Help me decide on a boat.

Joshk707

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Oct 30, 2021
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First off great forum and information. I'm a soon to be first time boat owner looking to make a purchase within a month or so. I think as of right now I have narrowed it down to 2. The first is (and this is why I have posted here) a 2002 searay 182. 5he second is a 2005 ebbtide 200. I know I know not a searay but I'm hoping for some unbiased opinions anyways. Both are similar in condition the searay has a 4.3 mercruiser carb. And the ebbtide is a mercruiser 4.3 mpi. Now my questions are as far as stability and comfort is there that much of a noticable difference in the 2 as far as size? Looks like the ebbtide is both overall and beam size a foot bigger. Or is that not enough of a difference to sway the decision. Next question is is there that big of a difference in the engines to sway the decision one way or the other? One being carbureted and the other injected plus 20 hp or so. My delema is my experience with engines tell me fuel injection is always the better more efficient route. But I don't know a lot about ebbtide and have read nothing but good about searays.
Anyways thanks in advance for the advice.
 
Since I get to spend your money I am going to say neither. Get something with a V8 engine. It will be helpful if you provide some background info on how you plan to use the boat.

I also believe the ebtide was made without wood which will be less likely to rot. You’ll need to confirm that though.
 
Since I get to spend your money I am going to say neither. Get something with a V8 engine. It will be helpful if you provide some background info on how you plan to use the boat.

I also believe the ebtide was made without wood which will be less likely to rot. You’ll need to confirm that though.
Yea I plan to use the boat for quality family time on a few of the local lakes around. It's my wife, 8 year old, and I. Probably take some friends along as well sometimes, probably won't have more then about 6 or 7 onboard at any given time. We will be towing inflatables and wakeboard probably at some point also.
 
Bigger is always better and in a boat that size, 1 foot of beam and 1 foot of length is a lot of extra space, assuming the
layout is the same. At that size, the extra 1x1 size does make a difference in stability and handling, although not major.

Fuel injection is usually better than carbs, although carbs are tried and true, if dated, technology. Fuel efficiency will be slightly better with MPI and 20hp is not huge, but will help equalize the effect of the larger boat.

There is also the very wise advice of buy your second boat first. People like to start small and buy bigger if they need/want later. But that is usually the wrong decision. You either decide you don't like boating and sell, or you will decide you do and you want a bigger boat.

I don't know anything about ebbtide in terms of quality or reputation compared to Sea Ray. Make sure you take someone with you that knows what to look for in terms of issues. A survey is a good idea, and can save you $ if you avoid a dog. But you should at least have your own marine mechanic look over the boat, engine and outdrive before you buy.
 
Yea I plan to use the boat for quality family time on a few of the local lakes around. It's my wife, 8 year old, and I. Probably take some friends along as well sometimes, probably won't have more then about 6 or 7 onboard at any given time. We will be towing inflatables and wakeboard probably at some point also.
With that planned passenger load, I am with Golfman, get a boat with a V8 and I would look to buy as large a boat as you can afford/tow. You will be able to keep it longer and won't be as crammed in with 6 or 7 on board.
 
With that planned passenger load, I am with Golfman, get a boat with a V8 and I would look to buy as large a boat as you can afford/tow. You will be able to keep it longer and won't be as crammed in with 6 or 7 on board.
Yea that tow part is where my limit will be. I'm towing with a Toyota 4runner with a 5000 lb limit. I guess I could trade it on a truck but don't really care to do that as I don't have a need for a truck besides towing the boat. I can definitely see how a boat this size could be outgrown quickly so I guess I need to think about that.
 
First off great forum and information. I'm a soon to be first time boat owner looking to make a purchase within a month or so. I think as of right now I have narrowed it down to 2. The first is (and this is why I have posted here) a 2002 searay 182. 5he second is a 2005 ebbtide 200. I know I know not a searay but I'm hoping for some unbiased opinions anyways. Both are similar in condition the searay has a 4.3 mercruiser carb. And the ebbtide is a mercruiser 4.3 mpi. Now my questions are as far as stability and comfort is there that much of a noticable difference in the 2 as far as size? Looks like the ebbtide is both overall and beam size a foot bigger. Or is that not enough of a difference to sway the decision. Next question is is there that big of a difference in the engines to sway the decision one way or the other? One being carbureted and the other injected plus 20 hp or so. My delema is my experience with engines tell me fuel injection is always the better more efficient route. But I don't know a lot about ebbtide and have read nothing but good about searays.
Anyways thanks in advance for the advice.
Searay will sell faster when you sell which you will.
18’ is fine for playing on inland lake and easier to trailer, keep at house.
MPI are better when working fine, carbs easier to fix if a problem.
Comfort- 18’ - fuggedaboutit.
 
My first boat was an 18'er and when I was looking at various boats I found a lot of them had a 7' beam. When I compared that beam to an 8' beam there really was no comparison. I ended up with the 18' beam with a V8 in it and it gave me many years of pleasure with guests on board, kids on board, towing on skis or a tube, etc. I never regretted the V8. You will find your fuel cost is the smallest expense of owning a boat.

Now go have fun and make sure your wife likes it before you buy it. Happy wife, happy life.
 
Will you have access to a bathroom or need one?

if you need one when out for the day and you don’t have access to public restrooms, consider a boat with one.
 
Will you have access to a bathroom or need one?

if you need one when out for the day and you don’t have access to public restrooms, consider a boat with one.
This is a significant consideration. It's always been a hard requirement for my wife. The ladies don't like going over the side or using a bucket.
 
Will you have access to a bathroom or need one?

if you need one when out for the day and you don’t have access to public restrooms, consider a boat with one.
No the lakes around here are pretty good at having restrooms readily accessible so I don't think that will be an issue
 
We had an 18 foot runabout with the venerable Chebbie straight-six 165 horse power Merc. It was rated for 6 people, and we were a family of 5. Lots of water skiing and tube towing. Yes, it was cramped, but we made due. Obviously, no room for more people. Having a tube tied across the bow wasn't optimum, either. Had my druthers at that point in my life, a 20-22 footer would have made things just that much more enjoyable for everyone concerned. And, as @Gofirstclass noted, fuel is one of the smallest expenses of boat ownership. Keep searching; they're out there.
 
That extra foot in width and length is huge and may keep you from upgrading within a year. Despite what our wives say to make us feel better size matters.

I’m probably going to get blasted here for my next comment, but can you afford to get into a 4-stroke Yamaha jetboat in that size? They are a fantastic option. Great layout, reliable and low maintenance. They do drink a little more gas but will make up for that with less repair work. They are a bit lighter since they have no transmission. I think a 21’ model woukd be under your tow limit.
 
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That extra foot in width and length is huge and may keep you from upgrading within a year. Despite what our wives say to make us feel better size matters.

I’m probably going to get blasted here for my next comment, but can you afford to get into a 4-stroke Yamaha jetboat in that size? They are a fantastic option. Great layout, reliable and low maintenance. They do drink a little more gas but will make up for that with less repair work. They are a bit lighter since they have no transmission. I think a 21’ model woukd be under your tow limit.
Ok I'll look into that thanks. I had read from a few different outlets to stay away from jetboats that have some age on them because they are not so good as they get older so I had dismissed them before but I know there are a few for sale in my area so I'll look into them.
 
If you start going down the jetboat path make sure you really test the slow speed handling before buying. Many people feel the maneuverability of these boats are awkward and difficult.
 
A “twin engine” jetboat handles low speed almost as well as a big twin engine yacht. You just need to put the time into learning how to use them.

Most people complaining about jetboats are just repeating garbage they have heard from others. The old jetboats with the big Chevy big block gave jetboats a bad name. They are nothing like a modern Yamaha. I’m on my fourth boat now and my first jetboat is still my favorite. And by far the least maintenance. It was a 10yr old two stroke model when I owned it.
 
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Spent much time on and driving inlaws modern Yamaha twin engine jet boat. He's a very long term competent captain. After 3 years went back to traditional prop boat because he didn't care for that package.

The only point to the OP is to try it before you buy it to see which side of the fence you fall on.
 
Josh, your post dont say location. Around here, a jet boat will languish on a backyard craiglist picture for years. Just not this region.
I'm in southwest VA, you make a good point because the jet boats in my area do seem to stick around on the sale pages.
 

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