Another 1st timer looking for advice

[WolfProperties]

This is my first post, and looking for a little unbiased advice. My wife and I just moved to Michigan and we are looking for a boat. I would like something like a 23-25ft cuddy, but she wants a larger cruiser type (and we know who wins out) We are looking at 24-26 foot mid cabin, and there really is not a large selection around the Grand Rapids area. We looked at a couple 99 Crownline 26', but they seemed a bit dated for our taste. We will be out on the weekends, probably sleeping Saturday-Sunday on it. Our budget is around $30-35k comfortably, and I probably wont be trailering it. I do want to pull a tube. A/C would be nice but there dont seem to be a lot in my price range.

Some of the boats I found that look appealing to me:
2000 Chaparral 240
2000-2002 Crownline 242
2003 Sea Ray 260 (has the 5.0l engine, which I have been told is too small)

Any advice welcome, it seems that every boat dealer has a different opinion. Thanks in advance!

 

[midsouthfire]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

I'm a newbie also, but there will be some opinions coming shortly.

 

[WolfProperties]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

I did fail to mention that my credit union wants something 2000 or newer.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

This is my first post, and looking for a little unbiased advice. My wife and I just moved to Michigan and we are looking for a boat. I would like something like a 23-25ft cuddy, but she wants a larger cruiser type (and we know who wins out) We are looking at 24-26 foot mid cabin, and there really is not a large selection around the Grand Rapids area. We looked at a couple 99 Crownline 26', but they seemed a bit dated for our taste. We will be out on the weekends, probably sleeping Saturday-Sunday on it. Our budget is around $30-35k comfortably, and I probably wont be trailering it. I do want to pull a tube. A/C would be nice but there dont seem to be a lot in my price range.

Some of the boats I found that look appealing to me:
2000 Chaparral 240
2000-2002 Crownline 242
2003 Sea Ray 260 (has the 5.0l engine, which I have been told is too small)

Any advice welcome, it seems that every boat dealer has a different opinion. Thanks in advance!

HI there and Welcome !! There are a lot of boat for sale !! did you try ebay ?? you can limit your search to what you are looking for !! size and distance !! just a thought !! John

 

[D445547]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

Check out Boat Trader and Craigs List as well.

 

[flboater312]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

I'm a newbie also, but there will be some opinions coming shortly.

Check out fleetrates.com they helped me find me find my new or used boat. They carry everything. I believe TJ helped me.

 

[WolfProperties]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

Thanks for the replies. I have been all over Boattrader, Craigslist, and Ebay. I was more inquiring about what brands people recommend, and what to stay away from. Browsing the classifieds here I managed to find some Rinkers, a Regal or two and some Chaparral. I was told to stay away from Bayliner and Maxxum, but this could have been some bad advice. Its always nice to talk to owners and see what they think.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

Be patient a bit more. The ice has barely melted, and within the next couple months there'll be many boats for sale in West Michigan, but it's a bit too soon for a good selection yet. There's gotta be hundreds of marinas from Charlevoix to Buffalo Harbor ... or even along the Lake Michigan coast across Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

I have a friend that restored a 32' from an almost-gutted hull a year ago. Did a fantastic job. We took it out on the Lake in October -- he wanted to swim in Lake Michigan on October 20! He's planning on selling it this spring, but it's still in storage. Point is, most of the boats you might want are also in storage for a few weeks yet.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

It's good to see some locals joining this forum.

Regarding the boat:

Will this be your first boat? Do you have experience on a boat in the size range you are considering? The difference going from a 23' cuddy up to a 26' cruiser is actually pretty substantial.

If you aren't trailering it where do you plan to keep it? Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon? Do you think it will be in a slip or in a dry rack?

Do you see yourself as the type that will be getting in the boat on Friday night and heading out to a destination?...up to Ludington or something. Or are you the type that will be staying pretty close to your home port and just going out on the lake for the day and going back to the marina for the nights? Is efficiency/fuel consumption a bigger factor than getting somewhere fast?

Will it be just you and the Mrs. using the boat? Do you have kids that will be with you? Will you be bringing friends and family with you?

You mention pulling a tube, are there any other water sports you would want to be able to do?

I guess all of this boils down to the fact that it is hard to make a reccomendation without knowing how you plan to use the boat.

I would say that the three brands you mention are all fine boats. Bayliner and Maxxum in that size range are fine too. Maintenance or the lack thereof is really what makes one boat significantly better than another.

I was surprised you didn't mention Four Winns. They have some really nice boats in the size range you are looking at. I particularly like their current generation of "cruisers" that give you a small mid cabin under the helm seat and a very flat deck for entertaining with a "U" shaped seat behind the helm. This is a layout that is probablly pretty common, but I like how Four Winns executes it. I am not sure what year Four Winns first had this layout, I think it was probably around 2002 or 2003. I don't really like the previous generation of Four Winns in this size range.

Good luck.

R. J. Pruitt

 

[oops!]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

26 is a whole lotta boat for a first time boater.......

the chaps and rays are great boats.....on 23 feet minimum a 5.7L......

thats a 350....on a 26 you might want a bit bigger...generally a 26 cruiser is not a boat people wakeboard behind..(pull toys)..but ....why not...

yep and i agree...wait a bit longer....the us money situation is in the dumps...and soon the boat pries will drop...to find a good craft...keep looking on craigs list....be prepaired to ship a few miles.....

there is a big blue section called manufacturers forums......just down on the main page.....start reading......!

this place is boat university.......hit search....and learn...learn...learn

cheers
oops

 

[WolfProperties]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

Wow thanks for all the replies. We have been looking and looking, and think we have decided on a 24-25' due to budget. We have around $25k to spend to stay comfortable. We will probably be sleeping on it a few weekends a month, and I also enjoy wakeboarding. With gas prices the way they are here I think we will probably stay close to home which is looking like Grand Haven so far. I found a 00 Crownline 242CR in Detroit, but no trailer. I think I will hang out and the right boat should come along. There was a really nice Chaparral in Green Bay, but again no trailer.

 

[WolfProperties]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

Oh, and yes it will be mainly myself and my wife. We may have another couple on occasion, but that will be few and far between.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Another 1st timer looking for advice

don't discount bayliner for a first boat, they are much better after 2000. the new ones are great bang for the money.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.