New to your fourm, newbie question

I'm about to buy a boat, need guidance from the pros that know thses boats, I had decided on a 2009 Four Winns 210SS that is a good deal, you know the story, baby on the way, need a minivan,ect, was just about to pull the trigger on it and a 2008 Crownline 21 ft with the SS LPX package popped up for sale at a little better deal, both of these boats tickle my fancy quite well, but can't afford both. Both have 350MPI's, Mercruiser on the Crownline and Volvo on the Four Winns. Both allready have wakeboard towers.

Is 1 hull design better than the other?

Ride quality? I have driven the 210SS but not the Crownline

Interiors have about the same quiality apperance.

Both are good deals and I have cash.

HELP???

Mark in Texas

Re: New to your fourm, newbie question

Go on a sea trial on the Crown. Then compare.

I have never owned either engine but my friends have and I would feel more comfortable with the customer support from Mercury.

Check for the one with the best Dealer Network in your area and check out the forums for both manufacturers for guidance.

Re: New to your fourm, newbie question

Welcome aboard Mark!!

The baby can do without diapers too, so rock on!

Those boats are pretty similar in quality. I think this one comes down to personal preference and most importantly the availability of service locally for the engine and drive packages. If the Merc is an Alpha, I'd say get the Volvo Duo-prop. If the Merc is Bravo 3, that's a push, so depends on the service question. The 300 MPI is available from Merc with Alpha, Bravo 1 or Bravo 3. I believe the Volvo is only DP, but it could be a 270 - 320 horse, so that might enter into my head as well. Duo-props and Bravo 3s are dreams for new boaters, but very expensive prop replacements if you ever hit anything. You will. Sorry

Re: New to your fourm, newbie question

look how easy they load, launch, and ride. if one doesnt load as easy then you may be fighting the trailer the rest of your ownership same thing for launch if it gets hung up on the winch towers. as for ride get a test on the crown and see which one rides smoother and doesnt tilt to 1 side as much some boats are worse then others. as for merc and volvo, volvo likes there stuff and replacement parts could be higher priced, such as impellors, lower unit if you have a horrible accident. dual prop is nicer but, at $700+ a prop i belive, when you hit ground your first time and you will, you wont do it again. right now its a sellers market boats going fast so i'd be as quick as you can if they truly are great deals because one of them amy sell before you choose and then you wont have too.

Re: New to your fourm, newbie question

Agree, both boats are similar. I'm a big Merc fan but I'd take a Volvo over a Merc in a heartbeat. I just think it's a better setup is all. I kind of like the Four Winns too.

Re: New to your fourm, newbie question

Thanks for your input, it is very appreciated, I'm now leaning towards the Four Winns, this is not my first boat, but my first boat this big and nice, the biggest runabout I've ever owned was a old 18FT Glastron with a 3.0 Mercruiser, ever after I had the prop repitched to a 17p, it still would just about drown me before I could get up on a ski im 6'2" and 285 lbs, and it struggled to get me up and then struggled to stay at 30MPH. It's the guy with the Four Winns that has the baby on the way and his wife has him very "motivated" to sell it, I think when he smell's the green he will bargin some more. BTW the Four Winns has the Duo-prop on the Volvo and The Crownline has the Bravo III.

Mark in Texas