Purchasing a new boat

[cube]

We're considering purchasing a new boat and have narrowed it down to 3; the Bayliner 175, Four Winns Horizon and the Larson..what's the better choice and why?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Purchasing a new boat

not a great answer, but i'd take the four winns. my friend bought the bayliner and it just looks like a cheap boat. don't know much about the larson. another friend has an '84 four winns and it runs and looks great. good luck-

 

[iwhitevt]

Re: Purchasing a new boat

bow riders? read a review of the bayliner recently and they said it was a little stripped down, but for the money it was hard to beat ($1200?). also, i've heard that the new bayliners 2002+ are being built with a lot better quality control and structuraly are even with most boats- but just a rumor.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Purchasing a new boat

Four Winns and Larson's are both proven well built boats. Bayliner is a good value, just not as well built. There are a bilzillion Bayliners still running around out there. You almost always see one anywhere you boat. Just some quality issues, such as fit and finish, that makes some shy away from them. The older ones had structural problems(Rot) that plagued them, but I think that has all been addressed with the newer ones. I think if you are on a budget, I would look into the Bayliner's. Do your homework and ask other owners of Newer Bayliner's what they think. Good Luck,

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Purchasing a new boat

With regards to my above post, if you have the time on a Saturday, hang around your local Bayliner Dealer. Many will be bringing in there boat's for Winter Service and it would be a good place to ask those folks what they think, as many of those that take their boat to the Dealer for service have a Newer Boat that's under Warranty.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Purchasing a new boat

I CAN’T BELIVE I AM GOING TO RECOMMEND A BAYLINER !!!!!!<br /><br />I think the bayliner 175 is only 10.000 w/trailer…and a 135 IO …That is just a tough price for anyone to beat. And they give a lifetime warrantee on the hull and stringers! If you use your boat 10-15 times per year x 5yrs if it falls apart after that who cares… you will have gotten your money out of it, and if it is still in good shape, and you get 2 or 3g’s for it, you will have had the best boating experience of any boater I have ever met. Check out the specs……<br />2003 Bayliner 175 <br />Contact a Dealer Order a Brochure Request a Quote<br />DescriptionThe all-new Bayliner 175 – it’s not just a boat, it’s a boating revolution. Finally, the boating package that gives you everything you need to get started – boat, motor and trailer – at one amazingly affordable price. Want to exhaust the kids with a day of wakeboarding? Maybe you’d rather lie back and let the waves rock you to sleep. The 175 can accommodate everyone’s idea of fun on the water, yet it’s compact enough to park in the garage. If a lot of boat in one seriously cool package is what you’re looking for, the 175 is definitely the way to go.<br /><br />Key Features<br />· 17.5-foot fiberglass sport boat · 3.0-liter, 135 horsepower Mercruiser® engine · APS hull design - extended plane running surface · Fits comfortably in your driveway or garage · Made by Bayliner, the No. 1-selling boat manufacturer for the past 18 years · Performance in excess of 40 mph · Plenty of power to pull skiers and wakeboarders · Plenty of storage throughout · Room for seven · Trailer included (choose painted or galvanized) <br />Bow Area<br />· Assist handles· Beverage holders· Molded liner· Storage below both cushions<br />Cockpit<br />· Aft jump seats· Assist handles throughout· Beverage holders throughout· Hull side storage· Seats: back to back, 2 each· Ski/wakeboard locker<br />Console (port)<br />· Beverage holder· Storage niche<br />Construction Features<br />· Fiberglass: hand-laid· Hull: vinylester skin coat· Lifetime limited structural hull warranty, transferable· Meets or exceeds all applicable U.S. Coast Guard safety standards· NMMA certified· Unitized construction with glassed-in blukheads· Vinyls: expanded back, heavy-duty marine grade· XL composite panels: lifetime limited guarantee against deterioration in hull, deck and upholstery<br />Dealer-Installed Accessories<br />· Canvas: Bimini top/boot· Canvas: Convertible Top/Boot and Bow Well Cover· Trailer brake kit<br />Hardware and Equipment<br />· Hardware & EquipmentBilge pumpHorn, 12vNavigation lights, 12vSki tow eyeSteering: rack-and-pinion<br />Helm<br />· Beverage holder· Dash panel: non-glare· Helm seat: sleeper seat· Ignition safety switch with lanyard· Instrumentation, analog: speedometer, tachometer, voltmeter, trim gauge, temperature, oil pressure and fuel gauges<br />Hull and Deck<br />· "Sure-Grip" textured surfaces· Bow/stern eyes (3)· Cleats: mooring (4)· Concealed horn· Custom graphics package· Deck fitting: fuel fill with internal vent· Folding swim ladder· Rigid vinyl gunwale molding· Transom platform: integrated<br />Specifications Without Trailer With Trailer<br />Length overall (LOA) 17'6"/5.33 m 21'2"/6.45 m<br />Beam 7'0"/2.13 m 7'9"/2.36 m<br />Deadrise 19° <br />Height rigged 5'9"/1.75 m<br />Fuel capacity 18 gal/68 L <br />Draft (drive down) 34"/0.86 m <br />Draft (drive up) 17"/0.43 m <br />Dry weight (lbs) 1,900 lbs/862 kg 2,325 lbs/1,054.6 kg<br /><br />Performance* 3.0L/A1<br />Cruise mph (Fuel) 31.9 mph<br />WOT mph (Fuel) 43.3 mph<br />* Cruise range is calculated under constant identified cruise speed. A specific boat's performance will be affected by water and weather conditions, altitude, condition of boat, actual load, engine, and propeller. All performance data provided for boat in cruise load weight condition. Cruise load condition consists of boat with typical options, full tanks, all safety gear, 4 passengers and typical stores. Cruising range based on cruise speed, @ cruise load, with 10% fuel reserve @ rated range.<br />Engine<br />· 3.0L Mercruiser® Alpha I™ sterndrive (135 hp) - Std <br /><br />Trailer<br />· Galvanized, single axle OR - Std · Painted, single axle - Std <br /><br />Factory Installed Options<br />· Canadian Coast Guard Certification <br /><br />Contact a dealer

 

[KCook]

Re: Purchasing a new boat

An unusual short list. The Bayliner 175 should be a lot lower priced than the Four Winns Horizon. The smallest Horizon for '03 is a 180. And the Horizon is more refined, more posh. Considerable difference in market level.<br /><br />Both the '03 Four Winns 180 and the Larson use the VEC construction. The Four Winns is a newer design. IMHO the Four Winns is more refined than the Larson.<br /><br />Engine selection may be a factor. The Four Winns 180 would benefit from the 4.3L option. If we are sticking with the 3L, then the Bayliner or Larson should be a better fit.<br /><br />Here are a couple more threads that might help -<br /><br /> First Time Boat Buyer Advice Requested <br /><br /> Bayliner 175 <br /><br />Try to get test rides,<br />Kelly Cook