What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

zdoksco · May 4, 2011

I am considering 3 boats. What brand should I go with?? First time boat buyer... I want to make the correct decision.

Four Winns H180 SS
Sea Ray 185 Sport
Crownline 18 SS

Please help...

H20Rat · May 4, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

are you buying new or used? The answer to your question is going to be VASTLY different depending on that... Used, it makes 100% no difference what brand, don't even look at the brand even. Maintenance is everything, brand means nothing if the boat was abused.

RIDEPATE · May 4, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

If new, your list is a good one and IMO, the orders right!! Top-shelf stuff.

osudelt69 · May 4, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

Great boats but consider jumping up to 19 or 20 ft. Might be happier with better ride! Especially on rough lakes or busy days.

Ob1415 · May 4, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

Depending on your planned usage of the boat, and whether you plan you buy new or used, I would consider a 20' boat. Most people I know that got an 18' boat are/were wishing they had went bigger. The fact that you are looking at bowriders tells me that you intend to carry a few passengers. An 18' boat starts to feel very cramped with 4 adults on board. Although I am pleased with my GT 205, I have caught myself wishing I went with a 22' or 24' boat. Save yourself the buyer's remorse and get something at least 2' bigger than what you think you need. Just my $.02

BTW - those are all fine boats, you will be pleased with any of them.

Glowplug007 · May 5, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

An 18ft boat with a sunpad on back will feel tight with 4 people. Without the sunpad a 17.5ft boat feels fine with 4 people. Over that it starts to get tight I think anyway. Question remains, are you buying new?

zdoksco · May 5, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

Thanks all for the advice and feedback. I am going new... I totally understand that a larger boat would be better, not sure how that would fit in my budget. I will look into it though. Thanks for your feedback!!

zdoksco · May 5, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

Also... I think I am leaning to the Sea Ray... It is 19'9'' so I think it will feel bigger and less cramped. Thanks again for the suggestions/consideration.

Stlouisboating · May 5, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

Perhaps reconsider buying new if this is your first boat. It may be a good idea to make sure boating is for you and your family before investing in a new boat. One thing you'll find if you become a seasoned boater, all the brands you mentioned have been bought and sold by different manufacturers. Crownline was recently bought by another company and I've looked at the new boats. Beautiful in appearance, but not quite the quality of the older ones. Similarly, a few years back Searay was also sold and bought by another boat builder. I think you'll find less quality in the newer ones also. I think you'd be happy with any of those boats. Check the mainenance records and have a mechanic take a look. Enjoy!! It's a great family activity.

Joshua Nichols · May 6, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

WOW wish I could buy a new boat.... Make sure if you buy a SEA RAY you don't cheap out and get it with a 3.0...
I would personally get a Four Winns.. Mines a old thing and still a awesome boat...
Since you are going with new. I would shop my picks real hard before I made a purchase....

BARKLEY · May 6, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

All good boats, but the other two do not hold a candle to the Crownline!!! Best boat, hands down.

mjgates · May 6, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

If you do decide to go used, and you're not mechanically inclined like myself, it is a good idea to hire a marine surveyor. Cost around $400, but that is nothing compared to what you would end up paying if you end up with transom/floor rot, gel coat/fiber damage, unforseen engine issues, etc. Going new, they are all good boats. I have a 21' Sea Ray and love it.

mcgyver210 · May 6, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

All good names from my research but I would seriously consider a bigger used boat if my budget for new limited my size below 20'. We usually have 3 people & a dog & are very comfortable. Also ours is comfortable with a few more people although I highly doubt it would be that fun with 10 as the capacity plate says not to mention the weight rating.

Also I wouldn't hesitate even a little to buy another Ebbtide, IMO very well built boat.

Home Cookin' · May 7, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

if you are limited by budget to 18-19', consider another hull style that isn't as cramped as a fully padded I/O bowrider. A lot more bang for the buck is out there; yours is one of the least practical.
You can also save some $$ by getting a used trailer, if your dealer will cooperate with you.

Chris-R · May 7, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

All three boats are excellent choices. If you're buying new, get the biggest boat you can afford that has all the stuff you want. As others have already said, an 18 footer gets cramped with more than 4 people on board. Also, get a boat from a dealer who is conveniently located near you. Don't buy a boat from a dealer that is 200 miles away. If you need service, you want it to be convenient. You might want to take a tape measure and measure the cockpit length and width of each boat. The bigger the cockpit, the more room everyone has to move around. An extra foot or even 9 inches in the cockpit makes a load of difference when on the water.

riptide09 · May 7, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

I absolutely agree. I have a 17' (it was my first large boat purchase) and lots of times I wished I got something that was 20'. I have an OB so the 17' has more room inside than if I had the same boat with an I/O so it could be worse. I will admit one thing. The 17' will fit in my garage where a 20' won't.

Also consider the type of boating. If you plan on large lakes the 20' will be better. I have gone on Sebago in Maine and Winnipesaukee in NH and even in the ocean a few times but my 17' can feel to small real fast.

If second hand and you aren't super familiar with boats pay to get it looked it. I thought I knew enough to get by and then after I bought the boat I dumped close to $2000 in repairs many of which would have been picked up by someone who knew what to look for. I picked up on a few things but did not know the cost of repairs. Like I would never believe the trim gauge sensor would be well over $100 or that a new tachometer would be close to $300.

sw33ttooth · May 7, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

i have a sundowner 225 and i feel free as a bird i can thow kids in the cuddy and lock them in. leaves me for some quiet time although seriously its also about the motor i'd make sure what ever you buy it has a mercruiser, volvos tend to cost more if you end up keeping it past the warrenty date and it breaks down. always opt for the bigger engine as well. so when you go to pull skiiers or tubers your not struggling to plane out with a few ppl on board.

ssobol · May 7, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

You also need to consider what your towing limits are. A 20-21 foot boat will weigh a fair bit more than a 17 foot boat. A 20 footer has a larger trailer and larger motor in addition to a larger hull.

When I was buying my boat, the towing limit was the limiting factor, not really the price of the boat. I wasn't prepared to buy a boat and a new (to me) vehicle to tow it.

Although, if you keep it on or near the water this shouldn't be an issue.

LippCJ7 · May 7, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

Great taste in boats, and great advice. but I have a question, Is this your first boat? This is most likely why so many suggest going second hand, but also taking the hit on a new boat plays a factor.

I think you would be happy with any of those boats, but don't just look at the Over All Length(OAL) look at the Beam which is the width from side to side, Crownline has the wider Beam of all these boats (4") and while you may not notice it your passengers will as will owners of other boats when on your boat. If you don't think 4"s of extra width isn't a big deal try it

As I always say though I am biased......VERY

partskenn · May 7, 2011

Re: What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

As several people have already said, all are good manufacturers, but we need a Sea Ray vote in here. I have owned my 1986 Sea Ray 268 for 15 years, and am totally impressed with the way it was built. If I was to rreplace it, someone would have to do a lot of talking to convince me to buy anything else.

What bow rider brand to buy - 1st time boater

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