older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

[boslaw]

I'm looking to buy my first boat. Two current options are a 1993 grady with a 1999 repower, or a 2001 trophy with 2001 motor. price and options are basically the same.

Typically I'd buy the newer boat. Do I believe the hype the Grady is SO much better that the 1993 boat is a better option than the 2001 Trophy?

I'm clueless and looking for help. This is NOT intended to start a flame war - just looking for concrete rational reasons to go one way or the other.

Thanks

 

[Solittle]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

Condition is far more important than age in my book. Having said that I believe the hype on the Grady.

 

[QC]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

I like both, but condition being equal, I would be more proud of the Grady . . .

 

[JB]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

If you want a really good older boat look at a Boston Whaler. 20-30 year old Whalers are better boats than most new ones today.

Personally, I would much rather have a 10 year old Grady White in good shape than a new Trophy.

 

[ebry710]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

If you want a really good older boat look at a Boston Whaler. 20-30 year old Whalers are better boats than most new ones today.

There are things (like wood) that are only found on older boats. I look at boats like I look at fishing lures......some are design to catch fish, others fishermen. New boats seem to be setup for beauty and old boats are setup for the beast.

Old boats, if maintained, can be preferred.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

Grady White if in decent shape. Just like Whalers, you can sell it in a few years and probably get dang close to your purchase price back (used, of course). What are the lenghts and motors?

 

[boslaw]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

both are 20 feet

grady comes with a 1999 honda 125 or 130hp
trophy comes with a 2000 merc 150hp

what's so much better about the grady? Assuming they both look cosmetically in the same shape and condition, wouldn't I be better off going with the newer motor (I'm assuming comparable hours)? Isn't that where my $$ will go in the next 4-5 yrs? I assume the hull on both boats should be fine (although the grady is 15 yrs old vs. the trophy 7 yrs old).

I guess what I'm saying is, what's so much better about the grady? Why is there all the hype? Is it more about the little things that will break quicker on the trophy? It just seems so hard to justify paying $19k for an older, lower powered boat vs. $16k for a newer, more powerful boat. I can understand paying more for a newer grady if the materials are that much better, but after 15 yrs, what is the extra $3k buying me? The trailer is the same, there are no other add-ins.

 

[boslaw]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

also, aside from resale value, I haven't seen any concrete reason why the grady is better - everyone seems to prefer them but no one can tell me why. Will it ride better?

 

[fishmen111]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

Boslaw, IMHO the Grady is just a top quality boat. Not to imply the Trophy is junk by any means. There are groups of boats that have just proven themselves over many years. Grady, Whaler, Shamrock and Parker to name a few (saltwater). Yes, they both float, run and will serve you well. The Grady will just do it longer. Hit a 2' wake at full speed in both and I bet you'll feel the difference. My analogy is a Lexus to a Mustang (I have a Stang, so no flames). Everything on the boat is higher quality and purpose built. Is there a little name game there...sure. I would also much rather have the Honda by the way. I am sure you will enjoy whichever one you choose. Just my $.02.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

in the quality line 1-10 the grady is a 8.5 the trophy is a 5. they are a Brunswick boat.

the question that has not been asked, is which motor has a service center close enough to work on the motor. Merc centers are everywhere. Honda centers are few and far between.

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.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. 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.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[boslaw]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

Thanks for the advice all. I guess I'll have to take a closer look and really see if I can tell any differences in the condition of the boat and motor (I don't want to pay for survey on both)

For what it's worth, I plan on doing mostly fishing and cruising with the family. I have 3 very young kids (5, 3, 1) and I'm mostly interested in boating because I love to fish, but I will want to take the family out as much as possible too. That's why I'm looking at a walkaround with cuddy - seems like a better setup for that all-around use than a center console which would really not be so good for the family or a bowrider which would not be so good for fishing. I know most experienced boaters would probably tell me to go with the center console but my mind is pretty much made up on this issue.

As I've said, it's my first boat so I don't want to spend a ton of money - I just want something basic that will give me very little trouble for 5 yrs.

 

[Williaaz]

Re: older good boat or newer lesser quality boat?

I just repowered a 1992 Champion 190 DCR Elite with a new 150HP Opti as oposed to buying a newer boat. Quality made the call for me. Good Luck.