New to boating...which one should we buy?????

[lucky9]

Hi, Looking at new and used boats and we're clueless. Here's the problem: we need

a boat small/light enough to pull with a small truck (package weight nte 2900 lbs)

seats 8

made well

and for under $18k (would be great to find one for $15 but don't think it'll happen based on what we've read so far)

It doesn't need a super engine, we just want to pull our 2 kids on tubes and skis on the local lake.

We've looked online at Bayliner 185, Tahoe Q4 SS, and Glastron GT185. Which the best for our needs? Are there other types we should be looking at too?

THANKS for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

a deckboat. similar to v hull you are looking at, but has more space.

 

[Nandy]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

You want to seat 8? is that correct?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[lucky9]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

Never even thought of deck boats. Thanks. Looked online and am having trouble finding one that meets our weight restrictions once you add the engine and trailer weight. Any thoughts on manufacturers?

 

[lucky9]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

Yes, we need 8 persons minimum if we ever wanted to take anyone on the boat with us...of course the entry level boats look like they are all 7 seaters max!

 

[lucky9]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

thanks for the considerations when looking at boats. there's so much to know!

 

[triumphrick]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

Welcome aboard. There are a lot of similar posts as yours, so you can search them and see what some of the other answers have been. For lighter weight and not requiring as much power are the single hull boats. Hydra Sports is one name that comes to mind. Not as much 'glass to haul around so they are lighter and require less power. If you have an opportunity attend any of the boat shows you should do that. There are some incredible buys for new boats, as the market has nosedived and they need to move stock. Also you will get a look at the layouts and see what may work for you. Good luck!

 

[lucky9]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I checked this forum for alot of your considerations and now here's where we are at:

it's got to be a 7 passenger, 17' bowrider from what I've gathered.

this is based on mainly the low towing capacity of our little truck, which we can't upgrade to a larger engine right now.

SO, does anyone have any recommendations for small bowriders which weigh around 2000 lbs dry weight? All I can come up with is the Bayliner 17' 175 which is fine because it's more in our price range.

Any thoughts on that? Thanks in advance !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Adrift]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

it's got to be a 7 passenger, 17' bowrider from what I've gathered.

SO, does anyone have any recommendations for small bowriders which weigh around 2000 lbs dry weight? All I can come up with is the Bayliner 17' 175 which is fine because it's more in our price range.

Any thoughts on that? Thanks in advance !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was in a similar position as you this spring. Needed a lightweight (due to towing limit) bow rider.

The Seadoo Challenger 1800 (jet boat) is the perfect size and weight for your needs and is the boat I thought we would get (it may be over of your stated $ limit unless you can find a used one). However, ended up with the Glastron GT 185 which is in reality a 17'. Over all I am happy with it. Supposedly it has no wood on it to rot which may be an issue with the 175 Bayliner (does it have the glued in carpet?). The GT 185 has 8 spots to sit, but we don't like to have more the 6 on it or it becomes too umm "cozy". 7 wouldn't be too bad if your just slow cruising. I have the 4.3 which adds about 200lbs over the 3.0.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I checked this forum for alot of your considerations and now here's where we are at:

it's got to be a 7 passenger, 17' bowrider from what I've gathered.

this is based on mainly the low towing capacity of our little truck, which we can't upgrade to a larger engine right now.
All I can come up with is the Bayliner 17' 175 which is fine because it's more in our price range.

I believe that boat comes standard with the 3.0 which is a fine little motor for one or two people. Make sure to get a 4.3 and I hope your desire for seven passenger is for measurement purposes only. Seven people in a 17.5' boat would be like playing Twister in a closet.

 

[Robert185]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

I have a 2008 Bayliner 185 with the 3.0 engine. It's a great boat, quick and doesn't use a lot of fuel. (for a boat) Was $17,999 out the door. Weight with trailer is 2895 dry. My wife and 2 girls love it. There's plenty of room for the 4 of us. SEVEN on the boat? Not a chance. 7 on a 175? Too crowded for one, over capacity for another. Go on the Bayliner owners club site (baylinerownersclub.org) and ask about the 175. Everyone with one loves it, but I don't think 7 seven people would be practical on this size of boat.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

I bought a new Four Winns Horizon 170 in 2001, which I have since sold. It had the 4.3L / Volvo Penta, and was good power, I'm glad I didn't have the 3.0L engine. It was a really nice boat, I would definitely buy a Four Winns again.

I second the suggestion for a deckboat, you're not gaining much with a 18' jump and honestly, my boat was only comfy with 6. 2 in the bow, 2 in the buckets, and 2 on the stern seating, which was the sun-something-or-other that stretched the full rear beam.

Also, you'll be pulling a lot of weight- not on the tube, but everyone in the boat.

If it was me, I'd be looking at a 19' deckboat I/O with a sundeck on the stern, and with the gas prices- 1-3 years old. Lots of people are dumping boats cheap, and nothing depreciated more than my boat- not even my cars. I wouldn't buy new right now, there are too many killer deals on pre-owned boats for sale by owner, and will most likely include all sorts of accessories- you may not need to buy anything extra at all.

Good luck!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

If towing weight is a concern, then aluminum may be an option. Aluminum boats also tend to carry more weight for a particular size for the same reason.
I think that the goal of carrying 7 or 8 people in this size boat is optimistic at best. Pay more attention to the weight capacity than to to the number or persons it's rated for. Just because it seats 7, doesn't mean that it can carry all 7 persons when it comes to weight.

 

[pjrogers]

Re: New to boating...which one should we buy?????

Of the 8 people you have to carry, are most of them children? Because if all 8 are teens or adults and they're all on board, you'll be wayyyy over the weight capacity of a 17' boat. Not to mention the fact that even a 4.3L would struggle to get on a plane with that kind of load.