Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

[Knightgang]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I agree to go and look at boats at a dealership and do alot of reading on here to help decide what you primary uses will be and what type of setup you desire. Look and boattrader.com and the used boat listings here on iboats and see what is available in your price range and your desired setup. Then, narrow down to a few, contact the sellers and see if you can look at, take a demo run with them to do a complete checkout of the vessel. This will help you narrow down what you want and help ensure you get a decent boat...

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

Oh, as far as Bayliner, not bad boats. Early models may not have been built well, but I can only speak from what I saw on the water and what others have said. Many feel that because they were an entry level priced boat they were not built well. Other felt that because they were entry level priced, you had alot of first time buyers that did not know how to properly maitain them of could not afford to, hence the downfall of many of these boats.

Bayliners are like any other, look for signs of good maitenance and if was taken care of, you should be good to go. If there has been any major rework, ask for documentation and pictures to see the quality of the work.

I have had my boat for about 6 years. Sat for 2 while I was in Iraq. Had a problem when I returned and it has sat for 2 more because I have not had the time or money to fix it, nor the money for fuel. Now, I am going to hav eot put some work into it to get it ready for the water next spring. Additionally, the deck the previous owner installed is starting to show problems as it was not done correctly, so that will probably be next winters project. I think I can get it through next summer OK if I can get it back in the water....

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

I do have big doubts about that Bayliner doing 50, unless it's on the trailer.

The seller did have a different prop. What speed would be the max do you think? Maybe 45? At close to 29mph on his video, he was only at 3100 rpm.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

FYI, a lot of the other sellers of capri's have listed them all in the 50 mph range.

I may try out an open bow today just to be fair to myself, although its not really what I want.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

On an older boat how it was taken care of is really more important than the brand, that Bayliner in Duluth really looks nicely taken care of.
I have a 3 year old little girl and boat on lake Michigan, I could appreciate a cuddy and of course you got to buy what you want.
I use to like the idea of a bowrider but found out I really have no use for that seating up there and on lake Michigan its normally to rough on a small boat for folks to safely sit up there IMO.
I've never had a wave splash over my bow thank god but that is one reason a bowrider would be bad.

50 probably is a bit optimistic with a 20's cuddy with a 305 but speed really is unimportant in this equation.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

How about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300349120382&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A little out of my price but it look nice and is 10 years newer. How about the height of the boat from top to bottom? Is this important? The capri 2052 looks low profile compared to many other I have seen.

Like this one is taller looking:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170382798523&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Looks a lot taller and possibly a better option for lake erie as it does get choppy 70% of the season.

 

[scutly]

Re: Need help buying a 19' to 23' boat. So confused!

i just went through the same decision process before i bought my boat. ended up with a 23' cuddy. i boat on the great south bay and there's chop a lot of times. all my friends with 19s and 20s especially bow riders get the crap beat outa them in the chop. there wives and kids hate it. they all say they shoulda bought a bigger boat. my 4000 lb cuddy rides awesome. this is my first boat and first time boating. don't get intimidated by a 23 footer. its got the same 8 and a 1/2 foot beam as a 19 or 20 and the extra 3 feet makes a world of difference in room. also 23s have a decent size cuddy with a porta potty for the girls. my cuddy happens to be ultra clean and makes for great romantic sunset cruises with the wife. and as far as hot in there? not with the hatch opened catching that breeze. i took an awesome nap at 2:30 pm on a 95 degree humid day. cool as can be. decent size swim platform two guys can fish off of. i also love the fact i basically have a chevy 350 under me