2000 Chris Craft 200

I'm relatively new to boating and was looking at purchasing a 2000 Chris Craft 200 bow rider. Looks to be in good aesthetic condition. Any tips, comments, or thoughts about this boat? Any negatives?

Thanks

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

Howdy Morgan:

Chris is a nice boat. But buying a used boat (of ANY brand) is all about condition. A low end boat properly cared for will be a much better buy than a premium boat that was "ridden hard and put up wet."

Gotta' link to the for sale ad?

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

The hull and seats look great. The skeg shield and what's underneath it kinda worries me.

Always hard to tell how it's been driven haha it has less then 100 hrs tho.

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

I've got the same boat in a '99 - love it- bought it last year. I wouldn't worry about the skeg guard- you can always take it off and examine what it looks like underneath. I did notice that, IMO the rear engine cover hinges are a weak point if you have the bench seat configuration. The cover itself can sag under weight of people walking across it and stress the hinges. I had a repair thread over in the resto section here- not a big deal and a I reinforced the middle of the cover with a bow stop from walmart after the fiberglass was replaced - worked perfectly.
There is very little wood on these boats and they take the chop very well.

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

Have the boat checked by a pro if you aren't sure what to look for. I'd of course take a look under the skeg guard, but only to see if the drive might've taken a hit hard enough to break the skeg. A sea trial and inspection of the drive fluid for water should tell you if the outdrive sustained any damage. If bellows haven't been replaced (or the seller can't prove they have), it's overdue.

My 1999 24' express was built really well, and had the best rough water hull I've ridden in anything under 30', including my Four Winns. I like the V-P SX outdrives, too.

Good luck!

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

I have a 2000 Chris Craft 200 BR and it is an extremely well built boat. When I purchased my boat in April of 2010 I paid $8500 for it with trailer, snap in carpet, bow/cockpit covers, and bemini top. The boat had 93 hours on it and has been the best boat I have ever owned. The boat is well built and just an all around solid boat. The big thing to watch out for is make sure your not buying a boat where someone failed to winterized and has a crack in the block. Make sure you have a professional inspection to find any major things. If that checks out it is a great boat.

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

morgan.bylo said:

I'm relatively new to boating and was looking at purchasing a 2000 Chris Craft 200 bow rider. Looks to be in good aesthetic condition. Any tips, comments, or thoughts about this boat? Any negatives?

Thanks

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Look very carefully at the transom around the gimbal ring for hairline cracks in the gel coat. We just viewed an immaculate 230 Sea Ray with a skeg guard on it. We decided it was the boat we wanted to buy and gave it a real close look. Minute cracks in the gel gloss around the gimbal ring and trim tabs made me suspicious, and after removing the skeg guard we discovered there wasn't much of a skeg left on the poor thing. It had obviously been run hard aground at some point. Further detailed inspection turned up some very well done but obvious repairs in the hull on the bottom. Needless to say, we walked. Bummer. I know how hard it is to finally find THE perfect boat, and then have to pass it up because someone's trying to hide something. Good luck

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

Outdrive doesn't really bother me the way it looks if it does what it's supposed to in the water. Make sure you do a WATER TEST, and like JoLin said, if you're unsure of yourself pay a pro to take a look at it.

Re: 2000 Chris Craft 200

I have same boat, bought a 1999 with 5.0GL in 2003 with 46 hrs on it. Been fantastic boat and has nearly 1600 hrs on it now. Ironically the sunpad hinge failed tonight and I currently have the deck off and repairing it.