Hi all. This is my very first post for a soon-to-be first time boat owner so I thought I?d ask the forum their opinion on the boat we?re looking at.
First off, why are we getting into boating? We?re a family of 6 that loves the outdoors. My teenagers especially want a boat for water sports fun and cruising around. We live about 5 minutes from a river (no water sports but cruising and hanging out on sandbars is lots of fun) and about 45 minutes from a lake for the water sports (we want to tube, water ski, and my teens and I plan to learn to wakeboard). Other considerations: I intend to keep the boat in the garage when not in use and my budget is around $20k (we can afford more, but I don?t want to spend any more than I have to for something we really only get use out of 5 months of the year).
After looking at what?s available in our area and to stay within our self-imposed budget, we settled on comparisons of the Bayliner 185 and the Glastron 185 (also thought about Larson & Sea Ray but no dealers in the area). Why not bigger? Again, one of the things I need to be able to do is garage this boat; I could, perhaps, look at the 195 but I think the 205 is just too big. Anyway, my thought is I have 4 kids; 2 teens and 2 little ones by the time my little ones are big enough to take up much room; my 2 teens are long gone to college and will only come around to borrow the boat from Dad to go with their friends (which I will have no problem with; I was there once too). I also thought about used and have looked extensively but what?s available in our area is limited in this class and everything has the 3.0 L. none have the 4.3L (which seems odd but probably not a coincidence, more people happier with more HP?).
After being in and out of both boats this weekend; I hands down prefer the slightly more expensive Glastron (sorry Bayliner owners); each has its pluses/minuses but for my and my wife, the Glastron just felt like a more finished boat. For us, the higher price point is worth the cost plus I truly like the fact that these boats are made in Minnesota..close to home and not Mexico (again not trying to offend anyone).
So the boat we liked best was the 2008 Glastron 185 with XL package, upgraded trailer, Volvo Penta 4.3 GL with snap covers and wakeboard tower; the MSRP on Glastron?s webpage is around $26k. The dealer was selling for $25k + tax & lic. After being in and out of the boat and showing interest; we left without making an offer but the salesman came out the door to us as we were leaving and said the owner was willing to sell it to us for $24 k plus a tube/ski package (essentially tube, tube rope, skis, ski ropes, and 5 life jackets?.maybe around a $500 package) + tax & lic. Not bad, but I just couldn?t pull the trigger right then and there. The cost was more than I wanted to spend and I?m troubled by a few things that I could use some advice on:
1. Fair price? We were surprised to have the salesman come out to us like that as we were leaving?I got the impression they were motivated to sell the boat and were hoping to get a sale out of me that day.
2. The wakeboard tower? Do I really need this thing? It adds about $2k to my total costs and not sure it?s worth the money (although I could afford it). Yes, my teens (and I) want to learn to wakeboard; but I?ve also read that a tower isn?t necessary unless you?re into doing tricks, etc?I don?t see myself or the teens doing any flips on a board anytime soon (would kill their Mom!). I also see some headache with putting it up/down when garaging and worry about clearance from time to time on lower bridges on the river.
3. 4.3L or 3.0L? I can get into the very same boat with the 3.0L minus the wakeboard for somewhere in the $19k range (attractive because below my budget)?.is the 4.3L really worth it at the end of the day? My thoughts for my family size and what we want to do is YES! I do not want to talk myself out of the 4.3 to save money; but I am willing to hear out someone with a different opinion (especially if I can do all I want to do just as well with the 3.0).
4. The Volvo motor. How does it compare to the Merc (maintenance-wise etc.). Merc is a well-known name; I?m much less familiar with the Volvo. How about winterizing the Volvo Penta? A lot of work that?s worth taking to the dealer to do? Or should I be able to do it myself with no real issues?
Finally, I believe that I can do a little better on that first offer price. If most readers opine that the wakeboard tower and 4.3L are necessities for what I?ve described my family and I want to do; than I?m seriously considering going back with an offer of $22k plus bimini top (really the only thing this boat doesn?t have), a wakeboard, and anchor/rope.
Wow, sorry so long! If you can?t tell?.I tend to over think things (drives my lovely wife crazy sometimes!)?.anyway, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts / advice; I greatly appreciate it!
First off, why are we getting into boating? We?re a family of 6 that loves the outdoors. My teenagers especially want a boat for water sports fun and cruising around. We live about 5 minutes from a river (no water sports but cruising and hanging out on sandbars is lots of fun) and about 45 minutes from a lake for the water sports (we want to tube, water ski, and my teens and I plan to learn to wakeboard). Other considerations: I intend to keep the boat in the garage when not in use and my budget is around $20k (we can afford more, but I don?t want to spend any more than I have to for something we really only get use out of 5 months of the year).
After looking at what?s available in our area and to stay within our self-imposed budget, we settled on comparisons of the Bayliner 185 and the Glastron 185 (also thought about Larson & Sea Ray but no dealers in the area). Why not bigger? Again, one of the things I need to be able to do is garage this boat; I could, perhaps, look at the 195 but I think the 205 is just too big. Anyway, my thought is I have 4 kids; 2 teens and 2 little ones by the time my little ones are big enough to take up much room; my 2 teens are long gone to college and will only come around to borrow the boat from Dad to go with their friends (which I will have no problem with; I was there once too). I also thought about used and have looked extensively but what?s available in our area is limited in this class and everything has the 3.0 L. none have the 4.3L (which seems odd but probably not a coincidence, more people happier with more HP?).
After being in and out of both boats this weekend; I hands down prefer the slightly more expensive Glastron (sorry Bayliner owners); each has its pluses/minuses but for my and my wife, the Glastron just felt like a more finished boat. For us, the higher price point is worth the cost plus I truly like the fact that these boats are made in Minnesota..close to home and not Mexico (again not trying to offend anyone).
So the boat we liked best was the 2008 Glastron 185 with XL package, upgraded trailer, Volvo Penta 4.3 GL with snap covers and wakeboard tower; the MSRP on Glastron?s webpage is around $26k. The dealer was selling for $25k + tax & lic. After being in and out of the boat and showing interest; we left without making an offer but the salesman came out the door to us as we were leaving and said the owner was willing to sell it to us for $24 k plus a tube/ski package (essentially tube, tube rope, skis, ski ropes, and 5 life jackets?.maybe around a $500 package) + tax & lic. Not bad, but I just couldn?t pull the trigger right then and there. The cost was more than I wanted to spend and I?m troubled by a few things that I could use some advice on:
1. Fair price? We were surprised to have the salesman come out to us like that as we were leaving?I got the impression they were motivated to sell the boat and were hoping to get a sale out of me that day.
2. The wakeboard tower? Do I really need this thing? It adds about $2k to my total costs and not sure it?s worth the money (although I could afford it). Yes, my teens (and I) want to learn to wakeboard; but I?ve also read that a tower isn?t necessary unless you?re into doing tricks, etc?I don?t see myself or the teens doing any flips on a board anytime soon (would kill their Mom!). I also see some headache with putting it up/down when garaging and worry about clearance from time to time on lower bridges on the river.
3. 4.3L or 3.0L? I can get into the very same boat with the 3.0L minus the wakeboard for somewhere in the $19k range (attractive because below my budget)?.is the 4.3L really worth it at the end of the day? My thoughts for my family size and what we want to do is YES! I do not want to talk myself out of the 4.3 to save money; but I am willing to hear out someone with a different opinion (especially if I can do all I want to do just as well with the 3.0).
4. The Volvo motor. How does it compare to the Merc (maintenance-wise etc.). Merc is a well-known name; I?m much less familiar with the Volvo. How about winterizing the Volvo Penta? A lot of work that?s worth taking to the dealer to do? Or should I be able to do it myself with no real issues?
Finally, I believe that I can do a little better on that first offer price. If most readers opine that the wakeboard tower and 4.3L are necessities for what I?ve described my family and I want to do; than I?m seriously considering going back with an offer of $22k plus bimini top (really the only thing this boat doesn?t have), a wakeboard, and anchor/rope.
Wow, sorry so long! If you can?t tell?.I tend to over think things (drives my lovely wife crazy sometimes!)?.anyway, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts / advice; I greatly appreciate it!
