2005 16 foot bay boat or a 1998 21 foot bay boat.

kkg88key · Mar 14, 2013

http://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/3672419234.htmlI am looking at both a 2005 Blue wave 16' bay boat with a 70hp Yamaha outboard and a 1998 21' Stratos bay boat with a 150hp Johnson outboard. Both boats are in good shape with almost the same features (tilt trailer, bimini top, etc). They are both the same price within a couple hundred bucks. I would like any thoughts from those of you who have experience with these type boats since this will be my first boat. It will primarily just be my wife and I fishing and occasionally maybe one of my two grown children. We will be fishing in Mobile Bay and up in the delta and rivers. All suggestions or comments are welcome. Thanks. Also, what do I need to look at in specific to the transom to tell if it is ok. The 16' boat motor says it has 200 hours on an hour meter. The 21' with the 150 Johnson has no meter so I have no clue how much time is on it. The Johnson is a Sea master and I don't know what the Yamaha motor is. I assume it is a salt water motor but I am looking at it this evening. Both are center console boats. Below are the links to see the two boats:

http://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/3672419234.html

http://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/3679729759.html

JoLin · Mar 14, 2013

Re: 2005 16 foot bay boat or a 1998 21 foot bay boat.

Do you know that the Johnson motor is the same year as the boat? I couldn't find any reference to a 'Sea Master'. However, the late-90's Johnsons and Evinrudes were a really good design. Had a '96 175 hp Johnson Ocean Runner a few years back and liked it a lot.

IF in fact the 2 rigs are in the same (very good) condition, you won't be disappointed with a bigger, more powerful boat as long as you have the vehicle to tow it. Boats 'shrink' as soon as they hit the water.

I'll take a wild guess that boats are priced in the neighborhood of $10K or more. IMO, that price point justifies hiring a surveyor and/or marine mechanic to go over it all before you buy. It'll only cost you a few percent of the purchase price.

My .02

Home Cookin' · Mar 14, 2013

Re: 2005 16 foot bay boat or a 1998 21 foot bay boat.

I don't know the boat brands, but with used boats, maintenance is the issue. Luckily, a center console OB in the south doesn't require much maintenance; any cosmetic issues will be apparent.

So really it's a question of size; a bigger boat is roomier, better for bigger water, uses more fuel, may be harder to trailer and store--although bay boats are generally user friendly at the ramp.

You say "first boat" and so I have to ask--are they really "bay boat" which is a hull design, or do you mean "boats one might use on a bay somewhere"? That makes a difference. Bay boats are flatter, good for shallow water, but wet in rough water and a bit bouncy on chop. Not a reason not to buy one; just a difference. I have a 17' that's basically a bay boat, and use it in water just like yours (and would say get the 21). A friend has a 21' bay boat and takes it all over--even offshore.

I wouldn't worry about the hours.

You shiould get someone who knows outboards to look at them--a knowledgeable friend, hire a mechanic, or see if you can take it to a shop. But often in bying used boats, it comes down to your judgment about the seller.

Good luck!

kkg88key · Mar 14, 2013