Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

[option]

Hi, all, I have absolutely zero experience on boat. This year, I want to test water with some budget.

Today I went to a dealer close to my home and narrow down to two boats: 2006 Bayliner 175 (3.0 Mercruiser) vs 2003 Sea Ray 185 (4.3 Mercruiser). Sea Ray has about 650 hours and no data for Bayliner. Sea Ray costs $3500 more.

Because I really don't know much about boat, I decide to buy 3 year warrantee on the motor, $2180 for 4.3 Mercruiser and $1900 for 3.0 Mercruiser.

BTW, I am living in northern sub of Chicago, we generally have about 4 months per year suitable for water activities.

Any suggestions or experiences you guys can share with me are very apprepriated!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

Welcome to iboats!

What do you plan on doing with the boat, and with how many people? The Bayliner will be very cramped with more than 3 or 4 people; the Sea Ray is a little bigger. The 4.3L provides a lot more torque and horsepower than the 3.0L, and is a good match for the 'Ray. However, the Bayliner 175/3.0L combo has been found to be more than adequate by many people.

Can you get n on-water test of both boats?

The 'Ray was probably built a bit better than the 'liner, but you'll have to be the judge of whether there is enough difference to make a difference.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

If boating doesn't suit you... or you wind up upgrading later on... the 4.3 will be more desirable. But 650 hrs, seems like someone found the time to go boating. The warranty? Does it have any coverage on the drive? Find out all the details of the warranty... like if they have to be the ones to service it, winterize, etc... basically all the fine print. Post up some pics once you get the new ride!

 

[option]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

Thank you for the replies.

The Bayliner is $8000. The Sea Ray is $11500. The warrantee is from "Premium Marine Protection'. On the brochure, it says:
Covered Stern Drive, Inboard and Diesel Component Groups Include:
Engine, Electrical System
Transmission/V-Drive, ignition components
Stern Drive Upper Housing, Shift and Throttle Controls
Stern Drive Lower Unit, Manual Steering
Jet Drive, Hydraulic Steering
Fuel Delivery System, Power Trim and/or Tilt

Seems to me that it covers all the mechanic/engine related issues.

My family will only runaround on the nearby lakes, I will not drive crazy for sure. We won't hold big party, maybe bring one or two friends on board for some fun in hot and humid days.
At least for the first year, I won't do any skiing. We might do some water sports later, but it totally depends on how much my sons (14, 11 yr old) like the water activities.

My impression is that the interior quality of Sea Ray is better than the Bayliner (correct me if I am wrong) and it is 1 foot longer. Also, consider this way, a new Baylinger 175 (2012) probably is $15000 in WI or IN dealers. I believe there should be warrantee for the new ones. So paying $10000 for a 2006 model does not make much sense?

Is 650 hours too much? It seems pretty reasonable to me, for a 9 years old boat, 70 hours per year ...
The dealer told me replacing a 3.0 engine cost more than 5k for sure and 4.3, maybe 7k. That is why I want to buy the warrantee. I hate this warrantee part, but without any expereince and knowledge, I just dare not bet on my luck

 

[option]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

FIY: After I put a down payment, the dealer will fix whatever problem they know and do test drive on the late.
The dealer is a family owned business, seems very honest. They are not pushy and are really nice to me.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

The warrantee is from "Premium Marine Protection'. On the brochure, it says:
Covered Stern Drive, Inboard and Diesel Component Groups Include:
Engine, Electrical System
Transmission/V-Drive, ignition components
Stern Drive Upper Housing, Shift and Throttle Controls
Stern Drive Lower Unit, Manual Steering
Jet Drive, Hydraulic Steering
Fuel Delivery System, Power Trim and/or Tilt

Seems to me that it covers all the mechanic/engine related issues.

Sure, those systems are covered, but the details of the fine print are what matters.

Is there a deductible?
Is there a co-pay? A co-pay and a deductible?
Pay per problem/incident, or per visit/claim?
What annual service records are required?
Are inspections required?
Who can/can't do the service, maintenance, and winterizing?
How many "outs" are there for them to deny coverage? such as operator error, wear, neglect, accidents or obstacles?
Will the warrantee company even be in business if you need them?

To pay someone $2000 so that there is a chance you don't have to pay $4000 seems kind of weak.
I have found that the only warrantees that are worth anything, are direct from the manufacturer.

I would prefer the Sea Ray for the size, the 4.3, and the styling.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

Those "warranties" are actually more like insurance policies. When they figure out the odds and the price, guess who wins most of the time? Hint: It's not the purchaser.

 

[option]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

I search this kind of 'extended warrantee' on internet. The results don't surprise me some people say it is good and have good experience while some really hate it. Tomorrow I am going to call Mercruiser authorized service shop around my home and find out whether these guys accept this kind of warrantee. I guess this can help me find out something.

I know the odds favor the seller in the long run, but if they indeed honors its coverage, I can have peace in my mind, just like insurrance on the house, auto, even life ...

I will post here anything I can dig out.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

Youre going to want that bigger engine trust me since you are already talking about doing water sports. The 185's going to hold 6 people a little better than that 175. If you get six in that boat, do water sports, the 3.0's going to take a while to get up on plane. The 4.3l a little less and without worries of doing it.

 

[sankanother1]

Re: Need some advice on my first buy: 2006 Bayliner 175 vs 2003 Sea Ray 185

Keep looking.Your best boating is on the chain o lakes and fox river..Some of the greatest inland boating in the country..A 185 will be a great size..I dont care how big the boat is you never really want more than 5 people on it anyways.

I would dig deep look for an older boat with low hours.Look further away,Wisconsin,Indiana.That size boat is the most popular in the world you will find it.It doesnt matter what it says on the side of the boat.it matters that it was stored indoors and maintained.
You can bring the price point down by looking at an older boat so much as you wont need a warranty.A 1999 bayliner 185 that looks new could be found for 5000.The only downfall to a bayliner is the resale.But thats what you want..buy it cheap enough that it wont matter...They all use the same drives.No more OMC junk to worry about.All the i/o's are reliable now.

Dont let the under powered statements scare you away either..How often are you really going to wakeboard behind it? I can tell you that those 3.0's are GREAT on gas and are proven motors that are so easy to work on you can maintain it easily.A 4.3 SUCKS down the fuel good luck trying to change a starter if one goes bad.I would never buy another 4.3, I would go to a 5.0 but thats my opinion.

Use the small motor as a buying advantage tell the seller you wanted a 4.3 but your willing to settle if the price is right..These are my experiences and I have owned or worked on them all..

I live in Florida now but lived From Chicago all the way to Elgin.I know that market.The good deals will go fast this time of year.Have fun and take your time..even if its for next year..Time is your best advantage.Jumping on any deal because your anxious to go boating is the biggest mistake and the most common..