In search for a 17 ft deck boat

[JASinIL2006]

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 pretty sure that's not an IL law, but a Barrington law... unfortunately, some communities and homeowner's associations are pretty restrictive. I'm glad I live in an Illinois community without similar laws. Is off-site storage an option? You probably could rent storage somewhere that would not restrict your boat options so much...

Although I have an I/O, I do think the advantages of a newer outboard are pretty hard to deny. Six adults (plus all their gear, food, drinks, etc.) spending the day on an 18' boat will feel pretty cramped, even if you are beaching and disembarking for a time. We do it, though, and while it can feel a bit crowded, it is not unbearable. An 18 footer is also not a bad size for learning to pilot a boat.

 

[funtime0007]

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.

View attachment 336049

Wow! love it..... This is exactly what i need. I didn't custom built my house so the previous owner was a cheap B#$%#$

I called the village engineer and he is coming this Friday to give me ideas as far as garage expansion. I am sure I will figure out a solution. There is no shortage of land. This will open up a wide array of new boats and styles I can choose from. I think this is my best bet. Trying to fit a nice boat inside a 23 ft garage is a nightmare to deal with.

Great job.. what boat you got back there? Is it Seay Ray 190 OB? Someone was suggesting to go with Sea ray as well. Who is the best dealer in IL for Seay Ray? Skipper Buds?

p.s. I am an electrical Engineer. besides building wireless networks for Verizon and ATT, I started a UAV company. Check out these babies.. 6ft small one and 11 ft big one wing span...

 

[funtime0007]

I'm pretty sure that's not an IL law, but a Barrington law... unfortunately, some communities and homeowner's associations are pretty restrictive. I'm glad I live in an Illinois community without similar laws. Is off-site storage an option? You probably could rent storage somewhere that would not restrict your boat options so much...

Although I have an I/O, I do think the advantages of a newer outboard are pretty hard to deny. Six adults (plus all their gear, food, drinks, etc.) spending the day on an 18' boat will feel pretty cramped, even if you are beaching and disembarking for a time. We do it, though, and while it can feel a bit crowded, it is not unbearable. An 18 footer is also not a bad size for learning to pilot a boat.

Yes, It's a South barrington Village law. There were few bad apples in barrington who left rusty trailers, jet skies, list goes on driveways facing the road/neighbours homes and people started to complain and they passed the new ordinance.

I would prefer inside the garage storage. It saves me money, easy to work on the boat, my garage is heated. I do have some dry docks options but they are pricey. Plus having the boat at home, you just tow it and take off. it's priceless! Not to mention I can give chores to my 19 year old (tired of watching him play videogames all day)

If I get my garage expanded I will go with a 22'ft one for sure. lets see how it goes this Friday with the Village Engineer. My village engineer is awesome. Very helpful and co-operative.

 

[funtime0007]

Possible expansion plan.....

 

[JimS123]

.. what boat you got back there? Is it Seay Ray 190 OB? Someone was suggesting to go with Sea ray as well. Who is the best dealer in IL for Seay Ray? Skipper Buds?

The boat in the picture is a 1984 19' Stingray. It lived in that garage its whole life and still looked like new after 35 years. The excellent service life of that boat is why I always speak well of Stingrays.

Our new SeaRay is considerably higher and wider, although the overall length of the rig is the same because of the swing tongue. The 190 is the smallest boat they currently make.

I have no experience with boat dealers in IL, so I can't make a recommendation.

 

[Dgt9601]

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.

I just bought a 172SC in February. I drove 3 hours to SC from NC and got one for $24.5K with the Yamaha 90HP VMAX SHO (w/5 year warranty), stainless steel, ski cage, bimini, battery switch, etc. They even customized my trailer so it would fit in my garage. At WOT mine does 36-38 MPH at 5200-5400 rpm depending on conditions. Overall I love the boat. It's very spacious for 17 feet, it has great storage and handles the chop really well. However, I don't think I would pay over $28K for it. Do you have the ability to travel out of state? I would also look at some of the smaller Bayliner models or the Stingray DC models if you're wanting a windshield. The DC models may not fit in your garage, though.

 

[funtime0007]

I just bought a 172SC in February. I drove 3 hours to SC from NC and got one for $24.5K with the Yamaha 90HP VMAX SHO (w/5 year warranty), stainless steel, ski cage, bimini, battery switch, etc. They even customized my trailer so it would fit in my garage. At WOT mine does 36-38 MPH at 5200-5400 rpm depending on conditions. Overall I love the boat. It's very spacious for 17 feet, it has great storage and handles the chop really well. However, I don't think I would pay over $28K for it. Do you have the ability to travel out of state? I would also look at some of the smaller Bayliner models or the Stingray DC models if you're wanting a windshield. The DC models may not fit in your garage, though.

Thank you for sharing your pricing with me. This will help a great deal in negotiating the final price. I appreciate that.

The dealer is giving this final price (see below). Did you buy any other bells and whistles under your price such as power steering, all steel cup holders etc. any other optional upgrades? Can you upload you sales receipt (showing all the accessories), just hide the personal details.

Yes, I can go out of state to buy it if I have to.

I will find out in few hours what options I have as far as expanding my garage. I think that will help me to finalize the boat I can buy.

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

 

[Dgt9601]

Thank you for sharing your pricing with me. This will help a great deal in negotiating the final price. I appreciate that.

The dealer is giving this final price (see below). Did you buy any other bells and whistles under your price such as power steering, all steel cup holders etc. any other optional upgrades? Can you upload you sales receipt (showing all the accessories), just hide the personal details.

Yes, I can go out of state to buy it if I have to.

I will find out in few hours what options I have as far as expanding my garage. I think that will help me to finalize the boat I can buy.

My sales receipt (attached) only has the price of the hull, motor and trailer itemized and that's for tax purposes. All three items came out to $24.5K total. In NC I pay sales tax to the DOR on the hull and motor, but the DMV charges tax on the trailer. The NC DOR also lets me subtract what SC charged me for tax. I'm telling you this because they're good questions to ask a dealer in case you go out of state to buy. In my case, I bought The boat in SC, paid about 3% sales tax between SC and NC, and registered and titled the boat through the NC Wildlife Department. I registered my trailer with the NC DMV. In total, my boat cost me around $25.5K after tax, title and registration fees.

As far as the options go, the company I bought mine from (Marine Service Center in Murrells Inlet, SC) had the Yamaha VMAX SHO, stainless steel package, sunbrella, and ski cage as part of their standard package (picture attached), meaning that's how they buy them from the factory and sell them to their customers. They may get a better deal on the hulls since Stingray factory is only about 60 miles away from their dealership. They only put Yamaha's on their boats and they give you a free EZ Loader trailer unless you upgrade to an aluminum trailer. I told my salesman that my max length for my garage was 21' 6" and he had the trailer tongue shortened for me. Had I needed to go lower I would've had to pay for a swivel (about $550 with labor).

I would look at the prices at Captiva Boat Sales in Cincinnati to use for comparison with your local dealer. They look like they have some decent prices on in-stock Stingrays with good options. Don't be afraid to call down there and talk to their salesmen. You may be surprised at what kind of deal you can get. I have a Stingray dealer just down the road from me which is where I went and looked at the 172 SC. However, they were several thousand over what I got and that was without a ski cage or sunbrella and no trailer modification. I called every dealership within a 6 hour drive and the one in SC had the best price with the one in Athens, GA matching them. It just came down to drive time at that point.

 

[JimS123]

Nice boat and you should be proud of your dealership. Give them more business in the future.

Since you had a non-standard mod done on the trailer, they should have moved the axle as well. So, be sure you have enough tongue weight before you try her on the interstate.

 

[Dgt9601]

Nice boat and you should be proud of your dealership. Give them more business in the future.

Since you had a non-standard mod done on the trailer, they should have moved the axle as well. So, be sure you have enough tongue weight before you try her on the interstate.

Thanks. I drove it on the highway to get it home. I also attach it to a Parkit-360 to get it into my garage (tight fit). It’s perfectly balanced.

 

[funtime0007]

My sales receipt (attached) only has the price of the hull, motor and trailer itemized and that's for tax purposes. All three items came out to $24.5K total. In NC I pay sales tax to the DOR on the hull and motor, but the DMV charges tax on the trailer. The NC DOR also lets me subtract what SC charged me for tax. I'm telling you this because they're good questions to ask a dealer in case you go out of state to buy. In my case, I bought The boat in SC, paid about 3% sales tax between SC and NC, and registered and titled the boat through the NC Wildlife Department. I registered my trailer with the NC DMV. In total, my boat cost me around $25.5K after tax, title and registration fees.

As far as the options go, the company I bought mine from (Marine Service Center in Murrells Inlet, SC) had the Yamaha VMAX SHO, stainless steel package, sunbrella, and ski cage as part of their standard package (picture attached), meaning that's how they buy them from the factory and sell them to their customers. They may get a better deal on the hulls since Stingray factory is only about 60 miles away from their dealership. They only put Yamaha's on their boats and they give you a free EZ Loader trailer unless you upgrade to an aluminum trailer. I told my salesman that my max length for my garage was 21' 6" and he had the trailer tongue shortened for me. Had I needed to go lower I would've had to pay for a swivel (about $550 with labor).

I would look at the prices at Captiva Boat Sales in Cincinnati to use for comparison with your local dealer. They look like they have some decent prices on in-stock Stingrays with good options. Don't be afraid to call down there and talk to their salesmen. You may be surprised at what kind of deal you can get. I have a Stingray dealer just down the road from me which is where I went and looked at the 172 SC. However, they were several thousand over what I got and that was without a ski cage or sunbrella and no trailer modification. I called every dealership within a 6 hour drive and the one in SC had the best price with the one in Athens, GA matching them. It just came down to drive time at that point.

Awesome!. You gave me so many pointers, going forward this will make it so easy for me to make a decision. Thanks a lot.

Your boat looks great. Love the Blue color. This is what i was thinking about. I will most likely be buying a bigger boat. but all this info really helps.

 

[Scott Danforth]

word of caution with boating on lake Michigan. some days all you need is a 12' boat with a 9.8hp tiller and you can boat for days.

other days you need something bigger than 100' with twin diesels and you hope you make it to a sheltered bay.

sometimes the difference between the two is a 20 degree shift in wind.

Been out plenty of times where the water is mild chop on an outing to return to 5 foot waves because the wind changed directions

 

[JimS123]

Been out plenty of times where the water is mild chop on an outing to return to 5 foot waves because the wind changed directions

Once on Lake Erie we were fishing in a glass like calm and the seas got to 5 footers before I could get the anchor up and stowed.

lake Ontario has its own set of problems. Waves aren't usually too bad on the US shoreline, but a slight change in wind can cause the lake to "turn over", resulting in pea soup fog. Ever try to find the launch ramp when you are 8 miles out and can't even make out the bow of the boat? No GPS back in the day, and Loran accuracy was only fair.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Once on Lake Erie we were fishing in a glass like calm and the seas got to 5 footers before I could get the anchor up and stowed.

lake Ontario has its own set of problems. Waves aren't usually too bad on the US shoreline, but a slight change in wind can cause the lake to "turn over", resulting in pea soup fog. Ever try to find the launch ramp when you are 8 miles out and can't even make out the bow of the boat? No GPS back in the day, and Loran accuracy was only fair.

Yes, actually attempted to follow the shoreline by watching the depth gauge and listening to the fog horns only ran aground twice until we hit the breakwater

 

[roffey]

I did not tread all the responses so if I'm repeating and apologize ahead of time. Did anyone mention the trailer tongue folds back?

 

[funtime0007]

word of caution with boating on lake Michigan. some days all you need is a 12' boat with a 9.8hp tiller and you can boat for days.

other days you need something bigger than 100' with twin diesels and you hope you make it to a sheltered bay.

sometimes the difference between the two is a 20 degree shift in wind.

Been out plenty of times where the water is mild chop on an outing to return to 5 foot waves because the wind changed directions

That's very interesting to know.

So for a rookie like me, who initially have no plans to be anywhere near lake michigan but mostly Fox lake, and other WI lakes. am I good?

I fly airplanes so I know all about when to fly and when to watch the birds flying away from the safety of the ground as wind patterns change but honestly I have no knowledge how lakes react to wind changes.

What classes and or other knowledge should I gain about boating on lakes?

 

[funtime0007]

I did not tread all the responses so if I'm repeating and apologize ahead of time. Did anyone mention the trailer tongue folds back?

Yes they did.

 

[funtime0007]

Once on Lake Erie we were fishing in a glass like calm and the seas got to 5 footers before I could get the anchor up and stowed.

lake Ontario has its own set of problems. Waves aren't usually too bad on the US shoreline, but a slight change in wind can cause the lake to "turn over", resulting in pea soup fog. Ever try to find the launch ramp when you are 8 miles out and can't even make out the bow of the boat? No GPS back in the day, and Loran accuracy was only fair.

Dang...that's it I am calling in the coast guard to rescue me lol

So what one must learn before go into boating adventure. off course there is no equivalent of experience but where to begin to learn lakes 101 and wind patterns?

 

[JimS123]

Dang...that's it I am calling in the coast guard to rescue me lol

So what one must learn before go into boating adventure. off course there is no equivalent of experience but where to begin to learn lakes 101 and wind patterns?

The USCG will not come to rescue you unless you are in imminent danger of dying....e.g., sinking, on fire, etc. If you are simply lost or run out of gas you will need to call a private contractor....i.e. SeaTow.

Take a USCGA or Power Squadron boating course. The classes will help you gain knowledge, plus the certificate will provide an insurance discount.

 

[ahicks]

That's very interesting to know.

So for a rookie like me, who initially have no plans to be anywhere near lake michigan but mostly Fox lake, and other WI lakes. am I good?

I fly airplanes so I know all about when to fly and when to watch the birds flying away from the safety of the ground as wind patterns change but honestly I have no knowledge how lakes react to wind changes.

What classes and or other knowledge should I gain about boating on lakes?

Instincts taught here will be invaluable. All you need to add to that will be some local boating experience. Hopefully, you won't get the hell scared out of you in that process! Best advice I can give is if there is any reason for a raised eyebrow, make sure you are minutes from your trailer - not hours.