'98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

[Fotog]

My tow vehicle has limited capacity (3600 lbs) so I'm trying to stay in the 1900-2300 lb range for a used boat. Also trying to stay below $8,000. Looked at a really sharp looking '98 Chaparral 180 LE, but length and beam are nearly identical to a Bayliner 175, and weight is only 200 lbs more, so I'm wondering if you all think the Chaparral has more intrinsic value than the Bayliner. I looked at a Chaparral 183 that was 2900 lbs, so I'm really surprised that this 180 is only 2100. Makes me wonder if the 180 isn't as well made as the bigger Chaparrals.

Seems to me that a newer Bayliner 175 with less than 100 hrs on the Merc 3.0 drive is likely to have fewer drivetrain issues than the Chaparral, which is running on a rebuilt Volvo Penta 3.0 with Cobra SX drive. I really like the looks of the Chaparral better, but really REALLY want a boat that is going to start up every time and not leave me dead in the water somewhere.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

An 8 or 9 year old Bayliner with less than 100 hours raises 2 flags. 1.Why so little use? and 2. it is a Bayliner. Both are old enough to have structure problems if they have not had proper care and storage. The Bayliner is suspect simply due to the reputation they have earned. You have to be concerned about more than mechanical problems with boats of that age. I'm not sure how much wood is in a Chapp of that age but Bayliner still uses it. Floor, stringers, and transom are hopefully still solid and dry.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

I'm not sure you're going to find a 18' I/O bow rider that gets under your weight limit.

2300 lbs would be for the boat dry only! No trailer (1000lbs) no fuel no nothing.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

Bayliner in this situation hands down. The 2005 models had much better hull construction and warranties.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

With all the problems found on new Bayliners be especially cautious. Their rep from the '80s has not changed, has not deserved to. Most are fine but others have problems from day one.

 

[jkust]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

Right, so the Chaparral 183ss is the same as the 190SSI made up to 2008. They rebadged it in 2004. They are 2950 lbs with the base 4 cylinder dry and go up as you go to the 270hp V8 optional engine. The 183/190 are in a different class than that old LE as Chaparral came out with a whole new hull patent in the 2000's. With just the single axle trailer and full gas and gear you are way past your tow limit. As much as Chaparral and Bayliner aren't in the same league, I would go Bayliner over the subject, old school LE, as it is just so much newer. Just to put you on track, pull up every single 18 foot bowrider you can find for sale of every single brand and it's going to be hard to find one that weighs in at or close to 3000lbs apples to apples as the 183/190 as they are a bit of an anomaly buildwise. As much as I wouldn't buy a 3.0 equipped boat because a 4.3 has 43% more HP and a load more torque, I see people on our lake pulling tubes all day and having fun with them. The 3.0 makes a distinct sound and they are easy to pick out of a crowd.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

An 8 or 9 year old Bayliner with less than 100 hours raises 2 flags. 1.Why so little use? and 2. it is a Bayliner. Both are old enough to have structure problems if they have not had proper care and storage. The Bayliner is suspect simply due to the reputation they have earned. You have to be concerned about more than mechanical problems with boats of that age. I'm not sure how much wood is in a Chapp of that age but Bayliner still uses it. Floor, stringers, and transom are hopefully still solid and dry.

100 hours on a 2005 lake boat isn't really that odd. A lot of people buy the starter sized 175s as a first boat, use them some the first year and then they sit. Pretty common actually.

As for the bayliner thing - I get it, you don't like them - you mention it in every bayliner thread that comes up. I've got no idea what an edgewater is, but have you ever actually owned a bayliner?

 

[jkust]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

100 hours on a 2005 lake boat isn't really that odd. A lot of people buy the starter sized 175s as a first boat, use them some the first year and then they sit. Pretty common actually.

As for the bayliner thing - I get it, you don't like them - you mention it in every bayliner thread that comes up. I've got no idea what an edgewater is, but have you ever actually owned a bayliner?

Agreed...I looked this weekend and my 03 has 151 hours now on the meter. Reason being is we mostly just drift and float around or hang out at a sandbar or island. Very common around here at least. Sure Bayliners aren't the best or have the most expensive equipment but in my mind there are no bad boats just bad boat owners. They all already have the same engines now days.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

Agreed...I looked this weekend and my 03 has 151 hours now on the meter. Reason being is we mostly just drift and float around or hang out at a sandbar or island. Very common around here at least. Sure Bayliners aren't the best or have the most expensive equipment but in my mind there are no bad boats just bad boat owners. They all already have the same engines now days.

No hour meter on mine, but I'd be guessing around 40-50 hours per year average and more like 60 this year. We tend to ski/board hard for a couple hours and then beach it and relax or take a cruise around Minnetonka. Average out for us is 3-4 hours of running time/day once a week (june - sept) and then everyday for one week each summer. But many only take them out holiday weekends (never understood the logic or economics of that).

 

[Fotog]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

If I go with Bayliner, I would prefer the 185 over the 175, but prices around here are much higher on those. I did find a 2006 185 with less than 100 hrs and with lots of canvas (I want both a high bimini for summer sun cruising AND a convertible top with side windows for those Pacific NW days when you get both sun and rain but still want to get out on the water). I looked at a 185 with snap-out carpet, which is a great option, but haven't seen any others since then. Would most Bayliner 185's have a wood floor, or do they all have the fiberglass liner in the 2006-2008 vintage?

I'm going to be solo launching my new boat, which makes me very nervous. My previous boats were all in the water in slips, so just walk on and go. Sadly, I'll be trailering and launching every time now. I'm almost 65, so I want a boat that is reasonably easy for me to handle on launch and retrieve. I'm retired so I'll be going out mid-week to avoid the pressure of a long line at the boat ramp.

 

[Fotog]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

Right, so the Chaparral 183ss is the same as the 190SSI made up to 2008. They rebadged it in 2004. They are 2950 lbs with the base 4 cylinder dry and go up as you go to the 270hp V8 optional engine. The 183/190 are in a different class than that old LE as Chaparral came out with a whole new hull patent in the 2000's. With just the single axle trailer and full gas and gear you are way past your tow limit. As much as Chaparral and Bayliner aren't in the same league, I would go Bayliner over the subject, old school LE, as it is just so much newer. Just to put you on track, pull up every single 18 foot bowrider you can find for sale of every single brand and it's going to be hard to find one that weighs in at or close to 3000lbs apples to apples as the 183/190 as they are a bit of an anomaly buildwise. As much as I wouldn't buy a 3.0 equipped boat because a 4.3 has 43% more HP and a load more torque, I see people on our lake pulling tubes all day and having fun with them. The 3.0 makes a distinct sound and they are easy to pick out of a crowd.

Thanks for the info on the Chaparrals. I'm not too concerned about lack of power on the 3.0. I'll be mainly cruising around exploring local lakes and rivers, not pulling skiers or tubing. In a perfect world, I'd love to have an old Century Arabian with the big V8 and waterline exhaust. Now that's a distinct sound! But given my current choices I can live with the 3.0. If I find the right boat at the right price and it has the 4.3, so much the better, but the 3.0 has so much room around it to work...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

If I go with Bayliner, I would prefer the 185 over the 175, but prices around here are much higher on those. I did find a 2006 185 with less than 100 hrs and with lots of canvas (I want both a high bimini for summer sun cruising AND a convertible top with side windows for those Pacific NW days when you get both sun and rain but still want to get out on the water). I looked at a 185 with snap-out carpet, which is a great option, but haven't seen any others since then. Would most Bayliner 185's have a wood floor, or do they all have the fiberglass liner in the 2006-2008 vintage?

I'm going to be solo launching my new boat, which makes me very nervous. My previous boats were all in the water in slips, so just walk on and go. Sadly, I'll be trailering and launching every time now. I'm almost 65, so I want a boat that is reasonably easy for me to handle on launch and retrieve. I'm retired so I'll be going out mid-week to avoid the pressure of a long line at the boat ramp.

Good thought on the 185 vs 175, a little extra size and height is nice. The 185's of that vintage should have glass floors and snap out carpet, although there is still wood in the boat.

 

[Fotog]

Re: '98 Chaparral 180 LE vs '05 Bayliner 175

OK, I've got another issue about the Bayliner 185 and available cockpit layouts, but since this post was about Chaparral vs Bayliner 175 I'll save it for another post. Thanks all for your input.