In search for a 17 ft deck boat

[funtime0007]

Hi All,

I am very new to boating so looking for some advice here.

My garage can only occupy a 17' ft boat with trailer (see enclosed). I will be using the boat in IL and WI waters.

One dealer is suggesting 2021 Stingray 172SC. It looks good on the paper and brand new will cost about 35.5K (Including taxes, trailer etc.). 172SC has a 90 hp Suzuki engine, no hydraulic drive and they are claiming you can get 42 mile/h which i think is a bit exaggerated. The biggest appeal for brand new one is warranty. yes I know stingray is not wow brand.

Any recommendations what Brand or models of deck boats i should look for for the size I am after?

I am open to used ones as well but not finding any.

 

[JimS123]

If you have a local Stingray dealer and he is good to work with, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. It's not a Cadillac boat, but more of an Oldsmobile.

First, measure it to ensure it'll fit. If the specs say 42 mph, that's what it'll do. Just review their performance curves. But that's with only 2 people and little to no gear. If you plan to have more onboard. you'll need to reprop and you will lose some speed.

Look at Stingray's web site and price out the boat for yourself. 35.5 is way overpriced.

Regardless, look hard at different boat styles before you jump in. The 172SC is a nice boat, but not having a windshield would be a deal breaker for me. If you have to stay home because its a windy day or it got a little cooler, it would be a poor investment.

 

[funtime0007]

If you have a local Stingray dealer and he is good to work with, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. It's not a Cadillac boat, but more of an Oldsmobile.

First, measure it to ensure it'll fit. If the specs say 42 mph, that's what it'll do. Just review their performance curves. But that's with only 2 people and little to no gear. If you plan to have more onboard. you'll need to reprop and you will lose some speed.

Look at Stingray's web site and price out the boat for yourself. 35.5 is way overpriced.

Regardless, look hard at different boat styles before you jump in. The 172SC is a nice boat, but not having a windshield would be a deal breaker for me. If you have to stay home because its a windy day or it got a little cooler, it would be a poor investment.

Hi Jim,

Actually the new price is now:

Sale price $32,295
Discount $-3,300
Price. $28,995
Extra discount $- 717
Total. $28,278.
Tax. 7.25%. $ 2,050.15
Title lic approx. $ 300.00
Doc fee. $ 199.00
Total. $ 30,527.00

So not bad I guess. I am dealing with Munson Marine. Yes, there is no windshield but can i get one aftermarket?

Can you please suggest any other brands in same size I can explore?

What about Tahoe 1950? https://www.tahoeboats.com/deck-series/previous/2019-1950.html

The trailer looks pretty long and may not fit in my garage

 

[ahicks]

With a 20' garage, you had better do some measuring prior to bringing a 35k boat home only to find it won't fit....

 

[JASinIL2006]

Buying a new boat and hoping you can retrofit a windshield (assuming that's important to you) sound like real pain to me. (And possible an expensive pain...)

Those look like fun boats for warm and mild weather. On even a slightly cooler day, riding out in the wind can get pretty chilly.

 

[JimS123]

Hi Jim,

Actually the new price is now:

Sale price $32,295
Discount $-3,300
Price. $28,995
Extra discount $- 717
Total. $28,278.
Tax. 7.25%. $ 2,050.15
Title lic approx. $ 300.00
Doc fee. $ 199.00
Total. $ 30,527.00

So not bad I guess. I am dealing with Munson Marine. Yes, there is no windshield but can i get one aftermarket?

Can you please suggest any other brands in same size I can explore?

What about Tahoe 1950? https://www.tahoeboats.com/deck-series/previous/2019-1950.html

The trailer looks pretty long and may not fit in my garage

For the last 2 boats I bought the dealer had one of the same model on the floor, so I was able to measure it before I ordered mine. In both cases they fit with an inch to spare.

No after market windshields for that style boat. If I were buying a Stingray I would buy the 192. "Deckboats" mean different things to different people. Whatever its called, if it didn't have a full console and a walk-thru windshield it wouldn't pass muster. But that's just me. We all have different likes.

The Tahoe web site shows a 22'6" storage length. That's probably with the tongue swung. Of the 2 that would be a better choice because it comes with the awesome Merc 150.

There are good boats and better ones. Not really anything "bad". My choice would be limited to the "good" dealers in the area.

 

[funtime0007]

With a 20' garage, you had better do some measuring prior to bringing a 35k boat home only to find it won't fit....

I will measure everything before any purchase. No worries.

 

[funtime0007]

Buying a new boat and hoping you can retrofit a windshield (assuming that's important to you) sound like real pain to me. (And possible an expensive pain...)

Those look like fun boats for warm and mild weather. On even a slightly cooler day, riding out in the wind can get pretty chilly.

Any recommendations on 17 to 18 footer?

I agree windshield is a must now.

 

[funtime0007]

For the last 2 boats I bought the dealer had one of the same model on the floor, so I was able to measure it before I ordered mine. In both cases they fit with an inch to spare.

No after market windshields for that style boat. If I were buying a Stingray I would buy the 192. "Deckboats" mean different things to different people. Whatever its called, if it didn't have a full console and a walk-thru windshield it wouldn't pass muster. But that's just me. We all have different likes.

The Tahoe web site shows a 22'6" storage length. That's probably with the tongue swung. Of the 2 that would be a better choice because it comes with the awesome Merc 150.

There are good boats and better ones. Not really anything "bad". My choice would be limited to the "good" dealers in the area.

I guess I will continue my search. Stingray 172SC will not work. No windshield.

 

[JASinIL2006]

You mention you'll be using this in IL and WI waters... which ones? I think the kind of boat used on smaller lakes or rivers might be bit different than what you'd want on Lake Michigan.

It also would be useful to know how you'll use the boat (fishing, watersports, day cruises) and how many people will be on outings.

 

[funtime0007]

You mention you'll be using this in IL and WI waters... which ones? I think the kind of boat used on smaller lakes or rivers might be bit different than what you'd want on Lake Michigan.

It also would be useful to know how you'll use the boat (fishing, watersports, day cruises) and how many people will be on outings.

Hi,

I think for a newbie, lake Michigan might be a challenge, so I will stick to like Fox lake and other lakes within IL/WI areas (less choppy waters). Now if the same boat can be taken to lake Michigan in the future, that would be ideal.

99% of the time day cruises with friends. Stopping at various beaches, drink few cold ones and that's pretty much it. May be occasional nothing serious catch one fish. 4 to 6 people tops ( i think that's the max I can fit in 17 to 18ft anyway).

A friend sugegsted these https://www.hurricaneboats.com/en-us/sundeck-187-ob/specs/
or https://stingrayboats.com/models/191dc-deck-boat/

I am inclined towards outboard motors as they are easy to maintain, repair, winterized them. But at the same time an OB motor may restrict me to very small size boat due to limitations inside my garage. I am stuck between a hard and soft spot here

 

[funtime0007]

Ah..so I found out how to measure the trailer. This link is pretty useful.

How to Measure to Fit a Boat Trailer

Learn how to measure to fit your boat with a boat trailer.

www.boattraileroutlet.com

BUNK DIAGRAM


ROLLER DIAGRAM

 

[matt167]

Hi,

I think for a newbie, lake Michigan might be a challenge, so I will stick to like Fox lake and other lakes within IL/WI areas (less choppy waters). Now if the same boat can be taken to lake Michigan in the future, that would be ideal.

99% of the time day cruises with friends. Stopping at various beaches, drink few cold ones and that's pretty much it. May be occasional nothing serious catch one fish. 4 to 6 people tops ( i think that's the max I can fit in 17 to 18ft anyway).

A friend sugegsted these https://www.hurricaneboats.com/en-us/sundeck-187-ob/specs/
or https://stingrayboats.com/models/191dc-deck-boat/

I am inclined towards outboard motors as they are easy to maintain, repair, winterized them. But at the same time an OB motor may restrict me to very small size boat due to limitations inside my garage. I am stuck between a hard and soft spot here

I/O's are falling out of favor pretty much for every reason you have as a pro to an outboard, so you can get pretty much whatever you want in an OB.. Keep in mind that the I/O also sticks out past the boats length, and so does the trailer. AND the trailer is a variable.. You can stick a 17' boat on a 20' trailer and your going to have a trailer that is much longer than it needs to be.. The case in point is, a Venture VB1300 trailer that I just bought fits a boat as short as 8'6" and as long as 15'6", so I could fit a 9' dinghy on the trailer, have it be tecnically 'correct' but the trailer/ boat combo is still going to take up about 17' of space... Not all boats come with trailers, and a dealer might have to put it on one for you, so there is that variable.

 

[JimS123]

Hi,

I think for a newbie, lake Michigan might be a challenge, so I will stick to like Fox lake and other lakes within IL/WI areas (less choppy waters). Now if the same boat can be taken to lake Michigan in the future, that would be ideal.

99% of the time day cruises with friends. Stopping at various beaches, drink few cold ones and that's pretty much it. May be occasional nothing serious catch one fish. 4 to 6 people tops ( i think that's the max I can fit in 17 to 18ft anyway).

A friend sugegsted these https://www.hurricaneboats.com/en-us/sundeck-187-ob/specs/
or https://stingrayboats.com/models/191dc-deck-boat/

I am inclined towards outboard motors as they are easy to maintain, repair, winterized them. But at the same time an OB motor may restrict me to very small size boat due to limitations inside my garage. I am stuck between a hard and soft spot here

You got the right idea about outboards. With the new swing tongue trailers that come with most packages, I think the total length for an I/O vs. OB will be quite the same.

If your garage backs up to a family room or other part of the house, you have few options. But, if its at the back of the house. cutting a simple hole and making a sided box to fit the OB motor will get the job done easy peasy. My grandpa had a 20 footer in an 18' garage with a big cupola out back.

6 people in an 18 footer will be uncomfortable. Been there, done that. We used to take another family out often. They never offered to pay for gas or bring extra beer along. Finally we stopped offering and they ended up buying their own boat and meeting us out on the sandbar.

Measuring a trailer is of minimal value. Today they all come free with the boat and are sized accordingly.

 

[funtime0007]

I/O's are falling out of favor pretty much for every reason you have as a pro to an outboard, so you can get pretty much whatever you want in an OB.. Keep in mind that the I/O also sticks out past the boats length, and so does the trailer. AND the trailer is a variable.. You can stick a 17' boat on a 20' trailer and your going to have a trailer that is much longer than it needs to be.. The case in point is, a Venture VB1300 trailer that I just bought fits a boat as short as 8'6" and as long as 15'6", so I could fit a 9' dinghy on the trailer, have it be tecnically 'correct' but the trailer/ boat combo is still going to take up about 17' of space... Not all boats come with trailers, and a dealer might have to put it on one for you, so there is that variable.

thanks Matt!

This helps. The weight capacity is only 1570 lbs, so Stingray or others are like 2500 lbs... hmm Just noticed the weight capacity.


2021 Venture VB-1300 Galvanized Single Axle Bunk Trailer. Tongue Jack is INCLUDED!

Key Features

Capacity: 1300lbs.
GWVR: 1570lbs.
Overall Length: 17'6"
Width Between the Fenders: 42"
Overall Width: 60"
Bow Eye to Transom Minimum: 8'6"
Bow Eye to Transom Maximum: 15'6"
Tire Size: 4.80 x 12 LRC 4H
One Axle - No Brakes
Tongue Jack: Included

Description

Year: 2021
Make: Venture Trailer
Model Name: Bunk Trailer VB-1300
Colors: Silver

 

[funtime0007]

You got the right idea about outboards. With the new swing tongue trailers that come with most packages, I think the total length for an I/O vs. OB will be quite the same.

If your garage backs up to a family room or other part of the house, you have few options. But, if its at the back of the house. cutting a simple hole and making a sided box to fit the OB motor will get the job done easy peasy. My grandpa had a 20 footer in an 18' garage with a big cupola out back.

6 people in an 18 footer will be uncomfortable. Been there, done that. We used to take another family out often. They never offered to pay for gas or bring extra beer along. Finally we stopped offering and they ended up buying their own boat and meeting us out on the sandbar.

Measuring a trailer is of minimal value. Today they all come free with the boat and are sized accordingly.

lol @ never bring extra beer. That's so rude. The only way anyone will ever get a free ride on my boat if they are hot babes and topless kidding. But I know exactly what you mean.

Yes, I thought about the cutting the wall.

1. I have a three car garage. The back side the of garage backs to laundry room and its dry wall. So a cutting the wall is easy peasy as you said.

2. The other idea was to modify the garage door. I can add a roll up slip to accommodate the trailer length. I am engineer so I can be very handy and creative.

3. 3rd option is to extend the garage. Costly but might be the ultimate solution.

It will come down to what boat i finally decide to buy. The season is around the corner so I have, I think about a month left to get things in order.

 

[matt167]

Keep in mind, the VB1300 I mentioned was only an example as I just bought one and it's measurements are in my head, but if you get a boat that fits that trailer, you know it will fit in your garage tongue and all... The problem is your limited to a ~16' boat with that trailer, or similar.

Now with a VB2200, it is 19'3" OAL and you can get an 18' boat and add a swing tongue, and it would work fine.. This is what Jim is talking about. Swing tongue is key here

If your willing to cut the wall, just bump it out 3' and then you should be able to get an 18' boat in there

 

[funtime0007]

Keep in mind, the VB1300 I mentioned was only an example as I just bought one and it's measurements are in my head, but if you get a boat that fits that trailer, you know it will fit in your garage tongue and all... The problem is your limited to a ~16' boat with that trailer, or similar.

Now with a VB2200, it is 19'3" OAL and you can get an 18' boat and add a swing tongue, and it would work fine.. This is what Jim is talking about. Swing tongue is key here

If your willing to cut the wall, just bump it out 3' and then you should be able to get an 18' boat in there

makes sense.

The challenge remain do I let my garage decides what boat to buy or I decide what boat to buy So far the freaking garage is winning. Time to demolish it and build a new one.

What pisses me off that I live in Barrington, I have 3 acres of land and they won't let me build a shed "or" I can not use my own land. Must be parked inside the garage after x weeks. Who passed such stupid laws in IL?

 

[JimS123]

makes sense.

The challenge remain do I let my garage decides what boat to buy or I decide what boat to buy So far the freaking garage is winning. Time to demolish it and build a new one.

What pisses me off that I live in Barrington, I have 3 acres of land and they won't let me build a shed "or" I can not use my own land. Must be parked inside the garage after x weeks. Who passed such stupid laws in IL?

I'm an engineer as well. When I built my house I designed it so it would fit the boat.......and......still have the car attached to it. Garage cost / sq. ft. is relatively inexpensive.

Laws are laws, I guess, but believe me indoor storage is priceless. Others say that the life span of a boat is 15 years. But if you keep it garaged and dry it will last a lifetime.

 

[southkogs]

@JimS123 every time I see a photo of your garage, I feel like I've failed somewhere in life. Mine is no where near that organized.