opinions Bayliner, chaparral

erider81

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
31
sup folks,
im looking for opinions on a few boats im looking at
2010 Bayliner 185 with merc 3.0. new
or
2009 Chaparral 180 ssi, 3.0 volvo, new
or to a lesser extent Crownline 180 br 2008 3.0 merc. new. (leaning away from this due to saleman lying to me about warranty)

bayliner is cheapest OTD price
next is the Chap which is about 1200 bucks more
and the crown is about 250 bucks more then the chap.
the chap has the most options added (snap carpet, swim platform, transom radio controls, depth finder)
the Chaparral is the smallest beam of the three so it seems like a lot less room when standing inside vs the bayliner.
but I'm just looking for general opinions on the boats. most sports i'd be doing is pulling a tube, prob never skiing or wakeboarding.
So fire away and all input is appreciated

thanks,
Glen
 

brick75

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
289
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

You get what you pay for. I'd go with the Chaparral, especially given the options it comes with. Also, if you haven't already, you should check out the boat ratings at jdpower.com. Definitely shows a difference in these brands. Chaparral is only listed in the large runabout category, but it's one of the better manufacturers.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

I've had mainly Bayliners, but driven Mariahs, Glastrons (for their catalog) and Malibus.

Given that they have the same sized powertrain, what I'd be looking at is the weight of the boat and which differences between the 3 matter to you.

I looked at a lot of boats when I bought my 05 Bayliner 195 and couldn't justify paying extra for the other available brands.
 

superpop

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
869
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

Love my Chap, they are very well built and have a lot of little extras that you do not notice at first but really make a difference.
 

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

I've heard great things about the Chaps...

In your pricing, did you cost out the options included in the Chap for that price?

I looked at a Bayliner 175 a few years back. Price was great, and no complaints with the boat but it was bare bones. Adding the options that I'd like, drove the price up another $6k... Heck, the dealer wanted $895 for snap in carpet (just got snap in for my new boat for $400)

So I'd do a true apples/apples, then go with which one you finds suits you best.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

And chances are you are getting an extra good deal on the Chap which is 1 year old (but new) and the Crown which is 2 years old (but new)
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,241
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

Bayliners look boring. Chaps are good but way over priced. Crowns are ugly and pooly designed.

However,.......a meticulously maintained Bayliner will beat out a poorly or mediocretly maintained Chap or Crown every time.

So, since you are talking new, buy the Chap. and maintain the heck out of it.
 

erider81

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
31
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

yes the chap is priced including all options. the chap is also 200 pounds lighter then the bayliner and 350 less then the crown. I myself lean way towards the chap, but im just curious what others think. the only issue i have with the 180ssi is the beam is exactly the same as my current boat (bayliner 160 capri).
 

Subliminal

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
555
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

Just out of curiousity, where are you looking? I was at DNR the other day buying lifejackets and they had a leftover 18 ft Crownline in the showroom...

I actually just bought my boat from a place in Pottstown PA. The dealer was hands down the best person I talked to selling boats. Awesome guy...East Coast Marine Service...ask for Bryan. You might want to check with them before buying anything. ;)
 

erider81

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
31
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

yeah the crown was at DnR in greenbrook. sales guy Rich swore to me that crown still has lifetime on hull and all other standard warranty on that leftover. then i showed him crowns official notice on what they will honor under good will and he acted all shocked. Sorry but when your one of the biggest crown dealers in NJ, im pretty positive that he would know whats covered. plus when i offered my trade in he upped the list price of the crown by 2 grand and told me thats because he is going to have to spend money to sell my boat. sounded all shady to me but hey, what do i know im not a boat dealer or salesman. Im too honest. :p
the dealer that has the chap is in PA too. Ill have to check out EC marine.

thanks guys.

arent boat owners the friendliest most helpful group of people!
 

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

arent boat owners the friendliest most helpful group of people!

Absolutely. Every time I take a friend who doesn't boat with me on the lake, they always comment, "Why to boaters always wave?!"

Just a friendly fun bunch.

Good luck on your boat hunt... Hopefully you decide and get it in the water this weekend.
 

NSBCraig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
1,907
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

What I'll take your trade for $$ but I'm raising the price?

That there is some nifty salesman math there.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

yeah the crown was at DnR in greenbrook. sales guy Rich swore to me that crown still has lifetime on hull and all other standard warranty on that leftover. then i showed him crowns official notice on what they will honor under good will and he acted all shocked. Sorry but when your one of the biggest crown dealers in NJ, im pretty positive that he would know whats covered. plus when i offered my trade in he upped the list price of the crown by 2 grand and told me thats because he is going to have to spend money to sell my boat. sounded all shady to me but hey, what do i know im not a boat dealer or salesman. Im too honest. :p
the dealer that has the chap is in PA too. Ill have to check out EC marine.

Wow I'd certainly steer clear of that dealer!
 

Subliminal

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
555
Re: opinions Bayliner, chaparral

Yeah, when I was in DNR I thought the price on the Crownline was a bit high..especially considering it has the base engine and is 2 yrs old (even new). I paid much less for my Monterey, with the bigger engine, and a brand new trailer with brakes, and I think Monterey makes a better boat.

But what do I know. ;)
 
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