New to boating world question on a 2000 Crownline

[Deltascout19]

Good Morning all,

I am new to the boating world and have started to do my research on what all goes into owning a boat. I have a pretty good base so far but was hoping for some insight from the people who have knowledge.

My wife and I are starting the process of looking at boats and I found and really liked a 2000 Crownline 205 CCR that has a 305 v8 mercruiser with alpha one stern drive. It claims to have 260 hrs on it. It also comes with a 24' load master dual axel aluminum trailer. The boat appears to be in fantastic shape. The gentleman is asking $15,500.

My questions are

1. What's the biggest issues seen with this motor/boat?
2. Looking for any pros/cons with this boat
3. Wondering about the price, seems high to me.
4. Any general insight or information on this boat.

Thanks so much for your time. I greatly appreciate any help and knowledge.

Ben

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

at the top of the forum you posted in is a sticky. I suggest you read it. http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist

to answer your question

1. what is its condition. how was it maintained.
2. if it was garage kept, meticulously maintained, washed after every use and reciepts to prove it - Pro. if the boat was kept outside, signs of neglect and lack of maintenance - con
3. price is subjective and based on condition, time of year (your now in season) and geographic location. a boat in the midwest will be lower than a boat on either coast. if the boat is well maintained and was garage kept, the price is reasonable.
4. condition, condition, condition. we cant see the boat your looking at.

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome:

I have considered Crownline's to be a poor man's Cobalt

As to your questions . . .


1. What's the biggest issues seen with this motor/boat?
It's a boat . . . they all have their issues, but you really cannot make generalizations. Engine is decent, but it all depends on how it has been treated over the past 17 years.

2. Looking for any pros/cons with this boat
​It is 17 years old. I believe the structure on the Cronwies of that era is wood with glass encapsulation. So you want to take a good look at the structure, same as you would any boat of that age.

3. Wondering about the price, seems high to me.
Low-ball the seller, they like that . . . You can check some reference sites . . . NADA, BUCvalue.com, etc Also see what same/similar boats are asking in your area.

4. Any general insight or information on this boat.
​It is a boat . . . and is 17 years old, the condition of this particular boat is the most important thing.

 

[jkust]

I'll ignore condition as the others have covered it. The engine package and outdrive are what I believe to be the base models as those came with a 5.7 liter EFI and a bravo 3 drive...both of those would have been expensive options. That boat I believe also has glued down carpet which quickly disappeared on Crownlines in favor for the superior fiberglass floor with removable snap in carpet. Even if the condition is superior, the things mentioned above would make me continue shopping as the price doesn't match the boat.

 

[thumpar]

I am a Crownline owner and fan. The price seems a tad high for the year even in fantastic condition. The motor/drive combo is not ideal. Even my 1996 has a 5.7l EFI and Bravo drive. If you can get the price down at least a couple k you might be in the ball park. Keep in mind the prices are going to fall big time as the days go by in August with the end of the season coming.

 

[youmansjason]

This is a big generalization, but Crownline boats are generally high quality, well built boats. However, having said that, after 17 years a lot can happen to even the highest quality boat. It all comes down to how well the previous owners maintained it.

260 hours is very low hours for a 17 year old boat. That could be a good thing, or it could be a bad thing. Did the previous owner just leave it sitting in the yard exposed to the elements for many years, or was it meticulously maintained and stored in a nice covered storage when not in use?

As for the price, it does seem a little high for a year 2000 boat. But, again, it's heavily dependent upon the condition of the boat.

One of the previous posts made a good point about the glued in carpet. Since it is a year 2000, it's likely to have glued in carpet. For the price they are asking, you may be able to find a newer boat of a different manufacturer that has the nicer fiberglass floor and snap-in carpet. Definitely much easier to clean and maintain.

 

[jkust]

I'll just mention as well that the superior MPI fuel injection system replaced the TBI fuel injection system for engine model year 2002 on small block v8 engines which means that some 2001's will have the MPI system. HP was increased on these MPI systems among the improvements. The good news is that the 5.7 liter then only came in MPI and not carbeurated or MPI as the 5.0 did for many years. If I was in your shoes, I would be searching for a 2002 or newer because the 'state of the art' changed right about that time in several ways with these lake boats. One of my basic requirements for a boat would be MPI and fiberglass floor/no glued down carpet and then figure it out from there. I say that because this many years along all of this stuff is very plentiful.

 

[thumpar]

I'll just mention as well that the superior MPI fuel injection system replaced the TBI fuel injection system for engine model year 2002 on small block v8 engines which means that some 2001's will have the MPI system. HP was increased on these MPI systems among the improvements. The good news is that the 5.7 liter then only came in MPI and not carbeurated or MPI as the 5.0 did for many years. If I was in your shoes, I would be searching for a 2002 or newer because the 'state of the art' changed right about that time in several ways with these lake boats. One of my basic requirements for a boat would be MPI and fiberglass floor/no glued down carpet and then figure it out from there. I say that because this many years along all of this stuff is very plentiful.

They made the 5.7l TKS after 2001. TKS is a carb.

 

[jkust]

They made the 5.7l TKS after 2001. TKS is a carb.

Going to need a link on that...5.7 liter was only MPI once MPI came out and not produced with a carb or carb TKS though I see the TKS carbs that you can add on to older 5.7's....5.0 from 2002 forward was carb then carb TKS while being produces as MPI from engine model year 2002 forward. The great thing about any boat produced from 02 forward or 01 with an 02 engine was that all the 5.7's were MPI so you didn't have this whole carb vs MPI upcharge....it was only MPI.
If that's not the case....where were the 2002 and forward 5.7 liter carbed engines and what was their HP?

 

[Blind Date]

I'll just mention as well that the superior MPI fuel injection system replaced the TBI fuel injection system for engine model year 2002 on

With the TBI fuel injection system you still have turn key starting first time, everytime and immediate throttle response. I've owned my '97 SeaRay for 14 years, & have never touched the TBI system. It's never performed anything less than flawless. The MPI is a more sophisticated system that offers better fuel metering and a little more HP, which is hardly noticeable in a boat. From the drivers seat you can't tell one from the other.

MPI over TBI wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

 

[thumpar]

I saw takin a 2003 bay line with5.7. Probably a leftover but they are out there. Just like vortec doesn't have a finite line for years. Efi is nice for turn key and easy. I would rather mpi but just for power reasons.

 

[jkust]

I saw takin a 2003 bay line with5.7. Probably a leftover but they are out there. Just like vortec doesn't have a finite line for years. Efi is nice for turn key and easy. I would rather mpi but just for power reasons.

Right...they weren't in production. Given Baylier owns mercruiser, makes me wonder why a new 2003 would be outfitted with a several year old Mercruiser engine if you are saying it was a carbed 5.7 versus a TBI 5.7. I could almost, possibly, maybe see a tbi in a 2003 but I don't think I've seen a tbi later than a 2002.

The 350 MPI is what...40 more than the TBI? MPI's additional sophistication allows for the old Smartcraft as well.

 

[tpenfield]

Right...they weren't in production. Given Bayliner owns mercruiser, makes me wonder why a new 2003 would be outfitted with a several year old Mercruiser engine if you are saying it was a carbed 5.7 versus a TBI 5.7. I could almost, possibly, maybe see a tbi in a 2003 but I don't think I've seen a tbi later than a 2002.

The 350 MPI is what...40 more than the TBI? MPI's additional sophistication allows for the old Smartcraft as well.

Gee I thought Brunswick Company owned Mercruiser/Mercury AND Bayliner . . . .

 

[QBhoy]

I'll just mention as well that the superior MPI fuel injection system replaced the TBI fuel injection system for engine model year 2002 on small block v8 engines which means that some 2001's will have the MPI system. HP was increased on these MPI systems among the improvements. The good news is that the 5.7 liter then only came in MPI and not carbeurated or MPI as the 5.0 did for many years. If I was in your shoes, I would be searching for a 2002 or newer because the 'state of the art' changed right about that time in several ways with these lake boats. One of my basic requirements for a boat would be MPI and fiberglass floor/no glued down carpet and then figure it out from there. I say that because this many years along all of this stuff is very plentiful.

Think you might be off on this one Kjust. Do you mean efi and not mpi. There is a difference. As far as I know, generally Mpi weren't widely offered until 2003, but there are a few 2002 ? Efi were around for a while before that.
Maybe it's was different across the pond.

 

[QBhoy]

With the TBI fuel injection system you still have turn key starting first time, everytime and immediate throttle response. I've owned my '97 SeaRay for 14 years, & have never touched the TBI system. It's never performed anything less than flawless. The MPI is a more sophisticated system that offers better fuel metering and a little more HP, which is hardly noticeable in a boat. From the drivers seat you can't tell one from the other.

MPI over TBI wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Unless you are looking at the speedo and fuel gauge. Haha.

 

[jkust]

Think you might be off on this one Kjust. Do you mean efi and not mpi. There is a difference. As far as I know, generally Mpi weren't widely offered until 2003, but there are a few 2002 ? Efi were around for a while before that.
Maybe it's was different across the pond.

TBI was offered for several years before MPI. MPI on small block V8 and V6 came out for engine model year 2002 so it could be in an 01 technically and also I've seen the TBI leftovers in 02's. The big blocks had MPI for several years prior to 2002 so you can get a 90's boat and it can have a 7.4 MPI for example while the same year small blocks could be carb or tbi. The MPI for 2002 was widely used on larger boats but while available on the under 20 foot class, it was just very expensive option. For example, chaparral 20 plus foot bow riders in 2002 will always have an MPI engine but the 19 foot on down rarely got ordered with it as the base power was always a carbed v6 or carbed 5.0. The choice then on that 20 plus foot chaparral then was a 5..0 MPI or 5.7 mpi and no option for carbs or at least I've never heard that being an option because that would be lower than the base 5.0 mpi.many times then people chose the least expensive engine which was a 5.0 mpi and alpha 1. I don't know how they did it across the pond. I have lots of colleagues I work with at Lloyds of london and am there several times per year but they view our use of power sports as a very expensive hobby that is out of their reach as well off as these guys are. They are in wonder at our lifestyle because we live so fantastically much better than them when it comes to this stuff as well as property ownership meaning how many properties we own but are still middle class.

 

[QBhoy]

TBI was offered for several years before MPI. MPI on small block V8 and V6 came out for engine model year 2002 so it could be in an 01 technically and also I've seen the TBI leftovers in 02's. The big blocks had MPI for several years prior to 2002 so you can get a 90's boat and it can have a 7.4 MPI for example while the same year small blocks could be carb or tbi. The MPI for 2002 was widely used on larger boats but while available on the under 20 foot class, it was just very expensive option. For example, chaparral 20 plus foot bow riders in 2002 will always have an MPI engine but the 19 foot on down rarely got ordered with it as the base power was always a carbed v6 or carbed 5.0. The choice then on that 20 plus foot chaparral then was a 5..0 MPI or 5.7 mpi and no option for carbs or at least I've never heard that being an option because that would be lower than the base 5.0 mpi.many times then people chose the least expensive engine which was a 5.0 mpi and alpha 1. I don't know how they did it across the pond. I have lots of colleagues I work with at Lloyds of london and am there several times per year but they view our use of power sports as a very expensive hobby that is out of their reach as well off as these guys are. They are in wonder at our lifestyle because we live so fantastically much better than them when it comes to this stuff as well as property ownership meaning how many properties we own but are still middle class.

Great info there Kjust. Thanks for that.
I'm am also in awe of the US lifestyle and totally jellous at heart. I love all things petrol, but the fuel costs we are strangled by over here put a real stopper on that.
I'm torn between two worlds.
I make a living from being an O&M manager in the wind turbine industry.....but counter the "eco warrior" image by having a stonking big North American V8 engine ! I am forced to run a silly wee RR evoque diesel and a BMW 530 diesel....but let there be no doubt....I be running a hemi truck over there ! Haha.

 

[Nathanvg]

Fyi, the 350 mag (5.7) had mpi in 2000, i own one. I think it was available in the 90s too

 

[jkust]

Fyi, the 350 mag (5.7) had mpi in 2000, i own one. I think it was available in the 90s too

Would have to be repowered as the MPI was a 2002 model year roll for small block v8's and v6's out meaning it could have been in an 01 boat with an 02 engine or I suppose technically someone had an engineless new hull and powered it with an MPI a couple years later assuming the boat was a leftover which isn't out of the range of possibilities. The 350 Mag was TBI in engine model year 2000. Again, MPI was around on big block v8's earlier than 02 but not small block V8's as they were still using the TBI system. It just takes a second on google to see the serial numbers and associated years that got MPI.

 

[thumpar]

The TBI was labeled EFI. The earlier mags were carb with better intake and later mpi.