boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

[delsol]

thanks everyone, about your advice on new boats, i went to a boat show friday, i am still thinking about late model used boat but with everyones advice my eyes opened clearly...i saw a 18 ft sea ray 14995 with everything but sales tax...top cd etc.<br />crownline same equipment 17000<br />chaperall 18 sport pkg 2003 left over 15995<br />chap has nicer detail but new one is 8oo more with 2 month wait all had 4cly chevs with merccrusars <br />warr searay 5 yr<br />crown 5 yr <br />chap 3yr these are engine and outdrive warr..<br />i like the chap<br />also would a 4cly engine make you not want to buy boat...<br />main question is i want to wait to june and they are turning up the heat on deals with factory money and extended warr. if i wait till june do you think i can get a similer deal..because all these deals are due to expire march 31<br />also bayliner boar 17.5 i thought was a good deal after looking closer the difference is night and day...11k vrs 15-15-17...nicer boats have radios tops tilt wheels etc

 

[KCook]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

would a 4cly engine make you not want to buy boat...

Correct, all of these nicer 18s need the 4.3L V6. If that bumps the price up too much go back to searching for a used boat.<br /><br />It's the entry level 175 boats that work well with the 3L. Plus a few light weight 180s like Stingray. But you have passed over these for the nicer boats that have radios tops tilt wheels etc. Which brings you to a different class of boat that needs more motor for good resale.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[delsol]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

if i keep the boat a long time would it be ok for a 4cly forget about resale....would the power be ok 40 mph etc other wise i have to get v-6 thats out of my budget 2500 more

 

[KCook]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

Many buyers figure on keeping their first boat for many years. Very few actually end up doing that. Besides, the more years you do keep the boat, the more enjoyment you will get out of its performance. A long term ownership is argument for the better boat, not the compromised boat.<br /><br />At the bottom of the page for this link is a table showing different speeds for different motors - Performance Benchmarks . The difference in speed may not seem like much. But the difference in ability to pull up skiers will be more marked. This is the main reason for the bigger motor, not top speed.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[Invader92]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

I suggest staying away from the Bayliner. Only cause my dad is a long time certified marine mechanic and has always told me to stay away from them. I'd have to quize him to get all the details.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

Bobby,I would stay away from 4cyl.You may regret the lack of performance and the resale will surely suffer without a doubt.I dont think that I would wait until June because there are fewer buyers NOW.You can work yourself a better deal when the buyers are not lined up.In June the salesman and manufacturers need you less because this is when the buyers line up.Make your deal now while the boat dealers are lonely.Your best deal an a convertible car is when there is snow on the ground,not when the sun is shining and 80 degrees out!!I would not consider a Chapparel because of an ongoing thread here on iboats that show a problem with customer service and quality control.Good Luck!!!Charlie

 

[RatFish]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

bobby515,<br /><br />You're getting some good advice from the other members in this post as well as your other posts. Don't try to talk yourself into a compromise. In the long run, you won't be happy. You know in your gut that you want the 4.3L V6. Don't rush it. Forget about getting a boat right now and save up some more cash to get the boat equipped the way you want. Will waiting 6 to 8 months allow you to save enough cash for the 4.3L V6? I have seen some good deals on new and used boats in the fall. Slow down, don't rush it.<br /><br />I was in a situation similar to yours not too long ago. It was really tough (Boat shows make you want to buy... Now!) but I decided to put off my boat purchase for a year. I got a second job and went into "penny pinching" mode. Instead of settling for an 18' or 19' with a 4.3L V6, I was able to get a 20' with a 5.0L V8. I'm happy with my decision and I'm sure my wife and 4 kids will like the extra space.

 

[delsol]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

rat fish<br />i am going to wait till early july because i had 4 problem boats and waiting to get what you want makes great sense thank you , but i also had a 18ft 4cyl renkin it had enought power for me but i am going to wait and shoot for late used or 4.3

 

[LubeDude]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

You are definatly doing the right thing. Its unfortunate, but you are one of the few that come on the forum, ask for advice, and then actually take it!! Most tell us what they are going to do and then want us to tell them they are doing the right thing! Then when we tell them not to do it they do it anyway! Why do they come here in the first place?

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

Another reason to wait and get the 4.3 instead of the 3.0. Just because the boat will do 45+ doesn't mean that you are going to drive it like that all the time. The bigger engine allows you to swing a bigger pitch prop and get a faster cruising speed while not spinning the poor motor at WOT. A V-6 will usually last longer than a I-4 because you don't have to spin it as fast to get the power you want or need. Another reason is the one time that you really NEED the extra hp and speed, you will be soo happy with the bigger engine, you won't care what gas costs or how much it burns an hour, at the point all you will care about is how soon can I get to shore. I've been there and fortunately pure dumb luck had caused my dad to get a 125hp Merc (69) for a boat that was rated for a 95hp motor. My brother fell while skiing and the skeg of the ski hit him in the head. I actually beat the Ambulance to shore, the hell with no wake speeds at that point, WOT till about 100' from the dock. I expected to get yelled at for the wake, but even the sheriff said that my wake was smaller at that speed than most of the guys that were not on plane.<br /><br />Craig.

 

[montanaman]

Re: boat shopping results.. thanks everyone

I just went through the same situation. I wanted to get a new boat a year and a half ago but faught of the erge until I could afford to get the boat I wanted. It was torture but the wait was worth it. IMO you should not settle for the 3.0. The 4.3 will serve you better in every way, except weight. Try looking for last model year hold overs, sometimes dealers give great deals to free up the space. Good luck.