Update- Boat Shopping at This Time of Year? (Northeast)

[JoLin]

If anyone's interested, here's how things are going since my previous thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=285696

Linda and I spent Saturday driving between the 2 boats (they're 30+ miles apart). First the Larson, then the Bayliner, then the Larson again. Crawled up, over, around and through 'em. We finally went home... undecided.

1990 Larson 250 San Marino - Decently maintained but showing its age. Needs all new eisenglass, a lot of cleaning, the water heater's broken, and it's time to go through all the electrics and systems- cleaning and re-doing stuff. Its pros are that the asking price is commensurate with its condition (which really is not bad), and it has a soft (bimini) top as opposed to the Bayliner's hardtop.

1996 Bayliner 2452 Ciera HT- very, very clean and appears to have been lightly used. BUT, it's a hardtop with side windows. Both Lin and I prefer open-air cruising.

Both boats have well laid out, user friendly cabins with plenty of rstorage and room for 2. Great space utilization for 25-footers. Both are powered by 5.7/Alpha Mercruisers. Tough call.

I woke up this morning and realized that I simply was not looking forward to the amount of sweat and money that the Larson will need. I had fun fixing up the Pro-Line last year, but I'm not in the mood to tackle it all again so soon. I'd like to concentrate for now on cruising and improving my boating skills. The Bayliner might give me a chance to stay ahead of the maintenance and repair curve. Lin was happy that one of us had a winner, and gave me a thumbs-up.

Sooo, the marine survey is scheduled for next Saturday with me in attendance. It'll cost me $300 for the survey and $135 to re-winterize the engine afterward. As for what I know that the Bayliner needs, the maintenance history is good. Major outdrive service was performed in '07, but manifolds and risers are now 6 years old. The broker and I agreed that replacement will be part of the price negotiation. Since I can't do a sea trial until Spring, we also discussed putting a few thousand in an escrow account until then. It seems to be a fairly common winter practice up here.

I then called my USPS fellow member/retired surveyor. Told him all of the above and he felt I was about as well covered as I could be (I'm using the surveyor he recommended). I was waiting to hear something negative about it being a Bayliner. Instead, he said, "I know that boat (model). It's a nice boat. Nice cabin, nice cockpit, good design. I think you'd be happy with it." That was Lin's and my impression of it, too, and it was good to hear the same thing from somebody who knows.

Even considering the used boat market (miserable), the asking price is not really out of line. If the survey comes up clean and the owner will play ball on the repairs needed, I think I can make a fair deal.

I'll keep youse posted

 

[torcano]

Re: Update- Boat Shopping at This Time of Year? (Northeast)

For a 2K difference in asking price you're comparing a boat that is 6 years older and needs a lot of work. Seems like a no brainer. I think your decison is right on. There is a lot to be said for a boat that has been well cared for. You mentioned that the eisenglass/canvas on the Larson was shot. It can cost an easy 3K just to replace that. Good luck with your new boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Update- Boat Shopping at This Time of Year? (Northeast)

the 96 bayliners were better quality than their predecessors. there actually were no really bad bayliners, there were just too many uneducated, bad owners.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Update- Boat Shopping at This Time of Year? (Northeast)

I hear ya, but what seems like a "no brainer" was just a little more complicated than that. For instance, I know I'd have a LOT more bargaining room in the price of the Larson, plus, I know a guy that can do the eisenglass for me at a real good price. The Larson is a ragtop, and we really like that. Lastly it had a remanned Jasper engine installed in '04. Things are just a littler murkier than what I wrote above.

More than money, it really came down to the amount of time I'd need to deal with all the little stuff that needs to be done, or would need to be done soon. If the Larson's overall condition had been a bit closer to that of the Bayliner, the Larson woulda won the toss. Thankfully, the Ciera is just as well thought out as the Larson and impressive in its own way, so I don't feel much as though I'm "settling" for it.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Update- Boat Shopping at This Time of Year? (Northeast)

the 96 bayliners were better quality than their predecessors. there actually were no really bad bayliners, there were just too many uneducated, bad owners.

Unfortunately, TD, Bayliner's own marketing strategy and pricing (which translated into the use of less than premium materials and assembly) appealed to first-time boaters. Beginners are VERY hard on their boats. Take it from one who is one (but getting better all the time)

My Pro-Line took quite a beating for a good part of last season. If it wasn't built as well it is, I likely would have caused some damage. Mix in some embarrassment and defensiveness... and I might have blamed any damage on the boat being "poorly built".

Regardless of how good or bad they were in the '70s and '80s, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and attention to detail I saw in the Ciera. I'm not implying that it's a top-tier product, but I didn't see anything on it that looked like "corner cutting". Nice boat.