Tough choice to make
On Monday, 2 May 2016 21:09:32 UTC-3, Alex wrote:
Keine Krausescheiße wrote:
On Monday, May 2, 2016 at 9:23:44 AM UTC-4, True North wrote:
Wife, dog and I took a one day drive over to Charlottetown PEI to visit my new boat dealer and make a final choice between the Bayliner 175 BR I ordered at the Halifax Boat Show or the larger and nicer 185 BR. Both models are left over 2015 versions with the same motor.
the 185 seems like 30 per cent more boat for only 12 per cent more money
This really appeals to my Scottish side.
But......
The larger galvanized trailer on the 185 has brakes and measures about 105 inches wide...troublesome for my narrow driveway.
The boat sits tall on the trailer...looks like I'd need a 6 foot stepladder eveft time I wanted to board. In the showroom I used a four foot one with the salesperson holding it to get up on the swim platform and then into the boat. Nothing on the boat to hold onto. Since my legs still haven't fully recovered from my bout with PMR a couple years ago and now appears to be arthritis in my night knee, I felt shaky working my way up and then down into the cockpit.
Next surprise was the nicer more comfortable seat with bolster. Salesman said it was all the way down but the upper windshield frame was right in my line of sight. I couldn't imagine putting up with that every time I went out.
Went home to think about it overnight and emailed the dealer co-owner that I was sticking with the slightly shorter but narrower 175. Of course they said I could upgrade in the future if I wanted but we know the difference would be more that the $3500 it would cost me right now.
BTW. The bigger boat sitting higher on the trailer would be troublesome on a lot of shallow ramps around here.
Doesn't the swim platform have a drop down ladder? I would have to have used a step stool of some sort for the Key West without that. What type brakes would be on the trailer? Brakes are a bit of a PITA, but much depends on their type, drum vs disc. As you can keep the boat at home, the extra brake maintenance shouldn't be a big problem. If the boat sits a bit higher on the trailer, it would mean you'd back into the water a couple more feet. Does no one launch 18' boats at the launch ramps up there? As to the seat height, I'd never trust a salesman. Would want to check the adjustment myself. Also, I do most of my boating standing, so I can see more.
It seems like you'd be getting a lot for your money with the extra $3500.
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