Buying boat for first time.

[Majorleagueinfidel]

First time posting. Great forum, lots of information, probably just spent 2 hours reading. I'm going to be BRAND NEW to a ski boat. I have owned jet skis before but it's time to get in the game. I have looked at every brand, new and used, and I as well as my wife have fallen for the Tahoe. I like everything about them. I have decided to go used. I usually buy all major purchases new for the warranties and the peace of mind. I have my eye on locally a 2004 q4. From the pictures and talking with the seller it seems to be a very well taken care of boat. I am going in the next week or so to look at it personally and possibly purchase. Reading posts I don't see a lot of people bragging about the 135hp. I want it for primarily skiing, tubing and kneeboarding. Wake boarding possibly. 90% of the time it wil be my wife, myself, and two other close friends. Is this going to be enough hp? If not I will continue looking.

Another question when buying used, when I go to inspect it, which I have found a nifty online checklist of general things to look at on boats, is there anything specific to tahoes or in general that I should look at or for?

I'm sold on buying a Tahoe, basically I'm dying inside until I can get one behind my truck.

Thanks for any info!!

 

[grendelsniper]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

I would look into getting a q5 with the 190hp v6 you will be happier, the q4 is small and 135hp is the 4 banger. just my thoughts

 

[jkust]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Hi and welcome to iBoats. What is drawing you to the Tahoe? Price, ammenities, condition, other factors? Tahoes are great for a first time boater and priced to match.
As for the 130hp, people have done tow sports on a lot less but generally more power is better given your suggested usage. At a minimum a 4.3 liter with its nearly 45% (more if it is the 220 hp MPI) will be a good fit. Lots of folks use the 3.0 liter exactly how you intend to and lot's use larger engines. Unless the Tahoe was my second or third boat in my stable of boats, I would seek a larger engine but try my darndest to not pay any more money. If you only planned leisure cruising, I may have a different bit of advice but towing is easier with a 4.3 and mileage will be almost identical as the larger engine works less to perform the work.

 

[scb1712]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Hi and Welcome Aboard!

I'm relatively new to boat ownership as well. We picked up a used 2001 Glastron SX 175 with a 3.0L Volvo (about 130hp) last year. This year, we have spent a lot of time (almost every weekend so far) out learning to water ski etc. I'm about 5.9, 185 lbs and our boat has no problem at all pulling me as a skier. I've also been out with friends etc who are 6'2 and 210-220 lbs who were also able to ski no problem at all. They were even water starting on a single ski. We also do some tubing with 2-3 adults on a 3 person tube and have never had any issues there either. We're able to do all of that with the stock 3 blade, aluminium prop with 19 deg pitch. If you are willing to compromise on top end, you can always get a more agressive pitched prop to help with the hole shot.

You'll likely get replies that say that the 3.0l isn't enough power, as well as others who will say it is fine. In my experience, we have yet to be disappointed with the power in our boat. I've also found that we get reasonably good gas mileage out of our 3.0l. Just looking at the specs of the Tahoe Q4, it appears to be similar size, layout and weight as our boat - so I would say go for it if you've found one you like.

As for inspecting and purchasing - ALWAYS take it for a test drive! We ran in to a mess of problems that we could have avoided with a simple test drive on the water. As for things to look for, make sure you run it at a range of speeds. See how easily it gets up on plane, make sure the temp is okay, and have a look at the drive while its running to make sure it doesn't shake (u-joints). It should shift into and out of gear relatively easily and rev smoothly throughout the range. I'd also check the whole boat thoroughly. Don't be afraid to crawl around to check the floor, under the dash etc for signs of water infiltration and rot. Also - open and inspect the inside of every hatch and strorage compartment. I'm not sure if Tahoe uses wood in the construction or not, but if so, check it out well. Try not to fall for the boat just because it looks great. We did exactly that, and spent most of last summer doing repairs and spending a lot of $$. If i had done a test drive, i would have walked away.

Finally - i'm not sure where you are located, but if the boat has been used in salt water, keep looking.

Otherwise - best of luck!

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

My only advice...Do not "fall in love" with a machine. Otherwise, you will be incapable of making sound purchasing decisions.

But then, it sounds like you've already made up your mind...so good luck!

 

[jkust]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Hi and Welcome Aboard!


You'll likely get replies that say that the 3.0l isn't enough power, as well as others who will say it is fine.

At the end of the day it is your money. The 3.0 discussions are the stuff of legends around here. Nobody with one ever admits any faults with their purchases and/or they don't know enough to know what they don't know. Lots of folks are just happy to be on a boat. I grew up with an 85 HP engine bowrider and we pulled anything and everything with it and sometimes three at a time. It seemed powerful and fast to us. As my grandma used to say, bless her soul, 'I can't imagine anything sounding better than my clock radio". I think the 3.0 vs 4.3 ongoing back and forth has more to do with personality types than anything and will never be resolved no matter the reality. If you're here, and you'r buying, I'd just as well see you with more of something than less but not pay any more money.

 

[Majorleagueinfidel]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Well I haven't " fallen in love" with one yet. To much money involved to not inspect it to a T. Why Tahoe, I have looked at other brands and I feel like minus the extra 6-15k you get the same. Everyone runs with the same power plants, just about. So it comes to quality. I have seen some seat issues posted by others, but that isn't enough to keep me from buying. Basically it's just like my wife's car. Has all the same luxury as a Lexus sedan, minus 1 or 2 features, but is cost half of what the Lexus cost. The new Kia optimas. Anyways, I like everything that I have heard on Tahoe, I've looked them over at BP and I have two friends that both own tahoes. As for the 135hp vs. 190hp, like someone said I guess it does come down to what you want to do. Im not looking to go 70 mph, I've got a 175hp ski for that and I'm not looking to become a pro wake boarder.

I just want to get out and be comfortable on the water and throw people around on a tube or ski.

Thanks for all the fast replies, I'm taking it ALL into consideration.

 

[scb1712]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Nobody with one ever admits any faults with their purchases and/or they don't know enough to know what they don't know.

I'd be happy to learn what i don't know. Just for the record - if anyone wants to donate a boat to me with the 4.3, i would be more than happy to compare and report back

 

[jkust]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Well I haven't " fallen in love" with one yet. To much money involved to not inspect it to a T. Why Tahoe, I have looked at other brands and I feel like minus the extra 6-15k you get the same. Everyone runs with the same power plants, just about. So it comes to quality. I have seen some seat issues posted by others, but that isn't enough to keep me from buying. Basically it's just like my wife's car. Has all the same luxury as a Lexus sedan, minus 1 or 2 features, but is cost half of what the Lexus cost. The new Kia optimas. Anyways, I like everything that I have heard on Tahoe, I've looked them over at BP and I have two friends that both own tahoes. As for the 135hp vs. 190hp, like someone said I guess it does come down to what you want to do. Im not looking to go 70 mph, I've got a 175hp ski for that and I'm not looking to become a pro wake boarder.

I just want to get out and be comfortable on the water and throw people around on a tube or ski.

Thanks for all the fast replies, I'm taking it ALL into consideration.

Well top end with a 3.0 versus a 4.3 isn't that dramatically different and you'd be lucky to hit 60 on gps with even a Stingray and a v6. It's the ability to yank harder and put more people in the boat while doing so. A 4.3 can have 225 HP and a 3.0 can top out at 150 if they both have MPI...those are big differences. The thing about boats that's hard to swallow is that the differences between brand a that cost 100$ and brand b that cost $200 are mostly about what you can't see. While the higher end boat may look more luxurious and you say to yourself why the heck would someone pay that much more for nicer guages and a couple additional details, they are actually paying for a lot more than that. Point being the differences between a Tahoe, especially that early a model, and some of the other brands is pretty gigantic but unless you own and experience one, you will never recognize it other than a few telltale details on the interior. It isn't like a Chevy truck vs a GMC truck where they are nearly the same but the GMC mysteriously has a higher price and a 'professional grade' designation in their marketing. Don't think you are getting the same quality and chalk the price difference up to a name on the side since all boats run the same power options. If that were the case we'd have all figured out how to beat the system. Money is scarce and we all want the most possible for the least money.

End of the day, if I'm a person who just wants to get out on the water with a limited budged, Tahoe, Stingray, Bayliner, Glastron and a few others is where i'd be looking. They all float and have the same power, Tahoe has a fishing heritage, Stingray's are fast, light and basic, Bayliner is nice, inexpensive package and Glastron and VEC cousins are decent and look more expensive than their prices indicate.

 

[Majorleagueinfidel]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Well top end with a 3.0 versus a 4.3 isn't that dramatically different and you'd be lucky to hit 60 on gps with even a Stingray and a v6. It's the ability to yank harder and put more people in the boat while doing so. A 4.3 can have 225 HP and a 3.0 can top out at 150 if they both have MPI...those are big differences. The thing about boats that's hard to swallow is that the differences between brand a that cost 100$ and brand b that cost $200 are mostly about what you can't see. While the higher end boat may look more luxurious and you say to yourself why the heck would someone pay that much more for nicer guages and a couple additional details, they are actually paying for a lot more than that. Point being the differences between a Tahoe, especially that early a model, and some of the other brands is pretty gigantic but unless you own and experience one, you will never recognize it other than a few telltale details on the interior. It isn't like a Chevy truck vs a GMC truck where they are nearly the same but the GMC mysteriously has a higher price and a 'professional grade' designation in their marketing. Don't think you are getting the same quality and chalk the price difference up to a name on the side since all boats run the same power options. If that were the case we'd have all figured out how to beat the system. Money is scarce and we all want the most possible for the least money.

End of the day, if I'm a person who just wants to get out on the water with a limited budged, Tahoe, Stingray, Bayliner, Glastron and a few others is where i'd be looking. They all float and have the same power, Tahoe has a fishing heritage, Stingray's are fast, light and basic, Bayliner is nice, inexpensive package and Glastron and VEC cousins are decent and look more expensive than their prices indicate.

Yea I understand what your saying, la's tic fitting here versus a stainless here and what not. I'm in the same mind frame as you thoiugh, get on the water with a limited budget.

 

[Majorleagueinfidel]

Re: Buying boat for first time.

Dang iPhone, that's plastic... Not whatever iPhone decided to post the first time.