Hi all,

I have been researching and planning a boat purchase for some months
now. I have been reading as much literature as possible and walking
the marinas in my area for the last month. Basically in the market
for a bowrider, 18-19'. I've considered the following...Chaparrel,
Four Winns, Bayliner, Tahoe and most recently, Cobalt. My budget is
top end $18,000.00 so the Cobalt is off the table...Not to mention
this will be a starter boat. I want to trailer the boat, so I can
travel to different lakes. The boat will be primarily Freshwater in
the NH Lakes Region...maybe a trip or two in Portsmouth Harbor.

But I read some interesting posts about boat construction and
materials, specifically about certain manufacturers using
wood/plastic/fiberglass. My question is how does one educate
themselves on this? I suppose I could keep reading this news-group,
but I'm guessing there must be some book/web-site/etc... where you can
go and get a summary of the different boat manufacturers and the
materials they use...

tia,

adym

Hopefully you've also budgeted for the $2.5 million worth of accessories
you'll want to add. Has anyone told you about that yet? :-)
evil Vincent Price laugh

"alincoln" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,

I have been researching and planning a boat purchase for some months
now. I have been reading as much literature as possible and walking
the marinas in my area for the last month. Basically in the market
for a bowrider, 18-19'. I've considered the following...Chaparrel,
Four Winns, Bayliner, Tahoe and most recently, Cobalt. My budget is
top end $18,000.00 so the Cobalt is off the table...Not to mention
this will be a starter boat. I want to trailer the boat, so I can
travel to different lakes. The boat will be primarily Freshwater in
the NH Lakes Region...maybe a trip or two in Portsmouth Harbor.

But I read some interesting posts about boat construction and
materials, specifically about certain manufacturers using
wood/plastic/fiberglass. My question is how does one educate
themselves on this? I suppose I could keep reading this news-group,
but I'm guessing there must be some book/web-site/etc... where you can
go and get a summary of the different boat manufacturers and the
materials they use...

tia,

adym

Again, I see mention of information like...

- "Actually Larson *and* Glastron - same manufacturer. Same VEC hull,
same warantee. See both."
- "Four Winns use the same VEC hull construction as Glastron and
Larson.".

How did you discover this kind of knowledge? Where do you find out
about these types of things?

tia,

adym

I purchased a new Bayliner 195 Capri just over a year ago. I was looking
into a used "starter" boat at the time without success. After some pressure
from the homefront, I gave in and ran out and bought the Bayliner. While I
did get a good deal on price in comparison to other manufacturers (with a
5.0L V8), with so much negative said about Bayliner I with that I had gone
ahead and done more research with regards to quality, price, etc. The
Bayliner has performed well for my purposes (recreational skiing,
wakeboarding, fishing, cruising), though it did leave me almost stranded on
one outing. The remote would not shift into gear. Luckily, I was near the
dock and was able to pull the boat by hand and rope down the shoreline to
the ramp and load. I called the dealer from the lake, returned the boat,
and had a new remote installed. This may verify that Bayliner could be
using lesser quality accessories. Everything else has worked fine (fingers
crossed). Many people knock Bayliner, maybe rightfully so in so many cases,
I can't say. I write this only to give a perspective from a somewhat
satisfied Bayliner owner. If I were to be in the market again, I might look
harder elsewhere, further from home, at as many different manufacturers as
possible, certainly more that I was able to look at in my area. Good luck
with your search.

DJ

"alincoln" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,

I have been researching and planning a boat purchase for some months
now. I have been reading as much literature as possible and walking
the marinas in my area for the last month. Basically in the market
for a bowrider, 18-19'. I've considered the following...Chaparrel,
Four Winns, Bayliner, Tahoe and most recently, Cobalt. My budget is
top end $18,000.00 so the Cobalt is off the table...Not to mention
this will be a starter boat. I want to trailer the boat, so I can
travel to different lakes. The boat will be primarily Freshwater in
the NH Lakes Region...maybe a trip or two in Portsmouth Harbor.

But I read some interesting posts about boat construction and
materials, specifically about certain manufacturers using
wood/plastic/fiberglass. My question is how does one educate
themselves on this? I suppose I could keep reading this news-group,
but I'm guessing there must be some book/web-site/etc... where you can
go and get a summary of the different boat manufacturers and the
materials they use...

tia,

adym

Bayliner is the installer of the remote that you speak of, Mercruiser is the
manufacturer. It would be the manufacturer fault for the failure (unless the
installer completly hacked the job)

"Don Johnson" wrote in message
...
I purchased a new Bayliner 195 Capri just over a year ago. I was looking
into a used "starter" boat at the time without success. After some
pressure
from the homefront, I gave in and ran out and bought the Bayliner. While
I
did get a good deal on price in comparison to other manufacturers (with a
5.0L V8), with so much negative said about Bayliner I with that I had gone
ahead and done more research with regards to quality, price, etc. The
Bayliner has performed well for my purposes (recreational skiing,
wakeboarding, fishing, cruising), though it did leave me almost stranded
on
one outing. The remote would not shift into gear. Luckily, I was near
the
dock and was able to pull the boat by hand and rope down the shoreline to
the ramp and load. I called the dealer from the lake, returned the boat,
and had a new remote installed. This may verify that Bayliner could be
using lesser quality accessories. Everything else has worked fine
(fingers
crossed). Many people knock Bayliner, maybe rightfully so in so many
cases,
I can't say. I write this only to give a perspective from a somewhat
satisfied Bayliner owner. If I were to be in the market again, I might
look
harder elsewhere, further from home, at as many different manufacturers as
possible, certainly more that I was able to look at in my area. Good luck
with your search.

DJ

"alincoln" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,

I have been researching and planning a boat purchase for some months
now. I have been reading as much literature as possible and walking
the marinas in my area for the last month. Basically in the market
for a bowrider, 18-19'. I've considered the following...Chaparrel,
Four Winns, Bayliner, Tahoe and most recently, Cobalt. My budget is
top end $18,000.00 so the Cobalt is off the table...Not to mention
this will be a starter boat. I want to trailer the boat, so I can
travel to different lakes. The boat will be primarily Freshwater in
the NH Lakes Region...maybe a trip or two in Portsmouth Harbor.

But I read some interesting posts about boat construction and
materials, specifically about certain manufacturers using
wood/plastic/fiberglass. My question is how does one educate
themselves on this? I suppose I could keep reading this news-group,
but I'm guessing there must be some book/web-site/etc... where you can
go and get a summary of the different boat manufacturers and the
materials they use...

tia,

adym

I don't see VEC featured on the 4 Winns site? I know they are Genmar
though - so quite possible.

-W


--

PLEASE NOTE: Email address change from to

"Mikhael" wrote in message
.. .
Four Winns use the same VEC hull construction as Glastron and Larson. I
was
shopping for a new bowrider earlier this year and the Four Winns and
Crownline were on my short list. I looked at the larsons and the
glastrons
but the glastron just didn't do anything for me, and the larson was a
little
more money than I wanted to spend. I also looked at Maxum (Bayliner but
trimmed up nicer).

My FourWinns Freedom 180 did come Merc equipped (4.3l Carbed) and there
were
other options available. There is a fish and ski model. Glastron has the
same options on it's SX175 (comparable boat). The SX175 was a bit smaller
than the Freedom and it was a little more expensive. Plus the closest
dealer for Glastron was too far away for my liking.

The Larson was very nice, but like I said, priced too much higher than the
FourWinns to make it a choice for me. The SEi is the model that was
closest
to what I purchased. Mine came to 33k after all was said and done. Thats
in Canadian funds, so after the conversion, that's like 15 bucks US or
something (kidding).

Someone mentioned earlier to find a dealer that has a good reputation and
go
with whatever they sell, but I think it would be better if you attended a
boat show (don't buy at the boat show). This will give you a chance to
see
each boat within close proximity of each other and see the actual
differences between them.

Mike

"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:hgrVa.5362$Oz4.1711@rwcrnsc54...
Actually Larson *and* Glastron - same manufacturer. Same VEC hull, same
warantee. See both.

Also see the new line of Starcraft C-Star Bowriders. they come in 16,
17,
and 18 footers. Very nicely built.

I'd also avoid the smaller Bayliner.

For Starcraft see Randy at Owens Marine in Hookset - tell him "Wayne the
inline 6 guy" sent you. I have a steady parts relationship with them.
I'm
about to try to squeeze a cheap hull only out of them, even if you don't
buy - the fact that I'm on the internet pulling for them will help me
out
of
my disaster a little. (hint) I do want to note that I endorse the
Starcraft hull - no matter *who* you buy it from - It's just that if you
went to Owens and dropped my name - it could help us both.

Four Winns is a great hull too. Would be nice if they could be Merc
powered.

If you do Portsmouth harbor, tie up at Newicks dock and go up for a
seafood
platter. To die for.

-W ( a close neighbor )



"Steve Barker" wrote in message
...
You should seriously consider the Larson. With the limited lifetime
warranty of the VEC hull, you can hardly go wrong. Check them out at
www.larsonboats.com

Their 18 foot bowrider is an excellent value.

--
Steve (here to have fun) Barker
Stilwell, Kansas
UP (MoPac) Coffeyville Sub MP 308
Coolpix 995 / PSP 7.04
PS 7 in the background waiting to be learnt.

=======================
Remove the not dot from my address to abuse my email box
"alincoln" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,

I have been researching and planning a boat purchase for some months
now. I have been reading as much literature as possible and walking
the marinas in my area for the last month. Basically in the market
for a bowrider, 18-19'. I've considered the following...Chaparrel,
Four Winns, Bayliner, Tahoe and most recently, Cobalt. My budget is
top end $18,000.00 so the Cobalt is off the table...Not to mention
this will be a starter boat. I want to trailer the boat, so I can
travel to different lakes. The boat will be primarily Freshwater in
the NH Lakes Region...maybe a trip or two in Portsmouth Harbor.

But I read some interesting posts about boat construction and
materials, specifically about certain manufacturers using
wood/plastic/fiberglass. My question is how does one educate
themselves on this? I suppose I could keep reading this news-group,
but I'm guessing there must be some book/web-site/etc... where you
can
go and get a summary of the different boat manufacturers and the
materials they use...

tia,

adym

Take a look at Rinker.

I got a Rinker 212 Captiva (20") in 2002 and am very pleased, especially
considering value.

Look at standard features on the Rinker vs options on other boats.

I was leaning towards a Chaparrel, but the Rinker (212 Captiva) caught
my eye.

I believe Rinker makes a 192 Captiva that might be worth considering,
looking at your desires.

If I were to rank your brands in terms of quality/price:
Cobalt
Chaparrel
Four Winns
(Rinker)
Tahoe
Bayliner

I'm a boating newbie, just off the 2 year shopping/boat show trail, so
take my feedback for what it's worth.

Good Luck,

Ken

alincoln wrote:

Hi all,

I have been researching and planning a boat purchase for some months
now. I have been reading as much literature as possible and walking
the marinas in my area for the last month. Basically in the market
for a bowrider, 18-19'. I've considered the following...Chaparrel,
Four Winns, Bayliner, Tahoe and most recently, Cobalt. My budget is
top end $18,000.00 so the Cobalt is off the table...Not to mention
this will be a starter boat. I want to trailer the boat, so I can
travel to different lakes. The boat will be primarily Freshwater in
the NH Lakes Region...maybe a trip or two in Portsmouth Harbor.

But I read some interesting posts about boat construction and
materials, specifically about certain manufacturers using
wood/plastic/fiberglass. My question is how does one educate
themselves on this? I suppose I could keep reading this news-group,
but I'm guessing there must be some book/web-site/etc... where you can
go and get a summary of the different boat manufacturers and the
materials they use...

tia,

adym