Newbie looking for advice

[nmusti]

Hi all! I'm a newbie to boating , although my wife has had some experience with boats in the past. Based on her experiences and what we want to do, she recommends we get a 17-20ft bow rider with an inboard motor, she also likes Bayliners. <br /><br />We are looking to use the boat for day trips to fish, waterski/tube in Central PA on either Raystown Lake or the Susquehanna River, with the possibility of 7-8 people on board.<br /><br />From the little research I've done to date, it seems best to steer clear of Force and OMC motors and probably best to go with a Mercruiser due to parts availalblilty. I've managed to come accross the 2 extremes on Bayliners, those that think they are crap and those that own and think they are wonderful. I'd prefer to go used, but am open to the idea of new, but my budget is somewhat limited; I've got about $5K in cash I could spend right now.<br /><br />I'd like to here opinions on what to go with boat and motor wise and would appreicate justifiying your opionion with facts or personal history.<br /><br />Thanks much in advance!!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

based on capacity, i think you want to go with 20'. my 20' center console has an 8 person capacity, and that's tight. i can't imagine 8 people on a 17 footer. so let's say you go with a 20' bow rider. good all around boat for cruising and watersports, not great for fishing. most have lots of cushions and are just not set up for fishing. but if you are not a heavy fisherman and don't care about getting a hook stuck in you bench seat, the bow rider would still work. bayliners are fine to get into boating. there are other "value" brands out there. for river and lake use, i think it would be fine. if you look at the market (mags, internet, newspapers), you'll find plenty of 20' bayliners and other bow riders on sale. you should be able to pick up one just a few years old in decent shape.<br /><br />good luck and enjoy-

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

5K is tight, 8 people and no head - That could be interesting. 8 people in a boat with someone new to boating might not be a great idea either. Water toys take up a lot of room. <br /><br />Buy the boat not the brand. Condition and care go a long way to the value of a boat. Stay far away from bayliners in the 80's vintage. In addition with that many people you better be looking at a large engine. 350?????<br /><br />Check the limits on your tow vehicle as well.<br /><br />Just a couple of thoughts.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

who told you to stay away from omc and go with mercruiser because of parts availability. omc is the worlds largest selling outboard motor manufactur. more motors means more parts. bar none

 

[nmusti]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

A local boat dealer suggested we stay away from force and OMC. Again we are currently looking at inboards only.<br /><br />Also to clarify on the number of people, it will be more on average 5-7, with a mix of adults and kids. 8 would be a very maximum and pretty rare.

 

[mulv80]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

Enough room for everyone, a head, and $1400 to spare.<br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ry=31271&item=2482727962&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[Solittle]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

Nick - Lets see now - 17' & will assume a bow rider - 2 people in the jump seats on each side of the motor in back - 4 people in the cockpit in back to back seats - and 1 person up forward. So we have a seat for everyone. Since this is a small boat & a lot of people everyone must wear a PFD (Coast Guard approved of course). What we need to do now is draw straws to see who is going to hold the skis, who is going to hold the tube, who is going to hold the cooler, who is going to hold the towel bag, and so on - -<br /><br />Get the picture yet? A 17'er ain't gonna hack what you want to do. I have a 23' CC and I would consider 7 people a full load.<br /><br />$5K should get you a older but decent 20-21' CC (max interior space) with an OMC hanging on the back. Look in Boat Trader.

 

[bounder4465]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

I agree buy the boat not the brand. On the subject of power...not all Mercruiser setups were created equal. They had two blunders that should be avoided. One is the "L" drive..this setup was used on Bayliners late 80s thru the early 90s. It was a marriage of a 2stroke motor with a strange outdrive setup. The other is the "470" series of engines. Although some boaters enjoyed the power from these 4cyl engines (A 460 Ford V8 head on a Mercruiser block) the repair shops loved the repair bills, and the alternator relocation conversions kit instalations . Just my $0.02

 

[DJ]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

NickM,<br /><br />I agree with the others. Any more than four people aboard a 17'er is going to be miserable. Also, a 3.0 liter four cylinder is going to give a miserable performance showing with that kind of load.

 

[jka]

Re: Newbie looking for advice

I had $5k to spend and wanted to do the same thing as you. I found I needed to spend 7500 for a C.Craft with a 190 horse. I didn't regret the extra outlay for the 18 footer. I'd never try to ski with that many people in a boat of that length.<br /> You'll find a 17' bayliner under powered with that many people. 4 or 5 absolute max...as they generally don't have the HP to carry as many people as you want with all the toys. <br />I had 6 people in my C.Craft...and the 190hp was perfect....had some trouble getting up to ski with larger men...but the wife and kids popped right out.<br />anything less than 150hp...with that amount of bodies and toys...and you won't be happy i don't think.