New member - purchase input appreciated

[mippel]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

ichristian,
We were in the same, well, situation as you. The garage is 19'6" and for security reasons, I didn't want a boat sitting outside. We did find a boat that is listed as 18'3" for length. Not sure what total length is, but i need to turn the leg to one side, then back the boat in at an angle to get it to fit. The down side is that if there is a storm coming, the Admiral wants me to move the boat and put her car inside. But it is worth it to keep the boat safe and clean in between uses.

Good luck with the hunt.

 

[buildmark]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

ichristian, you just missed a boat show this past weekend at the lake county fairgrounds in Grayslake. I would keep an eye out for other shows popping up and go to them. You can usually work a great price on a new one.

 

[jkust]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

ichristian,
The garage is 19'6" and for security reasons, I didn't want a boat sitting outside.

Security Reasons...Shorview is one of the nicest Eastern Suburbs around.

 

[jkust]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

I vote for this one, and it saves you $9,000.
http://madison.craigslist.org/boa/2872194568.html
And its a Crownline !

.

That is really a nice Crownline and the price seems low. Only issue with the turn of the century Crownlines is their inexplicable lack of snap in carpeting. To me it's like a Corvette with cloth interior...makes no sense.

 

[mippel]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Security Reasons...Shorview is one of the nicest Eastern Suburbs around.

All it takes is one teenager messing with it. :facepalm:

But i feel safer with it inside, also it gives me a chance to work on it or clean it after the daughter goes to bed. Also the neighbors cant see me having a beverage in it pretending to be on a lake.

 

[rt_hawley]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Welcome to boating brother. If youve been searching for 10 years you probably have a good idea of what yo u want. Ive only owned 3 boats but i started cheap so i could learn boating and tinker around first before i put my wife and 3i kids on it. Once i became comfortable we upgraded. Have you condsidered a pontoon? You can get great ones 18'. Feet or less and can pull a tube.

Agreed 100%. I'm biased as hell because I have a pontoon boat, but for the money, you're not going to find something with more room on it for comfort of passengers and the number of people you can put on it. A decent 18ft pontoon will pull you along fine for tubing with an engine as small as a 50hp. I can only imagine how restless 3 little kids would get on a boat where they're cramped. Just my two cents worth and I readily admit to being biased. Bottom line, obviously, is that you'll get a boat that YOU'RE happy with that falls within a budget you're comfortable with. I was very lucky as far as storage is concerned. I don't have a place to leave the boat on the water this summer, but I found a secure storage compound that gives me 24hr access for a measley $10 a month! A dealership close to my house will winterize, shrink wrap and store the boat over the winter for around $300 plus tax...again, a win win situation. Good luck in your search!

 

[Shabah 182]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Just my opinion, but Tahoe boats look and feel very cheap to me. They are about as basic as boats come and have few extras. Just a hull with stickers on the side and cheap seats. Personally, I would look for a young used bow rider like a Sea Ray, Four Winns or Chaparral. And the 4.3.... not the 4 banger.

 

[Leaf1384]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

I am the guy with the 19 ft (just purchasd) and a 22 ft deep garage. 250.00 for the Fulton break away tongue (130.00 part,120.00 labor). I am so glad I didnt turn down this boat and opt for a smaller one. Keep in mind that if you are looking at a larger boat they more often then not will have tandem axles and are not very "maneurverible" to cant in a garage.

 

[QC]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

I used to believe that ^^^^^^^ but had a 20 footer with a tandem axle trailer, and it was easier than you might think. I was pleasantly surprised after having a single, and believing I would not be able to steer a tandem by hand. Not totally disagreeing with you, but again, I was surprised.

 

[Leaf1384]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Interesting, I guess I was just "assuming" sorry.

I used to believe that ^^^^^^^ but had a 20 footer with a tandem axle trailer, and it was easier than you might think. I was pleasantly surprised after having a single, and believing I would not be able to steer a tandem by hand. Not totally disagreeing with you, but again, I was surprised.

 

[ichristian]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Well,

I found two marinas on the way home from work that do a valet service which seems like it is way nicer than storage. They keep you boat on the trailer indoors, and keep the battery charged. 24x7 call ahead access to go and use the boat. They bring it out, and you just hook up and go. When done, you just drive into the gated facility again, 24x7, and they put it back inside.

I found a 1996 21' Mariah 214 for 13K locally that appears to be in great shape. Anyone have any input on that boat?

 

[QC]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

How bigga lake? Those "deck" style boats are great in smooth water, but I'd be concerned about anything too rough. Also looks like an Alpha drive, what power package? Minimum of a 250 bhp rating for that thing to be much fun. Looks pretty heavy. Molded fiberglass deck (floor)? Or carpet over wood? Take a look in the Restoration section if you're not familiar with what a "soft floor" is.

Not bagging on her at all. Those are just the areas I'd want to understand more. Good luck

 

[jkust]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Not a big fan of those earlier deck boats but that one looks pretty robust. I can see right off the bat some of the cut corners but at 13k, not sure it matters. It looks to be a 215 Talari not a 214 that comes in right around 3400lbs dry with a 210hp base hp engine. That's a heavy boat and I'd agree a minimum of 250hp to get mid 40's out of it. Your going to need a nice suv or truck to tow that as well if say it is 4600lbs+ on the trailer, wet. Back when they made Mariah's, I kind of liked a few of their style cues.

 

[ichristian]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Thanks. Yeah just kicking the tire on that one. I believe 5.7 / Alpha. Tow vehicle is rated to 6500 lb's I'd like to stay under 5000 lb's. Anybody do a "valet" type service where they keep it indoors, and you call to pick it up?

Thanks again,

 

[ichristian]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Hmmmm my research is leading me to a "no" in the Mariah column. Done in 2001? Hard to get replacement parts. Probably best to keep looking. Oh well, looking is half the fun...

 

[QC]

Re: New member - purchase input appreciated

Don't worry about parts. That is not typically a manufacturer issue at all. They use the same stuff between them all. Only issue might be a windshield or a bow rail . . . $13K seems pretty high to me.