Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

[tbmaciii]

Hi all,

I live on the Chesapeake Bay, have all of my life, I have been offered a deal on a boat which I feel is a good one and have a question or two.

My aunt is offering me her 2003 glastron SX195(18'7" L, 4.3 Mercruiser I/O) bowrider. She is the only owner, has less than 100 hours on it and only had a carburator problem that she had fixed and will fix again if their becomes any related issue. Boat comes with trailer and has new CD player installed. All for $8,000. Boat is in good condition, some obvious wear, minor but noticeable.

I feel as though this was a great deal, but now after reading up on it I am not so sure that it is, because of the inboard outdrive motor. I would love to take her up on this offer, it was appraised at around 14k I believe. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

Around here that would be a dealer price on a 10 year old boat but I don't know what the market in your area is.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

welcome to iboats!

the inboard/outboard bow rider is a lake boat and not a good fit for the Chesapeake Bay* (even though they sell a lot of them to new boaters). So unless you have a particular desire for that design, and are willing to accept the long list of limitations and expenses, you should pass. If it were almost free, maybe for starter boat untill a good one comes along. There is, however, some value to having a boat with a well-known history.

For a boat under 20' you want an outboard (and even for larger, but that's your aunt's size). Something that doesn't have carpet or have to be covered when not in use--in other words, a boat made for outdoor use. And a seaworthy design. Finally, for a small boat, one that has maximum open space in it.

* you may be way up a river on lake-like conditions, but you will have to stay there.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

Sounds like just a fair price on a 10 year old boat and that's assuming it's in really great condition. It's definitely not worth the $14k appraisal price. While I do think that boat would be OK for bay use, I agree with HC above that it's not ideal. I have an 18' and if it's at all windy, I don't go out on the bay. It's just not a pleasant experience. What area of the bay are you in?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

.....Sounds like a good deal on an entry level boat for you. Just pick your days to take it out. I suspect you won't have the boat in a slip, so an I/O will be
fine for your use. Just flush it out after each use, and it will give you year's of enjoyment. Nothing wrong with an outboard (newer models) but unless you
plan on being on the water 6 days per week, the I/O will do the job nicely. I say go for it.

 

[tbmaciii]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

Thanks for the replies everyone...now I am even more confused lol

I will be in the deale/galesville/edgewater area I suppose. With a boat only 19ft am I not able to really go out on the bay? What sort of limitations?

Thanks

 

[jkust]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

Understand that particular boat is a dime-a-dozen, entry level boat even here in MN where boats tend to be expensive. Generally when I see an SX195 the only redeeming quality is that they generally have a 5.0 in them so a cheap way to get V8 power. Given it is almost prime boat buying time, I'd be willing to pay 8k for one with a 5.0 or possibly a 4.3 if the boat was a trailer queen. With only 100 hours I would expect no noticable wear given it's not that far past the break in period. I agree with the above that that may not be the best choice for your intended body of water.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

Thanks for the replies everyone...now I am even more confused lol

I will be in the deale/galesville/edgewater area I suppose. With a boat only 19ft am I not able to really go out on the bay? What sort of limitations?

Thanks

You can certainly go out on the bay, but you will get beat up if it's windy. 15+ MPH? Stay home. And keep an eye on the weather when you're out there.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

^^^^^^ Agree. Heck, I've been on Lake Superior in a 16'. Just need to pick the right days.......

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

I would take it out for a great long test ride on your average day doing the average stuff you intend to use it for. Heck this is your Aunt, so I bet she would let you use it for a day before you decide. Take a seasoned boater with you so you can go over that thing well. I agree that knowing the history of ownership is usually key. Is this boat stored in a garage or outside? Covered? Maintenance records?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying my first boat, good deal or not? Help appreciated

Thanks for the replies everyone...now I am even more confused lol

I will be in the deale/galesville/edgewater area I suppose. With a boat only 19ft am I not able to really go out on the bay? What sort of limitations?

Thanks

It's not the length of the boat that matters. I'd take my 14' whaler places and conditions your 19' bowrider couldn't handle or be safe in. You could get a dozen different 19' hulls that will work great for the bay: boston whaler, grady, carolina skiff, chincoteague scow, palm beach, bnay runner, skimmer, key west, and almost any boat with "sea" in the name except sea ray. And then when you come home, tie it up and leave it--no drying carpet (a really bad idea in boats) covering plastic, keep rain out, etc. Hose it off at most.

You do have a unique opportunity to test drive it since it's your aunt's, so you get to ride around in its cushy but cramped interior in calm but deep water (good luck finding them in the same place). But if you want something to cross open water, explore the bay, get home dry and safe on a day that turns ugly, don't get a lake boat.