Too many tough choices

[thedawk]

Hello all. I am new to this forum as we are looking for a new (used actually) bowrider power boat. I have read through countless threads here and gathered quite a bit of great information. I am one to hash something to death when researching what to buy, and this case is no different.
Anyway, my wife and I have been to one local boat show wich was OK, but it was mostly just the local dealers from here in town. We have a big show coming up in April, but that seems so far away. Also, Since we are pretty sure we are going to buy used, I don't know what good the boat show is for us anyway.
I know it has been asked hundresds of times and I've seen several instances of replies myself, but I am here for opinions and information. I have my choices of boats narrowed down to Sea Ray, Stingray, Ebbtide, Crownline, Glastron, Chaparral, maybe Bryant, and maybe something else that shows up and peaks my interest. Sea Rays seem to be very popular and have a huge following. The used market is also full of them. Stingrays are plentifull as well, but I have done a demo ride in one and thought it was just alright. I have only seen pictures of Crownline, so I'm not sure of those yet, but there seems to be mixed opinions on those.
The boat I am looking for is in the 18 to 19 or 20 foot range with a 4.3. I am looking anywhere up to about 10 years old. That leaves my choices pretty wide open. Sea Rays seem to be plentifull, so right now we are leaning toward one of those. If I could find an Ebbtide or Chap for about the same price I would probably go for one of those before the Sea Ray however.
So, after all of this intro, I guess my question is do you guys have any advice or recommend any of these over the others? Each of the ones I have seen in person seem to have something I like over the others and something I wish it had. Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Too many tough choices

You want the boat that looks like new and has been well taken care of, it doesn't matter who manufactured it.

You want a boat that has been trailed and not slipped, it should also be garage kept. These 2 things mean a lot when buying a used boat... any used boat.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Too many tough choices

Buying a boat is always a series of compromises. No one boat will have everything you want or need. Your choices are narrowed down to 7? You got alot of work to do yet. If you see alot of some boats in the used category it can mean a few things; 1) they sold alot of them new, 2) People realized after they bought that boating wasn't for them 3) People realized they bought the wrong boat. 4) Lots of repos over the last 5 years. Have you considered deck boats?

 

[thedawk]

Re: Too many tough choices

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. airdvr1227, yes 7 (or more) brands that I have it narrowed down to means I don't really have it narrowed down. Like everyone has said so far, I am concerned about condition and previous care and maintenance. I guess I have some preferred brands that I am looking for, but I do know that there are few brands that I do not want. As far as the abundance of Sea Rays in the are, it's funny because it seems there are just as many Stingrays and Bayliners and Tahoes. If I end up finding the right Stingray, I would probably go for it if the deal was right, but it isn't my first choice. However, I definitely have ruled out Bayliner and Tahoe. Thanks again for all the helpful info.

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: Too many tough choices

The trick to buying a boat like that is to do it last month. You may still have a short window to get a great deal before the weather gets warm (80F today over here). Once the weather warms and everyone comes out of the woodwork looking for a boat, it gets tougher to find what you want as supply diminishes.

I found this when I was looking recently, and I was looking for an 18-19' boat, preferably with an outboard but sterndrive is OK, new seems to run about $20-35K, and that's if you get a good deal, the next range was boats made in the mid to late 2000's, the tended to go for $15-18K. The next step down was boats from the late ninety's to early 2000's that tended to go for $8-12K. So how new a boat you get depends on your budget. That doesn't mean a 5 year old boat is better than a 15 year old boat as someone could have trashed the 5 year old boat and the 15 year old boat may have never left the garage.

Don't know how you can tell if a boat has been slipped or stored in a garage because it may have been slipped but then stored in the garage to sell it, or visa versa, may have been garaged, but put in a slip to give people test drives. When I looked, I avoided boats that have been in salt water (an issue in So Cal) and boats that have wood rot which you can usually tell if the floor feels spongy. Brand didn't matter to me. It's like buying a 10 year old car, does it really matter if it's a chevy or a ford, you would likely care more about the condition than brand.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Too many tough choices

Buying a boat is always a series of compromises. No one boat will have everything you want or need. Your choices are narrowed down to 7? You got alot of work to do yet. If you see alot of some boats in the used category it can mean a few things; 1) they sold alot of them new, 2) People realized after they bought that boating wasn't for them 3) People realized they bought the wrong boat. 4) Lots of repos over the last 5 years. Have you considered deck boats?

This is very true. My market will have a lot of i/o bowriders because they are unsatisfactory here; you have to grab a good center console immediately, and many are sold before ever being put on the market.

But you have already decided you want that type of boat.
You don't say where and how you'll use it, so we'll assume you know that kind of boat fits.

You don't say where you are. that is important information because boats like you want, are highly succeptible to damage from age, exposure to water and the outdoors, improper maintenance, improper winterizing, etc. The hot desert boaters will tell you to look fo rone thing; the frozen Minnesota boaters something else.

Looking at a boat show first is the BEST way to buy a used boat. You look at all the style sin one place and see what you want for your needs and conditions. Then you go find a used one that fits. Going the other way seldom works out.

 

[jkust]

Re: Too many tough choices

So many things to think about in this size class and age. Firstly, like a car, I think you can narrow it down pretty quickly from just looks and ammenities as you step onto each boat. You will know which you like and don't pretty quickly. Then the series of considerations and steps can continue. You will quickly figure out who cuts the corners, who looks out for all the details and why some brands are plentiful yet you can't figure out why people bought them and who jazzes up the superficial details. I think that you are looking new enough where brand still does matter.
From the boats you mentioned, 'Sea Ray, Stingray, Ebbtide, Crownline, Glastron, Chaparral, maybe Bryant'
There is a section of time in the 2000's where Sea Rays really dropped the ball and can't believe anybody bought one new but they have picked up the pieces with the 2013's, Stingrays are cheap, light and fast with an everyman feel, Ebbtide is a good solid boat, Crownline I like as they tend to be sporty but lack snapout carpet during a section of the 2000's which i've always thought odd, Glastron imo are midlevel at best but made to look as though they are nicer, Chaparral well I have one and can say they are heavy, a good thing for chop and ride quality, plus they sweat the details that many didn't in the generation I own but require/offered larger engines to make up for the significantly heavier dry weight...in the early to mid 2000's I think they offered the nicest of our run of the mill bowriders (since Cobalt exited the small bowrider market in 2002). Also then Bryant is a superior small batch type boat. You rarely see them as they only produce a relative handful, have ingel graphics which is phenominal but I hate their outdated helm design they have insisted on using forever.
I literally know hunderds of boat owners with under 20 foot bowriders as that is the standard boat here in MN if you don't own a fishing boat. Here in MN we tend to not move up in size but instead move up to a nicer brand boat.

 

[bunker108]

Re: Too many tough choices

I am relatively new to boating(3 seasons)and already on my second boat. The first boat was an 18' aluminum bowrider (project)which was a fine boat that suited me and family well around the small waters of New Mexico. I also enjoyed the project. A visit to a larger lake on a bigger boat changed my opinion of what suited me and the family. I am now in a Caravelle 188 with a 4.3GL. So like the previous poster said, I didn't increase length, although the Caravelle has a much wider beam than the Starcraft, but the amenities I wanted in a boat did change. So as you boat your opinion will change too. So like others have stated, look for a boat that has been stored indoors, with a documented maintenance history. And don't get discouraged when even the cleanest boat still needs some work after you make the purchase.

On a side note my Caravelle came from a family friend that has owned it for 12 years. The documented history was the deal maker for me.

 

[16victor]

Re: Too many tough choices

I was in the same boat (pun) as you...I listened to the great advice here and think I did OK. I'd suggest making up a spreadsheet with the features you want as well as detractors (chips, dirt, nonworking accessories, (include the trailer)). Then you have an objective comparison tool from which to make a decision.

My experience is here: http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topic.../decision-points-used-family-boat-589111.html

'01 Stingray 200LS, EFI, 750 hrs., professionally maintained, all records, fiberglass deck, double axle trailer w/ new tires and spare. Needed little (a few gelcoat chips, mooring cover (got one from the owner-only forum at mystingray.com, for my boat, OEM, lightly used for $250), transducer for the fish finder). I think I did OK for $7500. Keep your research up and your emotions down and you will do OK.

Best,

Ron

 

[airshot]

Re: Too many tough choices

The best recomendation I can give is to hire a certified marine surveyor to inspect the boat of your choice. When you have found "the one" that suits you, the marine surveyor will give it a complete go thru and give you a list covering any and all things good and bad so you can make an informed decision. Yep they cost a couple hundred but will save you much more in the long run. Anyone selling that does not want a marine survey is a boat to walk away from. Used boats are a gamble, hedge your losses with a professional survey.

Airshot

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Too many tough choices

I will also be interested to hear where you're located and where you plan to boat.

 

[Poliveira]

Re: Too many tough choices

Hi,

In my opinion buy a Cobalt 200 from 1994-1997, it was the best boat i ever had, Chaparral is nice too, i had a 1900SL Sport with a 4.3, caravelle doens?t worth a dolar at all.

As mentioned before the most important think is too find out where you will have the boat, i have mine in Lisbon (western point in Europe, so big waves, north winds and atlantic ocean) and Cobalt was superb in the waves!!!Caravelle 2000 BR looks like a cheap car, with a lot of structural problems, Chaparral was good enough.


I have a old Glastron now, didn?t tested yet but as far as i know is a really tough hull, with the 5.7 V8 on it, i really hope it is

Wish you luck!

 

[thedawk]

Re: Too many tough choices

I live just north of Jacksonville Fl. We will be using the boat in the small rivers around us and int the Intercoastal Waterway. The intercoastal in my area is called the Cumberland Sound, and it can get a little choppy out there. I appreciate all this advice so far. Infact, we are going out today to check out a few. We wanted to get away for thr weekend do we're heading to North Georgia and am planning to stop by a dealer up there.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Too many tough choices

Similar to a "bowrider" is a "dual console". Dual consoles typically have higher freeboard, full fiberglass liners and self bailing decks which makes them quite a bit more seaworthy than a bowrider. Might be something for you to check out although it sounds like your right on the edge of what might require one. You would probably be fine with either.

 

[jkust]

Re: Too many tough choices

Similar to a "bowrider" is a "dual console". Dual consoles typically have higher freeboard, full fiberglass liners and self bailing decks which makes them quite a bit more seaworthy than a bowrider. Might be something for you to check out although it sounds like your right on the edge of what might require one. You would probably be fine with either.

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Some Bowriders have self bailing decks as well. My Chap does and certainly others do as well. Dual console sounds like a good option for your intended use however.