Wanting a hole in the water to throw $ in...

[shade2u2]

I bought a small (15') jet boat this year. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Loved it when it was running, which unfortunately was only 1/2 the time. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The dealer is buying it back now to keep me happy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I still learned that I love boating. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gifNow I'm shopping again. Any opinions out there regarding jet vs. I/O vs. OB vs. inboard? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
What about fuel usage with respect to jet vs. the others? What about brands? I've found a very nice looking Bayliner Capri SS (SE) 1850 (190 hp) - anyone familier with them?

 

[Whiskey]

shade2u2:

I have owned a boat for many years and love the quite time I spend with the wifey on the water.

<font color="blue">Any opinions out there regarding jet vs. I/O vs. OB vs. inboard? </font>
maintance.....all boats are about maintance. So many people think you pull them out in the summer run them and put them up only to do it all again next summer...don't work that way.

Are they a hole in the water, yes they are, but the calmness that comes over me when I'm out and just setin' on the back with my toe in the water is sumptin' doc can't prescribe in pill form.

The question's you ask IMHO are all depondin' on what you plan to do with a boat, just like tractors each has a purpose it works best for?

 

[slowrev]

Shade,
It sounds like you have already experienced the two happiest days of boat ownership. The day you buy one and the day you sell it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben

 

[Moon]

I agree with you, boating is better than any medicine. It does take alot of work and planning, but once you get a bit of that peace time on the water there just ain't nothing better.

Bayliner is the one brand that does not seem to hold it's value. One friend had one that was underpowered and not dependable. Because of that I've never looked any further at them. I like the I/O's. Much like a car engine for maintenance, but you give up power. An outboard has more HP in a smaller package, and some say they are easier to keep running (at least the new ones).
I've never seen a jet boat that was new. All the ones I saw were older, and had a hard time making it out each weekend. However, we have a jet ski. 1995 yamaha. It has ran perfect for the past 9 years. A jet ski along with a power boat makes a nice set up. everyone can take turns riding the jet ski, and spending some time on the boat just chillin.
If it was me looking for a used runabout, I'd consider Cris Craft, Sea Ray, Baja, Sunsation, Four Winns or Crown Line. All of those manufacturers make quality boats. Probably more out there, but that's the ones I'm familiar with.

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> (Are they a hole in the water, yes they are, but the calmness that comes over me when I'm out and just setin' on the back with my toe in the water is sumptin' doc can't prescribe in pill form.)</font>

Oh, so true, so true. Well put. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[OKnewguy]

I have been into boats for the last 10 years. Like was said earlier, each has it's place. My current setup is a Glastron sx195. It has the Mercruiser 220 horse engine, which is basically a good old Chevy tpi 350. Before this I had a Stratus 16' runabout with a 70 horse evinrude outboard. I average about a 100 hours or so every summer on the motors. The Glastron is a larger boat, but I still average about the same gas mileage as the smaller runabout with the outboard. The other thing to consider is the time of year you will continue to run. Some boats are easier to use year round then others. If I was going to run mine in the winter, I would prefer the outboard. There is no water to drain out like a inboard, I would just store it in the down position. Also, you might want to work your way up to a larger boat, if you are eventually wanting to get big rig. I have seen a lot of first time boaters with 25'+ rigs, that had no idea what they where doing. I have seen them miss trailers at the ramp, forget to put in the drain plugs, forget to put in the water plugs in the engine and burn up a engine on the first outing. I have pulled many boats back to dock (what goes around comes around). Also consider the storage of the boat, my current boat is to large to fit in our garage with the ski pylon, so I had a custom cover built. My brother inlaw, bought a 27' Baja, 3 years ago, and has already had to redo the upholstry because he never covered it. Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Whiskey]

OKnewguy:

You might enjoy this...the pic I posted above is the budget offering from Glastron from days gone by.

196 Glasstream, I bought it many years ago form a fellow that didn't understand maintance. paid 3 grand for it like you see it, tandum axel trailer with boat. Gutted the carpet, interor & patched the motor best we could.

Last year we repowered it with new motor / transum plate/ outdrive and had the dark gray metal flake and tale-tale Glasstream decale painted dark blue and the rest of the boat buffed out (reasion for the gloss look in the pic) overall I would say it was a cheep investment for the pleasure we have gotten out of the boat.

I wouldn't say the way I went was the way to go....but there are times when were not in boating seasion that friends are whinning about there boat payments....and I got nun but they all have much nicer and new "go fast" boats that I

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> ( Bayliner is the one brand that does not seem to hold it's value ) </font>

That's because it's the Craftsman/Murray of the Sea. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ByronBob]

Something to remember here. Boats have engines and outdrives which are made by others. The boat quality itself is another issue altogether.

What are your uses for your boat?

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> ( Bayliner is the one brand that does not seem to hold it's value ) </font>

That's because it's the Craftsman/Murray of the Sea. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font> A dealer friend of mine (who sells both glastron & bayliner) says they sell bayliners to people who want a nice boat, but can't afford one !!