Need Buying Advice
 

Newbie taking the plunge and looking at used boats in the 19-23 foot
range. Runabout or Bowrider variety for skiing/wakeboarding. Never
owned a boat before, driven, used and helped maintain several over the
years. Want to keep for long term.

Don't want to get into the 17-18' category and regret buying too small,
ie. not enough interior space for people, coolers, toys, etc.

Leaning towards choosing from Chaparral, Larson, Sea Ray or Glastron
categories, preferably with EFI/MFI Mercruiser engine.
Boat will be slipped first year.

Favorable candidates thus far (w/ asking prices):

'02 Chapparal 200 SSE, 220HP Merc 29 hrs, 22,800
'04 Glastron GX-205, 220 Merc 54 hrs, 26,900 (w ext. deck)
'02 Wellcraft Excalibur 21', 220 HP (Merc/Volvo?), 80 hrs, 21,900
'98 Glastron GS-235, 5.7L 350HP Volvo, 145 hrs, 23,500 w/4-5k stereo eq.
'05 Larson LXi 208 (new), 220 Merc, 28,500

Any good or bad suggestions, advice or experience with the above boats
would be very helpful to decide on purchase. Looking to buy within the
next two weeks or so. Mechanical check and test drive naturally.

Thanks
Chuck

Boats is boats. Generally speaking they're all pretty much the same within
each price group. As you pay more, you usually get better vinyls, metals,
and -maybe- a little better craftsmanship.
Comparing used boats is difficult because a jerk can abuse a boat in one
season, while someone else's boat may hardly show any age/wear. So the 98
Glastron could be as good as the 05 Larson. The boat's you're looking at all
have plenty of power. (I have 135 HP MerCruiser in my 19' bowrider and it's
got enough power for tubing/skiing when maxed out with people and their
junk.)

"CP" wrote in message
...

Newbie taking the plunge and looking at used boats in the 19-23 foot
range. Runabout or Bowrider variety for skiing/wakeboarding. Never
owned a boat before, driven, used and helped maintain several over the
years. Want to keep for long term.

Don't want to get into the 17-18' category and regret buying too small,
ie. not enough interior space for people, coolers, toys, etc.

Leaning towards choosing from Chaparral, Larson, Sea Ray or Glastron
categories, preferably with EFI/MFI Mercruiser engine. Boat will be
slipped first year.

Favorable candidates thus far (w/ asking prices):

'02 Chapparal 200 SSE, 220HP Merc 29 hrs, 22,800
'04 Glastron GX-205, 220 Merc 54 hrs, 26,900 (w ext. deck)
'02 Wellcraft Excalibur 21', 220 HP (Merc/Volvo?), 80 hrs, 21,900
'98 Glastron GS-235, 5.7L 350HP Volvo, 145 hrs, 23,500 w/4-5k stereo eq.
'05 Larson LXi 208 (new), 220 Merc, 28,500

Any good or bad suggestions, advice or experience with the above boats
would be very helpful to decide on purchase. Looking to buy within the
next two weeks or so. Mechanical check and test drive naturally.

Thanks
Chuck

If you are looking for water sport such as wakeboarding and waterskiing
go with either a direct drive or a v-drive. You wont be having to deal
with the danger of the outdrive, plus the wakes are better depending on
the hull.

Not sure where you are located, but I am selling my 2004 Sea Ray 220
select in NJ. It is like-new and under warranty until 2007. We love
the boat but my wife is pregnant, and between having an infant and her
not working anymore keeping the boat doesn't seem feasible. Some of
the options are wakeboard tower, galv trlr w/ dual axle bakes, fire
supression, etc. It has a 5.oL mercuiser MPI (260 hp) and Bravo III
drive (dual prop). I am a meticulous owner and have babied this boat
because I was planning to keep it much longer. If you are interested,
email me at newlyn8793(at)aol.com.