What Boat

[d5xs]

Hello all.

First time on the site today and cant tell you how informative it's been for me as I try and decide what Boat to purchase.

I'll welcome all advice as I try to work out what to buy. I have decided on a cruiser but cant seem to find a manufacturer that makes a decent looking cruiser with an OUTBOARD engine.

I live in Lagos,. Nigeria and been to a few local Boat yards and they all recommend I try and stick to an outboard model preferably with a Yamaha engine as the parts are more readilly available locally.

I intend to buy/ship from Newjersey/Newyork as I have family there and welcome your suggestions.

Saw a nice 2008 Bayliner 285, but again its a sterndrive, what are your opinions on it and would you recommend it. Use will be recreational for family/friends around the rivers and lagoons of Lagos and possibly neighbouring countries.

Thanks and look forward to your replies

Dati

 

[Neverhome]

Re: What Boat

Based on the recommendations of the boat yards in your area I would recommend you take their advice and go with an outboard engine. I believe Rossborough Boats make cruisers that are outboard powered and can be easily trailerd. I think they are made in Canada but there should be dealers here in the U.S. Try Googling them for a local dealer. The Yamahas are excellent engines and I don't think you will be dissapointed.

Good luck in your search.

Neverhome

 

[KCook]

Re: What Boat

In the US market all boats with the "cruiser" label are I/O. We do have boats that are at least roughly similar, with cabin, and outboard power, but they are in the saltwater fishing boat category, not called cruisers. Instead these are most often called WalkArounds. Here are links to other threads on such boats -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=32229

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=66750

Kelly

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What Boat

these are used but, will give you and idea.

http://www.iboats.com/boats/marine-...uisers--1010/cruisers_above_25_to_30_ft--701/

http://www.iboats.com/boats/marine--1/boats--10/power_boats--100/convertible_sedans--1056/

http://www.iboats.com/boats/marine--1/boats--10/power_boats--100/express_boats--1015/

 

[stevens]

Re: What Boat

Lots of outboard fishing-type boats and owners over at "www.thehulltruth.com", including a classifieds section where you might find some good buys on your type of boat.

Buying from Nigeria will be difficult. Even if you may be legitimate, there will be lots of scepticism from sellers & brokers. Expect to pay cash up front, or long delays to ensure that your payment is legitimate and irrevokable, before anyone will release the boat & title to you.

 

[d5xs]

Re: What Boat

Thanks to everyone for your replies, was away from the laptop all weekend.

UPDATE:

Went to the motor boat club in lagos again yesterday and spoke to a couple of boat drivers.

They showed me a nice Searay 300 Sundancer and a Bayliner 175 and I was able to have a look inside both cruisers, the guys also said they had no problems servicing and maintaing the MerCruiser engines locally.

I've therefore decided to go ahead and source for a crusier from the USA. I'm leaning towards a 2007/2008 Bayliner 285.

What do you guys think about that model and would you recommend I consider any alternative manufacturer?

Also I would appreciate any tips for securing the best value for money, the Bayliner website lists the MSRP at $80,000 before any options, dealer recommendations in Newjersey/NewYork areas also welcome

Regards

Dati

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What Boat

i have sent a PM to QC, who had the privledge to test drive the bayliner cruiser fleet.

 

[d5xs]

Re: What Boat

Thanx Tashadaddy,

Look forward to QC's response.

 

[QC]

Re: What Boat

Yeah d5xs, welcome aboard!

I did have the pleasure of testing 3 of Bayliner's 2008 cruisers in October. The smallest one was the 300, but I came away lusting for it and have been investigating both the 265 and 285 ever since. I was very impressed with their build quality, the crisp and clean graphics, and the outstanding value as compared to most if not all of the other major brands.

Please take a look at this thread: I want a Bayliner It has some links to a few of the cruisers I tested and I will be adding a couple more as well. It is boat show season here and I thought it would be good to save a couple of the write ups for that. As I mentioned I loved the 300 and it ran 49 MPH with a pair of 5.0 MPI 260 bhp Bravo 3s. She was a dream. The reason I am thinking the 265 is the trailer width limits here in the states require a Beam max of 8'6". But as I looked into both the 265 and 285, I was convinced that they would be as sweet as I found the 300. Good luck in your search! Again, I thought the Bayliner value was unmatched, and despite a few of my nit-picky concerns noted in the write ups, they would be a fine boat with those little items being those that any owner would fix on his/her own and would also be present with most boats at any price.

 

[d5xs]

Re: What Boat

Thanx for your reply QC, I've been reading non stop for the last two days with all the replies I have gotten so far.

Also spoke to a couple of dealers yesterday re what they had in stock and even called Bayliner directly for advice on international orders/shipments to Nigeria. Currently awaiting their feedback.

Everyone i've spoken to has been very helpful, one has even gone out to his yard and emailed me pictures of a particular boat.

QC et all what do you think of a 2007 Bayliner 300? looking like that is what I may decide to buy. Dosen't seem to be any major difference to the 2008 model 300 except for an interior change.

If I do buy a 2007 does anyone know approximate costs of retro fitting a generator as we obviously have yr round sunshine here so it will come in
handy for the AC


Thanx

Dati

Yeah d5xs, welcome aboard!

I did have the pleasure of testing 3 of Bayliner's 2008 cruisers in October. The smallest one was the 300, but I came away lusting for it and have been investigating both the 265 and 285 ever since. I was very impressed with their build quality, the crisp and clean graphics, and the outstanding value as compared to most if not all of the other major brands.

Please take a look at this thread: I want a Bayliner It has some links to a few of the cruisers I tested and I will be adding a couple more as well. It is boat show season here and I thought it would be good to save a couple of the write ups for that. As I mentioned I loved the 300 and it ran 49 MPH with a pair of 5.0 MPI 260 bhp Bravo 3s. She was a dream. The reason I am thinking the 265 is the trailer width limits here in the states require a Beam max of 8'6". But as I looked into both the 265 and 285, I was convinced that they would be as sweet as I found the 300. Good luck in your search! Again, I thought the Bayliner value was unmatched, and despite a few of my nit-picky concerns noted in the write ups, they would be a fine boat with those little items being those that any owner would fix on his/her own and would also be present with most boats at any price.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What Boat

google marine airconditioner, there are some good 12volt systems out there.

also i sent an email directly to the Bayliner marketing manager, to see if he can be of assistance.

 

[d5xs]

Re: What Boat

Hey Tashdaddy,

did a search and found a couple of listings, thanx.

Do these systems just run off the boats battery then and therefore no need for a generator?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What Boat

correct, or a bank of batteries, with a battery selector switch, so when running the engine alternator recharges the batteries. they are basically like the AC in your auto. you may even get the purchasing dealer to install one.

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: What Boat

Sometimes when we shop for a new toy we immediately get side blinders and only look at one brand. Myself included. We are exited and sometimes to much of in a hurry to buy. My recommendations is to take your time and look at lots of boats builders offering the cruiser type you like. Doing your homework on a big purchase like this is very rewarding after the purchase is done.

 

[d5xs]

Re: What Boat

Yes the dealer that emailed a couple of fotos for the Bayliner 285 said he could fit in the AC.

PhatboyC, I totally agree with your advice on not rushing into the purchase. Doing the research for which boat to buy is what got me on to this forum a couple of days ago. I cant still believe how much i've learnt and still learning everyday. Went to another boat yard today in Lagos and saw mainly Searay's, they're proving to be popular out here.

Main issue for me is trying to maximise on the savings and get a good value for money boat. For now I'd say we'd definitely be interested in a 30ft boat, going to call a couple of dealers and see what price they can do for a new 2007 model Bayliner. I also have to add additional costs to any quote given ie any options, sales tax, delivery, shipping freight costs one dealer said it cost $12k to ship to Dublin!, customs clearing charges etc.

A couple of the manufacturers are quoing $130 grand and above for similar boats.

If I do decide to get the Bayliner I obviously intend to keep her well maintained and with work commitments any use will be limited to the weekends I can get away from it all. Time is also of the essence as I want to wrap this up asap because it takes at least four weeks for a shipment to arrive in Lagos plus an additional 1 week at least to clear customs and I need to be in the water yesterday.

Once again Recommendations welcome for similarly priced cruisers in the same category................for now my quest continues and there are Dealers to harass.

 

[stevens]

Re: What Boat

Main issue for me is ...a good value for money boat.

...so you should also look into getting a used boat. Let the first owner take the initial depreciation and the cost of all the upgrades & accessories. With the current market being so soft, and the USD so weak, it should be possible to find some really good deals even on almost new boats.

 

[KCook]

Re: What Boat

The only other brands I know of that get close to the Bayliner price are Glastron and Rinker. Personally I am not persuaded that they are any better of a choice than the Bayliner.

Bump the price bracket up a couple of notches and you arrive at Four Winns, Monterey, etc. Lots more choices, but substantially more $$ than Bayliner.

Kelly

 

[d5xs]

Re: What Boat

Hello Stevens, I agree with you and I'm also looking out for any used boats that come close to what I am looking for. I have searched Iboats classified but not much luck there, any other online sites you recommend I search through?

Kcooks, lol we're trying to stay in control and not go too overboard. I do hope I can find the right Bayliner. Also have a dealer in Newyork working to see what he can come up with.

Question: Is it worth sending my cousing along to the Atlantic City Boat Show to see what bargains she can negotiate? She lives about 45mins from Atlanic City so shouldn't be too much trouble.

 

[stevens]

Re: What Boat

The US and the internet is overflowing with used boats for sale, which should be good news for you.

Google "used boats for sale". The first 6-7 results are all good sources, plus eBay, iboats, boatus.com and many others. The hunt is half the fun.

That being said, it is easier to get exactly what you want when buying new from a dealer, but it may cost you maybe 20-30% (?) more than buying a comparable nearly new boat.

 

[d5xs]

Re: What Boat

Thanks for the post Stevens. I'll look through some other sites to see what comes up.