Which one would you choose???

[trenedi2002]

First of all thanks for all the help guys!!! But i still couldnt save my old 470 mercruiser so im getting a different boat!!!! YEAH I am looking at a couple of older boats but in really great shape. If you guys had to choose would you prefer a 1986 Bayliner 19' open bow with a 3.0 litre volvo penta that is in great shape and lake ready, or a 1987 Sea Ray 18' open bow with a 3.0 litre mercruiser that looks like you could eat off of the engine and and outdrive that looks really good also, only problem with the Sea Ray is a 2 foot section of the floor needs done -- the walkway between the windshields. Rest of the interior is in great shape. The Bayliner is in good shape on the interior also but not as nice as the Sea Ray. And if you guys think the Sea Ray is better how tough is it to do the floor??? Oh yeah both boats are the same money so.........

Thanks again for your help and I am looking forward to your comments on these boats

trenedi2002

 

[ziggy]

Re: Which one would you choose???

i'm guessin a 3.0 is gonna disappoint ya. and i'd steer clear of anything with a soft floor, that's proably not everything that's rotten that yer seeing.....

 

[trenedi2002]

Re: Which one would you choose???

Hey guys I was wrong the engine in the Sea Ray is A 140. It doesnt say 3.0 on it it says 140. I looked at the tag and it is a 181 ci is this a different engine than the 3.0???

 

[Maclin]

Re: Which one would you choose???

There are about 60 cubic inches per liter, so 3.0 of them is just about 180 cubes.

 

[Don S]

Re: Which one would you choose???

The 140 and the 3.0L is exactly the same engine. A 181 cu in 4 cylinder engine. Merc called some 3.0L engines 140's not 3.0.

Now, on that Volvo, what exacly, is the model of the engine. Volvo didn't use the 3.0L GM engine till 94, so it may have been repowered, or more likely it's the OHC Volvo engine with a 280 outdrive. No trim. So going by 3.0 as a discription doesn't say much.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Which one would you choose???

Neither keep looking. I don't know where you are but the Boating year for many of us hasn't even started yet. There will be lots of good buys out there and with the economy the way it is and is headed it may be very soon.

Don't get in a hurry. When the right one comes along you won't have to ask anyone. You will know.

You need to decide what you want to do with a boat and what you want out of a boat, what will meet your needs. Do you want a Shallow raft or deeper draft, Do you plan to Fish, Ski, Tube. Are you going to use it in Rivers, lakes or The Great Lakes or Salt water. Do you want an I/O or Outboard.

135 Hp or less you won't be happy. get up around 200 Hp or bigger.

 

[oops!]

Re: Which one would you choose???

neither......

i own a blner and a ray....

99% chance the blner is rot...even tho it looks good.....

the 4 banger is too small for thoes sized boats.

i love rays...tough...tough boats.....but a rot floor is just the beginning....

unless you love your grinder...keep looking....17 feet...4.3 L.... min....no omc drives.....volvo with trim and tilt...or alpha.

the deals will come

 

[Robj]

Re: Which one would you choose???

The good thing about those boats is that they are relatively cheap, and for a reason. There is a reasonable chance that with a 20 year boat, you will find some rott. You will definitely find some if the boat was neglected, stored outdoors in the weather.

You may find the 4 banger underpowered. I have a 2.3 Volvo, not sure if the power is adequate, however with $5/gal fuel, maybe smaller power is a good thing. Not sure.

You don't have to buy the first boat that you find, keep looking and you will find one.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[trenedi2002]

Re: Which one would you choose???

Thanks again guys!! I will keep on looking I see the boat prices coming down already, but I dont know if it is gonna last I am in Phoenix and its been 90 already!!! 87 Today and those big old female largemouths are on the beds and I am too old to wade and paddle with my bad back!!!

But even with that said I appreciate all of the experience you all have and I will keep looking!! If anyone knows of a good deal out there halfway close to Phoenix I dont mind driving a little ways to get a boat that wont need worked on every month!!!

Again all the advice is much appreciated and I will see you guys on the water soon--- I hope!!!

trenedi2002

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Which one would you choose???

While I would echo the sentiments of the others about rot and soft floors... only you can say whether an 18' or 19' boat with a 3.0 engine is underpowered for you or not. By the sound of it you are mainly interested in fishing. My dad for years had a 19' open bow Sportcraft which originally came with a Mercruiser 3.0 liter engine (the 140). It worked great for him and was good on gas. It even worked fine on the occasional times we would use it to pull a skier. He later replaced the 3 liter/140 with a 2.5 liter/120 and then the boat became underpowered... but the 3 liter worked great.

Just another opinion.