Help me decide on a boat.

Go for a V8 and Fuel injected. If your budget can take it step up to 22 or 23 foot boat. the 18 footer will get small really fast to you and you will be looking at the bigger boats wanting one. If you decide to get out of boating the 22-23-24 will sale must faster.
 
Generally speaking, whatever the placard says is the MAX persons......half of that # is what's "comfortable" amount of people. Remember, people have "stuff" and coolers, etc.
Also if you go a bit bigger and get a cuddy cabin, you'll most likely get a head with that boat and that is nice to have with the "family"
 
Update: so I think I may have found a real possible contender. It's a 2004 200 select with the 5.0 mpi. Without really talking to him to much he said he would go down to $16,500. From pictures alone it appears to be in really good shape inside and out and he claims maintenance has been done regularly. Does this seem fair? of coarse as long as everything checks out when I see it in person. The one downside is this thing is a 5+ hour drive from me which I'm ok with but it does need to be considered.
 
Joshk707 said:
Update: so I think I may have found a real possible contender. It's a 2004 200 select with the 5.0 mpi. Without really talking to him to much he said he would go down to $16,500. From pictures alone it appears to be in really good shape inside and out and he claims maintenance has been done regularly. Does this seem fair? of coarse as long as everything checks out when I see it in person. The one downside is this thing is a 5+ hour drive from me which I'm ok with but it does need to be considered.
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send link to the listing.
 
Josh, on iPhone, dont have the link. Dont know how close you to MD. on my pc i have a link to a gorgeous 91 270 dancer, low hour 454. Same price. Reply if interested and i will find link and post.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Josh, on iPhone, dont have the link. Dont know how close you to MD. on my pc i have a link to a gorgeous 91 270 dancer, low hour 454. Same price. Reply if interested and i will find link and post.
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I appreciate that but going back to my tow vehicle unfortunately something like that is out of the question.
 
Joshk707 said:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/407184767407567/
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Looks clean from the pictures and a good entry level boat. I like a 5.7 over the 5.0 but the 5.0 MPI gets it done!

Would like to see the engine room.That is always a good gauge on how the boat has been kept. I would ask for all services records ... oil change, impeller change... etc.. also ask when the bearing and seals have been replaced on the trailer. Put all tops up and inspect the covers too. Even better if you can get it on the water and run it to make sure temp and oil pressure are good.

Running in the drive way is one thing however you always want to run it under a load to make sure no vibrations from the coupler and engine alinement. I would also check engine compression.
Inspect the underside for any repairs to the fiberglass. See if you can line up a mobile boat service company to meet you when you look at it and do the compression and give the boat the once over... dont ask the seller for the mobile guy find one on your own.

A quick search of the ones online 2004 to 2006 seam to be going for 20k to 28k

The good thing at the price listed is that if you dont like it you could easily sell it off at the same price you bought it for.
 
Joint Custody said:
Looks clean from the pictures and a good entry level boat. I like a 5.7 over the 5.0 but the 5.0 MPI gets it done!

Would like to see the engine room.That is always a good gauge on how the boat has been kept. I would ask for all services records ... oil change, impeller change... etc.. also ask when the bearing and seals have been replaced on the trailer. Put all tops up and inspect the covers too. Even better if you can get it on the water and run it to make sure temp and oil pressure are good.

Running in the drive way is one thing however you always want to run it under a load to make sure no vibrations from the coupler and engine alinement. I would also check engine compression.
Inspect the underside for any repairs to the fiberglass. See if you can line up a mobile boat service company to meet you when you look at it and do the compression and give the boat the once over... dont ask the seller for the mobile guy find one on your own.

A quick search of the ones online 2004 to 2006 seam to be going for 20k to 28k

The good thing at the price listed is that if you dont like it you could easily sell it off at the same price you bought it for.
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Thank you so much for this reply. I appreciate the time you took to type all that out and I will be taking this with me to look at it for sure. I feel a little in over my head with this purchase as I just like to know more about what I'm buying then I feel I do with this right now. It's not for lack of research though that's for sure.
 
Joshk707 said:
Thank you so much for this reply. I appreciate the time you took to type all that out and I will be taking this with me to look at it for sure. I feel a little in over my head with this purchase as I just like to know more about what I'm buying then I feel I do with this right now. It's not for lack of research though that's for sure.
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You will be ok.
It’s like buying a car and a house at the same time. Just really look it over and then look it over again. Don’t be afraid to ask the owner anything and everything on your mind and if he is a true boater he will gladly walk you through it all!

You have done the research and have Educated yourself. Just don’t over think it.
You can have it surveyed and that will take all worries away or as I suggested find a good mobile boat tech to go with you.
 
Joint Custody said:
Would like to see the engine room.That is always a good gauge on how the boat has been kept. I would ask for all services records ... oil change, impeller change... etc.. also ask when the bearing and seals have been replaced on the trailer. Put all tops up and inspect the covers too. Even better if you can get it on the water and run it to make sure temp and oil pressure are good.
.
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I got him to send me some pictures of the engine compartment. Anything look troublesome? He said it's dusty from being in storage for a bit.
 

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Only a couple of things I see; in your first picture, is that water we see in the bilge? That looks like quite a bit. In my case, I wouldn't want a potential buyer seeing that and thinking it's got a leak somewhere, or that I wasn't taking care of things. Next, in their Farcebook posting, the outdrive is up. Now, I know that's obviously the way it should be trailered, but my concern is if they drop the outdrive down when parked. If you haven't been around these Merc outdrives much, there's three rubber bellows back there that get stressed when left in the "trailer" position. The exhaust bellows isn't such a big deal, but the gimbal and shift cable bellows will destroy bearings and/or let water in when launched. If they haven't been done since new ('04), they're overdue. 'Figure every 3-5 years, but YMMV.
 
Nater Potater said:
Only a couple of things I see; in your first picture, is that water we see in the bilge? That looks like quite a bit. In my case, I wouldn't want a potential buyer seeing that and thinking it's got a leak somewhere, or that I wasn't taking care of things. Next, in their Farcebook posting, the outdrive is up. Now, I know that's obviously the way it should be trailered, but my concern is if they drop the outdrive down when parked. If you haven't been around these Merc outdrives much, there's three rubber bellows back there that get stressed when left in the "trailer" position. The exhaust bellows isn't such a big deal, but the gimbal and shift cable bellows will destroy bearings and/or let water in when launched. If they haven't been done since new ('04), they're overdue. 'Figure every 3-5 years, but YMMV.
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Yea I saw that and wasn't sure if that's water or just discoloration and dirt. He said it's the later but I will keep an eye on that when I go see it and take it on the water. I will keep an eye on and inquire about the bearings also thank you
 
Bowriders are notoriously difficult to keep out water. With cover over bow, rain runs down the windshield under the canvas and will pool back in the bilge. Had one for a short time, its was always wet inside.
 
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