"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at buying my first boat. I'm looking at a "runabout" style
for family boating (tubing, cruising, etc). My wife and I looked at a
new 07 Bayliner 175 at the dealer for $14500. However, I hate thinking
about paying over $1000 in taxes on it.
I'm also looking at a 2003 185 Bayliner with 90 hours on it (both have
"family pack, stereo). The 185 has 190 hp fish/depth finder and new
trailer breaks for about $12,000

So I guess the question is how much difference does 4 years make on a
boat. It certainly looks like I get much more boat in the 185. Is 90
hours much? I looked at some 185's at the dealer (all new though) but
I'm assuming the 2008 185 is still larger than the new 175.

Also, since I've never bought a boat before I'm not really sure what
to look for when I take a look at it. I know some of the newer
Bayliner's come with lifetime hull warrantys but I'm not sure about a
2002.

-Robert


Others can comment on boat age. I'll suggest this: Make sure you load the
whole family into whatever boats you're considering, and have them sit where
you expect them to during actual operation. It'll probably seem really
exciting. But then, with everyone seated, look at how much storage & floor
space is available, and think about where you're going to put all the crap
that inevitably ends up in a boat. Ice chest, tackle boxes, jackets/coats -
all of it can make a seemingly roomy boat pretty claustrophobic. If you feel
as cramped as if you were on a long plane flight in cheap seats, that boat
won't be much fun to spend a day in. Don't forget the inflated tube, the air
pump, anchor, ropes, cushions, throwable lifesaving device, fishing poles,
binoculars, radio, camera, beach towels, and hand grenades for waking up
uncooperative fish. It all has to go somewhere. Stuff on the deck can end up
being a safety problem if people are tripping over them.

With everyone seated, and you in the steering position, can you see safely
past the tallest person's head? If not, that can be a safety issue and a
major annoyance if you're boating on insanely crowded waters where something
nutty is happening every two minutes (drunk boaters, brain-dead teenage
jet-ski operators).

Try to find everything wrong with the boat before you own it.