What boat to buy?

[Super Z]

I want to buy a runabout / bow rider / fish and ski or whatever they are calling an open bow 17 to 21 footer. I want to spend no more then $20,000. I look at Tahoe, Bayliner, Stingray, etc and I feel like I am really looking at all the same boat except maybe the back has a bench seat all the way across on one and the other only has two seats in the back because the engine cover takes up more room. I want to fish maybe 30% of the time in this boat so for me, I like the Tahoe for the trolling motor on the front and the high pedestal seats but that is the only difference I see. What are the main differences besides seat layout? Is it worth it to buy new or go used and spend $10,000 instead of $20,000. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, most of the time I would have my wife and our 1 and 2 year olds. We'll fish, tube, maybe water ski but that is about it. Maybe have another family of 4 join us for hanging out and swimming. That is what I will be using this boat for.

 

[htv]

Re: What boat to buy?

A multi-purpose boat doesn't do any one thing well. If you are going to please your wife and friends think comfort.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: What boat to buy?

I have only looked at Bayliners, Sea Rays and Glastrons at a dealer. The biggest difference I saw was hardware used. Bayliner is suppose to be an entry level boat but in my opinion, its still a nice boat.
If you're going to keep the boat a long time I think you could buy new and not worry about the depreciation (new boats depreciate fast). If you buy used you can buy a lot more boat for the money. You also have to worry about any problems that come with a used boat. If its your first boat you might want to consider that route. As you're learning you will end up banging up the boat a little bit and a new scratched up boat wont make you feel very good. You might also decide boating is not for you and might be able to get out from underneath easier.
Personally if things keep going the way they have for me next year I'm going to buy a new boat. Sometimes nothing beats that new smell. My 88 will have to do till then.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: What boat to buy?

And, welcome to iboats!

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: What boat to buy?

Is it worth it to buy new or go used and spend $10,000 instead of $20,000.

I think that's going to be a personal call for you, your wife and your comfort level with your finances. Personally I went with a three year old Bayliner for $9k cash. We had never owned a boat before so we just wanted to dip our toe in the water and let someone else take the depreciation hit on the new boat. If we really fall in love with boating I suppose we could purchase new in the future, but my plan is to take good care of our current boat and hang on to it for 5 years or so. My guess is the kids will lose interest after that. If not, maybe we'll upgrade depending on the condition of our boat.

Oh, most of the time I would have my wife and our 1 and 2 year olds.

Just something to think about: young'uns are active (probably no surprise to you) and a boat your size just ain't that big (and that's not a slap...I have a used Bayliner that's only 18'). Are they really going to have enough to do on the boat to make it worth your while for more than 30 minutes or an hour? I don't know about your kids, but there's no way my kids would have stayed put on a boat for more time than it takes to run the length of the boat a few times. And FWIW the guy I bought my boat from also had two young kids (2 and 3 years old I think) and the reason he sold the boat is because his kids couldn't/wouldn't sit still on the boat. So he sold the Bayliner and he was buying a true fishing boat for himself to take out early on weekend mornings.

We'll fish, tube, maybe water ski but that is about it. Maybe have another family of 4 join us for hanging out and swimming. That is what I will be using this boat for.

Sorry if you're an experienced boater and you know all this, but if it's just you, your wife, a one year old child and a two year old child on the boat...how are you going to tube and water ski? I'm guessing you're not going to put a one year old on a tube or skis, which means your wife might be tubing while you're driving the boat and you've got two little ones to keep track of in the boat (assuming the other family isn't with you). Again, just something to think about when considering the whole boating thing.

One reason we waited as long as we did is because we knew our kids (ages 9 and 10) were fairly self-sufficient.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: What boat to buy?

Boating is great family time. Your young kids may be trouble for now, but they'll grow into the boating thing well.

Just like the others, I'd suggest a decent used boat... perhaps a cuddy cabin to provide protection for the kids. There are some great walk-around fishing boats with small cuddy cabins. Previously I have suggested renting from a local marina to get a feel for different style boats.

As you and the kids grow into boating, you'll probably want to get an open fishermen.

My next boat will be a small cabin cruiser.

Good luck and have fun

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What boat to buy?

i have not bought new, since 1969. let the original buyer eat the depreciation. remember those babies are going to need shade, and a place to nap. nothing worse than a sunburnt baby at 3AM. voice of experience.

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. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors 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.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: What boat to buy?

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I think "us guys" have a different perspective of the child thing than our better halves do. So I'm curious, how many of you successfully and regularly used a <20' boat with two+ small children in this age range? How many did not?

If you used it regularly with two small children, what did you do with them? I know how active our kids were at that age (ours are 18 months apart) and my wife really had her hands full for the first several years. And that was in a normal sized home with a big yard! And then in a smaller bowrider like this you add in a cooler, towels/toys bag and any other stuff you cram on the boat and suddenly four people are bumping into each other frequently.

This reminds me of when my Dad almost had me talked into buying a Corvette as my "toy". (He's owned seven of them). I was very close to pulling the trigger - in my mind - when I brought it up to my wife. She quickly reminded me of all the reasons why it didn't make sense for us at this stage in our lives. Two months later the boat was parked in our garage.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: What boat to buy?

Those are all pretty decent entry level boats. To be honest though, what worked for me was using a cheap beat-up old 14' fiberglass for a season before springing for a new boat. This gives you the opportunity to learn the waters near your area, learn about docking, launching, and loading...all on a boat that owes you nothing. Also teaches you a bit about mechanics, as you can learn how to fix things on that old boat. With never a worry about smacking a dock, hitting some under water obstruction, missing the trailer when loading, backing into something. When it's all said and done, fix er up, and sell her for what you paid. You'll be out a few hundred maybe if you did a lot of fixing that summer, but boating ain't free.

Then get your new boat.

As for those brands, I was most impressed with the stingray and the glastron boats (as per my sig below!). THe bayliners were nice, but I found once you step up the options (fibreglass liners instead of wood/carpet, 4.3L or bigger engine, bucket seats...etc) they were as much if not more then the others similarly equipped. IE: the bayliner 195 comes standard with the 4 cyl 3.0L engine which is a bit underpowered for that boat. We found upon close inspection that the tahoes just seemed to be poorly constructed (fibreglass lay up and such). Word is that they are improving construction, but it left us a bit wanting. We also looked at Doral boats up here, which were very very nice boats, but the hull design, and a few features seemed a bit lacking. So we opted for our Glastron. So far it's been a good boat, a bit rough on choppy water at speed, but super super stable at rest. My 200+ pound friend can walk all over the boat without hardly any listing or movement that can be felt. Perfect for me....and the missus whether we are fishing or watching fireworks from the water. When looking at the boats, look beneath the surface. They all look shiney and nice sitting in them, but look below deck, and in the engine compartments and under the seats, all those hidden areas. Check out the actual construction under there and how things look. We noticed the hulls of the Tahoes for instance when you look along them you could see a lot of wave in the fiberglass, sorta like a bad bondo job under a fresh coat of paint on car. Also we didn't see one where the rub rail seams lined up properly, with one show boat actually being a solid 1/4" misaligned! This is something that will detail poor craftsmanship.



Ian

 

[Super Z]

Re: What boat to buy?

Thank you all for the good advise. I have been boating and on the water for a long time so many of the neuances with boats I feel very confident in. Everyone probaly says this but we have great kids. They are actually closer to 3 and 1.5 and we have had them on boats a ton. They just sit there and watch the boats go by and socialize with us and the company on the boat and we have thrown both of them overboard a ton as they love to swim around. So I think we have been lucky with our little ones being really good on the boat and keeping themselves entertained. I did see some Four Winns today and was really impressed. An 18 foot Four Winns next to an 18 foot Bayliner was amazing. The Four Winns seemed twice the size! So much more room and heavier and more sturdy. I never thought I would see that much difference in two boats the same length. The wife did see a deckboat picture today so that is now in the running as well. Deck boat or Pontoon boat versus Bow rider. Obviously more room in the deck / pontoon but they have a much bigger nerd factor.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: What boat to buy?

I would target the Stingray 190/195FX. The extra foot over the 18 foot versions gives you more room and a seating capacity rated for 8 adults, versus 7. You said you would like to sometimes have another family of 4 join you. This version also comes with trolling motor.

Other than the greater seating capacity due to the extra foot, I would say the boats you are looking at are pretty equivalent.

I am an advocate of slightly used. If you look around enough, you will find one being sold with pretty much everything you need to get on the water. This is a great savings of time and money. You then replace what you don't like with your preferences.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: What boat to buy?

buy something fun! $10,000 go for a 18-20ft old school jet boat with a 454-or- 455 Buick with 1ci/1hp or a 70s-80s GT Glastron .

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: What boat to buy?

Thank you all for the good advise. I have been boating and on the water for a long time so many of the neuances with boats I feel very confident in. Everyone probaly says this but we have great kids. They are actually closer to 3 and 1.5 and we have had them on boats a ton. They just sit there and watch the boats go by and socialize with us and the company on the boat and we have thrown both of them overboard a ton as they love to swim around. So I think we have been lucky with our little ones being really good on the boat and keeping themselves entertained. I did see some Four Winns today and was really impressed. An 18 foot Four Winns next to an 18 foot Bayliner was amazing. The Four Winns seemed twice the size! So much more room and heavier and more sturdy. I never thought I would see that much difference in two boats the same length. The wife did see a deckboat picture today so that is now in the running as well. Deck boat or Pontoon boat versus Bow rider. Obviously more room in the deck / pontoon but they have a much bigger nerd factor.

Yup, when you put them side by side the quality differences are very apparent! We looked at the deck boats too, but as you say, they are kinda funny looking. Although, there's a lot more usable space on them. So it's a toss up really....I never liked pontoon boats. My buddy has one, we use it to gather on, use my other buddies ski boat for fun and games, and use my boat to cruise around/fish off of! Good times!

Ian