Boat Opinions
 

We are downsizing and sold the 21' cuddy recently. Looking for an 18'+/- bowrider and trailer. Not looking to spend big bucks either. So far on my list is a 97 Four Winns 17' QX 4 cyl Volvo Penta. 97 Glastron SX 185 18' V6 Merc, 97 Bayliner 1850 SS Capri V6 Merc and a 97 Stingray 180 RS 4 cyl Merc. All have trailers and are from the lakes region. We will trailering to Winni and a few other lakes in southern NH. One of 3 is from a reputable new boat dealer and the others are from professional used boat sellers. Another criteria is the gross weight with trailer, fuel, and gear be under 3500 pounds. So what are the opinions out there on these 4 boats or do you have a suggestion of something else I should look at/for?:look:

Just Sold....

The boats you are looking at are pushing 20 years old. Regardless of what one you choose... You need to have a survey done prior to buying the boat! For me it would not be an option!

At that age, all of those boats at that age could be suffering from rotten stringers or transom, delamination, excessive engine hours, bad fuel tank, etc etc...

Woodsy

My unofficial comments
 

Boats of that age should be relatively inexpensive so as long as nothing seems punky, and the price is right, then go for it. My personal, biased and technically unfounded opinion would be the 4 Winns. I am not a fan of Bay Liner or Sting Ray. I have no opinion on the Glastron. Also I had a Volvo Penta on my 91 Renken and had nothing but trouble with the Shift that came with it. I agree on having the survey done... though a $500 survey for a $500 dollar boat may be a tad excessive! ;)

So, there you have it! I have always bought old boats and they were fine for a long time.

IG

I double Woodsy's statement about checking them out. The brands you listed are fine, and if they were well loved, they should be ok. However, they are early mid range in quality and known to have a short life span over brands like fountain, cobalt, etc.

Personally I would steer away from the Bayliner. Seen too many of those smaller bow riders fall apart after 15-20 years. Again, just my personal experience.

I appreciate all the responses. I checked and a survey runs $450 with a local surveyor. The Four Winns was in excellent condition (see photo) and the highest priced but it was only 16.5' and I shied away from it for that reason. Plus it was sold today.
I am still looking and have owned quite a few boats of varying sizes including 2 that I did cosmetic restorations to. I do have a preference to Four Winns but certain 90's era Four Winns can have issues.

I would like input on these brands or a suggestion for another.

If you give a ball park budget, maybe some appropriate boats will come out of the woodwork. You never know...

Regardless of the brand, I would look for a boat with a poly fuel tank, and a fully-lined fiberglass cockpit. I think you should avoid aluminum fuel tanks and carpet over plywood cockpit soles in boats that old.

Looking in the 5.5-6.5K range.

I think the 1997 and newer (possibly older too) Four Winns 180 may be perfect for your needs. They made them with I/O and outboard power. I like the outboard ones best. They are nicely powered with a 150 hanging off the transom.

Dave you are correct but at this time no one has a Four Winns under 3500 lbs gross including trailer unless it is junk or was the small 16.5' QX that has a deposit on it. Ironically even though it is considered cheaper in some respects Glastrons are good quality and have a reasonably good reputation. They are owned by the same holding company as Four Winns and there appears to be a corporate influence in what and how they build similar to Four Winns. I have seen a few Glastron's around in my price bracket and will be checking one out soon.

According to Four Winns: A 1998 180 weighs 2480 lbs with a 4.3 V6 engine, 2320 lbs with a 3.0 and 2100 lbs with a 130 HP outboard. The trailer weighs 800. All are under the 3500 lb mark.

That said, add fuel, food, drinks, lines, anchor etc, and the V6 will likely be over 3500, but not enough to matter much. Regardless, manufacturer tow ratings, like oil change intervals, are guidelines, not law.

see: http://www.fourwinns.com/upload/Docu...0Sportboat.pdf

Dave that's right. That model is the Horizon RX which is the "price" model with less features and I tried to find one but no luck so far. The Horizon RS weighs more at 2520. But here is an easier way to compare them from Four Winns. http://www.fourwinns.com/upload/Docu...Facts_1998.pdf Yes I have been doing my research.

I had a 18' Maxum, 1999 Bowrider, with a 125 O/B Merc. Weight was 2100. Easy tow with my 6cyl grand cherokee.