Newbie bowrider advice

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

My 4.3 Mercruiser has the Alpha 1 Outdrive with 544 hours. No problems!

It is maintained by the Marina where I bought it and they take care of it and me. I periodically check Oil, Hoses and belts but so do they every Fall when they winterize it and when they do the Spring Prep $83 Change Oil and filter every year $51

Also not only do you have to maintain a Boat jonW9 but you also must think about Insuring the boat. BoatUS has good Insurance plans and they probably have the most clients for Marine Insurance.

 

[jonw9]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I know about insurance. I already have a large umbrella policy on my homeowners that I will check into. Although I know I will need insurance, I don't really know what an annual cost will be.

I was more concerned with the intangibles that I wouldn't consider, like the "batwings" or other problems to look for.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

BoatUS will offer you about three options but check with your homeowners Umbrella Policy first.

I got several quotes and chose BoatUs. Because they matched everybody elses coverages and was anywhere from $100 to $50 a year cheaper.

None of them will fully pay out unless the Boat is stolen. You not only have your deductable but everything is depreciated for lack of the proper word, prorated. Don't forget your Trailer either for theft or damage. Keep it locked to the truck at the Boat Launch or a tree in a storage area like at a state campground.

That's What I have read. even repairs which is most claims are prorated. Striking an object. A must is a Depth Finder with alarm. the problem is at __Speed you can go from 30ft of water to 3 ft in a second. I set my alarm at 5 feet which might give me time to react and try to watch where I'm going.

You must learn the Lake where you plan to boat. Sunken islands, rocks and sand bars are all hazards.

One more thing make sure you are covered if hit by an uninsured boater. Michigan doesn't require boaters carry insurance and many boaters do not have insurance.

 

[delsol]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

if you get the right boat now why upgrade later. the crownline is a nice boat. the new glastrons are nice too but big $$$ more then bayliner. stay away from bayliner as you are upgrading before you even buy?????? if so the bayliner will bore you in 1 month. 3.0 35 mph or so. 4.3 engines have nice power
get the boat you want now
take a boat safty course
bob

 

[delsol]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

crown line value with 4.3
top and radio only
8-9k
bob

 

[tmh]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

One thing about Glastron boats that may interest you.... the small bowriders seem bigger in the cockpit area than other models because they move the middle console forward more than others. This also allows them to plane a bit easier and maintain plane at slightly lower speeds. When I was looking, this was a NEGATIVE because it makes the bow area smaller and I have kids who love sitting in the bow. If I did NOT have kids, this would have been a big plus for Glastron!

A 19' Glastron bowrider is a completely different boat than the Bayliner 175 as far as floor space is concerned. Now, IF you will mostly have just the two of you on board, the 17' may be fine. Remember though, if your wife is like many she won't enjoy an overly rough ride and a 17' BR can't handle too much chop easily. These types of things have to be factored into the decision or you get a boat that just doesn't "do it" for you.

Back to the engine power discussion, yes the 3.0 in a 17.5' boat can be plenty to go pretty fast. However, put four adults, gear and a few kids in it then try and do water sports and you may be heading back to the dock to drop off some riders so you can get on plane more easily. It just depends on what you use will be. Weight and hull design make a big difference on which engine is sufficient also. AGAIN though, there is a good reason they sell quite a bit cheaper with the smallest engine package....

 

[jonw9]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

if you get the right boat now why upgrade later. the crownline is a nice boat. the new glastrons are nice too but big $$$ more then bayliner. stay away from bayliner as you are upgrading before you even buy?????? if so the bayliner will bore you in 1 month. 3.0 35 mph or so. 4.3 engines have nice power
get the boat you want now
take a boat safty course
bob

I was just commenting on how many people say when you buy a boat, you always want a bigger one. I don't intend on upgrading every year, but this time last year I wasn't even planning on buying a boat!

I will find out more on the Crownline and see what I can find. Are used boats like used cars when it comes to buying from private owner compared to a "dealer"?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

Most often you can get a much better deal buying from a private seller.Dealers want top dollar no matter what.
If the Crownline checks out and everything looks good and you like it,Start by offering the guy 8k.. Always offer well below the asking price to start.Either it will offend him or he will be willing to deal..
You can go to NADA.com and look up the year,model and add the accesories to get a general idea of price..

 

[jonw9]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I have been looking around some more. There is a local Four Winns Freedom 190 that is for sale. It is older (1991) but I guess that means I can try to get it for less. The seating isn't ideal, but if I can get a good price on it (NADA) then I may throw an offer down. The problem I am seeing is it has a 4.3 OMC.

What exactly is the problem with OMC? Is it operation/dependability issue or I think it has to do with replacement parts, correct?

So would a relative bargin (NADA < $4500) outweigh the OMC, or would a newer used boat with a Volvo/Merc be worth the extra cash?

Thanks again for everybody's help.

EDIT: Here is the boat, although I think he is asking too much, and would only offer $5000 unless that is insultingly low, then I would just pass. I don't know whay he feels it would be worth $3000 over NADA.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/boa/323981290.html

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I think he is high. Is it from Ebay or through a Dealer? If it's being sold on consignment there is a markup for the seller above what the owner is asking.

Mine is a 1986 Horizons 190 which is a little more expensive boat than the Freedom. Nada Guides says $4700 for mine.

Mine is a 4.3 Mercruiser, Alpha one. 544 hours I was told the Alpha One was better but someone else will have to comment on that because I don't know. I was told by several people when I was looking for a boat that the Alpha one was the best.

You never said how many hours are on the boat. It looks GREAT! And is loaded with goodies that are not standard. They are add ons. You can generally tell if it has been taken care of by the cleanliness of the boat. Check in the Engine Compartment for cleanliness. Ask who and when it was serviced?

LISTEN TO ME CLOSE. IF YOU SHOULD DECIDE TO BUY. Before putting even a penny on it.

HIRE YOUR OWN MARINE SURVEYER TO GO THROUGH THE BOAT $200 ABOUT
HIRE YOUR OWN MARINE CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO CHECK OUT THE ENGINE
$$?? Your Surveyer may do that too? if everything is OK.
SEA TEST THE BOAT IN A LAKE PUTTING IT THROUGH IT'S PACES FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR, THATS IDLE COLD, RUNNING IT SLOW, TIME FOR WARM UP, RUNNING IT AT WOT, CRUISE AND BACK TO SLOW AND IDLE. IT SHOULD RUN OUT AT ABOUT 38-42 mph AT 4600-4800 rpm, I think. CHECK THE Owners manual or Engine BOOK. IT WILL GIVE YOU THE RPM RANGE and an idea of the speed. Listen for any odd noises or shudder. if your new to Boating take someone, a friend that is experienced with you.
On shore. Check Gimble by moving the lower unit side to side. There shouldn't be much play, maybe 1/4 -1/2 inch. Also check prop movement in an out, again not much movement 1/4 inch about.

If they are asking $7800 for it and the Nada Guides says it should sell for $5800 and everything checks out. Meet him in the middle.

Keep us posted and best of luck.

Check out mine for $1500 but no trailer. I have about $3100 in this one.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24589494@N00/

 

[jonw9]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I only sent the guy an email asking for more info. I havn't mentioned money or planned a visit.

I was more asking about the OMC.

I will also look into the surveyor for sure.

Here are some other pictures from another post, but the same boat.
http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/boa/304896411.html

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I just checked out Nadaguides.com


PRICING


Low Retail Average Retail
Base Price
$3,480 $3,920
Options
Power Boat: CANVAS
Bimini Top $170 $195
Boat Cover - Custom - 18 ft. thru 25 ft. $190 $215
Bow Cover $140 $160
Cockpit Cover $175 $200
Power Boat: ELECTRONICS
Fish Finder - Max Depth 1000' $260 $295
TOTAL PRICE $4,415 $4,985

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

The spare prop alone if new costs $125-$150 . Tubes run anywhere from$200- $400 too.

 

[daniel2229]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I looked seriously at three Bayliner models, 175, 185, and the 195. The price seemed to be right starting at $11k. When we went to the dealership, I saw immediately that the 175 bow wasn't deep enough for our small grandsons to safely ride. So we started to look at the 185. By the time you add trailer brakes, Bimini top, bow covers, etc, the cost was way above $17k. Mmmmm.

So we went to the Dayton boat show, and I know what your thinking, the Dayton boat show is not a really big one, but it is where we live. While there, we spied a Seaswirl display, which is a Genmar company. They had a Seaswirl 170 I/O with all the items we wanted and more. The MSRP was $24k, but after factory rebate and dealer discounts, the price was $17k. This boat is all fiberglass with floatation foam added. No wood! Full transom. This was a no brainer. I bought it on the spot and have had no regrets.

Great resale value to boot!

 

[jonw9]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I just checked out Nadaguides.com


PRICING


Low Retail Average Retail
Base Price
$3,480 $3,920
Options
Power Boat: CANVAS
Bimini Top $170 $195
Boat Cover - Custom - 18 ft. thru 25 ft. $190 $215
Bow Cover $140 $160
Cockpit Cover $175 $200
Power Boat: ELECTRONICS
Fish Finder - Max Depth 1000' $260 $295
TOTAL PRICE $4,415 $4,985

Yeah, that is what I came up with as well. I just don't know what he is using to justify the almost $8000 price.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

Congratulations and enjoy your new Boat. I hope you have a great summer on the water.

 

[jonw9]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

He respondes saying the trailer has no brakes, it does have a stereo, and there are an estimated 60 hours on the engine. He also added he always had it winterized, and the oil and lube were changed "late last year".

Here are some pictures that were in a Word document, so the corlors got mess up as I was cutting/pasting.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

so John what are you thinking to go look at it in person?

 

[jonw9]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

I have to run it by my accountant/wife and see, Then maybe see about checking it out this weekend or next. It is in Portage.

So you would have no hesitations with the OMC engine?

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie bowrider advice

You really have to go see the Boat in person John. You know pictures can be deceiving. I wish other people would commment on the OMC Power Train. Type it into the Search Engine at top of this thread and see if you can find out anything from any other posts about the OMC. Mine is a GM block Mercruiser with the Mercruiser Alpha one and I have had no problems and as I said it has 544 hours on it. I have an hour meter on my boat. I am the second owner and bought it through a marina that sold it on consignment and from where it has been serviced the past 21 years. All the service was documented but the surveys were still done by me just to make sure. Cost me $300 but the peace of mind was well worth it. Surveyor found about $800 in repairs that needed to be done which the marina had already pointed out to me. I guess the seller just didn't want to put the money into it. I talked to the seller after I bought it though and he said the only reason he sold the boat was that his Family had outgrown it. Four Grandkids all teens, otherwise he would have still had it. He said he bought Deck Boat so as to have more room.
The same Marina is still servicing the boat, only now for me. Small Mom and Pop buisness $45 an hour labor and they have two Mechanics/ Technicians one has been there about 13 years and the other one 21 years
so they are treated right and their customers are treated right and honestly.
For example when they did the Spring Prep I ask a ? and he said oh just go to home depot and buy a tube of waterproof silicone. They just put marine on the tube and triple the price. It's the same thing and that's what we use.
Chuck