Looking for your opinion on a bowrider

[Jonboat2Bassboat]

Looking for a used 17 to 19 foot bowrider with a 115 to 150 HP 4 stroke outboard, preferably Yamaha. Looking to pay $20,000 or less. Intended use is pleasure boating, not fishing, on inland rivers, ponds and lakes with occasional day trips in the intercoastal waterways from the many peninsulas to islands off the coast of Maine. Boats currently looking at are the Glastron GT 180, GT 200 and the Bayliner 180 and am open to suggestions.

I noticed under Bowrider Manufacturers Discussion that Glastron boats were not listed. Is there a reason for this? (Not popular, not of good quality etc?)

 

[Scott Danforth]

plenty out there. I myself would not even consider a bayliner

 

[Jonboat2Bassboat]

Why not? I heard Bayliner used to be a great boat, for a time made junk but makes great boats now. Any thoughts?

What are your thoughts on a Glastron?

 

[jkust]

If you are an entry level boater with average expectations, Glastron is fine. They are a nice first boat. Any eighteen footer with a few exceptions is going to treat you to entry level accommodations. Even the brands that have historically offered a high content, high quality 18 footer have now moved on from that strategy to cheapening their small boats it seems. My neighbor just bought a 2017 Glastron GT 225 with the new generation 300hp Mercruiser which was just under 60k as his very first boat and it is near the bottom of the bell curve for sure but is great for him to learn on. He just knows it 'looks' nice and is fast. I don't think you can really use the car analogy to compare boat brand to boat brand like I would like to because they don't share the same pool of engines and even a base Hyundai Sonata is a really nice car these days. Bayliner again is the bottom of the line up to get you on the water. Nothing wrong with bottom of the barrel if you take care of it.

 

[oldjeep]

Meh, my last boat was a bayliner 195. It was a good quality boat that used the same engines, outdrive and common components as all the other boats. Test one and decide, most who deride them have never driven one made in the last 10 years.

 

[Jonboat2Bassboat]

Thanks for the input. Any other used 17 to 20 foot sea worthy 4 to 6 passenger boats under $20,000 to consider ? Thought a bowrider was my only option but open to other suggestions. I am new to boating, am 70 but bought my first boat, a used Polar Kraft Jonboat w/ 40 HP Yamaha 2 stroke for $3000 about 10 years ago. Up graded to a Polar Kraft Bass Boat w/ 70 HP Yamaha 4 stroke 3 years ago because most of my friends and neighbors have Bass Boats and I got a deal, $10,000 for a 2 year old boat that sold new for $19,500. I later found fishing holds no interest for me and want to get out onto the intercoastal waterways. Any suggestions?

 

[Scott Danforth]

fishing holds no interest for me and want to get out onto the intercoastal waterways. Any suggestions?

depends on where in the world the ICW's you are boating.

down here in FL, the ICW is constantly changing. I myself prefer an I/O over an OB, however with a small bow-rider and a desire to beach it often, I would consider an OB. I would be looking for a Cobalt, Crownline or SeaRay.

as far as brands, middle tier brands such as Cobalt, Crownline, and SeaRay can be found in the $20k range for boats about 5-10 years old. if you want newer, then your looking at entry level, low tier brands like Glastron, Bayliner, Four Winns, etc.

if your looking used boats, condition is king and much more important than brand. you want a used boat that was garage kept, used once a month, washed after every use and meticulously maintained

 

[garbageguy]

Yep, for used boats - condition, condition, condition

 

[harleyman1975]

Regal and chapparel make a good boat as well. I think you are on the right path with the yammy outboard. we have a 70 4 str 4 cyl and it is a joy. also have a boat with an I/O 5.0 MCM and I love that as well!

 

[Jonboat2Bassboat]

No Title

OK, thanks for the suggestions on 18 to 20 foot bowrider manufacturers. Have done some research and deleted mfg that are too expensive, or don't make an 18 to 20 foot bowrider with an outboard. Below is a list in order of preference w/ notes. Boats with prices are for sale in Maine, others just make and model.

1. Crownline Boats - 19 XS - 2014 - $24,999 - Only affordable Crownline w/ outboard.
2. Stingray Boats - 191 DC Deck Boat - Or similar older model under $20,000
3. Bayliner Boats - 180 Bowrider - Many available under $20,000
4. Glastron Boats - GT 180 - Many available under $20,000
5. Reinell Boats - 180 OB – 2015 - $16,999 - $25,000 w/ Merc 90, OB (Oakland, Maine) Is Reinell a good brand? Former US, now Canadian boat
6. Caravelle / Repair Special - 19 EBO - 2014 - $15,000 - (Arundel Me) Is Caravelle a good brand? This boat needs port side windshield, captains seat and rear wraparound seat repaired. Can do all the work myself. Photos attached.

 

[jkust]

Those are all mediocre boats but again that's generally what you get with smaller boats...not always, but smaller nowdays equals a lesser boat not the same quality but just smaller...smaller and cheaper.
I'd stay away from the repairable. I see it is nearly new but if you insist on it, unless the windshield is readily available, I wouldn't bother. Windshields are the grand daddy of expensive and difficult to find items...again assuming it isn't in production any longer. My previous boat was an 18 foot Chaparral and got damaged on my lift in a storm and the windshield was ten thousand dollars to recreate and also have installed. BTW that 18 foot Chaparral was about the nicest 18 footer I've ever seen called a 190Ssi produced up to 2009. They don't give their smaller boats the Lexus treatment any more like they used to because of the economic downturn back when that happened and no longer produce small boats in their upper line of boats. It's no coincidence I ended up buying a bigger Chaparral even though it is older than my previous boat. They make a good lake boat but don't make small models in anything than their lowest line any longer.

 

[QBhoy]

Agree with Scott here. For that kind of money, I would be avoiding low end boats like glastron and bayliner.
Cobalts seem decent...not sure if you see many campion models in your area. Solid Canadian build and you might find a "Chase" 400 or 500 series model with a big Yam on the back within budget.

 

[Jonboat2Bassboat]

Deleted duplicate post

 

[Jonboat2Bassboat]

Well this has been a real eye opener for a boating novice like me. I found most comments very accurate and my research confirms that most 18 foot boats do not have the same quality as the company’s larger boats, use the same gauges, engines and most are I/O. As far as I can tell, there isn’t much difference between any of them but a few companies do make an 18 foot bowrider with an outboard.

So let's talk quality. Are 18 foot bowriders with an outboard such as Bayliner, Glastron, Four Winns or the Crownline 19 XS or similar only mediocre when compared to expensive boats like Formula 290, Cobalt or Sea Ray? My guess is yes, just like a Ford or Chevy could be called mediocre but only when compared to a BMW or Lexus. Many people buy and are happy with the quality of Fords and Chevys and I would be happy with a similar quality in a boat. What everyone wants to avoid is buying a boat with the quality of a Yugo car.

Given there is little difference between the 18 foot boats with an outboard, for now I am focusing on the Glastron GT 180 and the Crownline 19 XS. What is your opinion between these two boats?

 

[wahlejim]

Depends on the previous owner. At that point, it is all about condition and features specific to each boat that only you can make that choice on. Take a look at a few and you will find that you will form your opinion on design, then start looking at condition.

 

[jkust]

Well this has been a real eye opener for a boating novice like me. I found most comments very accurate and my research confirms that most 18 foot boats do not have the same quality as the company’s larger boats, use the same gauges, engines and most are I/O. As far as I can tell, there isn’t much difference between any of them but a few companies do make an 18 foot bowrider with an outboard.

So let's talk quality. Are 18 foot bowriders with an outboard such as Bayliner, Glastron, Four Winns or the Crownline 19 XS or similar only mediocre when compared to expensive boats like Formula 290, Cobalt or Sea Ray? My guess is yes, just like a Ford or Chevy could be called mediocre but only when compared to a BMW or Lexus. Many people buy and are happy with the quality of Fords and Chevys and I would be happy with a similar quality in a boat. What everyone wants to avoid is buying a boat with the quality of a Yugo car.

Given there is little difference between the 18 foot boats with an outboard, for now I am focusing on the Glastron GT 180 and the Crownline 19 XS. What is your opinion between these two boats?

It's hard to make a car comparison with boats because even a low end, midsized sedan is a nice car nowdays. I just bought my boy a nearly new Hyundai Sonata for his 16th bday and it's just a nice care, well made, attention to detail, all the latest technology that you are willing to pay for for a first car, etc. All of the competitors to that Sonata were very nice cars for the money but they don't share common components and engines like boats do.

Here's what I will say about the Glastron. If my friends's 2017 Glastron 225 with every single option available is any indication of Glastron's quality, and assuming a 19 foot Glastron won't have some of what the 22 foot version has, I can't imagine that the Crownline 19 isn't a nicer boat. The probability to me is that the CL must be a better boat. I can't for the life of me understand how you could go boat shopping with a payment budget equal to 60k and in any universe come home with the boat he selected. As though all measures of what 60k should get you meant nothing and he had blinders on. The Glastron sort of reminds me of the most entry level 'new' houses in my area that are being built. The absolute bottom of the bottom of the barrel is about 650k and that is a stretch to get one that cheap. They look nice from the outside then you realize they have formica counters and plastic doors and only the kitchen is decent but they are cheap and the payment isn't very much but used get's you 35% more house.
Of course a new boat loan is easier to get into than a used boat loan which can't be said of new versus used homes.

 

[briangcc]

I wouldn't rule out a Honda or newer Evinrude outboard. I owned a Honda strapped to a 1999 Bayliner Capri 1800LS and it was SMOOTH and whisper quiet at idle. You could hear the water hitting the lake from the telltale at idle. No exaggeration. Speaker of Bayliner, the quality was good. You won't find a lot of bells/whistles but hull wise I had no issues in the 6 years I owned mine.

Since you're looking at used, definitely sea trial it to see how it handles and performs. A lot can be uncovered during a test ride.


Boat manufacturers are coming back to Outboards as they're generally lighter boats than their I/O brethren. Downside is the same boat with an Outboard is generally 10K more than the I/O when new.


Might also open up your search to include Rinker.

 

[roffey]

I had to go back to your original question. I think 20k for a 18-19 foot OB boat will get you a very nice setup.

Gauges and motors maybe the same in 18 to 19 footers but the build quality and design are not. Berliners are nice boats for sure but likely do not match the fit and finish on a Sea Ray. Like the old expression you get what you pay for. IMHO, if you take care of your boat it will last.

There is a huge price gap between a 18 foot bow rider with a OB motor on the back as compared to a 22 foot day boat, once more you get what you pay for.

 

[jkust]

I had to go back to your original question. I think 20k for a 18-19 foot OB boat will get you a very nice setup.

Gauges and motors maybe the same in 18 to 19 footers but the build quality and design are not. Berliners are nice boats for sure but likely do not match the fit and finish on a Sea Ray. Like the old expression you get what you pay for. IMHO, if you take care of your boat it will last.

There is a huge price gap between a 18 foot bow rider with a OB motor on the back as compared to a 22 foot day boat, once more you get what you pay for.

The closest thing to a free lunch comes when you buy a few year old used boat. You get much more boat than new.

 

[roffey]

I've had several used boat and all were a money pit and I lost money on all of them, my fault no doubt. I purchased a brand new boat with zero hours on the clock. When we did the water test at the dealer the boat would not start due to a defective carb. The next year the water pump broke on the block. The year after that an ignition wire went bad...

Boats are expensive play toys. Like all vehicles with motors and moving parts they do break and with out proper maintenance will fall apart no matter who made it. But, we still love them.... to much my wife tell me... from the dock as I cruise down the bay waving at her....