More boat buying tips / advice needed..

[oceansbreeze]

After tons of more reading, soul seaching, etc... I thought I was pretty sure what I wanted to buy... Looking to spend no more than $20k on new boat.... my options are <br /><br />Four winns 170 Horizon LE 3L Mercruiser<br />Grew 174 with 90hp Yamaha o/b<br />Nordic (Canadian made) Blazer 1710 with 75hp Merc o/b<br />or<br />Rinker 1902 with 3L MErcruiser...<br /><br />The first 3 are local dealer purchases, the rinker is at a dealer 2 hours from me...<br /><br />I *really* wanted the o/b engine, smaller, easier, blah blah... but of all these, wouldn't the four winns be the best, even with the mercruise? Is it *worth* settling for a larger engine when buying brand new?<br /><br />Is it worth buying brand new? From what I see at NADA, the four winns don't depreciate a heck of a lot ... Nordic, seems to be a lesser known brand (apparently fmo Doral engineers) Grew has neveer ben high quality in my books either... the Rinker certainly looks like a nice vessel...<br /><br />That narrows me down to 2 i/o models, and the rinker dealer recommended upgrading to the 4.3L (which I believe will double my gas useage, am I wrong?)<br /><br />And then of course, there's bayliner---- closes real dealer is 3-4 hours from me.... but save a cpl grand, still get an o/b engine...<br /><br />The four winns is also available with volvo / penta - should I have preference to one over the other? I've believed mercruiser was the best. again, a 4.3L vs the 3.0? How much will this effect fuel economy, and is the power warrented? (my goal is to cruise, evry minimal playing)<br /><br />any thoughts on the above? Thanks!

 

[Realgun]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

OceanBreeeze sonds like you really want an outboard. I would go with that. I would also look into the Bayliner however don't get suckered into it if it does not feel right to you.<br /><br />The 4.3L might give you better mileage than the 3.0 as it will cruise at a lower RPM for the same speed. My guess is that the 4.3L will make you happier even if it costs you 4-6 bucks more a trip than the 3.0.

 

[KCook]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

The Rinker really does need the 4.3L, and the fuel burn will be far less than twice as much!!! However, that raises the bar on the price, right? So to be fair you would need to revisit those other brands with the new, higher, budget level.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

So, this is a fact then? I remember chatting with boat owners who were running V8's and V6's and telling me they get 5-8 mpg ...... that's just insane.... so I committed to smaller engine.... my 80hp merc was affordable, I had no complaints with my 140hp omc (fuel wise, forget that it was a piece of crap to begin with)<br /><br />My intentions are - launch, cruise to destination on plane, but not WOT - approximately 30-60 mins away, stop, relax, chat, maybe fish, not so much tubing or water sports... Speed is NOT an issue, fuel economy is #1 - can't stress enough!<br /><br />So, if I get a 17 - 18 footer, and skip the rinker and go with 4 winns, the 4.3 is $5,000 more. What would this translate into cruising hours on average? I've searched this site but found no fuel comparisons....<br /><br />I'd like to be able to compare an 18' w/ 3L vs same boat with 4.3L over 4 hour cruise (example) does anybody have rough estimates on this? Thanks!<br /><br />Bruce

 

[KCook]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

Sorry I can't give you a precise answer on the fuel economy. But the figures on this thread on another site should at least give you a general idea - BoatingABC.com » ... » Boat size vs fuel burn <br /><br />BTW, I would rather have the Rinker 192 than any of the FW LEs.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[garycinn]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

Not trying to promote the stingray boat brand, but they have an interesting database on their site. Here is a list of the boats you list with MPG numbers. You can interact with the database to get difference results. This link is set for 17, 18, & 19 footers in the brands you list.<br /><br />http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/performance/CompareManufacturers2.php?temporary=;Rinker;Bayliner;Four+Winns;Grew;Nordic;;;;;;&hp=show+all&enginemake=show+all&length=18&initia l=1&date=&hp=show+all&lengthtype=on&displ=&fuel=ON&sort=speed&showstingray=1&onetokeep=&tocompare=<br /><br />The outboard wins, but not by much.<br /><br />Here are all the brands in the size you list:<br /><br />http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/performance/CompareManufacturers2.php?hp=show+all&enginemake=show+all&length=18&initial=1&date=&lengthtype=on&displ=&fuel=ON&onetokeep=&tocomp are=

 

[KCook]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

The figures on the Stingray site are interesting. But for the sake of precision, there is a problem. They got these figures from a variety of sources. MPG measurements are sensitive to just how those tests are run. So consider the figures on the Stingray site as ball park at best. Unless all the figures happen to be from the same source.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

Thanks for all that info guys..... I have a few more questions. Kelly, the links were very helpful! Gary, the stingray links were very interesting also...<br /><br />I believe i've fallen in love with the Rinker 192. I mean, it's got everything I want, and cozy, big, I like the walk through to the rear deck, as opposed to climbing over the engine on the sundeck.<br /><br />What the links didn't give me, was a comparison of any 19' boat to Just 17's with 3.0's and 19's with 4.3L<br /><br />What I want to know (ballpark) is performance of the 192 with a 3.0L - yes, better performance - but I'm not so much worried about that, as I am fuel economy. Once planing, we will probably be running at 20-25mph max... again, for extended periods. So, if the 4.3L has lower rpm, it *should* be better on gas at those speeds.... does anybody know how to factor this in?<br /><br />Also - how much has this model changed over the years? Looking at the boat trader, I found some 1997 and 1996 models with the 4.3L already.... so I can buy an 8-9 year old boat and save $10,000 off cost... was the older model built pretty much from the same mold?<br /><br />IS she a fairly trailerable boat? Would she be best left in marina? My car is currently a 1994 Chrysler Intrepid - and I get this odd feeling it will need an upgrade too... google searches of tow ratings for this model didn't find much, but i believe she goes to 2000lb - the tow is only 3-4 miles to dock.<br /><br />Thanka again! I think I'll make it on the water this year! :

 

[KCook]

Re: More boat buying tips / advice needed..

For the 3L I wouldn't get a boat beyond the 185 class. Even then, you have to be careful about which 18 footer.<br /><br />I wouldn't tow any fiberglass I/O boat with my Dodge Intrepid. Maybe an aluminum jon boat.<br /><br />Kelly