[!Steve]

Hello, I am looking for a used boat. I have come across a 1988 Chaparral 19' open bow with a 5.0l I/O (Merc), not sure of the exact model. The boat looks like it is in pretty good shape, pretty clean. the guy is asking $4000 for it. I know for that price (or a little bit higher, but not much) I could get something like a Bayliner Capri that is a few years newer (I just missed out on a 94 Maxum for $4300).

I don't know that much about Chaparral boats, so my question is am I better off getting something a little newer, or are these boats so good that I should consider this one, a few years older, for about the same price.

I will be using it on a lake, mostly for pulling kids on tubes, skiiers, wakeboards etc and just cruising around.

I also posted this in General Questions, just for an unbiased opinion.

Thanks!
Steve.

[TilliamWe]

Since this is in the Chaparral section, I'll give you a biased opinion.
A Chaparral is better made and better finished boat than either a Bayliner or a Maxum (just a fancied up Bayliner). And in most cases, it will be worth the extra money.

That said, if a Chaparral has not been cared for, and the Bayliner has, the Bayliner could be the better buy. Inspect them all very carefully.

A 5.0 in a 19' boat should perform the functions you listed. A 4.3 might have a little trouble pulling wakeboards and such, if you normally have a big crowd on board.

[arks]

I agree that in general Chap's are better-built than Bayliners but in reality, a used boats' value really comes down to condition. As you probably know, it's a buyers market so there's a lot of good stuff out there cheap.
If this boat is in excellent shape- both mechanically and cosmetically- then it might worth $4k. Keep in mind that most fiberglass boats built back then had wood stringers and transoms, so they need to be thoroughly inspected for integrity.
Now for some bad news- NADA values that boat at significantly less than $4k. Of course, they assume average condition- and remember, with the poor economy a boat will likely sell for less then the value they assign it.

Here's the NADA link FYI: http://www.nadaguides.com/default.as...C&gc=MR&gtc=MR

[Mkos1980]

I have a 1990 and couldnt be happier. It handles perfect and I have not had any issues with it.