Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

[Jersey13]

I'm sort of new to the boating world (2yrs) compared to the well-experienced vets on this board and i'm looking for some OPINIONS. I'm getting more involved in boating and i'd rather not make too many mistakes so i figured maybe you guys could pass along some of your knowledge with all of your "hands on" experiences and keep me pointed in the right direction. I know i'm probably not on the right board posting this kind of question but....i'm going to anyway

If you guys had to rate manufactures of boats, say...25' or less, o/b's, i/o's all separately for the last 10 years or so, how would it go, in YOUR opinion? I don't want to start a disagreement between anyone or anything like that but i want to know what to look for, or what to watch out for when i purchase my next boat. I figure you're the guys to ask since you have all the experience and possibly it may help a bunch of other people posting on this board also. From what i've read, Bayliner and Force are two names that haven't been talked about nicely. AND THESE ARE ALL OPINIONS SO PLEASE DON'T GET OFFENDED IF YOU OWN SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T FARE WELL! Thanks for YOUR OPINIONS

<br /><br />-Jersey

 

[JB]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

Ahoy, Jersey! Asking me for an opinion is like trying to take a sip from a fire hose, but I'll try to be brief.<br /><br />There are lots of good boats out there. What is the best? That depends on what you want to do with it. I fish: salt water, offshore, rivers, lakes big and small. My Son also fishes, but in addition he skis, cruises, parties and "hangs out" at on-the-water hangouts. We both have Boston Whaler Montauk 17s. Mine is a 1980, his is a 2000.<br /><br />Whalers are expensive and worth every penny, but don't offer some features that some people can't get along without. The Montauk is not a dry boat in rough water, nor is it a comfortable ride in a heavy chop. Like all Whalers, it is unsinkable and very stable.<br /><br />There are other models with more popular features, deep V hulls, etc. They are also very good boats.<br /><br />I think that the 17 and 13 Boston Whalers are the best boats made in the past 40 years. The quality and detail are unexcelled.<br /><br />That's my opinion.<br /><br />JB

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

I couldn't agree more. You have to define the useage first. My race boat is great for winning but it doesnt fish well. And my ski boat isn't good for racing or fishing.<br /><br />I like the 18' and 21' Starcraft (aluminum)boats for fishing. Lots of folks dont. <br /><br />I think pad bottom boats are a blast to drive and tunnels are boring. Many people would disagree.<br /><br />I prefer outboards. I know a couple of engineers at GM Powertrain that disagree.<br /><br />Like JB said -- there are lots of good boats out there today. Get one that fits your needs and know it's limits. It'll be the best boat you ever owned.....until you get the next one.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

I enjoyed finding out what you guys ride. Like you said,JB, it aint the driest ride, but the fact that you can't sink those Whalers with a chain saw,makes then worth ever cent!<br />Jersy13, like they said, it all depends on what you wanna do with your boat. And Bayliners with Forces on them got a bad rap for many reasons, most of which are not sound. There are gajillions of Bayliners out there, and still many Force motors going strong. It's not the boat, it's the company. Bayliner got sold a few times, and took short cuts in the fiberglass layup,so consiquently, they lost some of thier quality control. But if you find a clean, sound bayliner hull that's about 12years old, you can bet it'll be trucking into the next decade or teo with proper care.<br />Force, same way. These motors are the old Chrysler motor,painted-up pretty,and a different name stuck on. they would be in production today had it not been for the fact they could not meet 2000's strict emmission standards. Merc's engineers tried, but had to change too much of the over design of the entire line to make a re-design worth the efforts, so the line was dumped. But they are great engines, albait, a tad stinky and harder to find parts for.<br />But, less emmission controls,bells and whistles, the less to break.<br /><br /><br />------------------<br />Time to change my tagline

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

JB..LMAO..got this mental picture or round cheeks.....jersey, any brand is only as good as the LOCAL dealer who supports it...web based purchases are great, but the insightful opinions of a reputable person that you can spend face time with IS THE MOST IMPORTANT! Do not look for these people in the local trader, or the one with the biggest ad inthe yellow pages.....ask at the local launch ramp....thats where reputations are tarnished! REMEMBER..what moves will break...an somebody hasta fix it! Trash or treasure...if it runs every weekend, we are all happy.....and JERSEY, if there is one piece of advice I could give you...2 foot-itis will strike you...you will trade up if you like boating.....someone LOCAL whom you can petition for advice is priceless....no one else will account for the conditions/uses you will encounter.

 

[Jersey13]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

Thanks for all of your opinions and wisdom guys. I guess like you've all said, it really makes a difference on what you're going to be using the boat for. I posed this question in the first place because like i said, i'm getting deeper into the sport/hobby and would rather not make as many mistakes as possible. I don't know about boats and motors as much as i know about cars and motorcycles, but i'm trying. If someone where to ask me, in my opinion, which was a better purchase for the money, a 1986 american car with 100k miles or a 1986 Honda with 100k miles, i would most likely point them toward the Honda, without knowing more about either car. I'm proud to be American (100% italian) don't get me wrong, but i just know that the foreign motors are wrapped a little tighter and will last a little longer without putting as much hard earned cash into it every month. And i know that's not true with every case. I guess that was kind of what i was asking with you guys. What really sparked the question was, i just purchased this 20ft Wellcraft cuddy for basically nothing and went up to the local marina for some parts this past weekend. While i was inside, a couple pulled up and started to "attempt" to back their 25-27' Bayliner down the launch. Well, needless to say, they where having a REAL tough time, yelling at on another...blah blah blah, and as a few of us where taking notice (hard not too with all the yelling), one of the guys behind the counter said "oh, go figure, it's a bayliner" So i said "yeah, what's up with that? I keep hearing the Bayliner name getting a bad rap" and he said that they were basically good boats if you were going to keep them for a lifetime but don't go and try to resell. So i told him i just picked up this Wellcraft and asked how "he thought" that name faired and he said they were fantastic boats. And i know that was just one persons opinion, and he could have been a complete idiot, or a complete genious, but it makes me aware that i really don't yet know the ins and outs of the boating world and if i were to take anyone's opinion on a boat manufacturer and/or motor, it would be someone that i know thats had "hands on" experience for a while. And tt seems to me that most of you guys have "been around the lake" a few times

and have seen and worked on a buch of different models and makes so i guess i just wanted to pick your knowledge for a little and not be so blind. I would just kick myself in the butt to find out that i just traded my 19' cuddy for a different make/model 25' for the same price, only to find out that i traded my ferrari for his yugo. And , not that yugo is bad or anything but, i hope you guys know what i mean

Anyway, sorry to be so long winded. Thanks again for all your replys and thanks to all you guys sharing your time on this board helping everyone out.<br /><br />- Jersey

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

JERSEY, bayliners got kinda special reputation....they are the epitome of entry level product...which means alot of different things....you cannot go buy a cheaper boat at a dealer or boat show...the people who buy them are for the most part inexperinced at having a boat....so they are abused/ignored much more than other boat makes. you put these two facts together and you have alot of people dissing bayliners....if they are cared for and used as they were intended THEY ARE GOOD BOATS! are there better made more durable boats out there? of course! and yer gonna pay for em!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

And they don't really deserve the nickname<br />"Baybottomliner". LOL!

 

[JonBoater]

Re: Post your OPINION? ODDD1, J.B., 12 footer, Corm......???

I just wanted to put a vote in for a outboard powered Boston Whaler. Dad has a 1993 17' Outrage + 115 rude, awesome little boat!