Any boat owners out there?

mlc92404

We have never owned a boat but would like to get something to play around with.  Something small enough that we can put in and take out ourselves,  We came across THIS one.  I have a couple questions

1-the seam on one of the seats is coming apart.  Can that be fixed/repaired or would it need to be reupholstered? 

2-I tried going to NADA to price it out but I had a hard time figuring it all out.  Does anyone know if this is a good/fair price especially with the issue with the seat and they said too there are surface scratches on the fiberglass.

3-What is the cost to maintain a boat like this?  My dad could shrink wrap it in the fall for us.

PinkPiano

My parents have had a few boats over the years.  They are total money pits.  My step-dad is absolutely meticulous about everything and he was still constantly doing repairs and maintenance.  They finally sold the boat and waverunner and put in a pool. 

I also always remember it always being a production to get it in and out of the water for the season. 

 

 

JOEBunny

I don't have a boat right now, but my parents do, and we had one from the time I was 7.  I would never buy a bayliner.  It looks nice, but they are not super sturdy.  I prefer boats with less vinyl and more substance, like Boston Whalers, Makos, and Grady Whites. You may have some local brands that are similar.  Initially, they may cost more and not have the bling factor, but long term, they are low maintenance and last forever, you just buy a new engine ever 10-15 years. 

AnnapolisLari

A boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into.

mlc92404

AnnapolisLari:

A boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into.

LOL, yeah I hear this a lot.  We just live right on Lake Michigan and have a LOT of small lakes around us. 

mlc92404

Thanks ladies.  Of course I hear the "money pit" comment a lot.  DH had motorcycles for YEARS but sold his last one when DS #1 was born because he knew he wouldn't use it enough.  We thought about getting a fun jeep or convertible but think the boys (and us too) would enjoy and get more use out of a boat.  We plan to get into camping and would love to have a boat to use.  We have lots of small lakes around that would be great to use a boat on.  We cant afford new so we're looking at used but we dont know a lot about boats so we are going more based on looks rather than manufacturer.  (Thank you for those suggestions, I will look into those instead of the Bayliner)

ilovemygirls

We are big boaters & it is a great family activity that we all enjoy.  We live 10 min from a river & up the hill from a lake, so we have very close options when the weather is nice.  Do NOT get a Bayliner.  That is kind of a 'starter' boat that a lot of people will buy because you can get them for cheap, but most people move on & purchase something else.  As for the cost of maintaining- I really have no idea, quite honestly- my DH does all of that.  I handle the sunscreen, snacks & drinks end of the equation   If it is something you think you will do a lot, then it is definitely worth it- great way to spend time with the family.  My kids LOVE the boat & boat have wakesurfed quite a bit with DH (my youngest started at age 2!) and both have tried wakeboarding but are still pretty little so couldn't quite get the hang of it yet. My 6yo swears she wants to learn 'for real' this summer- so excited!

 

ilovemygirls

ilovemygirls:

We are big boaters & it is a great family activity that we all enjoy.  We live 10 min from a river & up the hill from a lake, so we have very close options when the weather is nice.  Do NOT get a Bayliner.  That is kind of a 'starter' boat that a lot of people will buy because you can get them for cheap, but most people move on & purchase something else.  As for the cost of maintaining- I really have no idea, quite honestly- my DH does all of that.  I handle the sunscreen, snacks & drinks end of the equation   If it is something you think you will do a lot, then it is definitely worth it- great way to spend time with the family.  My kids LOVE the boat & boat have wakesurfed quite a bit with DH (my youngest started at age 2!) and both have tried wakeboarding but are still pretty little so couldn't quite get the hang of it yet. My 6yo swears she wants to learn 'for real' this summer- so excited!

Forgot re: types of boats- Mastercraft & Malibu are great and hold their value well.

mlc92404

ilovemygirls:

We are big boaters & it is a great family activity that we all enjoy.  We live 10 min from a river & up the hill from a lake, so we have very close options when the weather is nice.  Do NOT get a Bayliner.  That is kind of a 'starter' boat that a lot of people will buy because you can get them for cheap, but most people move on & purchase something else.  As for the cost of maintaining- I really have no idea, quite honestly- my DH does all of that.  I handle the sunscreen, snacks & drinks end of the equation   If it is something you think you will do a lot, then it is definitely worth it- great way to spend time with the family.  My kids LOVE the boat & boat have wakesurfed quite a bit with DH (my youngest started at age 2!) and both have tried wakeboarding but are still pretty little so couldn't quite get the hang of it yet. My 6yo swears she wants to learn 'for real' this summer- so excited!

 

We really are only looking for a starter boat.  Something easy to tow around, we can't spend more than $10k right now and honestly we've never owned a boat so we'd like to start small and work up.  Would you still advise against a Bayliner?  It is nice to hear a positive side to owning a boat.

mlc92404

We also like the design/layout of the Bayliners......not too crazy about some of the others.  Are there others like the Bayliners?

forrest19

We had a 17' Bayliner growing up.  It was great for our family of 4 for day trips, my parents only sold it because once my brother and I were teenagers we weren't as excited about a day on the lake with our parents!  They're getting another boat soon and it will probably be another Bayliner.  Four Winns also makes some decent boats.

true_norskie

I don't own a boat (yet) but have been around them my whole life.  Another vote against Bayliner...honestly, for the age and length of the boat I think it's overpriced.  I'm also not a fan of the seat configuration--you really can't use the backward-facing seats AND the seats in the back.  So you choose one or the other. I prefer the seat that spans the width of the back of the boat. You can fit four across easily.

I live a couple states to the west so I'm assuming you can find names I'm familiar with.  You could probably get a good used, starter boat in a Four Winns, Sea Ray, Ebbtide. Malibu and MasterCraft are nice boats, for sure, but they are generally made for water sports and very pricey.

Also, if you are ever considering extra guests on your boat, 17' isn't very big.  FIL had one that size and I think the capacity was 6 people.  18' or 19' are probably going to be more useful in the long run and the capacity is probably going to be 8, so two families of four can comfortably fit. It is about the same to manuever and put in and out.

For maintenance, you have to winterize it (not sure if that is included in your "shrinkwrap" deal--you have to drain the fluids, etc.) which is a few hundred bucks, insure it, store it and put a few bucks here and there into it each year for fixes.

Jealous!  Good luck in your search!  We're about 2-3 years out from buying one.