Re: Looking to buy a deck boat and need some help!
Don't know about other areas, but here along the LA/MS/AL/FL gulf coast even used deckboats hold a pretty good value. And good used ones are hard to come by. You are gonna pay in the mid to high teens, and low 20s for anyting fairly recent and decent, and new just cost to much (for me anyways). Having just gone through the hunt myself I opted for a 1998 21 Bayliner Rendezvous (under powered with a 120 Force whick I will tolerate and replace when needed) but in great shape and very low running hours, bought from the original owner. I know its like comparing apples to oranges but I paid a heck of a lot less for it than like sized 1994 - 1996 chaps are selling for down here. Went over it in detail before making an offer; crawled into as many holes as I could get into and checked evey inch I could see/feel for obvious weaknesses, and test ran it very aggressively in rough weather. I have been very happy with it thus far and see no reason as yet to regret saving several $$K - the closest competitors for my money were a 1994 Chap/Sonesta for $15K, and the same Bay/Rendezvous 2000 year model for $19K. I paid much, much, mucho less for the 98. Personally, I do not buy new simply because boats depreciate too quickly - unless you really go high-end. Good luck and good boating my friend.
