Boat buying advice

grp79 · Feb 15, 2002

I've been looking to purchase a new boat and wanted to get some insight on the types of boat I'm looking at. I mostly fish but want to be able to drag the kids around on a tube and the wife be able to catch some rays. I've sought of narrowed my choices down to the fish-n-ski models by Glastron, Stingray, Larson and Bayliner in the 17' to 20' range. So far the Larson appears to be the best choice but probably just out of my $$ range. The Stingray and Glastron are about even. My dillema is the Bayliner. It looks pretty good and the price seems good but in my research have found mostly negative reviews. It appears that they're better than they were but?. Any advice or thoughts for a nervous but excited soon to be new boat owner would be greatly appreciated.

JB · Feb 15, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

Howdy, GRP79. Welcome to the board. You are on the right track, and for good reasons. I don't know much about the StingRay, Larson or Glastron, but we hear a lot of wailing here from people who have discovered that Bayliners aren't very good boats. This is important: Are you shopping new boats or used boats? It seems to me that Bayliners bad rep is based largely on what happens to them when new boat owners who don't know how to care for them don't give them proper care. Almost any low or middle range boat will suffer if neglected and disappoint a new owner. On the other hand, a new boat depreciates terribly fast and if you finance it to the limit it will be many years before it will be worth what you owe on it. So what is my point? First time buyers probably get the best value if they buy a recent model of a top line boat from an experienced boater. How recent? One the bank will finance. Brands that have the highest owner satisfaction are listed in the Powers ratings that you can find on their web site. Red sky at night. . . JB

grp79 · Feb 16, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

I'm looking at buying new. I currently have an old Glastron trihull with 75hp Evenrude that has been a blast but suffers some from what you mentioned. My thinking is a new boat will start me off right and I'll know what I've got. I tend to keep things very well maintained so upkeep shouldn't be a problem.

grp79 · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

I thought I'd put my findings on in case someone does look at Bayliner. I took a capri classic 1954 model out for a ride yesterday and found out first hand what the deal is with Bayliner. Although the boat looks good and the price is right the boat is lacking in many areas. The one we test drove kept stalling and was hard to start. The sales rep blamed it on water in the fuel because the boat had been sitting. It was also because it was cold. Maybe cold water in the fuel or the stars not aligned right, who knows? Anyway, you could see where the materials weren't of the highest qaulity and the attention to detail just wasn't there. I then took a Monterey 180 Edge out for a ride. Right from the start you could feel the difference and upon further inspection see the difference. The kicker is that the Monterey is about $1,000 less. The one thing I've found is there are better built boats at the same price or slightly higher depending on qaulity. You just need to look and not compromise because of price. Buy what fits your needs and style and not because it's a so and so boat or because it's the cheapest. The bottom line is although I probably would have been happy with the Bayliner I will be much happier with something else.

joegraviss · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

grp79--I'm looking for a fishnski too and have narrowed my choice to Ranger Reata 210, Triton (can't remember model) and Nitro 288. The Nitro looks great and roomy, but the more I research and study, the more I find it's hard to beat Ranger for construction, quality, resale. I need a 200 to 225 HP for slalom skiers, and that adds serious bucks to the purchase. The Ranger is coming in around 33 with the Yamaha 200 HPDI and the Nitro is around 30 with the 225 Merc Optimax. I have a friend in marine business and says Optimax has some troubles, and his clients love there Yamaha's. He doesn't sell engines, just stocks the shelves of those that sell both. I'm going with the Yamaha. If you can get by with less HP, really try to go with a 4 stroke for environmental reasons--much less gunk gets spit out into water. I looked at the boats you mentioned and it seems the Ranger Reata is better quality. Don't know your budget and that will be impactful, but think about resale unless you REALLY don't think it'll be in the next 7 to 10 years before you trade. By the way, I'm speaking of the larger versions--I see you're looking at 17 to 20, Ranger has some shorter fish n skis for less money--check em out before you buy. rangerboats.com then find a dealer and go talk. The brochure spells out alot. We had a Ranger as a kid and I couldn't break it! Also, ask on this forum about other people's experience with Ranger. Most people say good things "if you can afford it". The smaller versions are real close cost wise. Good luck.

grp79 · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

You're absolutetly right about the Ranger. I saw a few at the boat show and they're sharp. I spoke to a few bass fishing buddies who swear by them and these are the types who you pictures of their kids in the boat so you can see the boat. Just kidding about that. I'm going to try and look at the VS/R series and see if it's in my budget since this is apparently their entry level series. This is my first boat so I'm trying not to go crazy. I'll save that for the next one. Thanks for the help.

Rocnat4 · Feb 18, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

Bayliner's parent company is Brunswick corporation. Owners of SeaRay, Baja, Maxum, Boston Whaler and more.

495v · Feb 18, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

Ranger is definately a great quality boat. I own a Ranger Commanche 495 v. It's a twenty-one footer and it performs like a champ. Ranger pays special attention to the quality of their boats. I was almost the owner of a Nitro which, in my opinoin was a piece of junk. Fortunately, I was able to get out of that purchase and found this 96 ranger for a great deal. I could not be happier. Joegraviss; I couldn't resist and had to register for this great site. I was the one who gave you the info on the Nitro.

joegraviss · Feb 20, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

Well I ended up with a ....of all things....a Triton! SF21. I couldn't believe it. I had a Reata 210, Nitro 288, and a Triton SF21 lined up side by side on a dealers lot and was all over them. The Triton was superior, hands down, no question. The only thing better on the Ranger was the upholtestry and resale value, but to be fair, Triton fish n ski have only been out about 5 or 6 years. The Reata, I felt bad for because it looked like a striped down bass boat with a ski pole and drink holders. Very barren and not very well thought out for the skier. I was shocked to see such a boat from the masters at Ranger. I mean they really seem to be the ones to beat for bass boats, but definitely not the fish n ski. Even the Triton bass boats looked great. Triton uses foam all over like Ranger, maybe not as much, but plenty. There are some composite materials, no wood. It's lighter than the Ranger as a result. Seemed like a very solid boat built by people who have been in the business a long time even though the company is new, and located close by in Nashville. The Triton layout, design, lifetime hull warranty, cushions up front, bimini top compartment, etc. etc. was just flat nicer, more thought out and comfortable and looked better. End of story. It was a little less than the Ranger, about 1500. I got the Yamaha 200 HPDI to go with it. 31500 total. Looking forward to it. Thanks for your help. Take care.

joegraviss · Feb 20, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

PS Triton did have a couple smaller versions of the SF 21 that should be less money if need be. Good luck.

KCook · Feb 20, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

For the fish-n-ski game you have at least 4 different flavors to consider: Deep bowrider with I/O - Very few of these. Caravelle and Ebbtide are the only ones I know of. The only way to get that "inboard" rumble. Deep bowrider with outboard - The ones you gave in your original post. Plus Javelin. Even with the deep hull you are not guaranteed a good ride. Essential to get test drives, which it sounds like you are already doing. The smaller Four Winns are also popular in this category. Saltwater dual console - If you are in the eastern U.S. there should be plenty of these to choose from. Scout, Sea Hunt, and Sea Pro just to name a few. All with OB power. Low profile bassboat types - My favorite, but not all moms appreciate the shallow cockpit. Ranger and Triton will not be cheap. Skeeter should price out slightly less. Javelin considerably less. Please keep us posted on your sea trials! Kelly Cook

grp79 · Feb 24, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

I took a Caravelle 186 SF out for a ride and it turned out to be a pretty good ride. It comes with everything you need (gauges, trolling motor, fish finder, etc) to get going and for about $17000. The boat looked to be very well built with the attention to detail that seemed to be missing in the Bayliner. A question I did have was about power steering. This boat didn't have it and depending on the trim setting was a little tough in hard turns. As you adjusted the trim the steering changed dramatically. Is this normal? The guy also said the boat hadn't been adjusted yet. He had just taken the shrink wrap off. It sounded like he was going to take it for a ride and then some how tune it. Again is this normal? I also rode in the Glastron. Very similar in every aspect to the Caravalle except it was about 3K more. The Stingray and Larson were definitely top of the line boats. Plenty of room and the attention to detail, not to mention a great ride. Unfortunately the adage "you get what you pay for" is true with these two boats as they both came in at the mid $20's. I'll be deciding in the next couple of weeks and when I do I'll leave a nessage as to what I finally did. I'm also going to take JB's advice and think about a nice used boat.

JRJ · Feb 24, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

grp79, as you have already figured out, boating is one of the best family activitys there is. If money is no problem and you've owned boats and know what you want then by all means buy new. Otherwise listen to JB and others who will advise to buy a good used boat. Bought right, you can use it all summer and if it turns out not to be exactly what you want, with care, you can resell at little or no loss. With skill and luck you can turn a profit. (don't count on it) The main thing is to keep it no pressure, no painful payments and have fun with those kids.

KCook · Feb 24, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

It's rare to hear about Caravelle. So thanks for the report on your ride. IMHO some sort of steering assist is a must have. It's not unusual for an unfamiliar small boat to seem quirky. Until you have the time to find the right trim and prop selection. As long as there was some trim setting where things felt right I would not worry to much. Ask your dealer if you can have another ride after he has fussed with it. Better yet, in one with upgraded steering. Caravelle vs Glastron is a tough choice. If one dealer is a lot better than the other, that could make the call for me. My boats have all been used. Simply gets you more boat for the same $$. But finding a used boat in good condition for a good price can be loooong search. Keep your options open. Thanks again for your update, Kelly

grp79 · Mar 9, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

I'm not sure how closely everyone follows these topics but I wanted to say thanks to everyone for there input and opinions. I decided to go new and bought the Caravalle and so far it has been great. It's a ski&fish and does both pretty well. I added the P/S and I'm glad I did. It came equipped with everything I needed at a good price and the dealer has been more than helpful. I do beleive the advice on buying used is very good advice and my next boat will most likely be used. (How about that. I have this one a week and I'm already talking about the next one.)Being a novice I just felt more comfortable being able to have someone to go to in case of problems. Again, thanks everyone and enjoy.

KCook · Mar 12, 2002

Re: Boat buying advice

Thanks for the update. It's always good to hear how a boat search finished up. Good dealers make a big difference. Kelly Cook

KCook · Mar 2, 2004

Re: Boat buying advice

^

mole2 · Mar 2, 2004

Re: Boat buying advice

Was there a reason and/or purpose to puch a two year old thread up to the top? lol

KCook · Mar 2, 2004

Re: Boat buying advice

Info in this thread, though old, helps to cover some of the issues in this new thread - Opinions on Regal boats compared to SeaRay, Four Winns, Charavelle, etc?

masterge · Mar 11, 2008

Re: Boat buying advice

Ditto. I was looking at the Nitro 288, Stratos 486, Triton F&Ss and ended up making deposit today on a Reata 186. The other boats were nice, but build quality and standard features were just so much better on the Reata and it wasn't much more than the others.

George

joegraviss said:
grp79--I'm looking for a fishnski too and have narrowed my choice to Ranger Reata 210, Triton (can't remember model) and Nitro 288. The Nitro looks great and roomy, but the more I research and study, the more I find it's hard to beat Ranger for construction, quality, resale. I need a 200 to 225 HP for slalom skiers, and that adds serious bucks to the purchase. The Ranger is coming in around 33 with the Yamaha 200 HPDI and the Nitro is around 30 with the 225 Merc Optimax. I have a friend in marine business and says Optimax has some troubles, and his clients love there Yamaha's. He doesn't sell engines, just stocks the shelves of those that sell both. I'm going with the Yamaha. If you can get by with less HP, really try to go with a 4 stroke for environmental reasons--much less gunk gets spit out into water. I looked at the boats you mentioned and it seems the Ranger Reata is better quality. Don't know your budget and that will be impactful, but think about resale unless you REALLY don't think it'll be in the next 7 to 10 years before you trade. By the way, I'm speaking of the larger versions--I see you're looking at 17 to 20, Ranger has some shorter fish n skis for less money--check em out before you buy. rangerboats.com then find a dealer and go talk. The brochure spells out alot. We had a Ranger as a kid and I couldn't break it! Also, ask on this forum about other people's experience with Ranger. Most people say good things "if you can afford it". The smaller versions are real close cost wise. Good luck.

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