21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

I want to buy my first boat for general recreation looking at 1995 21' bayliner for $6600 with a 4.3 merc great shape can tell owner really took care of boat and drives good no grinding or a 1996 21' Glastron GS205 Anniversary Edition with 5.7 have not seen it yet new motor and lower 3 yrs ago a couple small tears on inside pics look good
I want a boat for leisure days and spotty tubing wake boarding with 4-6 adults how would each do
also i am concerned about gas usage how do they compare
also both boats weigh about the same 96 has tandem trailer with brakes other is single with out they are about limit for my truck would not need to haul far lots of lakes around me
links to pics
http://madison.craigslist.org/boa/2906349734.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/bod/2912813247.html
thanks for any input

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

I'd say the Bayliner although i'm not a fan of em. just looks like its in better shape and the people took care of it.
just make sure you look it over REALLY good and definitely take it out before you buy it

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

The v-6 is more economical to run, I wouldn't ski it with 5 passengers though maybe just driver and spotter ; the v-8 could pull your skiers or wakeboarder when you have 4 people aboard. The "Bowrider" cockpit design is fun and useful with tubes and boards that you take along
Any boat you consider buying should have an engine compression check and a hull/stringer/transom/deck moisture meter and structural check, probably best done by an uninterested third party like your local boat technician. I have run a Glastron 205 and really think that the performance was good, the one in your craigslist ad looks like it might need speakers and upholstry repair (and is that device in the cockpit a battery charger?). How about the batteries? A demo ride with the owner is a real good thing to do too.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

I think I favor the Glastron... but I just have the "wants" for a bigger boat.

Ask them both when the last time the bellows were replaced too.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

My only heartburn with the Glastron is why was the engine and drive replaced? Sounds like they beat on it and/or took really crappy care of it.

my .02

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

IMO, I would go with the Glastron if it checks out.

New motor and outdrive.
5.7L will be appreciated with a full load of people.
Trailer w/brakes. You want brakes.
I do like that seat layout of the Glastron. I have seats like the Bayliner and my passengers don't like the rear-facing ones too much.

And with the Glastron, negotiate in all the extra tubes/wakeboard stuff. That stuff is expensive to re-buy.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

The back-to-back fold down seats is a configuration I really like and is what my current Maxum and my former '83 1600 Bayliner bowrider had. But what struck me is that the ads only mentioned engine sizes not horsepower ratings and you are wanting to tote 4-6 adults which depending on the size of those adults, can be 800-1200 pounds. What's the person/weight capacity plate of each boat show? The 4.3 could be 160 or 180 horsepower; that's not alot of ponies with 6 adults. The Glastron will have 250 hp; that's significantly more than the Bayliner. Neither boat had trim tabs so with the configuration of the Glastron 3 big guys across the back of the Glastron might be an issue with it digging in where at least with the Bayliner, like it or not, those big guys can sit in the rear facing seats and keep that weight more centered. You are correctly concerned about the trailer for the Bayliner not having brakes and you should check out the cost associated with adding brakes to that trailer and adjust your offer. I just don't think the Bayliner will have the performance you will be looking for and trying to find a boat with the engine size and trailer of the Glastron with the seating configuration of the Bayliner you might want to consider. See this link for various horsepower ratings.
http://www.piranha.com/Mercruiser_Sterndrives.php

Mark

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

The Glastron is $900 cheaper and a V8? I wouldn't even look twice at the Bayliner. 20+ft is to big for a V6, especially a carb V6. Get the V8 and use the $900 to get the vinyl repaired.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

And just so you know, the Bayliner is not 21'. Its probably not even 20'. Bayliner is notorious with their model numbers to deceive you. For example, I had a 2150 bayliner that was 20.5'.

The Glasstron comes with a dual axle trailer compared to the Bayliner's single axle which is a big plus.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

HCMQA said:

My only heartburn with the Glastron is why was the engine and drive replaced? Sounds like they beat on it and/or took really crappy care of it.

my .02

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A water cooling problem on lower unit which overheated engine bay causing its hoses to rupture caused it

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

No question the Glastron. The Bayliner, if the engine is also a 1995, has the old non-vortec/lower prop hp set up while presumably the 1996 will have the vortec heads as 96 was the transition year to the new design. I'm however going to also contradict whoever said a 4.3 carbed engine is too small for a 20 foot boat. Yes if it was a contemporary, robustly constructed boat but that boat weighs 500lbs less than my modern 18 footer dry and the 4.3 pushes it to 51.8mph gps and is out of the hole fast even with only a 21 pitch prop. Even with the older engine design, that 4.3 will be just fine until you load it up with adults. I'll say I prefer the 5.7 every day of the week but can tell you the 4.3 is no slouch with its high torque. For us the 4.3 is pushing it's limits when you load 4 adults and 2 kids and thats when you regret not getting a v8 given it's heavy construction.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

I doubt the Bayliner will do 54 mph unless its downstream and with a good wind. The pictures both look pretty reasonable, you'll need to see and drive them to really know. An EFI V6 will give decent performance for your stated use but the V8's will be better for water sports with a bunch of people on board. The season hasn't even begun up in Wisconsin so you've still got some time to look. Fuel economy in a boat is dismal compared to cars. Using another gallon or 2 an hour is small potatos compared to the other costs of boating.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

drrpm said:

The season hasn't even begun up in Wisconsin so you've still got some time to look. .

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Ice is already officially out in many parts in MN and likely in WI as well. Guessing this will be an early buying season as well. As absolutley unbelievable as it sounds I could boat on my lake tonight is I was so inclined.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

jkust said:

Ice is already officially out in many parts in MN and likely in WI as well. Guessing this will be an early buying season as well. As absolutley unbelievable as it sounds I could boat on my lake tonight is I was so inclined.

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Lake Winnebago went ice free last week. Here's the satellite image from March 16.
http://www.wisconsinview.org/


I know 2 people in Oshkosh, who already have their cruisers in their slips and another guy had his go-fast out for a run last weekend.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

No ice is a start but it'll be awhile before most people want to tube, ski or wakeboard. I grew up in the north and will get in when its still pretty cold but my kids aren't interested until it warms up some more.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

drrpm said:

No ice is a start but it'll be awhile before most people want to tube, ski or wakeboard. I grew up in the north and will get in when its still pretty cold but my kids aren't interested until it warms up some more.

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Yeah. Water temps are 45-50?. If you go swimming, you are literally numb-nuts.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

MarkSee said:

Neither boat had trim tabs so with the configuration of the Glastron 3 big guys across the back of the Glastron might be an issue with it digging in where at least with the Bayliner, like it or not, those big guys can sit in the rear facing seats and keep that weight more centered. You are correctly concerned about the trailer for the Bayliner not having brakes and you should check out the cost associated with adding brakes to that trailer and adjust your offer. I just don't think the Bayliner will have the performance you will be looking for and trying to find a boat with the engine size and trailer of the Glastron with the seating configuration of the Bayliner you might want to consider. See this link for various horsepower ratings.
http://www.piranha.com/Mercruiser_Sterndrives.php

Mark

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the bayliner has trim and display not sure about the glastron

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

from all this think the glastron would be better deal if i can get jackets and other accessorizes "the bayliner comes with 4 adult 2 kids jackets skies anchor pier bumpers and rope" just take the price difference and repair seats the radio in bayliner is junk not sure about glastron
my biggest concern is fuel then if glastron checks out on lake test. bayliner i am told will be about 6 gallons on mixed afternoon of chilling cruising and tubing/wake-boarding
any ideas about the fuel use of the glastron

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

3x100cart said:

bayliner i am told will be about 6 gallons on mixed afternoon of chilling cruising and tubing/wake-boarding
any ideas about the fuel use of the glastron

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Whoever told you 6 gallons can't possibly know how much you are going to use your boat for any particular day.

Probably not enough that it should really influence your decision in my opinion anyway. Just don't visit Starbucks as often.

Re: 21' with 4.3 or 5.7 first boat

bekosh said:

Yeah. Water temps are 45-50?. If you go swimming, you are literally numb-nuts.

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70 according to this site http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?05429000 polar bear plunges are over in madison