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Message
recommendations for first boat purchase (bowrider)
Posted on 6/11/24 at 9:19 am
Posted on 6/11/24 at 9:19 am
Looking at picking up a used boat for lake weekends with the family. Not looking to spend much more than $15-20k.
My question is, am I better off buying a newer 'value brand' such as a Tahoe or a Bayliner or something older with a better build quality and reputation like a Cobalt, Sea Ray, or a Chaparral?
Also, should I go outboard for reliability and easier maintenance?
Thanks OB.
My question is, am I better off buying a newer 'value brand' such as a Tahoe or a Bayliner or something older with a better build quality and reputation like a Cobalt, Sea Ray, or a Chaparral?
Also, should I go outboard for reliability and easier maintenance?
Thanks OB.
6
Posted on 6/11/24 at 9:25 am to Chilton4Bama
quote:
Looking at picking up a used boat for lake weekends with the family. Not looking to spend much more than $15-20k.
Pick up a good friend with a boat and save the 15-20k and the heartache that comes with it.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 9:39 am to Chilton4Bama
quote:
Also, should I go outboard for reliability and easier maintenance?
Does it matter? B.O.A.T - Break Out Another Thousand.
Why not get a pontoon boat if you're just joyriding? Are you going to be pulling skiers/wakeboarders?
Posted on 6/11/24 at 9:42 am to lowhound
I wouldn't recommend buying any boat you listed.
Go outboard.
Go outboard.
This post was edited on 6/11/24 at 9:43 am
Posted on 6/11/24 at 9:47 am to lowhound
likely just pulling a tube, but would like the capability to pull a wakeboard.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 10:38 am to Chilton4Bama
an inboard bow rider is about the worst boat you could consider. For what you want get a smaller pontoon with an outboard
Posted on 6/11/24 at 11:38 am to cgrand
quote:
get a smaller pontoon with an outboard
Posted on 6/11/24 at 1:14 pm to Chilton4Bama
quote:
Tahoe or a Bayliner
These suck hugely. I mean really bad.
Never, ever consider them.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 2:07 pm to cgrand
quote:
an inboard bow rider is about the worst boat you could consider. For what you want get a smaller pontoon with an outboard
Mercruiser Stern Drives are: bullet proof reliable, extremely fuel efficient, make big HP , and parts are really cheap. The preventative maintenance is more involved than an OB (Gimble/bellows/risers) but if they're kept you don't have to worry about them, just chevy truck engines!
I'd buy a 21' Chapparral, Sea Ray, Stingray, Cobalt, etc. Understand with the I/O setup you need to know the maintenance history or budget to do it all if it hasn't been done: Bellows, gimble bearing, impeller, manifolds, risers.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 2:27 pm to bbvdd
this is what I hear, but I feel like I see them everywhere.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 3:20 pm to rodnreel
quote:
I wouldn't recommend buying any boat you listed.
Go outboard.
I agree.
If its a first boat and a bow rider will fit the bill look at hurricane deck boats....when maxed out on HP they will fly and do anything a bow rider can and things a bow rider won't. Look like a pontoon boat but they have what amounts to a pretty deep bass boat hull or something akin to a bay boat....they are readily available and for the kind of money you are talking about you can get a nice one....
Not the best built boats but in line with just about all mass produced brand name boats.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 3:23 pm to BayouBengalRubicon
quote:
Mercruiser Stern Drives are: bullet proof reliable, extremely fuel efficient, make big HP , and parts are really cheap. The preventative maintenance is more involved than an OB (Gimble/bellows/risers) but if they're kept you don't have to worry about them, just chevy truck engines!
They are indeed bullet proof and you can buy most parts from auto parts stores if you do some cross referencing. The only issue I ever knew anyone to have is losing the boot around the drive and sinking. Pretty common when kept in a marina for years without being used. They also are very fuel efficient compared to 2 strokes....I suspect about in line with modern 4 strokes. Not a terrible idea in a family boat used for skiing and tubing and riding....
Posted on 6/11/24 at 3:30 pm to Chilton4Bama
quote:
this is what I hear, but I feel like I see them everywhere.
The boat market is rapidly changing currently but you still need to be prepared for serious sticker shock.
Not sure you can find a Cobalt that is less than 15yr old for 15-20k.
5yr old boats in '21 were selling for more than what people paid for them. I may be wrong but I think every new cobalt made right now is over 100k.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 3:32 pm to Chilton4Bama
Get the cheap shitty newer one, use it a few years until your kids are teenagers and no longer want to hang out with mommy and daddy on the boat listening to Zac Brown. Then sell it.
Boats are whores and they should be treated as such.
Boats are whores and they should be treated as such.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 4:00 pm to deeprig9
quote:
Get the cheap shitty newer one, use it a few years until your kids are teenagers and no longer want to hang out with mommy and daddy on the boat listening to Zac Brown. Then sell it.
Boats are whores and they should be treated as such.
This is the best reply so far.
Posted on 6/11/24 at 6:27 pm to Chilton4Bama
quote:
This is the best reply so far.
Also consider renting.
Yes it will be $1000 a day. But if you go 4 days a year times 4 years, that's $16k, same as the cost of buying one. And you don't have to tow it, maintain it, deal with a trailer, storing it, registration and insurance, and all the other costs of ownership. It's there at the dock all fueled up when you pull in, white glove service ready to go.
And if in your area, Freedom Boat Club.
This post was edited on 6/11/24 at 6:33 pm
Posted on 6/11/24 at 6:38 pm to Chilton4Bama
quote:
buying a newer 'value brand' such as a Tahoe or a Bayliner or something older with a better build quality and reputation like a Cobalt, Sea Ray, or a Chaparral?
Sadly those will run you $35-50k for something in the 20’ range and that estimate may even be low. I’m seeing those 10+ years old selling for your price range
Posted on 6/12/24 at 4:06 am to Chilton4Bama
quote:
better build quality and reputation like a Cobalt, Sea Ray,
I’d also look at Regal, but in that price range, you’re likely looking at a 2000-2004 year model. Where are you keeping it? Trailering, or at a marina? Lots of hidden costs. A bow rider is a good all-around starter boat. You’ll figure out what you enjoy more - cruising around, anchoring and chilling, or water sports. Then you may want to upgrade to a boat that is more specific to what you enjoy.
Posted on 6/12/24 at 7:23 am to DR93Berlin
Whatever you buy, be sure to test ride it. I’ve been a boat owner for over 50 years. Biggest mistake was buying a Tahoe Q5i without riding in it first. These boats do not have enough deadrise which beats you up on any wave action. Boat was beautiful but rode like crap. Higher end manufacturers have more deadrise and ride better. My best two boats were Champions and Wellcrafts.
Posted on 6/12/24 at 7:47 am to Popths
Dead rise is definitely a trade off though. Better sea keeping but will require more power to make speed.
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