[reap182]

Hello everyone,
I've been looking in to buying a new boat for a few years and the time in finally getting closer. I am currently serving overseas and i am to be home in jan. My price range is 15k to 17k. I have done a little research and i would like to get an open bow, extended swim platform and bimini top. The boats i have been looking at are glastron, bayliner, and tahoe. dont think my price range will put me in a four winns or sea ray line. I will primarily be using it for tubing/skiing on small lakes in ohio with wife/kids. I plan on hitting some boat shows in jan-feb timeframe and a few dealerships. any help or ideas for buying at shows or dealerships would be appreciated. thanks in advance.

p.s. yes i have plenty of stupid questions

[tashasdaddy]

you will get more boat, if you buy 1-3 years old. the 1st 2 years of depreciation is killer.

17 ft and below 3.0 but 4.3 is better. 18 ft and above, 4.3 minimum, 5.0 or 5.7 best.

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.

[HAV2FISH]

First off THANK YOU for your service to our country.

I'm also looking for a new boat however I'm looking for a bass boat and I'm finding leftover 2007s. They are not hard to find just takes some digging. Bad part of this is you might have to travel some to look at it. The ones i have looked at all come with the full new boat warranty and dealers are really willing to deal on these boats. Just for example I'm looking at a $39 thousand dollar boat marked down to $29 thousand and this dealer told me to make him an offer. Bad part about this boat is i will have to drive 8 hrs to get it. Good thing is this boat style has not changed in 3 years so i went and looked at a 2009 local and its now $42 thousand.

I'm sure if you look hard enough you can find some of the same thing in the type of boat your looking for. Good luck and happy boating.