What are the best bow-rider brands from 10 years ago? Mostly worried about hull rot.

[smassey22180]

I just sold my latest project and I am ready for a new one. My only requirements is it has to be a bow-rider with a Mercruiser under $10k. I am thinking a 4.3L MPI with a Bravo this time just to mix it up. What are some good bow-rider brands to look at? I am willing to shop for a few months and get something a little better than the Bayliner like boat I just sold. I am mostly looking at boats from the early to mid 2000s.

I am mostly concerned with resale value retention. I have owned a few Boston Whalers over the years simply because of that but my wife and kids prefer the softer interiors . Mechanically I can look at a boat for a few minutes and tell it is good. Hull rot is more difficult for me to find quickly.

Thanks

 

[lg260ss]

What size boat? Why not consider a Volvo Penta outdrive?

Cobalt, Regal, Chaparral, Crownline, Monterey, to name a few.

 

[smassey22180]

What size boat? Why not consider a Volvo Penta outdrive?

Cobalt, Regal, Chaparral, Crownline, Monterey, to name a few.

18-20'. I bought a few Mercruiser tools and rebuilt an Alpha last year so I am comfortable with that for now. The Mercuriser fourm is very active here and saved me a ton of time. Mercruiser probably out numbers Volvo 10-1 in Florida for used ones I am seeing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Buy a garage kept boat. Boats kept outside in florida go to hell quickly

 

[thumpar]

You will have a hard time finding a 4.3l with a bravo. They are not real common. I am partial to Crownline (see sig) but Cobalt, Four Winn, Chapp come to mind. It really is more about condition than brand though. You can find a perfect 10 year old Bayliner and crappy upper tier boats when they are not taken care of.

 

[smassey22180]

Buy a garage kept boat. Boats kept outside in floridabgo to hell quickly

I hear you on that one. I drive around rural FL a lot and it kills me to see all those boats just sitting outside. The rain and sun together kill them.

 

[tpenfield]

I would say Bryant and Cobalt, maybe Chris-Craft as some brands to consider.

 

[Mischief Managed]

I would say Bryant and Cobalt, maybe Chris-Craft as some brands to consider.

Agreed. I'm pretty sure Bryants have been wood-free for at least 10 years now.

 

[98Shabah]

2001 and older Mariahs were excellent boats, I think they started going wood free (stringers and decks at least) in late 1998 on some models. I believe in the 2003 or 2004 year Caravelle went wood free, I have a 2008 and it doesn't even have any wood, not even in the interior panels, only fake wood in the steering wheel and instrument cluster.

I understand your reservations on the Volvo Pentas but having owned and serviced both now my opinion is that the VPs are light years ahead of the Mercruisers in design, reliability, operation, and ease of servicing.

 

[thumpar]

Crownline went to XL wood in 1998. They still use it because the wood free hulls are too rigid.

 

[drrpm]

I've never seen a 4.3 pared with a Bravo drive, usually Bravos are mated to 5.7's or bigger. The 18-20 foot bowriders present a lot of choices but at 10 years old condition is key and you'll want to look for a boat that has been stored indoors or at least with a high quality cover. Bargains are available on boats are not well cared for, but ones in good condition won't be cheap. If you're planning on taking the wife and kids (and kids friends) 20 feet is a much better choice. The 4.3 is OK for water sports but the 5.0 is more desirable.

 

[Augoose]

18-20'. I bought a few Mercruiser tools and rebuilt an Alpha last year so I am comfortable with that for now. The Mercuriser fourm is very active here and saved me a ton of time. Mercruiser probably out numbers Volvo 10-1 in Florida for used ones I am seeing.

I went through the same thought processes a few years back - had a merc first then a volvo - several tools, such as the alignment rod, are the same for both the mercs and the Volvos. IMO, the Volvos are just as easy, if not easier to work on and learning the differences will take all of about 2 minutes.

Regarding wood free, Chris Craft and Caravelle are two boats I know are wood free from at least '99 and newer.

 

[callen369]

Have a friend with a '96-98 ish Mariah Jubilee Deck boat. A bit bigger than you were looking...24 I think. Volvo DP behind a V8, not sure if it is a Big Block or not, but it does start easy and runs pretty good. We are NE of Orlando if you think you might want to see it.

 

[smassey22180]

Well thanks everyone for the advice. Today I put a deposit on an 1 owner 2001 Crownline 180BR with a Volvo 4.3GL SX.(SS prop). We pick it up Friday. The family is pretty excited. It has been sitting shrink wrapped and winterized for a year and the PO really only did fluids and a fuel pump. I plan on doing the bellows/alignment check, filters, oil and gear lube, fuel separator, plugs and possibly wires. Anything else? It does have new tires and a battery. The engine runs and looks new.

The Crowline is so much nicer than my last boat. The trailer even has disk brakes.

 

[thumpar]

I love my Crownline. They are great boats. Check out the Crownline HQ forums.

 

[moosehead]

^OP, add new impellar, check PS and tilt fluids, check fuel pressure. Were you able to do an on water test or boat survey given she was under wraps? How's the hull, transom, and gelcoat?