Looking to Buy..VERY LOST PLEASE HELP

[Not Today]

My wife and I will be buying a boat sometime in the near future...We
> had our hearts set on a Crownline..Just what we decided we
> liked...Plus I have a cousin that owned one and loved it...I talked
> to my local CL dealer and he told me about the company being bought by the same company that
> makes Rinker and that CL will be their premier boat...
>
> My question is...should we still
> consider a Cl or should we really consider another Brand...I don't
> want to buy a boat and then 2 years from now they don't exist
> anymore and then no one will fix them or work on them or be able to
> find parts for...
>
> Put yourself in my position being brand new and all....Would you
> look elsewhere? If so what brand...Regal, Sea Ray?

looking at 21- 23 footer
>
> Thanks for your time

 

[rbh]

Re: Looking to Buy..VERY LOST PLEASE HELP

besides the hull, you should be able to find or make any parts you need.
almost all parts were made by other companys and assembled under the brand name?
rob

 

[QC]

Re: Looking to Buy..VERY LOST PLEASE HELP

First off, welcome aboard NT!! . . . Common topic and concern. My first reaction is always that brand doesn't matter much. The reason being that boats are a pile of generic components with the exception of the hull itself and the windshield. Almost everything else would be common to many boats. Gauges, switches, hardware etc. are usually pretty common although many gauge packages have the manufacturers name on the face . . . Seats and interiors are easily replaced and repaired at local Upholstery shops for example.

Engines, drives, controls etc. etc. are all available identically to almost all manufacturers. So the parts thing is not a real reason to be concerned. Quality of construction on the other hand, is brand specific and Crownline has a very good reputation. I wouldn't hesitate if that's what I wanted.

With that all said, we always encourage people to SERIOUSLY consider used for their first boat. Boating with friends clears up some of this, but you really don't know what you want until you've spent a season boating. Also, you will make mistakes, and lots of them, with your first boat (and every one thereafter, just less of them). Pretty hard to take a gash in the Gelcoat on a brand new baby. Also lean toward 21 ft. with #1. Everything is easier except rough water with a smaller boat and trailer combo. Everything!

Edit: posting same time as rbh . . .

 

[5150abf]

Re: Looking to Buy..VERY LOST PLEASE HELP

Welcome to iboats.

No worries, Rinker is a local company to me and the have been around for ALONG time and I don't think they are going anywhere.

They also make a very nice boat, lots of them around here on the local lakes, one of the few family owned boat builders left.

As stated,the hull is really all they make, everything is is brought in from outside and put on the boat.

 

[Not Today]

Re: Looking to Buy..VERY LOST PLEASE HELP

any opinions on what other brands and makes to look at....

one thing i dont want to do is buy a boat the then say oh i shoulda bought a bigger one or whatever...

anymore help would be greatly appreciated

 

[jash1178]

Re: Looking to Buy..VERY LOST PLEASE HELP

I like carolina skiffs and sundance boats.

 

[QC]

Re: Looking to Buy..VERY LOST PLEASE HELP

any opinions on what other brands and makes to look at....

Chaparral, SeaRay, Cobalt . . .

one thing i dont want to do is buy a boat the then say oh i shoulda bought a bigger one or whatever...

I think what we are suggesting is that you should expect to want a different boat, so get some experience with something immediately and then you'll know what you really want and you won't have beaten up your dream boat. Just a suggestion based on a lot of experience and a lot of other's similar comments. Good luck. There is no perfect boat and they are all compromises