Offshore Performance Boat Under 26' With Windshield - Does This Exist?
04-19-2012, 02:37 PM
#71
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Besides, you're not a "Real Boater" until you've gone though 3 or 4 or more boats trying to find the right one and losing money on each one!
04-19-2012, 08:54 PM
#72
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Bout Flippen time! Still have yet to c a better boat & deal than the Martini i mentioned better than a month ago! Just MHO. Late! Rich
K so i guess it was less than a month ago! Still kinda tired!
K so i guess it was less than a month ago! Still kinda tired!
Last edited by golfmaxgolf; 04-19-2012 at 08:56 PM.
04-20-2012, 04:45 PM
#73
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Thread Starter
Michael, I think you need a new boat but don't have the budget to get what you really want (do any of us? ). You have said you want something reliable, turn key although that's not guaranteed in a new boat either.
Seems to me, given your size and budget limitations that you're going to have to go used. As said, I wouldn't worry about a mfg being out of business. My last Baja was a '98 and I never replaced a single Baja part on it. Only regular maintenance using Merc parts (impellers, etc). Nothing ever broke on that boat and I did not baby it (although I was meticulous about maintenance).
I would look for a clean used boat and then factor in some refurbishing. When you look, make a list of what needs to be done and then get estimates from reputable marine service centers. That way you can have a nice older boat and not have to be messing with it all the time (somewhat).
I am concerned about your time restrictions though. I spend a lot of time with my boat, not on the water. I like to clean everything in and out including the trailer, fiddle in the engine compartment, organize the storage areas and generally putz around in it. You may want to seriously assess your buying decision. Any boat, performance or not, will require work. You've been looking for a long time, might be better to just bum rides!
). You have said you want something reliable, turn key although that's not guaranteed in a new boat either.Seems to me, given your size and budget limitations that you're going to have to go used. As said, I wouldn't worry about a mfg being out of business. My last Baja was a '98 and I never replaced a single Baja part on it. Only regular maintenance using Merc parts (impellers, etc). Nothing ever broke on that boat and I did not baby it (although I was meticulous about maintenance).
I would look for a clean used boat and then factor in some refurbishing. When you look, make a list of what needs to be done and then get estimates from reputable marine service centers. That way you can have a nice older boat and not have to be messing with it all the time (somewhat).
I am concerned about your time restrictions though. I spend a lot of time with my boat, not on the water. I like to clean everything in and out including the trailer, fiddle in the engine compartment, organize the storage areas and generally putz around in it. You may want to seriously assess your buying decision. Any boat, performance or not, will require work. You've been looking for a long time, might be better to just bum rides!
Michael
04-20-2012, 04:48 PM
#74
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Thread Starter
04-20-2012, 06:00 PM
#76
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04-21-2012, 12:08 PM
#77
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Thread Starter
Hey Michael, a couple more things.
Have you looked into marina storage? I don't know about Channel Islands or Ventura but Dana Point has on trailer storage. They will launch and trailer the boat for you (I would be sure to stay for the wash down to make sure it's cleaned properly). That way you could go bigger and wouldn't need a truck.
Also, have you considered CC's or even a RIB? They have windshields and could be a cheaper alternative.
Or maybe you should just get one of these :
http://www.bayliner.com/page.aspx/pa...ner-Cuddy.aspx
Have you looked into marina storage? I don't know about Channel Islands or Ventura but Dana Point has on trailer storage. They will launch and trailer the boat for you (I would be sure to stay for the wash down to make sure it's cleaned properly). That way you could go bigger and wouldn't need a truck.
Also, have you considered CC's or even a RIB? They have windshields and could be a cheaper alternative.
Or maybe you should just get one of these
:http://www.bayliner.com/page.aspx/pa...ner-Cuddy.aspx
Spoke to Channel Islands Marina yesterday, and they said there is one dry storage yard. The guy at the yard said they are limited to 6600 pounds. The real problem is, they only launch with a sling, and they can't use it if winds are above 12 mph. The yacht club I belong to used them for a while, and sometimes you would get down there, but couldn't get your boat in the water. Other times, you would have the boat on the water, but they couldn't hoist it out, so it had to sit overnight. A group of boats would be bunched up, and, inevitably, some would bang into each other, resulting in scratches.
Ventura Harbor also has dry storage, but lengths are limited to 30 feet including the far back of the boat to the trailer tongue. They often don't have spaces available, and there is no launching service.
My truck tows 5000 pounds. I could go a bit over that for short distances say from the yard to the ramp, but how much over I don't know. I don't want to bend the frame.
I'm a more open minded to CC's now, and have looked through the classifieds for them. I haven't thought about a RIB, though.
Now comes the Bayliner.
It's funny that you mention this boat. I saw it at the L.A. boat show, and was thinking to myself at $30K, it seems like a lot of boat. I climbed aboard, and looked at the cabin. The headliner consisted of fabric glued to the bottom of the deck, and it looked like, well, fabric glued to the bottom of the deck and over the top of wires, bolts, etc. I sat in the drivers seat, and noticed that the liner was so thin, my feet actually pushed the footwell in a bit. Unless it is some sort of space age, high modulus of elasticity material, I don't see how that can last.
Michael
Last edited by Michael1; 04-21-2012 at 12:10 PM.
04-21-2012, 12:14 PM
#78
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04-21-2012, 05:05 PM
#79
Gold Member
I don't know anything about Advantage boats, but here's a nice looking 25 cuddy. Cabin seems pretty large. Custom boat, available with OB or IO.
http://www.boats.com/boat-details/Ad...tion/130540831
http://www.boats.com/boat-details/Ad...tion/130540831
04-23-2012, 12:16 AM
#80
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Michael
