Looking to buy a fish/ski boat for around $25,000 new - Suggestions?

[gwhitaker]

We are looking to upgrade our very small jet boat to a inboard 18ft Fish and Ski boat. So far I have researched the Tahoe 400 TF, Bayliner 185 Bowrider, and the Chaparral H2O Ski and Fish. They all seem fairly comparable but I was looking for someone's opinion who owns one of these boats since every salesman keeps telling me how their boat is better. Also any other recommended brands in this category and reviews would be appreciated. Thanks so much,

Gary W.

 

[smokeonthewater]

My only suggestion is if you want to spend 25k, look for one that was $45,000 new and buy it a couple years old.....
You'll get a lot more for your money and lose less on depreciation.

 

[agallant80]

Tahoe and Bayliner you get what you pay for. I own a bayliner and you can clearly see where they cut corners. Stingray would be in your price range and have a few hybrid models that cross the ski/fishing line.

 

[jkust]

Chaparral isn't exactly known for their ski and fish boats whereas Tahoe comes from a fishing heritage. As for new versus used, a used boat a couple years old with less than 20 hours on it that someone bought but realized they can't use is a far better purchase assuming they aren't underwater on it. You will be comparing far nicer models than the entry level models you mention above. I have a Chaparral bowrider and it sits so far out of the water, I am the only one who can even reach the water to even rinse my hands off and I can barely reach it. With kids, it is the most impractical boat to fish out of and so we don't really even fish. I would consider a nice fishing aluminum boat with a large outboard again nearly new for your money and not doing the combo. Just about every brand that still makes small fiberglass bowriders offers some sort of Ski and Fish boat from Four Winns down to Glastron if you are set on a glass boat. I don't know about your state but here in the second highest taxed state in the country, used boats from private parties are not taxed meaning in my egregious state doesn't tax them, maybe yours also doesn't. Dealers have to tax their used boats however brokers and private parties do not.

 

[TexMonty]

What Smokeonthewater says. You will be able to find something with very low hours. Whether you spend the whole $25 K and get a whole lot more boat than you were looking for, or spend a fraction and get exactly what you want you will be money ahead. As long as it was maintained properly your good

 

[gwhitaker]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm somewhat concerned about buying a used boat simply because the boat I bought a year ago needed $2500 worth of work. But I have heard I should take it to a mechanic to check it out from top to bottom.

 

[jkust]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm somewhat concerned about buying a used boat simply because the boat I bought a year ago needed $2500 worth of work. But I have heard I should take it to a mechanic to check it out from top to bottom.

I'm talking like a 2012 with 20 hours on it that just got it's break in service completed...possibly a bit older if it falls into the barely used but correctly stored category.
Regardless, you just have to be ready and wiling to spend money even if you get a marine survey and of course a water test on a nearly new boat that is in perfect condition because stuff just breaks sometimes. The best you can do is do your diligence and know that it isn't a matter of if something breaks but when as is the case with any machine. I bought my current boat under this scenario with just over 20 hours on it from a guy who didn't have time to use it with the kid's sports and my most recent purchase was an 18 month old 4 wheeler with 30 miles on it plus as mentioned no tax on either of those purchases as they were both private party and bough at gigantic discounts to what the people who I bought them from paid. I'm shopping for a PWC or two right now and using the same strategy though there aren't nearly as many of those locally for sale.

 

[thumpar]

I agree with going used. The first 2 years are when the value goes down the most. Find something that was garaged and the owner hardly took it out. A lot of people like the idea of a boat but after spending all the money realize they don't use it at all.

 

[7lazy77]

My buddy has a 2013 Chaparral H2O Fish & Ski......& loves it! He does just as much fishing out of it than he does wakeboarding.

 

[WIMUSKY]

My only suggestion is if you want to spend 25k, look for one that was $45,000 new and buy it a couple years old.....
You'll get a lot more for your money and lose less on depreciation.

That's great advise. You'll get a lot more bang for your buck. And if you're patient, you'll get a boat that still should be almost like new. Shop around and wait for the right deal..........

 

[TexMonty]

Don't afraid of buying used anything (well almost). If you do your homework, take your time and do the proper testing/inspection you will likely be a happy camper with money in your pocket to take care of any issues that come up.

 

[jkust]

My buddy has a 2013 Chaparral H2O Fish & Ski......& loves it! He does just as much fishing out of it than he does wakeboarding.

The H2O series was well received when it came out as an alternative to the higher echelon/more expensive SSi line of Chaparral boats when companies were looking for sales in a down economy. Chaparral's economy boat being the H20 series is as nice as the more premium line of some other brands in many ways because they generally just make a good product. The thing is though everyone raves about their boat and their stuff...it's human nature and needs to be on a continuum of practicality say as compared to a species boat that is far more fish than ski.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Soooo you buy a used boat and save $20,000 and find out it needs $2,500 worth of work..... You get the work done and go boating only having saved $17,500....

Or you buy a new one for $25,000 and by the time you finish your first weekend on the water you have already lost $5,000 in value off of a lesser boat.

 

[7lazy77]

The H2O series was well received when it came out as an alternative to the higher echelon/more expensive SSi line of Chaparral boats when companies were looking for sales in a down economy. Chaparral's economy boat being the H20 series is as nice as the more premium line of some other brands in many ways because they generally just make a good product. The thing is though everyone raves about their boat and their stuff...it's human nature and needs to be on a continuum of practicality say as compared to a species boat that is far more fish than ski.

I totally agree with the Chaparral quality.....so much that I alsohave a 2004 Sunesta 236! It's not the fish & ski model, but that is why I also have a Crestliner SportFish.