Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

[timallums]

Howdy from San Antonio. I?m a 42yr old professional and my wife and I are going to be buying our first boat in the near future? Lots of questions as a newbie to trailerboating!!

New to this forum and trailer boating, but not new to watersports? My wife and I have been big PWCers for years but now we want a trailer boat? Rated for up to 10 people (knowing realistically the number of comfortably seated people will be less than that)? Looking for probably a bowrider (don?t like most deckboat designs) Want to buy once and buy right. Not interested in a ?starter? boat (as may be appropriate for some), but want the boat that has all of the features one might find out they want at a later point NOW.

Here's some of my questions:

If a boat?s hull is designed well in the first place, from both a geometric/hydrodynamic perspective and good tooling in the molds (good symmetry, no peaks/valleys in finished product), are after-market trim tabs necessary? Or another way to ask this question: Are after-market trim tabs necessary to overcome a boat manufacturer?s deficiencies in hull design and/or quality of their tooling? Do the best boat brands on the market in their respective categories need after-market trim tabs?

In surfing the forums, I find that a certain brand(s) of boat (no need to mention names- I?m not here to bash?let?s keep the discussion at an intellectual level) have multiple owners reporting gel-coat cracking issues in BRAND NEW boats? Is this more of a result of thin, ?flexxy? hulls or some other issue?

Only interested in a V8? I DON'T CARE ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY. My next question surrounds the many options!

Mercruiser vs Volvo Penta?Please don?t let the responses devolve into something similar to the hotrodder?s ?Ford vs Chevy? debates? Looking at the Glastron options on the GLS 215, some of the V8 upgrade options only differ by several hundred? some options differ by $6000.00 for only 40hp additional(from the faint description online) ? What?s the benefit that the online brochure fails to mention of going to the bigger-buck motor options? Why the heck the HUGE $$ difference?!

I?ll probably have more questions soon, but I?ve probably burned up enough bandwidth for now? Thanks in advance for your responses!

Tim Allums <><
San Antonio, TX

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

It seems trim tabs are more a power issue(or lack there of) then a hull issue. Large hulls tend to need ALOT of power to get them on plane quickly, if the power isn't quite there trim tabs are a great way to help out what you do have. My brother has a Larson 230 lxi which is a very nice boat well thought out interior layout and is rated for 11 passengers. It will hold 11 quite comfortably and yet still has the grunt to move out of the hole well. It is equipped with the merc 350 mpi and a bravo 3(duoprop) outdrive. So far it has been a very nice setup and works well for him, its a 2003 no real probs so far. Both merc and volvo are nice units pros and cons to each, some may come down to mechanic avaliability in your area. If no one(that is good with volvo stuff) is close to you then you may want to look merc, or vise versa. Fuel injected is a nice feature to have, my Crownline doesn't its a few years older. But boats have been carbed for MANY years with great success so your choice there. Depending on how its layed out I'm not sure a 215 would be enough for 10 people as you mentioned. My crownline is a 20 and rated for 8, yes it will seat 8 but with 8 and some gear onboard it gets tight. Which boats have you heard that have gelcoat problems?

 

[timallums]

Re: Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

No bashing intended, but since you asked, Tahoe is the brand that we were first interested in until I started doing my research- I've read thread upon thread upon thread on this forum in regards to Tahoe owners posting about their dissatisfaction with gelcoat cracking...

I'm not "dead set" on any particular brand (yet), but the Glastron GLS215 is so far one of the top contenders (from internet research) and the website for Glastron does say "up to 10 passengers"... Haven't sat in one in real life yet, so I don't know...

Our "benchmark" so far (but ONLY in regards to layout) is the Tahoe Q8i... we really liked the seating arrangements and space... My wife and I have been "talking" about a boat since we've been dating (years ago!!) but last week is the first time we've ever sat in a boat with our "shopping hats" on, and the Q8i is about the right size and layout... We sat in several Tahoes at BPS on Labor Day (Tahoe was the first brand we looked at, mainly because Bass Pro Shop was the only boat place open on Labor Day), and that's when we decided it's time to just go ahead and quit dreaming and buy something...

We are very much open to all suggestions in regards to boat brands and we are looking at no more than about $36k (hopefully) for the total package with trailer...

 

[salty87]

Re: Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

Here's some of my questions:

If a boat?s hull is designed well in the first place, from both a geometric/hydrodynamic perspective and good tooling in the molds (good symmetry, no peaks/valleys in finished product), are after-market trim tabs necessary? Or another way to ask this question: Are after-market trim tabs necessary to overcome a boat manufacturer?s deficiencies in hull design and/or quality of their tooling? Do the best boat brands on the market in their respective categories need after-market trim tabs?

with the right budget, a hull designed specifically for the power plant, you wouldn't need em (as much). boats are built on budgets though, the hull doesn't change when you go from v6 to v8. boats are a set of compromises that you can live with because a boat cannot be all things to all people. pick what's most important and satisfy those needs.

get out and look at more boats, as many as you can. take rides, get behind the wheel. if you're looking at new boats, make them earn their commission...you're paying it.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

If you get set on that Glastron and depending on your location, there was a dealer last week on ebay selling brand new closeout models for really nice prices. There is a 205 on there right now that has 10 hours on it and in the mid-twenties.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

A good set of tabs will improve every boat.

It doesn't matter how they are designed and built the very best still could use tabs and all the best builders offer them.

Both motors are real good I'd buy either if they are in good shape.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

The new manufacturers I've seen on here with reported problems in new boats are Larson, Glastron, and Tahoe. From what I've seen I wouldn't buy any boat they sell at BassPro, both because of the quality of the boats and the level of service from BP. This is just my opinion based on anecdotal evidence as reported during my years on this forum.

It seems like some sort of tabs improve just about any boat. iboats member QC is a big proponent of helm adjustable tabs and on a larger hull like you're considering I think he could make a pretty good case for them for you.

I understand and agree with your assessment of a lot of the deck boats. I think many of them are a little odd looking. That being said, in my opinion many of the Hurricane decks are AWESOME looking, have great layouts, would be perfect for your desired passenger load, and their owners LOVE them.

I think if you're going new, go for fuel injection. I can't think of a more worthwhile upgrade.

Volvo vs. Merc. Seems like both are making an excellent product. Volvos are reported to be a little more bullet proof but have a little bit more expensive parts and service. As was mentioned, if you have a Merc dealer around the corner, I'd put my vote for the Merc.

Good luck.

 

[timallums]

Re: Newb Qs- Gelcoat/Trimtabs/Motor Options

Thanks for all of the replys from everybody so far... I will have to look at the Hurricane deck boats... A deck boat could certainly fill the bill in terms of what I'm looking for... I just have to find something that the wife and I like not only the looks of, but also the features and power.

I said earlier that I didn't care about fuel economy... More precisely what I mean is I don't care about fuel economy such that I would choose a 6cyl over a V8... There's so much more for me to learn...

After what I've read in just a scant few days, I will definitely NOT buy a Tahoe from Bass Pro or any other dealer...

Wifey has been lurking around the iboats forum the past 2 days and just saw my earlier post about limiting price to $36k... She said I need to revise that figure to around $45k if looking at new... I'm still kinda stunned that she's the one pushing the budget allowance upwards as opposed to the opposite direction... I've got the best wife in the world!!