Help me pick out a boat...

[bobshishka]

Im in the market for a used family ski boat. I don't know much about boating, and I dont want to get swindled by some dealer or person on craigslist. Here is what I am looking for:

Used, cost up to 10K
Beginners Ski boat
Seats up to 8 but 5 comfortably
For water skiing, wakeboarding, inner tubing (not competitve, just for family fun)
Summer use only- probably 10 times a year
Fresh Water
Trailered, not docked

What direction should I look? Thanks for your opinions!

 

[benben]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

Back in the 80's we bought a Chaparral 200xlc for a ski/runabout because.....it had a deep v-hull which was critical on the lake we were on....Lake Lanier gets rough and a ski boat such as mastercraft would beat you to pieces....it also had a high freeboard which was a safety feature for kids and helped keep spray down in the boat...and it had enough hole shot to get a fat barefooter up, barely....I've seen folks having fun in the water behind a pontoon....lot's to consider other than just model, length, engine.....survey, survey, survey.....

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

Have you tried:

www.boattraderonline.com ??

Might be a place to help you locate a boat from your office chair.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

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. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

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

 

[bobshishka]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

Are Bayliners any good? They seem to be the newest boats I can find in my price range.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

They weren't particularly good in the 80's and 90's but their quality has improved substantially since then. Avoid ones with a Force outboard or an OMC inboard/outboard as parts and service are difficult to find.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

When buying used, the most important consideration is the care and maintenance that the previous owner gave the boat. The best new boat/motor in the world, could be a nightmare when bought used if it was not maintained properly by the previous owner. On the other hand, a boat of lesser quality could make an excellent used boat if it was properly maintained. Have someone knowledgeable check it out thoroughly. While "stuff happens" this should improve the odds of you getting a reliable boat. A little spent now could save thousands of dollars later.
Also remember that all of that carpet and vinyl upholstery that looks so good in the showroom or at the dock will require maintenance and will need to be protected from the elements. Often in a boat, simple is better. You will need to figure out how you will most often use the boat and then select the boat that is "best" for your use. The options are endless, from party barges, to ski/fish boats, to cuddy cabins, to die-hard fishing machines. The fun is in the choosing.

 

[greggholmes]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

i finally bit the bullet and bought a 2009 Bayliner 175. man is it sweet. if anything goes wrong, back to the dealer it goes for them to fix. Warranties are the best things ever invented. I got tired of used crap that required work every time i went out. My lawn mower is next.

 

[bobshishka]

Re: Help me pick out a boat...

For the price a new Bayliner just seems like a great deal. Have you pulled skiers with the 175? How does it do?