Why PQ ? Why not Checkmate, Sunsation, Baja ?
 

Hello, every one.

I have been looking to buy a new PQ. I do have a question for every one that own a PQ. Why did you decide to go with PQ. Why not Checkmate, Sunsation or Baja ? Please, give me your reason. I live in Michigan. Do you know any dealer in Michigan that carry PQ beside Skipper Budds ?

Thank you so much,

Mattt.

Mattt,

We used to own a PQ 280 (now boatless, hoping to change that next year).

We looked at all of the brands you mentioned, plus others, before buying the Powerquest. In short, the PQ had the best combination of size, performance, craftsmanship, styling, and price.

Formula makes a great boat, but they are significantly more $$ than PQ. Fountains are small - the 27' is really a 24'-25' boat, and we really didn't like the styling, but that's subjective. Baja is a nice boat, I don't think they are built quite as well as the PQ. Plus, they are a "corporate" boat - I'm not sure you'd get the same after-the-sale service that you can from a smaller company (just my opinion, though, I don't have any first hand knowledge).

Sunsation is a great builder, and getting better. Couple things kept us from pulling the trigger - and we were "that" close. First, they have an 8' beam, and that really makes a difference. You wouldn't think 6" is that be a deal, but it seemed that way to us. Second, no windshield. We're in Michigan too, and it's nice to be able to hunker down behind the windshield on those 65 degree days. A definite plus for the Mrs. If I was 10 years younger, this would have been my first choice. Fastest with the same power.

I liked the way Checkmate was built, but the Mrs wasn't so fond of the styling. I would have been happy with one though.

Of course, now that PQ has changed hands, I don't know if all of the pluses are still true; there's been some talk on this board that the new boats are a little "cheaper" in the interior quality, etc. Not sure, as I've not looked at new boats in 2 years or so. Could be just hearsay, you'll need to judge for yourself.

AFAIK, Skipper Bud's are the only PQ dealers in the state.

Good luck, let us know how it goes. I will say this - I'd own another 280 in heartbeat (sometimes I think about calling the guy I sold my boat to, see if he'd be willing to sell it back to me :) )

Thanks dockrocker, for replying so fast.

My wife and I were looking at a PQ 237 Stryker. And we like the wind screen. The reason we pick the 237 is because we want to use it on inland lake also. You mentioned how much you like the wind shield. That would make it harder for me to make my decision now. We like the wind screen looks better, but I'm afraid that we would be regretted during a 65deg days. A lot of people also saying that a wind shield would have a better resale value. Decision, decision... I don't know why PQ would make a boat that an owner could change from wind screen to wind shield with only a few screws or brackets.

A dealer gave me a quoted of around $$66,000.00 for a boat mentioned above with a competition package and a 496 engine. That is an out the door price. I thought that was too high for a boat that size. What do you think ? I let you know what I am planning to do.

Thanks again for the info.

Mattt.

Wow, you should be able to get into a 28' for that kind of money. Or at least close. Does that include trailer, taxes, tags, coast guard package, dry storage, and 24 payments? :eek:

I had a 232 and a 272 Baja. Fun smooth water boats, but absolutely beat you to death in the rough stuff. I am told that the Outlaws are better boats, but I prefer a windshield. I do know that the Baja's build quality and customer service does not hold a candle to that of a smaller more detail oriented company like PQ or Sunsation. Don't know about Checkmate.

good luck on the PQ!

Matt - you can get a 260, and a few pennies more a 280 for that amount of $$$$, on a trailer;)

Mattt I owned a 240 Pq that I bought new in 97, it was a great boat and we enjoyed it alot, we looked at Baja's and Cheakmate's at that time and for us the things that helped us was the fact that we have friends with Baja's and there were having some warrenty issues and were not real happy with the company or there dealer. My bride did not like the looks of a CM at all and just for your knowledge the 24 PQ was faster then a 24 CM with the same motors.:) The other thing is that we have the only PQ on our local lake unless we have a visiter, that is pretty cool.

I've got friends with Sunsation's and I or they cannot say anything bad about them. The Sunsation runs very well and takes big water smoothly. I've looked hard at them myself but my wife does not like loosing that kind of cuddy space, we do stay on our boat every weekend on Fri. and Sat. nights. The Sunsation does price out nicely though.

As far as dealers In Ill. ther is Krammers up by Chicago Riverview Marine in Spring Vally, and Holzhaur Motorsports by St Louis. We bought ours in Cincinatti but they no longer carry PQ. The price you recieved seems hi to me, I've got a 290 for not much more. you should shop around and be willing to travel, since you live in Mi. you could take it to Pq if you were to have any warranty issues.

Good luck!
Just look in the areas you don't see at first, and you will see the difference

:D :D

theres a PQ dealer up here in traverse city, traverse marine left side off us 131

Matt I'll give you my .02....I live in west Michigan not far from the P.Q. factory and I would'nt buy one.....two reasons everyone has one around here and for my money they are over priced.....I've owned several Checkmates and the Sonic I have now and If I were going to buy new you cant beat the Bang for your buck with a Checkmate!!!!!The sunsations are great but a little more money (I think) but if you can get a good deal I would buy it before the P.Q....

Mattt,

For that kind of $$, you should be getting into a 280. I bought my 280 for less. Plus it had LOTS of options.
OSO member Jon 280 Silencer just bought a brand new leftover 280 for about $ 50K.

For really good pricing, call Tom Jr 717-944-4232
at Duckys boats in PA. They have the best prices you'll EVER see on PQ. I guarantee you'll save alot of $$$$ with them. They deliver your boat and do everything over the phone. The only downside; forget customer service from them, which is actually a good thing because I deal directly with PQ.

When I bought my first PQ, I looked at everything. My criteria at the time was a fast (consistant 65+) single engine boat, with lots of cockpit space. PQ's build quality is top notch, their customer service is amongst the best in the (I've owned lots of other brand boats, all have lousy Customer Service) industry. The boats are dry (no water in face), ride good and solid. You will be happy with your decision.

Wow !!!!! Thank you every one for some great info...

wms,
Yep! that price do include a standard trailer. No dry storage, no coast guard package. It does include tax and tag out the door. The thing is, they actually quoted me around $70,000.00 but with the sales they have for the moment, there price now is $66,000.00 out the door. I know PQ is a good quality boat but that price is too high.

I will be calling other dealer out of state. If I buy one from a dealer out of state, I don't have to go there to pick up the boat. I can just pick it up from PQ company, I only live about 30 minutes from there.

BillR,
I'll give Duckys Boats a call. Thanks for the info.

Dyno,
I did look at a Checkmates, Sunsation and Baja. You know what, from a distance you can't tell which is which and that include PQ. But close up, I do like PQ better.

Scooter,
You wouldn't happen to have a number of that dealer do you ?

Thanks again for so many great reply, I am so happy I know this web site.

Thanks,

Mattt.

Doesn't PQ have an ad they run now for the 29 Enticer (w/twins) that says 70 mph for 70K? I know it's a little older design, but how can they sell a 237 with a single for the same price? I do realize that price would be without any extras, but it is the end of the model year.

BTW, you can get the pricing on the PQ website, but I'd expect at least 15-20% off retail...

Just to reiterate - we paid less for our 280, new. That price for a 237 is absolutely outrageous - I can't believe the guy had the nerve to tell you that - I would've laughed in his face...

That being said, the 237 is a nice boat for inland or the big lakes. You might want to look at a late model used boat; I took the big depreciation hit on a new boat, and I don't think I'd do it again. Lots of time they will still have the Merc warranty on the motor....

Food for thought, anyway...

Mattt,
When I was looking at boats a few years back, I went to Thunder there in Hudsonville before they closed. They told me 22% off PQ before we even really dealt on any prices.

Good to see OSO probably already saved you $15k. LOL! Or got you 4 more feet!

Mark

Well, every one.

I have not gone back to the dealer and give them the price I wanted. The options that I wanted for the boat is 496 engine, competition package, and level 2 graphic. I went to PQ website and entered my options for the 237 Stryker and it kick out a price of $68,000 with out tax or tag. I almost fell out of my seat.

The dealer here in Michigan so far give me an out the door price of $66,000. So, if I take off about 20%. I am looking at around $51,000 for the boat. I am right ?

Thanks again,

Mattt

If you were even thinking about buying that 23 footer for that kind of money start thinking BIGGER! Most boat for the money. You can't beat size.....;)

MATTT, if you price up the boat you want (from the PQ website) the prices you get off that site are MSRP prices.

Lets assume that your boat priced out at $ 66,000.

66,000 x .80 (20% off) = selling price to you PLUS tax and other....

Normally in todays market, you should be able to buy that boat at 30% off. 66,000 x .70 = 46,200.00 :).

Are you still looking for a 237 or have you decided on a larger one.


Good Luck

I know I was looking for a new boat at this time last year. Regardless of the manufacturer, I could get the dealership to go anywhere from 30-32% off the sticker price. If they really want to sell the boat and make room for next years boats, THEY WILL COME OFF THAT MUCH!!!

This was not one dealer only, but several. Stick to your guns it is a buyer's market!!!

That 30-32% off sticker did include a Powerquest 280.

The reason I am staying with a 237 is because I want to use it on inland lake also. The second reason is my garage is only 29' deep.

Luv-N-It,

Would a 2003 model makes any different ? I am planning to make an order closer to the winter. Maybe the 2003 model cost a little more ?? I am not sure.

Thanks,

Mattt.

I would not think you could get a 2003 model, especially ordering it for 30-32% off.

Financially it's always best to order and especially over the winter months...Keep the above recommendations about percent off MSRP in your pocket when negotiating...Best of luck...

Yes you can. I ordered my boat and got that kind of discount. Make SURE you get about 30% + off with whatever brand boat you decide on.

So, you are saying if someone quoted me a price around $70,000 out the door for a boat. Take 30% of that, would be $49,000 out the door ?

The dealer did mentioned that, the reason the price is high is because I am also paying for the customer service. Well, I guess some time that would be true. But for all the cars and boats I bought since the last 15years, they all say the same thing; but customer services was graded bad to average.

Thanks,

Mattt.

High price due to customer service?!?!:eek: :mad: HORSE S***!!

Price your boat with the options you want on the PQ website. Take the final total and deduct 30% off. Then add tax and dealer prep. That is your out the door price.

Have you called Tom Jr. at Ducky's yet? You will be pleasantly suprised at their low prices.

Matt, Listen to BillR here. He is giving some good advice to you!!

What he said! MATTT, I would walk out the door of that dealership and not look back. With that kind of attitude, I can guarantee you will be bent over for service and parts the whole time you own the boat. This dealer sounds like an ass and a half - if might ask, who are you dealing with? I used to know a guy at Skipper Bud's (used to be at Pier 33) who seemed to be a fairly straight shooter. Send me a PM if you don't want to post it...

Mattt -

I agree that sounds like to much $ and a lot of BS. However, dealers need to make a profit. I don't think this 30% off, across the board thing is gonna fly:eek:

How important is it to you to use a local dealer?, Are you a good marine mechanic and troubleshooter?, do you want to tow the boat hundreds of miles?, etc. All of these things have different $ values to different people, so........... I might be more inclined to pay 5% more to my local dealer, for the value added aspects and knowing I'll have great follow-up.

My 02:

Based on what you know now and the inclination of the dealer you've been speaking with, you must now walk away because you could no longer trust him now, or in future warranty issues. Find another place that's willing to take care of you. Based on Bill's and other's experiences price wise, Ducky's is near enough to you to give'em a shot...But as with anything else, shop and compare. Oh, and make sure you get to ride'em too...;)

Pay for customer service what's up with that.?

boomer,

That is correct. I was told that I would have to pay a little more for a boat at a dealer near by to get the service I want down the road incase the boat needs some works on. I understand that if I bought a boat from another dealer out of state and bring that boat to a dealer near my place for some issue, I would be treated as a second class customer.

Later,

Mattt.

Mattt,
Just from personal experience, I bought a Powerquest (used) out of state. They don't sell them by me. I have my work done by a local Mercrusier mechanic. He treats me like any other customer. He sells boats, but does most of his buisiness on service.

That's right! The factory (or merc if its motor) pays for the warranty work.....no matter who does it or where. Then when the warranty expires, you pay!! :rolleyes:

I agree with boomer, How long do plan too own the boat because warranty work is some of the best money for any shop!!

also I ordered my boat loaded and with specific colors and still got 30% off sticker, I've also had another shop do some work with no problems.

good luck

PQ must be a lot cheaper at any other state but Michigan. Becuase, the dealer around here sure want a lot of money for their boat. I think I have to go out of state to order my boat then. Wish me luck for my next negociate.. I think I am too nice when it come to buying big toys.

Later,

Mattt.

Mattt,

Just to throw a bit more fuel on the fire.... ;)

I was cruising Boat Trader Online today, looking at PQ prices, and what did I find? A nice 2001 290 Enticer, twin big blocks, for about what Skipper Bud's quoted you for a 237!

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/8/9/1746189.htm

Pretty interesting that you can get an extra big block and drive, plus 6 more feet of boat, just by not paying for "service"... :rolleyes: There's plenty more out there as well.

Your experience is going to keep me away from Skipper Bud's when it's time for my next boat....

dockrocker,

I saw that 29' PQ. I think It said that the previous owner did not winterized it right. The block cracked. They rebuild the engine and has a warranty on it.

May be the quoted for my boat was high is because it a 2003 ?

Thanks, for the reply.

Mattt.

Matt,

You could get a new 24ft Pantera, custom built just for you for about the same money!!!
It's already September, so you won't get to use the boat this season much anyway...

If you are still looking for a 237 I still have mine for sale. Drop me an email at [email protected] if you want more information on the boat. The boat is a nice size for rivers, large lakes, and the ocean. I have had mine out in Daytona and over in Sarasota for the races. Performs great. I dont have the 496 engine though. That is something I wish I did have... It is the 7.4 engine. I do have the competition package and upgraded graphics.