Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

[Slip Away]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Monterey without hesitation. Just look at the construction, materials, fit and finish, hull warranty etc. And you will find it's first rate. Not many Monterey's for sale in our area either. A good reason is people keep them so long, because they last.
Any of the boats you are considering will be a good choice. Having owned a Sea Ray, a Four Winns, and now a Monterey. I am impressed with the Monterey much more than the other two brands.

 

[thesledhead]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Also may want to consider avaliable mechanics in your area, seems to be alot of merc bashing in this thread to each his own I guess but merc does make a solid proven drive. When time does come to have some work done on the drive(yes even volvos break down) the price of volvo parts can be way high depending on whats broken. I currently have a 20' Crownline and love the boat, very solid, fit and finish are good, 5.7 merc alpha one. No issues so far but I do take the preventative maint. pretty serious. The walk thru transom of the Regal is a sweet option to have if you do alot of water sports. Look closely at how each has been maintained and choose the one thats recieved the best care cause even a 100 hr boat thats been thrashed is still thrashed.

I would have to agree 100%, I think volvo builds a very nice drive, however I helped a buddy build one on his inerceptor a few months back and that pos tied up my shop for most of the summer waiting for the WAY WAY WAY over priced parts to show. When I work on my Merc stuff the parts are usually in town or only three days out.... plus they are just WAY over priced LOL. But on the other hand I think any drive is fine on the >300 hp boats.

 

[Shawk]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Final two?????

Monterey
Didn't realize until today that the 2004 Monterey was a leftover and not taken home new until the spring of 2007. I wonder why this boats would sit so long.... was this boat really that difficult to sell? This guy is the only owner and must have practically stolen it when he bought it. It now has just 60 hours on it which is ok for 4 years on the water... it was boarderline not run enough in my mind if it had actually had been purchased back in 2004.

Crownline
Price has gotten a little closer to the Monterey today on price. He's at $16,800... realistic or not I'd like to see it closer to $16,000ish. It is an older model that is no longer made and I know this will affect resale for me... AND as some of you have put in my head, it's green. I thought the Emerald Green looked really good too but wonder now if green would be a tougher. He's the second owner and needs to move it before his move in Feb. He's also closer to me by a couple hours.

 

[Shawk]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Nothing to report guys... nasty snow storm decided to cover the state this weekend so I'll shoot for another day. Leaning towards the Monterey at this point... thanks for the replies!
All the best!
S...

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Yeah looks like the weather you guys have been having isn't very good for boat buying is it!

Good luck what ever way you decide and be careful in the crappy weather too!

 

[Shawk]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Metrodome... MN got hammered... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAyLX2hY7E0

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

I see you found the Monterey forum ..... The snow might be melted before you get a response from an actual 200 owner there. But it's worth a try, you never know.

Finally, don't pull your hair out over this "resale" manifesto you are adhering to. These boats only cost around 16K for what you have it narrowed down to. Not a big investment or liability either way. Just buy the one you like best, that fits your needs, and screw the resale worries.

 

[Shawk]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

I see you found the Monterey forum ..... The snow might be melted before you get a response from an actual 200 owner there. But it's worth a try, you never know.

Finally, don't pull your hair out over this "resale" manifesto you are adhering to. These boats only cost around 16K for what you have it narrowed down to. Not a big investment or liability either way. Just buy the one you like best, that fits your needs, and screw the resale worries.

Thanks Slip Away.... I agree that I'm at a point to just pick one and move on already!!! I'm making arrangements to pick up the Monterey 200ls this week (assuming it's everything it's suppose to be).
Regarding the Monty forum.... yeah theres no body home. At least there will be one contributor there shortly if I buy this one...)

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

It's a good forum, but just heavily moderated since it is hosted by Monterey Boats corporate. I'm confident you will be thrilled with the Monty, as long as it checks out to your expectations.

 

[traderdavel]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

I had a 1998 Monterey 270, (sold in the spring and still looking) - loved it and canvas and bottom paint were both green as Kermit the frog. Didn't bother me at all and in a sea of beige on white, I felt it was very unique. Always easy to point out my boat to guests, (see the green top)! But seriously 12 year old boat and looked and ran like brand new.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL???? Severe breach of winter boating etiquette.....Leave us hanging!!! WHERE'S THE PICS!

 

[Shawk]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL???? Severe breach of winter boating etiquette.....Leave us hanging!!! WHERE'S THE PICS!

Hey LippCJ7!

Nope... no "breach of etiquette," I hope... Spent the last Thursday afternoon at work instead while my kids spent the school day at home due to another snow day. Another nasty storm rolled through Iowa with blizzard warnings and MORE SNOW... not exactly boat towing weather. Nothing ruled out at this point but I believe it'll be the Monterey still... Both the owner and I have next week off so we may reschedule then. I think the best sea trial we'll be able to do at this point is run it on muffs inside his marina. We'll see... he's not advertised at all, but I also doubt he'll have a problem selling at a higher price when spring hits... So I need to decide this late in the game/year if a inside trial is good enough. I'm not overly concerned... but I'll be sure to post pics if she comes home soon.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

I hear ya, I was out in the snow cat today so I know all about the crappy weather. Well good luck next week hopefully things work out for ya!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Hey LippCJ7!

I think the best sea trial we'll be able to do at this point is run it on muffs inside his marina. We'll see... he's not advertised at all, but I also doubt he'll have a problem selling at a higher price when spring hits... So I need to decide this late in the game/year if a inside trial is good enough. I'm not overly concerned... but I'll be sure to post pics if she comes home soon.

Food for thought. I 'purchased' my 1999 Chris*Craft 240 EC the week before Xmas, 2008. Impossible to do a sea trial. We agreed on the price contingent upon a successful sea trial and survey in the Spring. I put down 10% in cash.

If the Spring check went as expected I was obligated to buy the boat at the agreed price. If anything was wrong, we had several options... negotiate repairs, renegotiate the price, or I could take my deposit back and walk away. During the 5 months it took to consummate the deal, the owner was free to line up as many other offers as he wanted. BUT, I had first right of refusal. He couldn't sell to anyone else unless I walked, and I couldn't just 'walk'. I was obligated to complete the survey (at my expense), participate in the sea trial, and give the seller an opportunity to fix anything wrong. All parties were protected.

The deal you're contemplating (a 'sea trial' on muffs, for a $15K boat? better you than me, bro...) protects only the seller.

My .02

 

[traderdavel]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Food for thought. I 'purchased' my 1999 Chris*Craft 240 EC the week before Xmas, 2008. Impossible to do a sea trial. We agreed on the price contingent upon a successful sea trial and survey in the Spring. I put down 10% in cash.

If the Spring check went as expected I was obligated to buy the boat at the agreed price. If anything was wrong, we had several options... negotiate repairs, renegotiate the price, or I could take my deposit back and walk away. During the 5 months it took to consummate the deal, the owner was free to line up as many other offers as he wanted. BUT, I had first right of refusal. He couldn't sell to anyone else unless I walked, and I couldn't just 'walk'. I was obligated to complete the survey (at my expense), participate in the sea trial, and give the seller an opportunity to fix anything wrong. All parties were protected.

The deal you're contemplating (a 'sea trial' on muffs, for a $15K boat? better you than me, bro...) protects only the seller.

My .02

above - X2

 

[10 FOOT INVADER]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Monterey all the way, but I am biased.

 

[Shawk]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

PICTURES below of the finalist and I know they're long over due....

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d...202 Monty 200 Regal 2000/?albumview=slideshow

I don't have any attached of the 04' Four Winns 200... it's still in the running as well. Here are a couple of the Crown, Monterey & Regal. The Regal is the sharpest boat of the group to me but according to NADA is the least valueable... yet is priced $1,000 higher than the Monterey, same as the Four Winns 200 and just $500 below the Crown. While we LOVED the walk through and L rear seating in our last boat (bigger), I think it may compromise the seating & space a bit on a 20' boat... hmmm... it's winter.... We need something to look at since we can't be on the water.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

If I have to pick from a picture, I like the Monterey.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

What Boat was the last picture(the interior) that looked really sharp! But I am biased against boats without carpet but you can get the carpet for the Crownline not sure about the regal, the Crownline has the Bow filler cushions which is great I almost never take mine out. The last boat looks like it has cushions to spare on the bow are those fillers? Tough call man hate to be in your shoes but you know which way I am biased!!

 

[Shawk]

Re: Pick my boat-Crown 202, Monterey 200, Regal 2000, Four Winns 200

Monterey all the way, but I am biased.

Understood... I'm curious what kind of response I'll get with pics. How long have you had your Monty? What's your setup, use and what year? Thanks!