Big long thread, many will not feel like reading but for the rest of you join on in... lol
Ok, hopefully Saturday the deal goes through on Goin Tarpless. I have finally prepared my mind that it is "gone".
Sooo, moving on...
I want to stick to the same budget I had with Goin Tarpless as far as the boat payment (yes I am a poor kid and will take out a loan lol). That pretty much equals out to 25k but does not mean I would pay 25k for any boat out there that meets my specs nor does it mean for the right boat I would not do more but generally I am going to STICK with that figure. I am preapproved for a loan BUT with each boat I would want to get serious on they would need to evaluate it. Basically if I can find boats under the http://www.BUC.com value then I should be good to go. They have fully approved the green Bayliner below and also another one in Indiana that is below somewhere.
Here is what I prefer:
26-28' Cruiser Boat with aft cabin, full head with shower sink etc., full galley - sink, stove burner, refrigerator, microwave, etc.
Come with Camper Canvas
Air conditioning - I have decided I want this and would like the ones with heat at well. There are a couple boats out there I have considered that did not have it and one had a carry on unit but I lean more towards those with factory setups.
Bravo 3
Boats I seem to like in rough order just by looking at pictures of them.
This is where I need your help, I don't know anything about Cruiser boats, their track record etc. I know some will say Bayliner is junk but I just had one and it was FAR from Junk. ___ had one that when I last saw it was pretty cool and I would think in great shape for the mileage it had seen and I heard he got good money for it too. I'm not looking for a brand loyalty opinion I want to hear your first hand knowledge of known issues etc., known GOOD things, etc. I there anyone out there with small blocks in this boat size and do they perform well? I ask this since almost every one of them is a small block so that leads me to believe it is not that big of a minus unless you get a underpowered one like a 5.0 in a 27'er.
Bayliner 265 (I think they only started making these around 03, 04 or 05 so good luck finding one in my $ range.
Chaparral 260 Signature (the ones with the windows like the Bayliner)
Bayliner 2655 Cierra Lx DX or cruiser (yes just mainly because of the big windows they have I know this is over the 8.5' width but most think I can get away with up to a 9.5' beam)
Sea Ray 260 SunDancer
Regal 2765 Cruisers (largest 8.5' beam cruiser?)
Regal Commodore 2660 Aft Cabin
Wellcraft 2600 Martinique
Rinker 270 Fiesta Vee ?
So again the main points I want to meet are:
26-28' Cruiser
No engine smaller than 5.7 (like the reviews of the 7.4 but 5.7 is fine)
Don't want to be over 400 hours and would prefer under 200.
Nothing less than a Bravo 3 or equivalent
Prefer to have built in heat/Ac units
Prefer to have good Camper Canvas
Prefer within 500 miles but would drive further or ship a boat that is a great deal.
...and of course
MUST have trailer in good shape (unless boat price is low enough to buy a new trailer and keep at 25k range)
Sink, Stove, Microwave, Fridge, Toilet, shower, hot water, etc.
NO Radar arch! (unless you think it could be removed and not leave a big ugly spot on the boat)
No Salt water (unless you think for that particular boat it would not matter because of hours, or setup, or whatever)
When you tell me one you think is best or when you give me a list of ones out there tell me why you put one above another etc. This is a learning process for me. I may or may not agree with your pick but what you state may be something that sticks with me and influences what I choose to ultimately do. I appreciate that this forum has some seasoned boaters that know their way around boats and are generally happy to help guide another boater. The Lake Cumberland Forums are what "trained" me to boat and how to better take care of the boat I have/had. Now to train me on the next step.
Some that caught my eye
VERY nice shape if is not sold http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001- ... era-298021 I have been speaking to the owner about it. My boat mentor told me to offer 19,500 so I offered 20,500 and the guy replied that the price was firm and stated NADA price but he readded some standard options to the value which my boat mentor told me you are not supposed to do, you only add items that were added after purchase from standard. I asked the dealer for a little movement as he was prepared to trade my Bayliner in on it for about 2k more than others had offered on trade value since now that I would not have to trade the Bayliner I figured he should have a little room to move on the price but he would not move with me thus right now I am reviewing other boats.
![Image](http://tolimages9.traderonline.com/img/6/plcnad/7983870/298021_3thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
The rest of these in no particular order you can look at these and reply off them or just send me whatever YOU see out there you think is a fit. This is my basic search - http://www.boattrader.com/search-result ... Price:ASC/
http://boats.iboats.com/cruiser-boats/? ... &zip=41031
_____________________________________________________________________________
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001- ... era-312161
I WAS looking at this one but when I contacted the seller he would not send me more photos, would not answer simple questions via e-mail and said he only wanted to reply to me via the phone. That worried me since it seemed he did not want to put simple things in writing like if all the electronics worked, if there were any major scratches in the gel coat, etc..
![Image](http://tolimages9.traderonline.com/img/6/plcnad/8033910/312161_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001- ... -100404488
Another 2655 that looks nice but don't know if it comes with a trailer
![Image](http://tolimages3.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/748100//100404488_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2002- ... era-316201
Another 2655 looks really nice and is a 02. Does not state if comes with trailer or how many hours.
![Image](http://tolimages9.traderonline.com/img/6/plcnad/6597076/316201_1.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Here is a Rinker in Cincinnati but would need to get rid of arch as it would not fit in my building I don't think...
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001- ... e-99961681
Does not list engine hours so I am betting it has more than I would want on it...
![Image](http://tolimages8.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/862821//99961681_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000- ... -101586910
249 hours so over my 200 mark but under that 400 cut off point I have created for myself.
Looks like a nice boat and is not as far of a drive as some of the others.
![Image](http://tolimages4.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/814025//101586910_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Order a trailer from Don and this boat? - http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001- ... e-99465420
Would need to know hours and more details first...
![Image](http://tolimages7.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/756598//99465420_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Odd looking trailer - http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2002- ... a-99523478
![Image](http://tolimages1.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/808136//99523478_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Above my budget unless they took a 25k offer - http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2002- ... 5-99820892
![Image](http://tolimages8.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/1698305//99820892_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Here is a Wellcraft, from what I read about them they seem to perform well.
http://www.spendaday.com/pre_owned_deta ... eh=2472882
Nooo, the pictures are not dull the hull really is that dull and would take a full compound and wax.
It is at my 200 hour mark but does have a radar arch that I just don't think will fit in the building or would be ok to tow... I told them I would think about a 23,500 offer...
![Image](http://cdn-5.psndealer.com/e2/dealersite/images/spendaday/vp2472882_1_large.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Don't know much about Crownline and it is in the upper range of the hours I would accept. Does not appear to have trailer but depending on BUC value I might could order one for it.
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000- ... -Cr-227821
![Image](http://tolimages8.traderonline.com/img/6/plcnad/4796242/227821_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
This one claims to have been stored for 6 years
It is a 03 and has VERY low hours. BUT! It does not have built in AC/heat and it has been used in salt water however they claim to have flushed it every time.
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2003- ... 265-245081
![Image](http://tolimages1.traderonline.com/img/6/plcnad/7796370/245081_1thumb_550x410.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Another in Indiana
http://boats.iboats.com/2000-bayliner-c ... 81871.html
![Image](http://www.iboats.com/sites/mainchannel/site_page_8861/images/l_digi43159549.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Green Bay Wisconsin
http://boats.iboats.com/2000-rinker-fie ... 85901.html
Comes with trailer
![Image](http://www.iboats.com/sites/shipyardisland/site_page_16805/images/l_digi44367166.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________________
I would think about making an offer on this one but did not like how Skipper Buds did me on another deal I was looking at. So scratch them from ANY thoughts...
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000- ... -100536136
...also I would NOT deal with Sea Ray of Cincinnati/Louisville after my dealing with Jeff there. They can keep their boats.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Yep sorry for that 20 page long first post, I understand if no one wants to participate but I just figured I would throw it out there.
Thanks
E