Small Bow rider - new - options

[bgeddes]

We are not new to boating, but are looking for a new boat. We've looked at a couple small (~16') bow riders, and wonder how quality compares. Ideally, we'd be all in and on the water, with safety gear, electronics etc, for less than $20K, for a new boat. Staying small for ease of towing, and operation. We've seen a Caravelle and a Bayliner in our price range. Are there any other makes in our price range and how do these two compare quality wise? Seems they are all powered by the same outboards so for the most part that is a wash.

Thanks in advance.

 

[oldjeep]

Never heard of a caravelle, but the reviews on the bayliner elements seem to have been pretty good since they came out. Nice basic boat.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Bayliners are a great entry level boat, I have never heard of Cararvel. Depending on models not all the bells and whistles are available from Bayliner. They had a bad reputation years ago but I still see plenty of them in the 80's or 90's in great condition. I would run away from a Tracker that are sold underpowered and just looking at them at Bass Pro are not built with quality I mind. I know a few Legend owners also that bought new and do not have any real complaints my cousin in Western NY is one of them. They too seem to sell new boats under powered and the price rises dramatically when engines are upgraded. Since our Canuck dollar has taken a swan dive new boats that are imported from the US of A are ridiculously priced now. Fully equipped as you describe 20K USD which is about $24,000.00 CDN might get you a 15 or 16 footer with a 20 HP 4 stroke tiller and trailer, maybe. We pay 13% tax on just about anything sold here. Including some food from the grocery store, we have free health care though.

 

[roffey]

I've heard of Caravelle Boats, nothing bad. I believe they are in line with the Bayliners. I think what water you will be in and how many people will be in the boat. 16 feet is at he smaller end but would be fine for fishing and water sports as long as you don't over load. I have always been told Bayliner makes a great price point boat and you got to love new boats with new boat warranty.

 

[Alumarine]

As old ironmaker implied make sure you get enough motor on whatever you buy.

 

[airshot]

Just keep in mind that you will need to hang on to that boat for quite a few years or you will take a very serious loss on your investment. Boat depreciation is horrible at best, that is why so many buy used. The new boat warranty only lasts a year or two then all your expenses become your own cost as well as the boat payment. Not sure about your area but in my neck of the woods anything under 18' is not a resale item until you get down to a rowboat size. 15'-17' boats do not sell in my area so this is something you might want to think about.

 

[roffey]

Just keep in mind that you will need to hang on to that boat for quite a few years or you will take a very serious loss on your investment. Boat depreciation is horrible at best, that is why so many buy used. The new boat warranty only lasts a year or two then all your expenses become your own cost as well as the boat payment. Not sure about your area but in my neck of the woods anything under 18' is not a resale item until you get down to a rowboat size. 15'-17' boats do not sell in my area so this is something you might want to think about.

My boat has a 5 year warranty. Not sure what you mean by not a resale item. You mean the under 18 footers do not sell well? Anyway, it has been my experience a boat new or used is not a good financial investment and you would be silly to buy one with the hope of selling and making cash on it. I think people buy a boat for the memories and excitement of adventure, or at least I did.

What's the saying the hippest day in a boaters life is when he buys a boat and the second hippest day is when he sells it.

 

[SkaterRace]

My boat has a 5 year warranty. Not sure what you mean by not a resale item. You mean the under 18 footers do not sell well? Anyway, it has been my experience a boat new or used is not a good financial investment and you would be silly to buy one with the hope of selling and making cash on it. I think people buy a boat for the memories and excitement of adventure, or at least I did.

What's the saying the hippest day in a boaters life is when he buys a boat and the second hippest day is when he sells it.

If you do plan to buy new and sell in 5-10 years and get a new one then it is always a good idea to consider resale value just like if you were toupgrade your car every 2 years resale value matters then otherwise no don't worry about it.

 

[roffey]

Personally, I just wanted a trouble free boat. My first two were a PIA and left a bad taste so I bought new. I know not all can do that and it's important to stay with what you can afford and in your comfort zone. My current boat will likely be my last and if I do it right will be handed down to my children.

 

[airshot]

Personally, I just wanted a trouble free boat. My first two were a PIA and left a bad taste so I bought new. I know not all can do that and it's important to stay with what you can afford and in your comfort zone. My current boat will likely be my last and if I do it right will be handed down to my children.

I can see your point, if my pockets were deep enough I would go new as well. In my case I have to many toys so...have to draw the line somewhere and the thought of depreciation that a boat or a car takes just doesn't settle with me....I can't help but think of all the other toys I could buy with that depreciation money..LOL

 

[roffey]

... and I think time and ability is a huge factor. Some like to fix and tinker with the car or boat and that is their hobby. I wish I had the medicinal know how. In my case I know enough to be dangerous. I can fix small things but swapping motors and outdrives are more than I can handle. Getting back to the OPs question, Stingray makes a boat that might be in your budget but I think the smallest is 18 feet. IMHO a 16 foot boat would be to small. A 20k budget will get you a really nice 20 or so footer with the power to pull what you want and still get a warrantee. The best of both worlds.

 

[jkust]

Truthfully, I think that most newer generation boats have improved a lot. I see Caravelles once in a while on the lake and for sale...they used to use the slogan 'No Wood Is Good" with their limited advertising I'd see. Of course that can be a good thing for a future buyer of a used boat. They aren't the best thing out there but not the worst either. As a first boat, I'd have no problems with a new Bayliner or most of the glass bowrider brands. I'd take a look at Tahoe as well as they have a bit of fishing heritage and actually a lot of amenities in them. Tahoe is generally regarded as the bottom of the list but I actually like their look. I like the Stingrays for their speed even out of a 3.0 as well. My big thing with new boats is in my state, there is no sales tax on a used boat from a private party so I never buy brand new. I just picked up a 24 Foot Chaparral and bought private party to save a huge amount of money on sales tax as you only pay sales tax on the purchase price of the trailer. I grew up on a 16 foot 1980's Bayliner in the 80's and we didn't know any better. It did everything we wanted and have the best memories. On MN Craigslist there is a brand new/never in the water 16 foot Bayliner for sale from a guy who won it selling it well under retail.

 

[tlombard]

Truthfully, I think that most newer generation boats have improved a lot. I see Caravelles once in a while on the lake and for sale...they used to use the slogan 'No Wood Is Good" with their limited advertising I'd see. Of course that can be a good thing for a future buyer of a used boat. .

Yay for me!!! I picked up a 2004 Caravelle 187BR in December for a great price and one of the things that drew me to it was the wood free construction. My original plan was to purchase right around now and spend a lot less but the wood free construction plus a few other things the boat had (basically everything is brand new except for the hull and included EVERYTHING I thought I would have to buy) made it easy for me to go way over budget for it. Even going way over budget (50% over the bottom end of a not very large range), I got way more than I dreamed I could afford right now AND for $3k under the average NADA value for a boat that is in well above average condition.

 

[jkust]

Yay for me!!! I picked up a 2004 Caravelle 187BR in December for a great price and one of the things that drew me to it was the wood free construction. My original plan was to purchase right around now and spend a lot less but the wood free construction plus a few other things the boat had (basically everything is brand new except for the hull and included EVERYTHING I thought I would have to buy) made it easy for me to go way over budget for it. Even going way over budget (50% over the bottom end of a not very large range), I got way more than I dreamed I could afford right now AND for $3k under the average NADA value for a boat that is in well above average condition.

The properties of wood are great in boats except their susceptibility to rot from inappropriate storage and well just a long life of getting used. Buying used when someone is getting out of boating is great when you get what amounts to thousands of dollars of free stuff sometimes. NADA around here is insultingly low, so if you paid 3k under NADA, you did good.