Need advice, new or used

[meryl36]

Hi
I'm new to boating & my husband & I are trying to decided between a new Four Winns H200 or a 2003 Chaparral. I can't remember the model # of the Chaparral but it's 23 feet & have since discontinued making it. Personally I like the Chap better since it's bigger & has a nice layout & more bells & whistles than the four winns but the 4 winns is brand new with a warranty & no issues which i think is really important for a new boater. The other issue is that the Winns can float in less water & I have a house in the shallow part of Cedar Creek lake outside of Dallas Texas. I know i need to have a mechanic check out the Chaparral but in the meantime, my hubby & I keep going back & forth over what we should do. I'm concerned that the Four Winns is too small (the bow is very small) & alot of my friends are a bit on the larger size .
Thanks for any advice you can offer us.
Meryl & Dan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need advice, new or used

the four winns is a higher quality boat. the Chap is 6 years old, time for some major maintainance, if it has not been done. bells and whistles are only things to break and aggravate you.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Need advice, new or used

Depends on the condition and price of the Chaparral. A good deal on the Chaparral would easily allow you to spend several thousand on maintenance and replace everything that could possibly have a problem, and still come out with a nicer boat for much less money than the new Four Winns. I'm a big believer in letting someone else eat the depreciation on new vehicles!

If the bells and whistles haven't broken yet, they probably won't!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Need advice, new or used

If the Chaparral has been well maintained and serviced, it's the boat to buy. You won't take the depreciation hit on it that you will on the brand new boat.
Chaparral is a good boat, so quality should not be lacking. I also disagree about 6 years being the time for major things to break or wear out. But it will be time for some maintenance in a couple of years. No problem for a guy like me that likes to do his own. But if you haven't the time or the skill to perform any boat maintenance, then maybe the new more expensive boat is the way to go.
I do not like that you already think the brand new boat will be too small. Most people don't think that until they have it a year. If you feel that way now, I fear that you'll feel that way the first time you use the boat. Then you are trying to sell a used boat. That is bad.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: Need advice, new or used

I am a newbie that does not have a boat (yet) either so I'm certainly no expert but upon reading your post I think I see that you answered your own question... the Four Winns is too small. You either need to buy a used, bigger boat to stay in your price range or increase your range to get into a new, bigger boat. You are not comparing apples to apples.

Good luck!

 

[haskindm]

Re: Need advice, new or used

The most important consideration in buying a used boat is the condition of the boat and the maintenance that it has received. Hire a MARINE SURVEYOR to check out the used boat, not "Dufus the mechanic" at the local boatyard. They will check out the boat completely and alert you to any problems or maintenance that is needed. It will cost a few hundred dollars but can save you many times that amount. If you are not saving enough on the used boat purchase to justify paying the Surveyor his fee, walk away from it. The best boat in the world can be turned to junk in short order by a bad owner. In any case, don't by a boat that does not meet your needs just because it is new and has a warranty. There are too many great deals out there right now to rush into buying the wrong boat. Do your homework. You will probably catch "new boat fever" soon enough anyway (it is a common affliction among boat owners, along with 2-foot-itus - the uncontrollable desire for a boat that is 2-feet longer than my present boat) Don't rush it by buying the wrong boat and then having to go through the buying process again sooner than necessary.

 

[meryl36]

Re: Need advice, new or used

thanks everyone for replying so fast!!!
I am leaning towards the Chaparral but don't know of a marine surveyor that can come out to take a look at it. Does anyone know of any out by Cedar Creek lake in Texas?????
there's also alot of crape (i don't know what else you'd call it, scale, barnacle etc) on the prop, and quite a few scrapes & dings on the hull so I'm wondering how well this guy took care of the boat.
I guess with the market the way it is right now you guys are right in that i can wait & find what i really want.......
Any other suggestions for a newbie? Basically it'll be just me & my hubby out on it but on occassion I'm sure i'll have some friends come down so now I'm looking at a 22 or 23 foot boat. Do you think that's too big for a first time boat buyer????????
Other than Chaparral anyone have any thoughts as to a good brand for a newbie? we were also thinking about a Caravelle

sorry for all the questions but we just had the boathouse built & i can't wait to get the boat to put in it!!!

thanks again for all your help!
Meryl

 

[ckone0814]

Re: Need advice, new or used

As I said, I'm a newbie...and that would be too big of a boat for me. I have similar requirements; 2 adults, sometimes 4, seldom more than 4, and I'm looking in the 18-19' range.

 

[traderdavel]

Re: Need advice, new or used

This may be counter to what most people will suggest - but I would say buy a bigger boat now. You will have more enjoyment when you can bring more people on it. No matter what size you end up with - after about a year you will probably want to change something on it, (bought a single engine - want twins, bought X size now need bigger - have a porta poitty - now want a head). Many of the things you can live with, but size will limit your ability to entertain and it sounds like that is important to you. Take your time after you buy. Both of you should take a Boater safety course, and never go faster than you want to hit anything. I spent about three weekends learning just how to dock - take your time and you will enjoy it. Trying to sell a used boat in this market is tough, (which is why you don't want to start with something you already know is too small), so find a good boat and then work on getting a good price. Have a survey done.
You mention something about being able to float in less water - not sure how shallow you are talking about - but make sure this is a consideration to whatever you look at.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Need advice, new or used

Look under Surveyor - Marine in the yellow pages or do a search on the internet. Ask for references before you hire them unless someone you trust recommends them.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Need advice, new or used

It sounds like the Chapparell may have had a tough life. There ar many pristine boats for sale at bargain prices right now. Unless this is a real deal you may want to keep looking.

 

[meryl36]

Re: Need advice, new or used

Thanks again for the advice folks, I'll probably do as most of you suggest & keep looking....and look for one that's bigger. I would hate to spend all that money & then not be happy with it after a few months.
I'll keep reading & trying to find out as much as i can before i buy.

thanks again for all your help!

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Need advice, new or used

Meryl, one of the things I suggest is try to find a boat show that you can go to and look at all the different models available to you. Other than that look for big marinas with boats for sale. After finding a style of boat you are both comfortable with start shopping. Not buying! It will take a while to see what a good price range is for your boat, and maybe a little traveling as well.

For any used boat, you will need a professional to help tell the condition and note the repairs needed.

Both of the boats you are looking at are good brands; after a while you will begin to notice things like hatches, hardware, guages, etc.

The reason for suggesting all the above is the market is loaded with boats selling below retail, and just like housing prices, the real value is what other people are paying.

So, thanks for asking, and Welcome to the forum and hope to hear how you do on this exciting adventure!

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Need advice, new or used

Here's another reason to go bigger. If you have more space to entertain more folks, charge each occupant a gas fee to ease your financial concerns with larger motors. Some of us are lucky to have friends with good paying jobs but boating on our boats comes with a small price and most of them have no problems helping out.

I am also considering a new H220 Four Winns Frenzy Edition! As soon as the wife goes back to full-time, that boat is ours!!!

Best of luck with your search!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need advice, new or used

Go used with your first boat especially if you haven't been able to nail down your desires. You won't take as much of a depreciation hit if you decide to trade up.

 

[meryl36]

Re: Need advice, new or used

Well i took your advice & started calling around for a surveyor & although i haven't found one yet, someone did suggest that i might want to check out a deck boat (hurricane specifically). He said I could fit more people on a smaller on & that it requires less water to float in.
can anyone tell me anything about these boats? do they have all fiberglass construction?
any info would be appreciated.

thanks again for all your help eveyone!!!
Meryl

 

[zach103]

Re: Need advice, new or used

deck boats are mainly aluminum. two big aluminum tubes thats hold it on the water then a deck that is built differently within different companies. i like them but don't own one. they do fit a lot more people and their nice to cruise around the lake

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need advice, new or used

i have a 1999 23 ft Chris Craft 230 Deckboat, 5.7 volvo drive package. capacity is 13 people, gets a little crowed, 10 is not bad, sink, potty, get storage. when have been off shore, to loe key to snorkel, and dive. good for fishing, and water sports. just a great all around boat. we trailer ours with a surburban.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need advice, new or used

deck boats are mainly aluminum. two big aluminum tubes thats hold it on the water then a deck that is built differently within different companies. i like them but don't own one. they do fit a lot more people and their nice to cruise around the lake

Zach you're talking about pontoon boats. TD's boat above is a deck boat.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Need advice, new or used

From what I read in the original post, you have a lakehouse, it is you and your husband and when invited, guests. You did not mention your age range or water interests ? The point I'm trying to make is what do you want to do with this boat ? For instance, if just cruising around the lake with friends and going back to the house for dinner........a deckboat with a porta- potty makes very good sense. If this is a large lake, and you want to anchor out for the night with your husband on occaision, a cuddy cabin with a real head and possibly a small galley is in order. If you are younger and water sports are a consideration, engine size and ski-storage are important.
As the other posters have said : If you already think a boat is too small.......IT IS ! You are new to boating, hire a surveyor to examine whatever you buy, yes, even a new boat.