Questions about buying a 1st boat.

[Lake4Life]

Hey

I'm interested in purchasing my first boat and have a handful of questions. The boat would primarily be used at lake settings for cruising, skiing/tubing. I'd like to buy a 1995 or newer bowrider.

Is there a manufacturer to stay away from? Is there a pecking order with boats like cars (hyundia < chevrolet < bmw < lamborghini)

Would you recommend starting with a 17-18 ft boat over a 20-21 ft boat, or doesn't it really matter?

What about engine size, if i get a boat with a 3.0 merc (135 HP) will I regret not buying a boat with a bigger motor from the start?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

Hey

I'm interested in purchasing my first boat and have a handful of questions. The boat would primarily be used at lake settings for cruising, skiing/tubing. I'd like to buy a 1995 or newer bowrider.

Is there a manufacturer to stay away from? Is there a pecking order with boats like cars (hyundia < chevrolet < bmw < lamborghini)

Would you recommend starting with a 17-18 ft boat over a 20-21 ft boat, or doesn't it really matter?

What about engine size, if i get a boat with a 3.0 merc (135 HP) will I regret not buying a boat with a bigger motor from the start?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to iBoats . . .

There are some 'better' and some 'not as good' manufacturers, along with many, many 'average' manufacturers. Everybody has their own pecking order, usually with the brand of boat that they own at or near the top of the list. So, there is really no definitive list. 1995 - 2000 was a period where boat design and manufacturing was transitioning into the 'modern' era, shall we say. 2-piece construction, full cockpit liners, etc. So, be aware as you look at boats, which ones are of the new methods and which are of the old methods.

Bigger is better with boat engines. Take a V6 or small V8 over a 4 cylinder.

Boats 'shrink' when you put them in the water. So, an 18' boat that might look pretty good sized on land will seem small once you put it in the water and add people. So, go bigger than what you may be thinking. It will add longevity to your ownership and enjoyment of the boat.

Did you know that most fiberglass boats are made of wood? The age of boat that you are looking at will be the age where the wood will be rotting or rotted, if the boat was not well cared for, etc.

Use NADA and BUCvalue for pricing guides.

Let us know how it goes. you will probably get tons and tons of advice.

 

[Insteada]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

What is the range of your budget? How many folks do you think you normally would have onboard (kids/adults)? Are you planning on keeping it in a slip or trailering? These might help folks help you. Welcome aboard. This is a great forum.

 

[Lake4Life]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

What is the range of your budget? How many folks do you think you normally would have onboard (kids/adults)? Are you planning on keeping it in a slip or trailering? These might help folks help you. Welcome aboard. This is a great forum.

Originally I was thining around 8k (I'd like to stay under 10k) however I have my eye on a 2000 crownline selling for 12k.
The boat would be docked at a slip for the summer months. Onboard would mostly be adults with the occational kid.

I was told to stay away from bayliner. Is that true? How are maxum and crownlines, do they have good reputations?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

Based on your budget and the resulting age of the boats that you will be considering, the actual condition of the particular boat under consideration will outweigh the brand reputation.

Bayliners have traditionally been economy/starter boats. Crownlines are more mid-range. Cobalts could be considered more high-end.

I would look at:

SeaRay
Chaparral
Crownline
Formula
Cobalt
Ebbtide
Four Winns
Monterey
Regal
Wellcraft

20 - 22 foot bowriders

There are probably a few others, but at least it is a start.

As far as prices and searching . . . keep in mind that most asking prices for boats are wishful and not actually what the boat will sell for. That is where you can reference the pricing guides to get a reality check.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

I would say both maxum and crownlines are mid tear boats. But it trully comes down to how any boat is cared for. The age your looking for should not be rotted away if the owner took care of the boat with regular maintenance.

If you list the add of the boats you are looking at, the crew here will be able to give you very good advise usually on the specific boat. Pics help for sure.

Someone that trailers instead of it sitting in the water can be an advantage along with inside storage. Any boat you purchase should be gone through by a surveyor and certified mechanic before purchase and never buy anything until sea trialed.

There are some that think bayliners are ok, I for one think they have gotten alot better and are fine for river/lake running in the age range your looking at. The older bayliners were simply crap.

If you can, find a boat that is self bailing with no carpet. Alot of river/inshore/lake boats have carpet and alot of comfort features that altimately cause damage. A self bailing boat is far more easy to maintain and is safer as well. Good Luck.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

Is this the Crowny you mentioned???

Used 2000 Crownline Bowriders/lpx 202 Br, Tafton, Pa - 18464 - BoatTrader.com


NADA is about $10K, then figure a little bit for the trailer.

The boat cost about $24K when it was new.

PS. keep in mind that you have a window of buying opportunity for about the next 2 months. Once the weather breaks, people will be coming out of the woodwork looking for that same type/size of boat, in that price range . . with cash, no questions asked. There were a few threads on this forum last Spring with frustrated potential buyers that would have the boats sold right out from under them.

 

[Lake4Life]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

Is this the Crowny you mentioned???

Used 2000 Crownline Bowriders/lpx 202 Br, Tafton, Pa - 18464 - BoatTrader.com

QUOTE]

You got it, nice detective work.

Here is the maxum also in the running:
Used 1996 Maxum 2100sr, Hawley, Pa - 18428 - BoatTrader.com

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

I see most boats on Craigslist are asking over the NADA price. Is NADA prices realistic and will a boat dealer be more likely to sell a boat at NADA retail prices?

 

[aspeck]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

I never have been a fan of Bayliners, but a well kept, garage kept Bayliner is better than any brand that has been used hard and put away dirty. So, although the brand does have something to do with the value of the boat and what you can expect, what is more important is the TLC the previous owner gave her.

I like the smaller, cheaper boats for a first boat, just because they are easier to tow, launch, and maneuver when docking, etc. Just something to think about is the possibility of getting a 17-19 footer (older and cheaper) till you have some more experience and know that you are going to like boating, they jump in with both feet after the 2 footitis hits (and it will hit, no matter how big or small you go with your first boat).

BTW, more power is always better than not enough power. You never have to give it full throttle, but it is nice to know you have more when you need it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

I see most boats on Craigslist are asking over the NADA price. Is NADA prices realistic and will a boat dealer be more likely to sell a boat at NADA retail prices?

There is a lot said about NADA as a price guide for boats, etc. It is really a matter of understanding its use and limitations. NADA is more of a depreciation schedule than it is a market guide. There is BUCValue, which at a nominal cost, will give you some better pricing. It is what marine surveyors use among other tools for establishing fair market value of a used boat.

These price guides try to provide a reference point as to what a buyer should pay for a given boat, not having anything to do with what a seller/dealer will ask for that boat.

Usually the boat in the best condition and the lowest price sells, while the others sit and wait. Just been my experience and observations.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

H
Is there a manufacturer to stay away from? Is there a pecking order with boats like cars (hyundia < chevrolet < bmw < lamborghini)

Best advice to a new boater looking for advice about brands. When you go shopping, take a piece of duct tape and cover the brand up. It makes ZERO difference on a used boat. All boats generally use one of 3 drive trains, so they are often identical among different manufacturers. Next comes how it was maintained. 1 year of abuse will easily outweigh 10 years for babying. I'd rather have a 10 year old bayliner that hasn't spent a night outside and was cared for with pride, vs a top of the line mastercraft that took or two hard years of abuse in a slip. The actual build quality is the last thing to look at, and only if the first two are identical between two different boats.

Also... Off topic, but... I'd rather own a late model hyundia or kia than 90% of the crap chevy puts out... I own a 2009 kia borrego, parents have a 2009 trailblazer. (very, very similar vehicles, both mid size body on frame suv's) One is a tinny rattletrap with cheap interior, poor performance, was built in mexico, and just overall subpar build. The other was built in america, and compares with high end SUV's like BMW. Guess which is which...

 

[briangcc]

Re: Questions about buying a 1st boat.

Since you're in PA, I'd wager a test ride is out of the question right now so a boat survey would be my first recommendation on any potential purchase. He/she will turn up potential gotchas that you may overlook.

Next, take some people along with you and actually all sit in the boat. You'll get a feel immediately if that 17' bowrider you just fell in love with will have enough room for you and your guests without feeling cramped. Walk through the windshield to the bow. I had a 17' boat and that boat was narrow! It's amazing what 2' of length and a lot more beam will get you in comfortability.

As for engine size, I'm from the "bigger is better" camp. I can always throttle back but if I need it the power is there. Hard to do with an underpowered boat.


As you can see in my sig, I've owned a Bayliner. It's not a bad boat, just entry level without a lot of bells/whistles. My current boat is a Four Winns and the next one right now is a toss up between Four Winns and Glastron. My favorite marina sells the latter so I'm leaning that direction currently.


Both my uncles and my cousin have Sylvan boats as they're more into the fishing aspect. But they still take their kids/grandkids tubing/swimming from them without a lot of muss/fuss.