Four Winns / Bayliner / Sting Ray / Or......

[Whiskey31]

I?m in the market for an 18? bowrider (or a 19? if not too heavy) with an outboard. In the next week I have lined up a few to look at Four Winns H180 OB, Bayliner 180, Stingray 191RX does anyone have any comments about these boats?what should I look at?...how would you rate them? Any other suggestions of what I should look at? I plan on getting one new or if possible a slightly used one.

I?m a new boater; this summer was our first try at it. We bought a 1988 18? with a Mercruiser. We learned a lot but enjoyed boating enough that we want to continue. We will stay in lakes and the Hudson River, we don?t foresee going in ocean. We have four kids in the early 20?s who we assume would want to tube behind the boat at times.

I know this time of year in NY isn?t the best time to look for a boat, but that?s what I?m doing.

 

[garbageguy]

Please look in the stickies for boat buying advice. Some of your concerns will depend on your budget and vintage of boats you're looking at, but typically it's almost all about condition. This is a good time to buy as some people will lower their price to avoid cost of winterizing/storing

 

[thumpar]

Condition is the first thing you should consider. What are you looking to do with the boat? What engines do they have?

 

[muskyfins]

Not necessarily a bad time to be boat shopping. If used-condition is the key. Then brand/year. If new, I'd consider reliability reports/reputation, authorized dealer location (no sense buying a boat if every time it has a warranty issue you have drive 2 hours), and who offers the features you want. Go to a boat show where several brands are represented and compare side by side.

 

[RGrew176]

The overall condition of the boat is the main thing to consider. A poorly cared for Stingray or a well cared for Bayliner could end up being what you will have to decide. I have owned 10 boats in my lifetime and 5 of them have been Bayliners. If I believed everything I read or heard about I would never have owned a Bayliner. I have found them to be pretty good boats if well cared for. All the boats you listed above are potentially good boats. Get a survey and make sure to take them all out and seatrial them. Good luck with your search and BTW fall is a great time to buy a boat as prices tend to drop in the fall and rise in the spring.

 

[redneck joe]

Welcome to the forum



If you get new as ststed, not too sure in matters much. IMO none are top of the line just good boats. Sit in them, bring an empty cooler and everything you think you will need. See how everything fits.

Power is important. You want the power for when or if you need it and you dont have to use it all the time.





If buying slightly used, read the others posts but depending on how slightly weigh the difference in cost to any warranties you will get with new. Also, either way, get to know the rep of the dealer you will be working with as things break. Intangible but needs to factor into 'cost'


I've owned three Bayliner and liked them alot.

 

[roffey]

I currently own a Stingray and like the boat. As I was told before I bought the boat, the stingrays are lake boats and do not do well on big water. The Stingrays are performance boats on a budget and have no wood in the construction (not sure if that's good or not).

Love that top end, lol.

 

[tpenfield]

Not completely sure if you are intending to buy new or nearly new . . . My comment would be that these boats are in the economy sector of the market, so as long as you understand that then you should be fine with making a decision based on what you like and are looking for in a boat.

 

[southkogs]

What don't you like about your current boat? That'll possibly answer a lot of questions about the next boat.

 

[SkiDad]

Bayliners will probably be the cheapest. We have 2 of them and have been fine. The quality is just average. I do like the 180 a lot. The stingray will probably be a faster boat but not ride as smoothly as a Bayliner if you are looking at v hull boats. Make sure you step up the engine size if you can.

 

[Slip Away]

If buying new:

This: Monterey 197 Blackfin

 

[Slip Away]

Or Crownline 19XS

 

[redneck joe]

What don't you like about your current boat? That'll possibly answer a lot of questions about the next boat.

good point.

 

[thumpar]

Or Crownline 19XS

I hate that boat. I am a Crownline owner and they put an outboard on one of there models.

 

[Volphin]

I like the Stingrays. Good solid glass and easy to maintain. Just my .02.

 

[muskyfins]

I hate that boat. I am a Crownline owner and they put an outboard on one of there models.

Why? If I could find a nice cruiser with twin OB's I'd buy it. (Well, in my price range anyway) OB's are so much easier to deal with IMO.

 

[thumpar]

I am just not an outboard fan. We are lake boaters. An outboard leaves a blob on the back. I have a full sundeck and swim platform across the back.

 

[roffey]

I am just not an outboard fan. We are lake boaters. An outboard leaves a blob on the back. I have a full sundeck and swim platform across the back.

I agree and the motor is basically a car motor that any mechanic can look at. I know I will get flamed for the last statement, I still take the boat to a marina and still do as much myself as I can..

 

[fishin98]

Are you looking at new or late model boats? The Bayliner 180 is a very nice boat especially with the 115 4stroke. People who are STILL banging on Bayliners, need to take a look at their web site for 2016......I have my eye on the new for 2016 Element F18...Whoa Baby! BTW.... O/B's are the ONLY way to go these days!!!
Just my 2CTs

 

[bruceb58]

As long as the Bayliner isn't from the 80's or early 90's. Quality was very poor.