First boat purchase - need advice

[newboaterdvm]

Hi, I am currently shopping for my first boat. I am buying this with a friend and our budget is in the $9000-12000 range. We have looked at a lot of boats and dont know much about them but right now the ones we like are

1) 1998 Chapparal 19' bowrider, very clean, engine has about 50hrs on it. Mercruiser (4.7 I think?) engine for $10500 no trailer
2) 2000 Crownline 20' Bowrider, Mercruiser 305 engine for $11000 wt trailer
3) 2005 Mariah 18' Bowrider with mercruiser 3.0 engine for $9500 wt trailer. 2 yr warranty left on the engine and lifetime on the hull
4) 2000 Seaswirl 195 19' with volvo engine, $10500 with trailer
5) 2003 Maxum 1900 19' Bowrider with Mercruiser 4.3L V-6, $13500 with trailer

All these boats are from the outside in pretty good shape, assuming they are in good electrical/engine condition, any thoughts on what would be the best bet here? We are 2 girls who have never own a boat, dont know too much about mechanics, etc, so we want to buy something that is reliable, has the less chance of breaking and having real expensive repairs, etc. Anyone with an opinion on these would be great!

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

If you have never owned a boat and don't know much about them, find someone that does and let them check it/them out for you.
Also, take a boating safety class.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

Oh yea, welcome to iboats and the world of boating.

 

[gcboat]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

Well, it really doesn't matter one little bit if you're girls or guys - you are new to boating- period.
There is no way in the world for anyone to know which will be the best purchase for you - will this be for fishing, skiing, funning or all?
You will need to rely solely on your pocketbook, your relationship with each other and the CONTRACT you two draw up with each other. Got to remember that a boat will require constant maintenence and upkeep which costs money.
The perfect way to do this deal is narrow it down to two boats. Spend the money on getting a marine survey and after you make the decision and draw up your CONTRACT with each other make the plunge.
Please, you are asking some stranger's to make a decision that will affect your tomorrow's on spending a lot of money. All of the boat's you mentioned are good - but again, what are your long term plans?
I'd love to be able to wave a magic wand and give you the answer you want, not gonna' happen.
Do buy one with a trailer - it will be more than necessary.
If you have to really worry about expensive repairs then maybe you should just think about renting or joining a boating club. Got the best of both worlds there.
My $.02

 

[newboaterdvm]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

The boat will be mostly for skiing and cruising around, it will be on a river off the Chesapeake Bay (Annapolis, MD region). We are planning to split all the maintenance/repair/marina fees since we're going to use it pretty equally.

I just didnt know if any of these brands are known to break more, be less reliable, be more expensive to fix, etc. We are planning to get down to 2-3 favorites and get someone to come look at them with us, then get a marine survey before signing the deal. I also did not know if a 10yrs old boat vs 5 yrs old is a big difference in terms of what we can expect to go down soon - you know, kinda like cars. I would buy a 10yrs Toyota over a 4 year Kia in a heart beat!.... Dont know in the boating world how that translates!

Also some people have told me on that size boat just getting a mechanic survey instead of full boat check is ok... thoughs on that?

I already did the safety course and depending who we buy a boat from and if it comes with a day with a captain to show us how to work it safely will also probably take a practical boating class. It would really suck to sink the boat the first time out!!

 

[newboaterdvm]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

oh also
If the boat is kept in a boatel, and we're planning on keeping it there til we sell it, is the trailer really necessary?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

I would not buy a boat without a trailer. For instance, if it needs repairs {& it will} how will you get it to the repair facility?

 

[mtnrat]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

Volvos are more reliable and generally last longer, like the toyota, but also costs a little more to repair, with fewer dealers. IMHO

 

[Joe Dirt]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

Since I've only owned one I/O ski boat (17' Four Winns) I'll bow out on the boat advice, my only input is in the usage thing- I have some friends that did this, best of friends for years- bought a boat, and it was the worst thing for them. The "spreading time equally" thing never worked out- one was on it when the other one wanted to use it, or they had to have something fixed and one said "I never used it this year, why should I pay as much as you did?" or when stuff broke, they micromanaged how it could have broken, and if it was someone's fault. Then, after a couple of years of hassle, one wanted out. The other wanted the boat, but wanted the other guy to buy his half out. It was the biggest pain in the arse ever- PLEASE be sure this situation is something you want to get into, as much as I love my boat(s) if you're not die-hard, they can wear off fast- and it almost becomes a hassle/burden to the owner to maintain and even use- things always come up. That's why I sold my Four Winns- I couldn't justify a boat payment for something I didn't use too much. The first few months I was out all the time, then less, and less, and then it sat, collecting dust. As much as it's exciting to do and own one, trust me- please evaluate your decision before jumping in.

If you do- good luck, and enjoy!

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

Just from what you have posted, the Crownline seems to be the best deal.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

I am also one to warn you about sharing a boat. The boat will break, your friend will not tell you it broke so when you want to use it your trip will not take place or will end prematurely. It will likely break because neither of you understands how a boat operates or what can possibly go wrong and you will not recognize the symptoms. Because of that your maintenance costs will be high and in very short order you will be blaming each other for the failures and the friendship will quickly end. If you make this work you will be joining a very small group of others that made such an arrangement work. Unless you log fuel use or fill it up after every trip so you are paying for what you use, that too will be an issue. Amount of use is another issue. One person putting on 5 engine hours on a weekend vs the other putting on 15 hours means both of you could have used the boat an equal amount of time but one of you is putting on three times more engine hours. DON'T DO THIS!

 

[newboaterdvm]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

so... in average, what can one expect to spend in repairs/maintenance a year on a 5-10yrs old boat of that size? Over $2000/year?? That is what we figured we would spend.

We work very opposite schedules with a lot of weekends and when we have time off together we will be on the boat together. We already decided to split everything no matter whos fault it is (unless you're drunk and run it into something!!). We were planning on keeping a fuel use if not able to put gas but there is a boat gas station right where we are going to keep it so that should not be a problem. Anyone has done it where is works?

We are doing this so we both spend only an amount of money we are comfortable with on buying the boat and that if in a year we hate it even if we loose that money its not much worse than going on a crappy vacation...

 

[triumphrick]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

Welcome, ladies to the boating world. Why are you only looking at I/O's. From my many many years of boating, they have proved to be the least reliable. I have owned Merc.s, Evinrudes and Yamahas. My Yamahas have never left me stranded. I would consider them the Toyotas of the outboards. This said, everyone has a favorite, and I am sure an opinion as well. Good luck, and using a marine surveyor as has already been posted is a very good idea. Also, check out some boat shows in your area. Be aware, however they are good salesmen and will be wanting your business, but you can get a feel for what style and size boat would work for you.

 

[newboaterdvm]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

I guess in the size/style of boat we have been looking at they just happen to all be i/o.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

From everything that I have read over the last couple of years, there is virtually no difference in maintenance costs or reliability issues between I/O and OB. But, you asked for opinions so that is what you are going to get. For the type of boating it sounds like you are going to be doing the vast majority of the boats that you are going to be looking at are going to be I/O and I think you will be happier with this...

 

[newboaterdvm]

Re: First boat purchase - need advice

Thanks for the advice

We were initially going to go for the Chapparal but since it has no trailer and has been bottom painted by the first owners we decided to go up a little bit on budget and get the Maxum that is 1) younger, 2) never bottom painted or kept in water and 3) has a very nice trailer coming with it.

We figured even if we never use the trailer it would be a little harder to sell the boat when we're ready (or as some of you predicted when we start ripping each other's head !!).

We are an offer approval and marine survey away from getting our boat!