Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

[keith2k455]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

And sorry, we're not upping the boat budget

I understand all your points. In the middle of the country I would keep looking for a better deal, but understand your location may be different....I hear everything's more expensive in CA

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

SA, this is great. Thank you!

DH went to talk to the local boat mechanic, who handles both VP and Merc. And the Merc definitely sounds like it would be somewhat preferable, since parts are more available, and tend to be less expensive. But the mechanic told DH not to de-select a boat simply based on the VP powerplant...

You may want to google" VP fuel pump problems" and you will find some interesting info about failures, and the high cost of
replacement. Mercruiser is not immune to these ethanol problems, but seems to be more prevalent with the pumps VP uses.
If the DH want's "fewer repairs, simpler systems" some of the used older boats may not be as appealing as the price dictates. New Cat engines
are made to run 10% ethanol fuel, wheras the older "pre-cat" engines were not. All engines will run the fuel, but it is possible that
you could develop some fuel system problems with an older motor before you would with a new catalyst equipped engine. Just a thought, from
a non expert boating guy.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

I have no knowledge of either boat, but here's my 2 cents.

Youre looking at boats that are 6-10yrs old. $19-25k is HUGE amount of money to spend on boats of that age IMO....especially from private sellers that can't/won't offer you any kind of warranty.

Considering they were $60K MSRP 6 years ago, $25K doesn't seem out of line. But perhaps being a Californian, I have less sticker shock than I should. Certainly something to ponder.

The fact that you'd be facing a 700 mile round trip just to look at the boat....would be a deal breaker for me. Plus add in gas, tolls, time at work lost....and money to have a marine survey done.

Id keep looking for a boat thats much closer to your home.

Yeah, well the closest next candidate is still 112 miles away.

If we wanted to keep it closer, we'd be looking for either a ski boat (which is what most NorCal dealers carry - that or bass boats), or willing to branch out into a used boat that's not a Monterey, Four Winns, Reinell or Chaparral. Any suggestions for quality construction bow riders in the mid-to-late 2000's? The Regal Sports are super lightweight in comparison to the 4 listed above, so they're not under consideration at this time...

Sandi

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Cats really don't add any maintenance items... The biggest difference is that fuel injected systems, even no-cat, are going to have higher repair costs, but also less maintenance. No carbs to clean, far less to gunk up. Personally I wouldn't even bring cat or no cat into the discussion... You have a budget, and look for anything within that budget. If absolute reliability is a big concern to you, look at the newer boats which may have a warranty yet even. (in other words, if I wanted reliability, I'd pick a newer cat boat over an older non-cat any day of the week!)

We're looking for all boats that are 18-21', and fuel injected. We haven't deselected ONLY based on the cat - just that is one reason we're not jonesing to buy a brand new boat for our first, since that's what CA offers. Thus used seems a better choice on a multitude of dimensions.

 

[QC]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Hello Sandi,

SoCal here. Where you actually? And where will you boat? Maybe I can help with this based on local knowledge.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Considering they were $60K MSRP 6 years ago, $25K doesn't seem out of line. But perhaps being a Californian, I have less sticker shock than I should. Certainly something to ponder.



Yeah, well the closest next candidate is still 112 miles away.

If we wanted to keep it closer, we'd be looking for either a ski boat (which is what most NorCal dealers carry - that or bass boats), or willing to branch out into a used boat that's not a Monterey, Four Winns, Reinell or Chaparral. Any suggestions for quality construction bow riders in the mid-to-late 2000's? The Regal Sports are super lightweight in comparison to the 4 listed above, so they're not under consideration at this time...

Sandi

Hadn't considered that an 18' boat could cost $60k...so you got me on that one.

Regardless, I'd be hard pressed to pay $25k for something that had no warranty at all. Is the $25k the seller's original price....or did you negotiate it down to $25k?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Hello Sandi,
SoCal here. Where you actually? And where will you boat? Maybe I can help with this based on local knowledge.

Up North in the Sacramento area based upon what was in the other thread which to really get an understanding where they started to get to this point reading that might help also:
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topic...s-195-vs-gt205-vs-four-winns-h210-594125.html

Mark

 

[QC]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Thanks. That straightened it out a little. My thoughts:

1) get as much boat as you can

2) Used doesn't mean project

3) MPI only

4) If you are looking at anything in SoCal or Havasu I may be able to help.

From the other thread:

Our intended use is just cruising in freshwater lakes, occasional tubing, occasional ocean trips. Advice and feedback would be helpful. Thank you!

This screams 22+ ft. and a 20 degree deadrise bottom. Add hydraulic trim tabs. My .02

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Hello Sandi,

SoCal here. Where you actually? And where will you boat? Maybe I can help with this based on local knowledge.

QC, I'm originally from SoCal, so pretty familiar with the geography. But thank you!

Sandi

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Hadn't considered that an 18' boat could cost $60k...so you got me on that one.

Regardless, I'd be hard pressed to pay $25k for something that had no warranty at all. Is the $25k the seller's original price....or did you negotiate it down to $25k?

The listing prices of the 8 boats still on our list range from $19,500 to $25K. We have not yet begun to negotiate, since we're still gathering information. But we will.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Up North in the Sacramento area based upon what was in the other thread which to really get an understanding where they started to get to this point reading that might help also:
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topic...s-195-vs-gt205-vs-four-winns-h210-594125.html

Mark

Mark, thanks for the reference. I was hard at work...working!

-S

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Thanks. That straightened it out a little. My thoughts:

1) get as much boat as you can

Yes, thus the agonizing over 19' vs. 21'

2) Used doesn't mean project

AGREED! And given that some of these boats are $55K+ new, used seems like a Very. Smart. Choice.

3) MPI only

Does this include throttle body? And EFI? Because many sellers are not actually saying MPI in their ads.

4) If you are looking at anything in SoCal or Havasu I may be able to help.

Thank you! The 2003 boat I listed in the OP is in Huntington Beach. DH's BFF (and our Best Man, lo these many years ago) still lives in SoCal, and has already checked out one prospect for us. He's considering a trip to HB to see his brother, so another assessment may well be in his future.

From the other thread:

This screams 22+ ft. and a 20 degree deadrise bottom. Add hydraulic trim tabs. My .02

Yes, that's why 21' is still in the running. DH is delusional (IMO) and thinks an occasional outing into the SF Bay is possible and enjoyable in a 21' bowrider. I think....notsomuch. And several of the boats on the spreadsheet have a 20* deadrise, it certainly is a consideration.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Sandi

 

[QC]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Does this include throttle body? And EFI? Because many sellers are not actually saying MPI in their ads.

Yeah, for me TBI (throttle body injection) gets me most of the benefits of MPI. Both are technically EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) and give the benefits of better cold starts, and no tinker idle and mixture. Also, the altitude compensations.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Think it Through with Me: 2003 vs. 2007 Bowrider? Or Neither?

Then it's in the spreadsheet.

And FYI, thanks for the chiming in on the paperwork and clear title discussion. With one prospect, when we asked about the Pink Slip, the reply was that he had "ownership papers." Which, to us, sounds evasive. Like maybe he still has the papers signed over to him by the previous owner, and he never registered the boat in his name. Which would be a deal-breaker, when combined with an 800 mi round trip!