Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

[bcrozum]

I've started looking for a new bowrider for the family but only way we can get one is if we can store it in the garage. I am finding that my options are limited as I only have 20 ft for storage. I have found a few manufactures include storage length information which is very helpful Sea Ray and Tahoe for example.
Wife and I love the Sea Ray but with swing away tongue they say you need 21 feet. Tahoe seems like an option with Q5 storage with swing away is 20 feet.
The Mastercraft X2 is my dream boat and love the removable swim platform but at this time it is just out of price range (even used).
While the Tahoe seems like a good fit I am worried about all the negative reviews. Anyone know of any other bowriders with storage length of 20 ft?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

Welcome to iboats.

Lots to choose from, if you go smaller.

Renting a bigger garage, or modify the space you have in your current garage are always options.

A doghouse off the back of the garage is easy to do; or into the house (laundry room, etc).
Even if you are in a HOA controlled neighborhood, it can be done, if you are creative.


Do you have the option to modify the garage, or are you renting?

 

[bcrozum]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I was looking into altering the garage but it does not seem to be an option as it would just cost to much. I would have to move AC Air handler, Water heater and laundry room. Garage also backs into kitchen so any changes there would also be costly.

I was thinking of going smaller say 17 foot i/o boat. I thought it was strange as I did not see much size savings so I was focusing my search around 18 footers.

 

[lucky7]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

fwiw my 19'6: sx195 takes up all of 24' in its tent.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

Q5 is probably the smallest you are going to find, but I bet you are still going to need a few more inches of garage space.

Have you actually gotten out the tape measure?
Do you actually have 20' and still clear all the garage door hardware.

Can you steal a few inches by removing a few inches in the back of the garage by removing drywall, or removing (and reinforcing) a stud or two?

You could always drop down to the Q4, but that is a big sacrifice.

If you can get her in there, go for it. Just remember to lower the outdrive before you back that last 2 feet up to the wall.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I was thinking the same as I shopped for my boat. I wanted into to fit in garage first and foremost. Had just a hair over 20 feet to work with. However, I also wanted a size boat to fit our needs. As it turned out, I went with the boat in my signature even though it does NOT fit in the garage. I do have the option of leaving it in the driveway - no HOA or CCRs to worry about and a nearby inside storage facility. FWIW, I am so glad I went with the bigger boat. Just my .02 cents and probably owe you change!!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I don't think buying a boat based on what will fit in your garage is a good strategy. It just won't work for most people, and it usually requires a trailer with a swing-away tongue which are more expensive. It would probably be more worth your while to buy the boat you want/need and just pay to store it somewhere. That way there is no HOA debaucle, and no costly renovations to the house.

Another option is putting the boat in the backyard/beside the house if it's allowed in the HOA guidelines. It may just have to be behind a fence.

 

[bcrozum]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I agree on getting the boat that fits my needs rather than fits my garage. I think I'm going to have to figure out a way to store the boat. We had boats growing up and I remember how having the right boat made days on the water more enjoyable. If I can find storage I know that we would be happiest with a used ski boat that I can take a few friends along.

 

[jkust]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

Well, my boat selection was limited to what would fit in my garage as well. I couldn't even get the extended swim platform since that would put me over the limit in my winter storage 3rd stall which is a couple feet shorter than the other two stalls. I won't store a boat outdoors here in MN. With that little length available you will be limited to a smaller boat. Even with the swing toung, there is still a couple feet of tounge and the outdrive and prop take up some length as well. I actually needed the 4 inches behind the drywall (2x4 walls) for the prop to fit. I do know that the Bayliner website lists the storage length of their boats on the trailer. I have got to think you will be down in the 16 or maybe 17 foot length options.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I had the same dilema...cept my garage is 25.5' long...so I could almost get the boat I wanted (wanted a cuddy...settled for the bowrider...still wish I got the cuddy). Anyhow, my gt205 which is listed at something like 19'7" overall uses up 24.5' of garage with the swing away tongue and extended swim platform. It was quite a tough decision, but can honestly say now, get the boat you want, and figure out where to store it.

Ian

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

as others said, you're letting the tail wag the dog. For one thing, if you stuff that boat into the garage you have lost your garage--and I doubt it's empty now. and when you calculate the value of your home divided by its square feet, you'll see that 200 square feet of garage is expensive storage.

We don't know where you are, as far as climate goes, so consider two-tiered storage: one for the summer that easy access, outside, and one for the winter--even a warehouse where you can't, practically, take it out on short notice.

Except for collectors, boats don't need to be kept in a garage, or under shelter except perhaps in high snow areas. It's a choice, b/c a garage-kept boat, like a garage kept car, will look shiny longer, but there is a real cost for that shininess.

Also, since you are shopping, why not get a boat that can handle the weather: fiberglass, no carpet, minimum permanent cushions. It sure makes boating easy.

I know that keeping it in your garage removes the security issue--again, it's just something you are paying for.

I pay $40 a month for my trailer storage, outside, and I hate paying it, but compared to the cost of the boat, it's not that much. I just see it as a necessary expense, like insurance and taxes. You just have to budget in these things; I always say the purchase price is just the down payment.

 

[bcrozum]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I do agree with finding boat storage and just getting the boat that best fits our needs. I was just amazed that on trailer outdoor storage where I live is $100 a month. My wife was just afraid that having the boat in storage would mean that we don't use it as often as we would if it was in the garage. I can see how that might be if storage was very far away but I'm not convinced.

 

[jkust]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I think some of the decision comes down to where you live. I didn't catch that. I gladly give up a parking spot in the summer to store my snowmobile trailer and snowmobiles in one stall, the boat in the second and the nicest vehicle in the third. Of course the first damaging hail storm that comes along I will not be happy. In the winter the snowmobile trailer goes outside but the snowmobiles all fit snugly and of course the boat is in there and here you need indoor parking for your cars. I guess I am of the opinion you need to get your house in order first rather than figure it out later. How big is your family? We have 4 and get along just fine on 18' 3". I could maybe get by with 5 but more than that would be cramped. In Minnesota you don't see much over 20 feet for bowriders. (In our vernacular "entry level" refers to brand not necessarily size"). Heck I grew up on a 16 footer and a 15 footer with my family of 4 and never wanted for more space. I have a little different take on renting also. I would buy land an build a garage before I pay a dime of storage rent to anyone. Not a slip but storage.
Nobody really addressed your negative review comment on Tahoe boats? Where did you read those? I have read more negative reviews about Tahoes here than any other brand. More specifically, some pretty serious hull issues not just accessory issues.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I was facing this issue last fall when I bought my Starcraft. My one-car garage is about 21' and I thought I would have to modify the trailer on my 16' SS to a swing-away...but she fits like a glove

I was keeping my 12 footer in there during the summer so the rig is always ready to go and dry...but now the SS lives there year-round.

I don't mind brushing snow off the car, it's the only way I can work on the boat 24/7 during the winter

Good luck to ya!

 

[packman35]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I had the same issue when I bought my boat a year ago. Although in an ideal world, I would have bought the boat first and then figured out how to store it, the admiral wouldn't approve the purchase at all if it couldn't go in the garage if you know what I mean. We were already paying $50/mo to store our camper so another storage fee was out of the question.

I had 21' to work with and after installing a swing hinge on my trailer tongue, it fit - barely.

The Bayliner 185 will fit your garage according to their website.

 

[PitchFork]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I have a 1994 19.6' and I keep it in the garage sideways. I back it in almost all the way lower the trim almost all the way down and then disconnect it from the truck and push the tongue to the boat?s drivers side. I have 2 feet to get around both sides of the rear of boat.

My garage is 22' wide by 19' deep.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

I have a 1994 19.6' and I keep it in the garage sideways. I back it in almost all the way lower the trim almost all the way down and then disconnect it from the truck and push the tongue to the boat?s drivers side. I have 2 feet to get around both sides of the rear of boat.

My garage is 22' wide by 19' deep.

That's a lot easier to do with a single axle trailer. Tandem axles don't make it quite so easy to maneuver in tight spaces without a vehicle attached.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

you can put the trailer wheels on dollies and slide it all over the place. Still, easier with single than tandem.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

Well, I will disagree with the majority of posters here. I have, and will continue to in the future, purchase boats that can fit into my 3rd stall. I don't want it sitting out in the weather, and boating is expensive enough without additional storage fees.

I think your decision to purchase a boat that will fit in your garage is something that if you feel is important to you, you should go with that. Plus you don't have the added expense of storage fees.

Every time we have a hail storm, ice storm, tornado warning, high winds, blizzard, etc, etc...I never have to worry about my boat or cars being damaged. I know they're safely tucked away & protected.

Like a few have said, you will gain room by backing it straight in, then turning it diagonal. With the swing away tongue, my guess is you'd make it.

My hunch says that if the dealer knows you're serious, they'll happy tow it to your house and help you shoe horn it in...

You could also look for a 16 ft bowrider, Bayliner has one, but I didn't see an 'on trailer' length listed...

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Bowrider with 20 foot storage length

Yeah, I also enjoy having the boat inside. I'd like a bigger boat, but keeping the one I have close and protected is more important to me.