In search for a 17 ft deck boat

[Scott Danforth]

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?

i grew up on the inland lakes of Wisconsin as well as the shores of lake Michigan between Port Washington to Marinette, including the bay of green bay.

Please specify which "Fox" lake you are talking about? the one in northern illinois, or the 7 in Wisconsin (including the one in Dodge County). that is almost as bad as saying "Mud Lake" in wisconsin (there is almost a mud lake in every county)

as for classes, the coast guard boating classes are a start, however find a member of the grey-beard association that lived and boated in your area. they can tell you much about weather patterns and which shorelines are worst for going from calm to rollers

 

[funtime0007]

i grew up on the inland lakes of Wisconsin as well as the shores of lake Michigan between Port Washington to Marinette, including the bay of green bay.

Please specify which "Fox" lake you are talking about? the one in northern illinois, or the 7 in Wisconsin (including the one in Dodge County). that is almost as bad as saying "Mud Lake" in wisconsin (there is almost a mud lake in every county)

as for classes, the coast guard boating classes are a start, however find a member of the grey-beard association that lived and boated in your area. they can tell you much about weather patterns and which shorelines are worst for going from calm to rollers

I live in barrington, So the closest lakes for me would be shown below.

I am basically interested in exploring all possible lakes where boating is allowed.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Winnebago also goes from flat to choppy quickly. Being shallow, the waves are close together. You can also run the Fox

 

[funtime0007]

So I decided on this boat

SDX 250 OUTBOARD there is not single used one available anywhere in US ​

new $73K!!!

Any suggestions?

 

[ahicks]

The only suggestions I would have would be to put your patience hat on, find a different boat, or go with something used....

 

[briangcc]

In all honesty, probably about a year late on a boat decision. Not trying to be nasty but when Covid hit, about the only activity people could come up with was to hitch a boat up and hit the water. So used stock is depleted. New stock....you should have ordered about 2 months ago give or take.

At this point either patience for something used to pop up OR order something and wait patiently for it to arrive....in all likelihood next year. Look at the manufacturer sites - they're all pretty much saying the same thing that stock is extremely limited this year.

 

[funtime0007]

In all honesty, probably about a year late on a boat decision. Not trying to be nasty but when Covid hit, about the only activity people could come up with was to hitch a boat up and hit the water. So used stock is depleted. New stock....you should have ordered about 2 months ago give or take.

At this point either patience for something used to pop up OR order something and wait patiently for it to arrive....in all likelihood next year. Look at the manufacturer sites - they're all pretty much saying the same thing that stock is extremely limited this year.

I will find one. Money to spend so its always easy to find one. I am going with Sea Ray SPX 210. In the mean time, I just rent

 

[funtime0007]

I am waiting on my dream boat to arrive late this year so looking to buy this boat just for the time being.

2001 Bayliner CAPRI 2150

Any known issues? any other things to consider or look out for?

Thanks for your advice and help.

 

[dingbat]

Any known issues? any other things to consider or look out for?

Got an hour or two......lol
Entry level when new. Time is not on your side

 

[briangcc]

It's 20 years old so it's going to come down to condition....how it was taken care of....maintenance...etc.

IF you ask around here, boats have a 10-15yr lifespan...you may be on borrowed time or looking at a project. And that's for any boat that vintage, not specific to Bayliner.

 

[southkogs]

I have the 19' version of that boat (assuming it's the classic). I wound up getting mine from family; would probably never have bought it on my own. However, for me it's been a very good boat. Fit and finish on some of the rigging is cheap, you can tell. But overall it runs well and handles what I throw at it. Even with just the four banger in it, the boat does fine for speed and power.

Condition is key. Mine was/is in very good shape. If this one is in good shape, there's no reason it can't be a good boat.

 

[poconojoe]

Without my swing away tongue, my 185 (18+) foot bow rider would not fit in my garage.
With the tongue folded, there's literally 1/2" clearance at the garage door.
If need be, I could have parked it diagonally since it's a two car garage. But then I wouldn't be able to fit my Silverado next to it.

 

[poconojoe]

I am waiting on my dream boat to arrive late this year so looking to buy this boat just for the time being.

2001 Bayliner CAPRI 2150

Any known issues? any other things to consider or look out for?

Thanks for your advice and help.

I will echo what has been said...
Bayliners may not be anywhere close to being top of the line, but if it was well taken care of, it could be a nice boat that will last you years.

You could find a top brand that sat out in the rain with no cover and is completely trashed. I see it all the time. Boats sitting with no cover. Why would you not protect your investment with a simple cover or even a cheap tarp?

Bayliners had a bad reputation back in the 80's and 90's, but later improved.

Mine is a 2003 Bayliner 185 bow rider with a 4.3 V6, I/O. I'm the third owner. This boat was well taken care of and I keep it in my garage during the off season. It's been very reliable and I've only had to do routine repairs. Mostly related to the fact that it's an I/O.

My next boat will be an outboard. Less maintanance and less chance for water intrusion...period.

 

[eagleguy]

Just bought a new 2021 172sc with a 90 hp here in FL. Got it a tad over 41 mph with 3 full size large adults, full gear and a full tank of gas. Just about what the specs said. Wish there were ANY around that could have been had for less than what I paid. Unless I was willing to travel, shipping was costly and most dealers were taking orders on 2022 with an 11% price increase. Nice handling boat!

 

[jbcurt00]

Stay on topic fellas, olds car or not, not related to boating or relevant to funtime0007s topic.

Several posts were deleted

 

[Dgt9601]

Just bought a new 2021 172sc with a 90 hp here in FL. Got it a tad over 41 mph with 3 full size large adults, full gear and a full tank of gas. Just about what the specs said. Wish there were ANY around that could have been had for less than what I paid. Unless I was willing to travel, shipping was costly and most dealers were taking orders on 2022 with an 11% price increase. Nice handling boat!

Congratulations. I think you’ll really enjoy it no matter the cost. It has plenty of seating Space and storage and I prefer the higher sides. I had always heard how Stingray boats don’t do well in chop, but my 172 cuts right through it. I’m pleasantly surprised with the handling as well.