newer jet deck boats. Sea Doo builds one called Islandia, which seats 12 people! and is 240 or so HP, Jet drive, safe and stable, and can go just about anywhere. It is a big boat, probably heavier than the others mentioned, but if you dock it and don't have to trailer it then no problem. We live on a small lake, and that would be the perfect choice for us,, can take lots of people out, ski, fish, lots of room for sunning, even has sink and head if you needed it! but, just my opinion,, and you know what they say about opinions.... just like........... everybody has one!<br /><br />have fun!<br /> :cool:
 
M

mrc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Messages
149
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Okay, so whats the scoop on Jet drives these days compared to I/O and outboards?
 
S

saz

Recruit
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Jul 11, 2002
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4
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Look into Tahoe brand. They may have what you want new in your price range.
 
R

raygun

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Aug 8, 2002
Messages
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Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

hey how bout a Boston Whaler Montauk? 17' with tons of room. Jumps on the plane fast. center console makes it easy for fishing. I love mine. It's an 86 we bought new and has been great!<br />finally have to buy a new outboard for it as ours had a freak accident day before yesterday. (it was a 90HP evinrude) probably getting a replacement johnson 90.
 
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dutch135

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Jun 23, 2002
Messages
143
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

A jet drive doesn't have a propellor, which takes that whole issue of somebody or something getting cut by it. yes, there is still an internal impellar, and things can be sucked up into that also, but without a lower unit, and propellor, the boat sits very shallow in the water, and isn't a problem if you wanted to beach it to swim someplace. it is just an overgrown jetski! here is a link to sea-doo with info on jet propulsion. http://www.sea-doo.com/web/jsp/mainPage.jsp?Params=N.US.300.0 here is a link to a picture of the boat i mentioned earlier.
ac_islandia_med_e_01.jpg
 
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dutch135

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 23, 2002
Messages
143
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Holy Crap that's a big picture! sorry for that, it is my first attempt at a photo in the forum.. <br />anyway, that is my dream boat,, someday.... someday...<br /><br /> :cool:
 
K

KCook

Lieutenant Commander
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Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Fiberglass bowriders with OB will be pretty much limited to DualConsole saltwater boats and fish-n-skis. Both of which can be pricey. Your best values in OB bowriders will likely be aluminum, not fiberglass.<br /><br />If the OB is not a must-have, there are lots of choices in fiberglass bowriders with I/O. At lots of different prices. About half of which are better built than Bayliner.<br /><br />So an adjustment in the type of boat you are looking for may be needed. Or if you are comfortable making a lot of apples-and-oranges comparisons, that could be fun too!<br /><br />Kelly Cook
 
M

mrc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 8, 2001
Messages
149
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Thanks for the reply Kelly, per one of the earlier posters on this thread I found<br />that Four Winns has their Bowrider available in an outboard. Is that brand of<br />boat relatively well though of?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mike
 
K

KCook

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Four Winns is very well thought of. With pricing to match. You can expect to pay a good deal more than for a Bayliner. Normally, Four Winns boats are priced at about the same level as Crownline and Regal. But neither of those builders offer OB boats. So a precise match is not possible there. Best comparison may be Larson, who also has OB bowriders. I would expect the Four Winns to sell for more $$ than the Larson. But not a whole lot more.<br /><br />The better fish-n-ski boats and Dual Consoles will also have quality on a par with Four Winns. But they are different type boats. So again, no exact comparison.<br /><br />Not a lot of Four Winns OB owners posting on the message boards. Sorry I'm not much help on this one.<br /><br />Kelly
 
rogerwa

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

Check out the Glastron.. They have both 17 and 18 foot models and Glastron is a good boat..<br /><br />Big Picture below..<br /><br />
GX180_2002_800x600.jpg
 
b.gagnon

b.gagnon

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 28, 2001
Messages
835
Re: Loaded question (boat selection)

I can’t believe that you put bayliner and searay on the same level !!!!! ;)
 
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