Help a NOOB

[maharg]

I am looking at buying a boat for the upcoming season and I am looking for a little guidance. This will be my first boat, although I have a boating family so its nothing new to me. The users of the boat will be myself, wife and currently 7mo old son. We have a budget of 5k.We will be using the boat at Cumberland and on the Ohio about 50 miles east of Cincinnati.

Our primary use for the boat is going to bee tooling around with friends and family. I plan to wake board as well and possibly pull a tube. The issue is where to start, my parents boat is an 89 sea ray 21' cuddy with a 4.3 that is what I am used to driving. We have been looking at open bows since I know we will not keep the boat but a few seasons when we have more money to spend on a larger boat.

Here are a few of the boats we are currently looking at....
97 Rinker 182BR with the merc 3.0 the owner claims he can get 40mph out of it and pull a skier with no problems. $5k
89 Four Winns 180 horizon omc 4.3 owner says it pull skiers fine and can get 32mph? seems odd with the larger engine$4k
96 Marada 19ft with the 5.0 volvo $5800

I would like something that rides semi smooth with the young one, I know it wont be as smooth as my parents, but I would like something close. I am not worried about top speed, 35 is plenty fast for our current needs. I need to be able to pull a 200-220lb skier/wake boarder though.

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. Or if you know of something for sale within 250m of Cincinnati.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help a NOOB

Welcome to iboats. You made a good move coming here before buying. I think you should be able to find a decent boat that will fit your needs for your intended price range.

The Rinker is underpowered for what you want to do. It may go 40 and pull a skier but it isn't going to do it that well with 4 people in the boat.

Four Winns has an OMC. OMC has been out of business for many yeard and their I/O's are not fully supported with parts and service. I'd avoid it unless it was dirt cheap

The Marada sounds nice though I'm not real familiar with the name.

 

[maharg]

Re: Help a NOOB

Welcome to iboats. You made a good move coming here before buying. I think you should be able to find a decent boat that will fit your needs for your intended price range.

The Rinker is underpowered for what you want to do. It may go 40 and pull a skier but it isn't going to do it that well with 4 people in the boat.

Four Winns has an OMC. OMC has been out of business for many yeard and their I/O's are not fully supported with parts and service. I'd avoid it unless it was dirt cheap

The Marada sounds nice though I'm not real familiar with the name.

I wont have 4 aboard if I am pulling a skier, it would be 2in and 1 in tow.

The 4 winns is the least appealing due to the age, its only 1k less than the rinker and is not nearly as nice and has had multiple owners.

I worry about the volvo in the marada a bit, I have heard the reapir cost is much higher. I also have not heard of marada

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Help a NOOB

A few hints for your search:

1. Get a survey on the boat before buying
2. It's all about condition, condition, condition
3. Ask for maintenance records
4. Get the biggest boat with the biggest engine you can afford.


i don't know what a Marada is but it has the biggest engine and is on the new end of your list.

Have fun.

 

[jkust]

Re: Help a NOOB

The heaviest boat will be the smoothest. My opinion through my eyes without seeing any of the boats in person. The 3.0 Rinker will not meet your needs but I bet is nice, The Four Winns is just too old with that OMC, The Marada is my choice because of it's size and the 5.0 engine but if it's this one it sure looks like it was used hard. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1996-Marada-MTX-THREE-96149212

 

[maharg]

Re: Help a NOOB

The heaviest boat will be the smoothest. My opinion through my eyes without seeing any of the boats in person. The 3.0 Rinker will not meet your needs but I bet is nice, The Four Winns is just too old with that OMC, The Marada is my choice because of it's size and the 5.0 engine but if it's this one it sure looks like it was used hard. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1996-Marada-MTX-THREE-96149212

The rinker is 2070 (and yes it looks brand new and has always been garaged), the 4 winns is 1850 and I am not sure on the marada's weight. It is that one in the photos, what makes it look like it was run hard?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help a NOOB

Yeah that Marada does not look too nice especially considering the price. It's not clean, looks like they attempted to shine it up and gave up on the job, tears in the upholstery, etc. That's all stuff you can live with but not for that price.

 

[Philster]

Re: Help a NOOB

Spend 400 bucks and get a survey on it, which might be required for insurance anyway.

Plan on putting 2k into anything you buy at that price with another 1k in immediate reserve.

If you get a surveyor, pay for a compression test if the surveyor charges separately for that (some include it). If the boat has no hour meter, ask the surveyor if they can investigate the engine computer (found on fuel injected engines). They can pull out the total hours in some cases.

For skiing and runabout fun, I'd think outboard all the way...

Good grief, the I/O just offers nothing in return (except bills) if you want casual fun at 35 MPH.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help a NOOB

Spend 400 bucks and get a survey on it, which might be required for insurance anyway.

Probably not worth it on a boat this size/price. A mechanic check out including a compression test, and checking the best you can for rot would be reasonable.

Plan on putting 2k into anything you buy at that price with another 1k in immediate reserve.

Come on now. You could replace half the major systems on a boat this size for $3k.

For skiing and runabout fun, I'd think outboard all the way...

Agree wholeheartedly but that's just my own preference. I/O's are more expensive to maintain. Just catching up on a couple years worth of deferred maintenance can run you $1k.

 

[Philster]

Re: Help a NOOB

ezmobee, if he goes I/O, he needs cash to invest and cash in reserve as I mentioned. You seem to get this in your last comment.

OP: Look for an outboard. If it were me, I'd look for a 2-stroke outboard.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Help a NOOB

I picked up a NICE '98 19' dual console with a 115 OB last summer for $5800 (also has kicker motor, electric motor, new bimini top with wrap around curtains, etc.). They were asking $7500 (and local marine dealer friend told me it was worth $8500 with the set-up). I was able to negotiate down, so don't be afraid of the asking price. It is a heavy boat with a smooth ride and lots of room, and power to tube and ski behind. I bought a good stainless prop and it increased my top end speed 6 mph over the aluminum that was on it (40mph is now a possibility) with good hole shot. (BTW, I spent an additional $800 on prop and other accessories to get the boat into the shape and rigging that I wanted).

All that to say, there are boats out there at the right price to meet your needs. I looked for 2 years till I found the "right" one for my family. Don't get in a rush and jump at the first one. Sea trials are a must. And negotiate, it is really a buyers market now, and if they don't want to play the game, walk on till you find what YOU want at YOUR price.

Good luck!

 

[jkust]

Re: Help a NOOB

The rinker is 2070 (and yes it looks brand new and has always been garaged), the 4 winns is 1850 and I am not sure on the marada's weight. It is that one in the photos, what makes it look like it was run hard?

It looks like one of the least maintained, most sun damaged 96's I have seen in a while especially not being in a southern state. I will venture that if they let the sun damage it that much, they didn't do the preventative or needed maintenance on the engine and outdrive. My opinion has now changed to scrap all three and keep looking. I have seen over the months some very nice mid to late 90's boats for decent prices in posts like these. Of course now the season is over so many are now in storage. You sound like the perfect candidate for the 4.3 if you set on an I/O. What is the top of your price point?

 

[maharg]

Re: Help a NOOB

5k is my max

I am trying to talk someone down to my price range on a 93 baja 180 4.3, hes asking $6600