On May 29, 6:46 pm, Dan wrote:
Brad wrote:
Hi folks.

I'm chiming in here from MN and I'm about to buy a new boat. I need
advice.

I'm wondering what folks thing about Glastron, Larson, Stingray, and
Bayliner boats.

Any generalized opinions or specific experiences are very helpful.

I am looking at the base models for all four makes. Basically, the
17.5-18" base models with the sunbathe area on the rear and definitely
an inboard, specifically a 3.0 liter 135hp.

Each of these models is available with a Volvo or a MerCruisier
engine. The Volvo comes standard; the MerC is about a $500 upgrade.
If you have any advice on the motor, that would be very helpful.

Also reliability issues, handling, even styling are very helpful.

This is going to be a roughly $15,000 purchase and that's a lot for
me, so if you folks can help out in any way, I'd greatly appreciate
it.

Finally, I don't know of resources available on the Web that might
have logs on how people have posted about their experiences with these
boats. Or even reviews of these models. Google searches on the
topics aren't getting me much. So if you know of message boards in
places that would help me, or other such resources or like resources,
any references would be very helpful.

I really appreciate any time you can take to jot off your response.
Again, I don't have a lot to go on here, except what the salespeople
tell me and I think you can understand that I'd like a little more to
go on!

Thank you again in advance!

Brad.

Pick up the June issue of Boating. On page 72 they compare the Bayliner
175, Glastron MX175, and the Stingray 180RX. No inboards, just I/O's.
The short version is they seemed to like the Stingray at $12,845 the
best of the three. The Glastron has an option for a 4.3L engine that
might still be in your price range - the 3L is $13,590. They make the
solid point that these boats are often traded quickly due to their low
power so the 4.3L would not only give you more to use, it would make it
more attractive when you upgrade.

A local dealer you can trust is also very important.

Dan

Hi Dan. Thanks a lot for the post. What you're saying is very
interesting. Pretty much everything that I have read says that the
Glastrons peak above the others just a bit, while staying in the same
price range ($14k, roughly). But you are saying that this magazine
says that the Stingray is the better model. My father has an '88 18ft
Stingray right now with a 3.0 135 inboard. So I wouldn't mind getting
another Stingray - that boat was good to us for 15 years, but it's
well worn out now.

And from other message boards, your recommendation of the 4.3 liter is
consistent. I wonder how much it would cost to make that upgrade to
these base models with the 3.0. Do you know? $1,500 maybe?

If I get the 4.3 liter, I don't see myself upgrading. I also have a
pontoon for boat cruises with the family, so this runabout boat would
be for skiing and tubing and kneeboarding and the occasional high-
speed cruise around the lake. Not a lot of hours. And most of the
time, not a lot of people in the boat. So space is really not the
issue. I do want a motor that is going to pull anybody, perhaps two
people, out of the water without any problems.

Any additional feedback you might have is greatly appreciated.

Brad.