Which boat should I choose?

[Tommy Monsoon]

I'am new to boating(first boat) and looking at Bayliner vs Four Winns. Here is what I know:

Bayliner Capri 2050 SS 1999, interior is very clean.
Boat was declared stolen, then bought at an auction
Mercruiser 4.3 Litre 190hp, 50 hours on new engine
This boat had a minor crack in bottom of hull, but was fixed professionally
Orginal trailer
No bimini nor camper top
All "saftey" equipement

Asking 14K


vs


Four Winns 220 1997
Previous owner owns a marina & was his personal boat
Volvo 5.7l, Gli injection
290 hours
Trailer, with camper & bimini top included
All saftey equipement

Asking 15.5K


Question, should gas(consumption) be a huge factor, v8 vs v6, in my decison?

The boat will be mostly used for cruising with adults.

All comments will be appreciated,

TM

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

14k for that Bayliner?????? What drugs are they smoking???????

While neither boat price is good, the Four Winns is the better choice of the two you have listed here.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

The Four Winns hands down for several reasons.

The Capri is over priced for a boat that has been through a ringer and you have little idea of how it was maintained before - new engine or not. Going through an auction and having been stolen are red flags to me.

Four Winns is a little bigger to handle adults...low hours...maintenance...the whole package just sounds much better for my money.

You can expect fuel consumption to be generally 3 gph on a 4.3 and 5-6 on a 5.7 cruising. Your actual mileage may vary depending on load and how much you put you foot in the carb (so to speak).

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

TM,

Where are you located? Your local market will be what drives the price.

I think that both boats seem to be a little on the high side pricewise for the current national boat market.

In a boat in the 20ft+ range it is highly recommended that you get a V8. I'd be leary of the Bayliner mainly because of its unknown history. A neglected Bayliner is much more likely to have issues than a well maintained boat of any brand. If the boat was stolen it is almost for sure that it was neglected (hence the hull damage).

I'd recommend the Four Winns....but I would look to spend around $13k or less on it.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

My opinion only, both boats are extremely overpriced. Can only judge from what I see in my area, cant give them away. Fact that one was the marinas owner personal boat is of no real consequence. Sounds like a used car dealers pitch to me.
Other boat has a new engine. Why? You in salt water? Where are you at? Economy of operation will depend on how heavy you load the craft and how fast you run it, 6 cyl. or 8, does not really matter. Think real hard before you buy an I/o, Check different post on iboats and get a handle on I/O versus O/Bs. You will never come up with a concrete answer, you will have to go with others opinions and experiences. regards FRED

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

between the 2 four winns, but negotiate price.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[JB25VIP]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

First of all, not to be rude, DO NOT BUY EITHER, the bayliner is rediculously overpriced considering what it's been through, (they should want about half that price) secondly the four winns is a bit overpriced in my opinion, the boat has 260 hours i beleive you said, which isn't outragous, but at the same time the boat is 11 years old. I think you should be able to find a WAY BETTER deal being winter and the economy the way it is right now. I bought, practically stole, a boat from a guy about a month ago who was in a bind and was willing to sell his immaculate ski boat cheap, don't rush into your boat purchase or you will regret every second you have it out for not buying exactly what you want/price. Just wait on the right deal! hope my advice helps.

 

[Cole_l]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

First of all, not to be rude, DO NOT BUY EITHER, ................. Just wait on the right deal! hope my advice helps.

I agree absolutely. There are some great boat buys out there. I looked for many months and suddenly found a boat that I thought was ideal for our use. I held off, returned home and did a quick internet search and found another identical boat for $3k less- PLUS it had a big block and electronic exhaust cut outs - through the hull. We purchased that one. Don't be in a hurry and shop around.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

First of all, not to be rude, DO NOT BUY EITHER,.

I was kind of trying to make that point also. Neither price is any good.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

Yea, very overpriced. As others have said, take your time. FRED

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Which boat should I choose?

Tommy, As said, both are overpriced. I bought a 1998 21' Seaswirl with a 150HP Johnny and trailer for under $10K two years ago when the economy was good. That Bayliner should be about 1/2 it's current price or less, and the Four Winns a K or two more.