Boat Buying Decision

[cobraman]

I in the process of buying a boat and having trouble deciding if I should buy a 2002 Bayliner 1954 fish'n'ski with a inboard 3.0 mercruser for 13,000 or a 1995 Larsen 174 SEI with a Volvo Penta for about half the price. Now the local boat dealer states the even though Bayliner is not a well built boat, the Larsen is far worse. He also tells me that Volvo is an unreliable engine and that parts are impossible to get. How true is this. The price is a very important factor for my decision and honestly, the Larsen is a much prettier boat. I need some feedback.

 

[JB]

Re: Boat Buying Decision

Ahoy, Cobraman.<br /><br />You have two bad boats to choose from. <br /><br />STOP! Start over. Look for a quality boat.<br /><br />I had a Larson once, briefly. Her name can not be spoken in polite company and she earned it. Yugos were better quality.<br /><br />Bayliners are legendary for their beauty and style, but also poor workmanship and materials. The only good one I know of was remanufactured by 12Footer. JD Power rates Bayliners as the worst boats on the market.<br /><br />Yes, I am spoiled by my string of Boston Whalers, but there are a lot of excellent boats with excellent power that are not Whalers. Of course a Whaler would be a good choice, too.

 

[cobraman]

Re: Boat Buying Decision

Which one of these would you pick, if you had to pick one? Kind of limited here in the desert where there is only one dealer, and they deal fisher boats. I don't look the look of those too much.

 

[JB]

Re: Boat Buying Decision

It is worth your time to expand your search, Cobraman.<br /><br />Have you checked out iboats classifieds?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Boat Buying Decision

Might be worth your time to check boattrader.com and boats.com. You can narrow your search to specific styles and brand names that you are interested in.<br /><br />I searched for a year and had to drive 500 miles, but I purchased the boat listed below for $5K below the NADA book and it had only been in the water 6 times (28 total hours).<br /><br />I made an offer on the telephone, contingent on a test drive and mechanical survey.<br /><br />If you are careful and take your time, you can find exactly what you want at the price you want to pay.

 

[Mikedg]

Re: Boat Buying Decision

Cobraman:<br /><br />The Larson Boat company has been around for a long time producing quality boats. Baylner has had a bad rap in the past but things are greatly improved. As far as Volvo goes, they are excellent set-ups. My local Regal dealer has the option of ordering either Mercuiser or Volvo power with their boats. They order Volvo. I think that says a lot.<br /><br />As far as the choice goes, how old is the Larson and how many hours on it? What engine is it? Will the 2002 Bayliner come with a Warranty? Finally before you buy, check the pricing on line and get a survey.

 

[cobraman]

Re: Boat Buying Decision

Thanks Mike,<br />I actually bought the Larson, I took it to the boat shop that was selling the 2002 Bayliner for service and pre-purchase inspection and they really thought it was newer thant he Bayliner. It is that clean! Once they did the inspection and all that, they got really good compression out of the cylinders and were really convinced that this boat only had the 1995 year and not the wear. For under 6 grand, they all think the Larson was the better deal. Thanks a lot.<br />As far as hours, not sure, however maybe not much since the motor passed all testing with perfect scores.

 

[Mikedg]

Re: Boat Buying Decision

Cobraman:<br /><br />Sounds like you made a good choice. Enjoy the boat. Used boats can be a great deal and the cash saved can be put into some needed accessories and fuel. I'm on my third used boat and they've all been great.