Hi all...
I recently decided to purchase a boat. My budget is going to be between $10,000-$15,000. Im looking for a bow rider between 18-20 ft. From what Ive read, I think I would rather have an outboard due to ease of maintenance, but I realize that most bow riders are I/O, and im fine with that too. This will be my first boat. Im not in a rush to buy, but I would like to have something ready to go by April 2013. I plan on attending any/all local boat shows between now and then and have already began researching online.
From what I read, the older Bayliners do not have the greatest reputation, but the later models are better. Some of the other models I have been looking at are SeaRay, Glastron, Larson. Given the budget I have, I think I can get a new Bayliner, or one of the other brands used. Ideally I would like new because I know what has been done to it and how it is treated, but im not totally opposed to buying used if it looks to be cared for well. If I go used I would like it to be a 2007 or newer. Ive seen a few good looking boats on Craigslist and boat trader, but im not ready to pull the trigger on anything just yet, im sort of seeing what is out there...
Does anyone have any advise for me? Specifically makes/models/year that I should look at?
I recently decided to purchase a boat. My budget is going to be between $10,000-$15,000. Im looking for a bow rider between 18-20 ft. From what Ive read, I think I would rather have an outboard due to ease of maintenance, but I realize that most bow riders are I/O, and im fine with that too. This will be my first boat. Im not in a rush to buy, but I would like to have something ready to go by April 2013. I plan on attending any/all local boat shows between now and then and have already began researching online.
From what I read, the older Bayliners do not have the greatest reputation, but the later models are better. Some of the other models I have been looking at are SeaRay, Glastron, Larson. Given the budget I have, I think I can get a new Bayliner, or one of the other brands used. Ideally I would like new because I know what has been done to it and how it is treated, but im not totally opposed to buying used if it looks to be cared for well. If I go used I would like it to be a 2007 or newer. Ive seen a few good looking boats on Craigslist and boat trader, but im not ready to pull the trigger on anything just yet, im sort of seeing what is out there...
Does anyone have any advise for me? Specifically makes/models/year that I should look at?