Which Boat?

[ColoardoBoater]

I am trying to decide between two boats. First, I really really wanted a V drive but it is just not in the budget. So I have found a 2004 Rinker 19.2 with a tower, really nice stereo, tower speakers, 5.0 mercruiser & offer to store the boat on their land every year. They are asking 15k

I am also looking at a 2002 Reinell 200 LSE with a 5.0 Volvo. Has a tower, wake board racks, bimini, standard crappy stereo they are firm at 17,200.00. But for some reason the interest rate is lower on that boat, in the end it is almost a wash as for the total after you pay off the loan.

Which is a better boat? They seem equal, but I am leaning towards the Rinker. But I also keep reading the Volvo is a better engine, better lower unit so I am tripped up. I really wanted a Sanger but I don't want the kind of pyt that comes with it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Which Boat?

I am trying to decide between two boats. First, I really really wanted a V drive but it is just not in the budget. So I have found a 2004 Rinker 19.2 with a tower, really nice stereo, tower speakers, 5.0 mercruiser & offer to store the boat on their land every year. They are asking 15k

I am also looking at a 2002 Reinell 200 LSE with a 5.0 Volvo. Has a tower, wake board racks, bimini, standard crappy stereo they are firm at 17,200.00. But for some reason the interest rate is lower on that boat, in the end it is almost a wash as for the total after you pay off the loan.

Which is a better boat? They seem equal, but I am leaning towards the Rinker. But I also keep reading the Volvo is a better engine, better lower unit so I am tripped up. I really wanted a Sanger but I don't want the kind of pyt that comes with it.

Ayuh,.... They're Both the exact same Chevy base motor,....

Only the accessories bolted to the long blocks are slightly different....

 

[ColoardoBoater]

Re: Which Boat?

Ayuh,.... They're Both the exact same Chevy base motor,....

Only the accessories bolted to the long blocks are slightly different....

Let me ask this, I also read it is easier to change the water pump on the VP & in general is easier for the average to do the maint. Also read the volvo shifts much smoother. My current merc does make a loud sound. I have had no issues with my merc either though.

But back to the boat, do you have an opinion one way or another on either boat?

 

[emilsr]

Re: Which Boat?

Whichever engine/drive your mechanic works on (Volvo or Merc), that's the one to go with. Both make fine drive packages, but eventually either one will need maintenance/repair. It does no good to buy a Volvo if your local mechanic only works on Mercruiser...and vice versa.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Which Boat?

You are missing a few things so let me see if I can help you somewhat.

First off the motors are a wash, same motor as stated doesn't matter if its a Volvo or a Merc, they are both small block chevies.

You will find plenty of mechanics here in Colorado, for both you may just have to travel a bit further for a Volvo Mechanic.

I think the one difference that will play a large role in your decision is the one we don't know and that is the outdrive of both boats, if one of them is a duo prop/bravo III thats the one with the edge in my opinion, you obviously want a tower so getting out of the hole and plenty of prop at slower speeds (Wakeboarding) I would be looking for a duo prop or Bravo III.

Can you post links to both ads for the boats? Where are you in Colorado?

ok never mind I am guessing these are the boats you are interested in and your on the front range..

Rinker UPGRADES!!!! 2004 19.2 Rinker Captiva

Reinell 2002 Reinell

am I correct?

These two boats are almost identical in almost every way so My personal opinion isn't going to be much help, so I have to ask you which one you like more? Build quality is comparable, both have tandem axles, both are single prop and both have similar motors.

The only thing we do not know is the hours on the Reinell, so which do you like better?

The Reinell is at a dealer and thats where your going to get less of a deal, he could be a broker I have no personal experience with them but I think you are likely to get either boat for the same price if you work on it a bit.

 

[ColoardoBoater]

Re: Which Boat?

You are missing a few things so let me see if I can help you somewhat.

First off the motors are a wash, same motor as stated doesn't matter if its a Volvo or a Merc, they are both small block chevies.

You will find plenty of mechanics here in Colorado, for both you may just have to travel a bit further for a Volvo Mechanic.

I think the one difference that will play a large role in your decision is the one we don't know and that is the outdrive of both boats, if one of them is a duo prop/bravo III thats the one with the edge in my opinion, you obviously want a tower so getting out of the hole and plenty of prop at slower speeds (Wakeboarding) I would be looking for a duo prop or Bravo III.

Can you post links to both ads for the boats? Where are you in Colorado?

ok never mind I am guessing these are the boats you are interested in and your on the front range..

Rinker UPGRADES!!!! 2004 19.2 Rinker Captiva

Reinell 2002 Reinell

am I correct?

These two boats are almost identical in almost every way so My personal opinion isn't going to be much help, so I have to ask you which one you like more? Build quality is comparable, both have tandem axles, both are single prop and both have similar motors.

The only thing we do not know is the hours on the Reinell, so which do you like better?

The Reinell is at a dealer and thats where your going to get less of a deal, he could be a broker I have no personal experience with them but I think you are likely to get either boat for the same price if you work on it a bit.

Yep those are both of them. I am leaning towards the Rinker but can't get a hold of the seller. The only reason I like the dealer is a warranty & better interest rate. But I like the Rinker price. The Reinell they won't move on at all so that is another strike against them. I am starting to think since I can't have the Vdrive I really want I should just buy a bayliner & save the money

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Which Boat?

Well if you want to buy a Bayliner that's up to you, in fact Bayliners over the last ten years or so are pretty darn nice boats!

What you will find is that Used Boats are completely dependent on the care they have had over their lifetime, it doesn't matter if its a Bayliner or a Crownline or a Cobalt, a boat that hasn't been taken care of is a POS no matter the make.

You need to decide what type of boating you want to do, from the looks of it your into above average wakeboarding so maybe a flat bottom v-drive is what you should wait for but I think that if you just like doing the best you can on a non-competitive level the boats your looking at give you a boat well suited to a variety of boating types. I think you could do much worse, what is your boating experience? Its tough to get where you want to be the first time so sometimes you need to get what you can. I like going fast and watching my ladies sunbathe on the sundeck, having an adult beverage along the way but I didn't start with a $30,000 boat either.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Which Boat?

Also a dealer does provide some security as you have found, the Rinker is a fine boat but don't put too much into the Reinell not moving on price either Sellers always like to think they can hold out and sometimes that is the case but more often then not right now they are in a horrible position when someone wants to look at their boat, AND THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND!!!! Combine that with the boating market as a whole, its down WAY DOWN, you as a buyer are in a good position but you would be in a better position if you had cash in hand or financing already in worked out.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Which Boat?

I would go for the Rinker because:

*has a better stereo
*tower speakers
*can store for free.

 

[ColoardoBoater]

Re: Which Boat?

Well if you want to buy a Bayliner that's up to you, in fact Bayliners over the last ten years or so are pretty darn nice boats!

What you will find is that Used Boats are completely dependent on the care they have had over their lifetime, it doesn't matter if its a Bayliner or a Crownline or a Cobalt, a boat that hasn't been taken care of is a POS no matter the make.

You need to decide what type of boating you want to do, from the looks of it your into above average wakeboarding so maybe a flat bottom v-drive is what you should wait for but I think that if you just like doing the best you can on a non-competitive level the boats your looking at give you a boat well suited to a variety of boating types. I think you could do much worse, what is your boating experience? Its tough to get where you want to be the first time so sometimes you need to get what you can. I like going fast and watching my ladies sunbathe on the sundeck, having an adult beverage along the way but I didn't start with a $30,000 boat either.

I have my entry level boat now, just an old crestliner with a V8. The boat is actually in incredible shape for its age, but its a 27 yr old boat. The closed bow is con but a pro at the same time. We mostly just tube then wake when it is calm. We are average riders so the V drive is really just a want, but it is hard to want to have a pyt like that for a boat I can only use 4 months out of the year here. If I had cash for it I would just go that route. I think at this point I am gonna try to get a hold of the seller on that Rinker, financing is in hand so that is not a problem. Would asking them to take 2k off the price be insulting? I have gotten some great deals on craigs low balling but I like the boat, don't want to make the guy mad.

 

[ColoardoBoater]

Re: Which Boat?

I would go for the Rinker because:

*has a better stereo
*tower speakers
*can store for free.

Those are what I was thinking too.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Which Boat?

LOL No your not going to insult them, Dealers know they have a price they need to sell it for, so they advertise it high enough that they have room, Dealers negotiate, they never advertise the price they need to get out of it where some Private Owners will sell it for this price and this price only, my Crownline is a perfect example of an owner selling it for this price, I got it for $300 less then that, but its an immaculate mint condition rare boat that I had been looking for 3 years to find so guess what I paid him! I think if you go in and offer $2000 under advertised for the Rinker you are in no way insulting him, what you are doing is telling him you will buy his boat for $1000 less then he is advertising, I bet you could offer $3000 less then advertised to start and wind up around $1500 off advertised pretty easily, I think you are in the right range, if this is a broker then that adds a little difficulty, the dealer may have to contact the seller for approval because the deduction in price will come off the owners profit not the dealers

One more thing to think about, relax, were 4 months away from splashing boats, don't rush this deal, this dealer probably has 5-10 customers a day in his store and most of them are not serious about buying a boat.

On the Rinker I would want more info as to how the skeg lost 10 percent of its area, something knocked it off

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: Which Boat?

I would not buy a boat now unless it was a killer deal. Why pay for storage, insurance and risk winter damage when you don't have to. Make your low ball offer, take or leave it and I bet it will still be there in February when nobody can even get to the boat. I'm looking for a nice boat too, but I figure that by late January to early February when everybody get's their Christmas credit card bills hangover is when it's the best time to hunt for a deal.

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Which Boat?

Those are what I was thinking too.

What drive is on that Reinell? Hard to tell from the pic. If it is an XDP, run don't walk.

 

[jkust]

Re: Which Boat?

While I'm not a fan of either of these builders as you can easily locate a better boat for similar money, my pick is the Rinker. Interestingly the Reinell has a much wider beam and is a good bit heavier, all desirable features, it still has the 1990's-esque look to it. Also I can't quite tell but it looks as though the Rinker has snap in carpet which means to me I wouldn't accept the Reinell for any price as it clearly has glued in carpet. This vintage of boat is a sort of turning point for styles and features that are relatively standard these days. The suprsing thing to me is that the Reinell has the MPI engine as well given 2002 was the introductory year and surely must have been an expensive upgrade (as it has always been). Both of the boats fall short as each their running/wet surrfaces are shorter than their nicer or in come cases cheaper competition among the other bits and details that are lacking. Lastly, I will just mention that here in MN you pay no sales tax on a used boat as long as it was purchased from a private party or a broker. A dealer however must charge sales tax which is nearly 7%. For that reason I'd never purchase from a dealer unless brokered ignoring the other reasons I'd avoid dealers. I don't know how it works in Colorado but thought I'd mention. Here you only pay sales tax on the value of the trailer which you declare at time of title transfer. End of the day, if it were me buying during the off season, I wouldn't compromise on anything.

 

[ColoardoBoater]

Re: Which Boat?

While I'm not a fan of either of these builders as you can easily locate a better boat for similar money, my pick is the Rinker. Interestingly the Reinell has a much wider beam and is a good bit heavier, all desirable features, it still has the 1990's-esque look to it. Also I can't quite tell but it looks as though the Rinker has snap in carpet which means to me I wouldn't accept the Reinell for any price as it clearly has glued in carpet. This vintage of boat is a sort of turning point for styles and features that are relatively standard these days. The suprsing thing to me is that the Reinell has the MPI engine as well given 2002 was the introductory year and surely must have been an expensive upgrade (as it has always been). Both of the boats fall short as each their running/wet surrfaces are shorter than their nicer or in come cases cheaper competition among the other bits and details that are lacking. Lastly, I will just mention that here in MN you pay no sales tax on a used boat as long as it was purchased from a private party or a broker. A dealer however must charge sales tax which is nearly 7%. For that reason I'd never purchase from a dealer unless brokered ignoring the other reasons I'd avoid dealers. I don't know how it works in Colorado but thought I'd mention. Here you only pay sales tax on the value of the trailer which you declare at time of title transfer. End of the day, if it were me buying during the off season, I wouldn't compromise on anything.

We only pay tax on the trailer as well from a private party. A lot of the boat dealers are just north of the CO border in WY where there is no tax & they only charge a dollar on the trailer so that $17,200.00 is out the door. I am curious what boats in that budget range you would suggest? I am not in a big rush, I still have my boat to get rid of, there is talk of drought conditions I may be able to get something stupid cheap in a few months. I just started my research on I/O's. We were pretty sure we were getting a Vdrive and I did all my homework & Sanger was the boat we were going with, but push came to shove we just dont want the big pyt & don't have disposal cash for one so that tells me I needed to scale back my ambitions.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Which Boat?

I'm not going to recommend one over the other. In my experinece, Volvo drives are very smooth. And like yours, Mercs tend to bang into gear. As far as one having a better stereo than the other, I wouldn't even take that into consideration. You can install any sound system you like if the current one didn't meet your standards.........

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Which Boat?

....I am curious what boats in the budget range....
.... & don't have disposal cash for one so that tells me I needed to scale back my ambitions.

Yet you're looking to spend several thousand dollars on a newer boat that isn't really what you want.

Keep the boat you have now, see how you can adjust your budget to save for the boat you really want with a plan to buy it in 2 seasons or so. This may be the least expensive alternative if you really don't have "disposal cash".

Mark

 

[jkust]

Re: Which Boat?

Well there are a lot of considerations. So to give you some background as I am in Minnesota, we all have a boat, if not a fishing boat it is an open bow and likely an i/o and it is 20 feet or under to fit in the garage over our harsh winters. My point I suppose is that I am well acquainted with our common style of boat as I literally have hundreds of friends and boating acquaintences with boats. Also understand that the rules for larger boats arent't the same for their 20 foot and under counterparts. For example most but not all early 2000's to mid Sea Ray small bowriders are substandard for the new price they charged while their large cruisers are very nice. Some brands that build large boats build their smaller boats to similar standards while Sea Ray wasn't one of them. I pick on them because they are so common around here but are so unabashidly low end...the newest ones in the showroom now have picked up the pace however. Here's what I will say regarding brands and build quality...the posted dry weight is generally a good indicator of a higher-end boat for that early/mid 2000's time period being the heavier the nicer. Also fiberglass floor with snap down carpet a large gas tank unless it is a fishing heritage Tahoe and a few other bits are good leading indicators. I don't exactly know what you are looking for quality wise either. When I buy anything I generally look for the absolutely nicest of whatever it is, negotiate to their breaking point but am always willing to pay more for something that was well maintained or is somewhat less common because it was more expensive when new. There is a pretty good reason, logic and rational as to why I have the boat I have in my sig...It is also know as the 190SSi. At the time, it was difficult to check off all of the things I wanted in a garage sized bowrider...many of which are far more common above 20feet. The Chap I bought was so substantially nicer in it's day It was like they read my list of demands and built it to suite as Chap is known for getting the details right that others overlook.(they made my identical model up through 2007). Nowdays, most boats come with most of the things I wanted with the exception of the dry weight. A cheaper boat is generally still a little lighter but can be blinged and fitted to look like a much nicer boat. I tend to think of some Glastrons as a really nice 'looking' boats.
If There were no such thing as a Chaparral in the early and mid 2000's I'd consider a Regal but they also had some thing's I don't care for. I'd possibly consider a Four Winns but again they suffered from some 1990's styling for longer than they should have. I like the sportiness of Crownlines but their smaller boats inexplicably had glued down carpet for several years longer than they should have. There are a couple other smaller production brands i'd consider as well. This discussion with say 5 year old and newer boats would be very different because most of the brands caught up in most aspects.

 

[MikeM8560]

Re: Which Boat?

the Volvo is a well built outdrive no impeller in a Volvo btw with a raw water pump on the motor , nut the part are ridiculasly alot more money