Comparing a couple of 90s boats

[slomaro]

Y'all may have seen my previous post about a 215 weekender needing fiberglass work. Unfortunately I couldn't even get a hold of the seller to make an offer after I saw it. So I've been on the hunt, but I've narrowed it down to a couple I'll be driving next weekend. Both have the 5.7 and alpha 1 gen 2 drivetrains.

Boat 1 $9000:

• 1993 220 OV
• Being sold by a used boat dealer
• Sitting on a 2021 trailer with electric brakes
• No soft spots on top or underneath
• Hull needs a good buff
• It sounds like the dealer will throw on some new bellows before my test drive this coming saturday
• Couldn't find a single instance of cracking gel coat
• Needs a new mooring cover + bimini
  
  

Boat 2 $8000

• 1996 215 EC
• Private party
• Trailer has surge brakes, needs 5 tires and new lights before it'd pass PA inspection
• No soft spots I could find, boat was super clean
• Converted to thru-hull exhaust at some point
• Engine rebuilt in the 2022 season
• Some gelcoat cracking around the windshield mounts
• Comes with a mooring and bimini cover that should be good for a couple of seasons
• Needs new bottom paint

I like the layout of the 1993 cockpit better and the vibe of the wood and more stainless. I like the self bailing cockpit of the 1996. Either way I want a good trailer so I can drive it 10 hours north, so sorting that out on the 1996 could be a pain. Use will be 80% rivers 20% great lakes. Any thoughts or strong opinions substantiated or otherwise?

 

[Yendor]

With your planned amount of towing, the electric brakes are a definite plus, not to mention the trailer is nearly new.
Surge brakes are OK, but if it needs five tires the surge brake system likely will need more than a little attention as well.
The self bailing cockpit is a plus IF you're going to leave it in the water. Not so much if you're trailering it.

IF the '93 is as solid as the other, given that it's bigger, has a way newer vs way older trailer, and the if the drive lines are a push, then that would be my choice. I would tell the dealer you will sea trail it after he installs the new bellows because you want to see that it all works, as you don't intend to drop nine grand and have to work on it, you have found another one that suits you as well. Then after the sea trail act like your still on the fence, and see what he'll knock off for your needing to buy canvas right out of the gate.

 

[Scott215]

I like the older boats

 

[Bill Curtis]

I have a '95 220 Sig Select OV, but with a 454 B3, is a great boat. Build is pretty solid and well thought out. I can imagine the performance with the small block and Alpha would be plenty up to the task, as the 454 B3 seems to be overpowered for my boat.
I can't compare to a 215, as I have never been on one, but they do seem pretty similar.

The thru hull exhaust gets on some folks nerves for the added noise, but a personal preference. I personally love the sound of it on other folks boats, but wife would probably get tired of it real fast.

An almost new trailer is a big plus, but I am wary of electric brakes basically because I have no experience with them on boat trailers.. Mine has Electric over Hydraulic (EoH), converted surge system, 4 wheel disc brakes. I do trust the hydraulics being dipped more than electrics. The discs stopping ability are far superior than drums, but are costlier to replace. Guess everything has plus and minus, specially when compared to costs.

I would opt for boat 1, myself.

 

[slomaro]

With your planned amount of towing, the electric brakes are a definite plus, not to mention the trailer is nearly new.
Surge brakes are OK, but if it needs five tires the surge brake system likely will need more than a little attention as well.
The self bailing cockpit is a plus IF you're going to leave it in the water. Not so much if you're trailering it.

IF the '93 is as solid as the other, given that it's bigger, has a way newer vs way older trailer, and the if the drive lines are a push, then that would be my choice. I would tell the dealer you will sea trail it after he installs the new bellows because you want to see that it all works, as you don't intend to drop nine grand and have to work on it, you have found another one that suits you as well. Then after the sea trail act like your still on the fence, and see what he'll knock off for your needing to buy canvas right out of the gate.

Definitely sea trial after the bellows install. How much of a benefit really is a self bailing cockpit if the boat will be wet slipped for a month or so at a time getting used a few times per week?

 

[slomaro]

I like the older boats

Any particular reason? For me the layout, real wood accents and more stainless handles give it a cool retro look.

 

[Yendor]

How much of a benefit really is a self bailing cockpit if the boat will be wet slipped for a month or so at a time getting used a few times per week?

If you're going to use it a few times a week, then I wouldn't place a big a value on self bailing. That advantage would be more pronounced if you were in Florida and it rained four times between each boat visit. A new bilge pump (only if needed) can be had for a fat boat dollar and would negate that concern altogether. If you'll be at the boat more often than it rains, I wouldn't even give it a thought.

Given different verbiage . . . Perhaps if the word "unattended" fit the description, then self bailing would be more attractive. If you're at the boat a few times a week, then I'd NOT view that as being unattended, and I wouldn't perceive it as a big deal.

 

[Buckeye Boater]

Is the 215 from that era truly a “self bailing” cock pit? Or does it drain into the bilge? Our 2006 drains into the bilge.

 

[slomaro]

Is the 215 from that era truly a “self bailing” cock pit? Or does it drain into the bilge? Our 2006 drains into the bilge.

Dang, I just looked through the pictures I took and I think you're right that might make it a moot point anyways.

 

[Yendor]

Ultimately it doesn't matter. Any I/O needs a healthy, operable bilge pump in any case. I wouldn't go < 1200 gph.

 

[Scott215]

I like the layout of the older boat better now that you can see the pictures what's the weight difference in the two do you know

 

[slomaro]

I like the layout of the older boat better now that you can see the pictures what's the weight difference in the two do you know

Dry weights have the '93 at 3050lbs and the '96 at 3800lbs dry. That seems in line with the extra head room in the cabin + dedicated head nook.

 

[Scott215]

The heavy boat will ride much better. I like the bow access on the 96. Walk up the steps and your getting to your anchor. Drive them both them decide

 

[Scott215]

Also a new motor, that's 5 grand. I would go ec they are plenty fast and will pull tubes and skiers and you have a bigger cabin

 

[slomaro]

Also a new motor, that's 5 grand. I would go ec they are plenty fast and will pull tubes and skiers and you have a bigger cabin

I'm torn on the layouts, the bigger cabin is nice and better bow access if someone wanted to layout up there, but I much prefer the seats on the older layout.

 

[Scott215]

It's tough new trailer or new motor.lol

 

[slomaro]

It's tough new trailer or new motor.lol

I might have a line on a newer trailer that would fit the EC. All in comparing the things I'd want to buy right away (trailer, canvas, etc..) the 1996 would come out about 2k more expensive, but I could have a rebuilt motor and a newer trailer.

 

[Scott215]

Sea trial both. I think you will like the 215 ec better. Just my opinion

 

[GypsmJim]

Pardon my blunt response. I have been a "boater" since being 4 years old. I built my first boat at age 19 before I even owned a car. To me not having a boat, or having a broken boat is tantamount to putting me in a nursing home.

My son wanted a boat so bad that he was willing to buy anything. I convinced him to wait until he had more money and then helped finance him.

To me, a a 29 or a 26 year old boat is a work in progress. It will end up on the hard more than in the water being used.

My opinion - save more money and wait.

 

[slomaro]

Pardon my blunt response. I have been a "boater" since being 4 years old. I built my first boat at age 19 before I even owned a car. To me not having a boat, or having a broken boat is tantamount to putting me in a nursing home.

My son wanted a boat so bad that he was willing to buy anything. I convinced him to wait until he had more money and then helped finance him.

To me, a a 29 or a 26 year old boat is a work in progress. It will end up on the hard more than in the water being used.

My opinion - save more money and wait.

no issue with a blunt response, what would you suggest as a budget and year target for ~22ft cuddy?