[DrewM5]

We can skip past all the reasons not to buy one since (no pun) that ship has sailed. But I could use some advice on what to get.

This will be my first boat (although I have been around boats my entire life) and it will be used on a 10 mile lake near my vacation home in southern VT. I am looking for something in the 19-21 range that gives me the best option of a runabout to use with adults but still allows us to ski/tube/whatever. I am looking to buy something used since I don't want to take the depreciation hit and I am not entirely certain how much we will actually get to use it - we bought the hose for skiing but have been going more and more in the "off season".

I have been looking at three boats: the Bryant 205W, the Sea Ray 205 Sport and the Regal 2000. I would love to be all in at 20-25K but am expecting to be more around 25-30K.

Any things I should know? Any of these three to stay away from? Any others I should be looking at? Is the 4.3 Mercruiser (220hp) going to be enough? The 240hp 5.0 seems harder to find used.

Any knowledge/advice/opinions welcome.

[M3Bimmer77]

My advice? Don't do it. You know the question / joke....what's are the 2 happiest days of a boat owner? The day he buys it and the day he sells it. I was about to several years ago and a couple of months ago I was into wave runners. But I decided it was going to be a waste of money and time between getting it ready, cleaning it and maintanance. It's much more fun for me to rent one for the day and at the end of the day just forget about it. There is too much to deal with owning a boat. If it's not one thing it's the other. For that reason only I lost interest. Unless you have a very deep pocket, a 24/7 mechanic and a marina service.

[brianeck]

I would checkout a 2011 or 2012 19 foot sea doo speedster 200 if you're looking for an entry/fun boat. It's incredibly maneuverable and great for tubing/waterskiing, nice and quick on the water with a low berth, a fantastic "learning" vessel, plus you can pick one up for legitimately half the budget you have in mind. I'm thinking about getting one myself.

[P1]

If you're going to buy a boat, then just buy something decent like an Air Nautique or a Malibu.

[jaco]

Boats are great, of course you will get 100 opinions on why they aren't. I would stick with the 4.3L with 220 HP on that size boat. We had a 190 HP version of that motor in the family for 10 years on a 21' Rinker. Never had an issue and was great on fuel.

Make sure the services have been done on the motor & drives (bellows, oil, prop issues, throttle cables). I'd aim for 2008 or newer and under 300 hours. I've found that anything newer than 1998 is more modern in design though if you want to be around 10k.

[gtron]

Originally Posted by DrewM5

We can skip past all the reasons not to buy one since (no pun) that ship has sailed.

Originally Posted by M3Bimmer77

My advice? Don't do it.

[bimmerfrk]

Some one once told the best days of boat ownership are the day you go buy one and finally the day you sell it.

Thought it was funny.... i was like dont you like your boat? And he told he loves it but hates taking care of it.

[CJ///M]

My family has a MasterCraft X25. We love our boat. It is reliable, spacious, more than enough power for your wake surfing, wakeboarding, skiing, tubing and so on. The employees for MasterCraft are the nicest people you will meet and will take there time with you choosing the right boat for your needs. Even after your purchase they are always there to help you with any questions you may have about your boat. Mastercrafts look great, they are different from any other boat manufacturer and will surely fit any boater who wants to have some fun on the water.

[Nkc]

I'd start with a used sea doo challenger as these things are easy to maintain and hold their value well.

They seat 6 to 8 comfortably and are really quick with precise handling. Seriously YouTube sea doo challenger.

[gtron]

Originally Posted by M3Bimmer77

You know the question / joke....what's are the 2 happiest days of a boat owner? The day he buys it and the day he sells it.

Originally Posted by bimmerfrk

Some one once told the best days of boat ownership are the day you go buy one and finally the day you sell it.

Originally Posted by gtron

.

[ASBSECU E93]

Boats are like exotic women and sports cars....really fun and exciting at first, but eventually becoming a money pit...

It's your $$ - enjoy it where you see fit.

Personally - I love my boat and take it out a couple times a month. If I did not have a passion for it however, it is hard to justify an expensive toy that is used so seldom.

[1MOREMOD]

Make friends with people that own one. Supply beer.

[gtron]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Make friends with people that own one. Supply beer.

all the boats i know are fueled by beer!

[1MOREMOD]

Exactly

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Make friends with people that own one. Supply beer.

OPBs are the best boats on the water by far!!

[Lone Star M3]

DON'T DO IT!

[MrRoboto]

Boats are just a hole in the water you throw money into.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by bimmerfrk

Some one once told the best days of boat ownership are the day you go buy one and finally the day you sell it.

Was that someone M3Bimmer77 like 5 posts above you?

[MisterSkiMask]

I have owned boats and more recently rented boats.

If you plan on doing a lot of wakeboarding or skiing you really can't beat a proper row boat. I rented a regal twice last summer it was a 5.0 IO, the power was adequate, I did not pull anybody with it. I would not go with the v6, but then I play on Lake Tahoe up in the altitude.

Ski boats tend to have V drive or direct drive rather then IO, the are much more fun to drive and 'toss around' when you turn the wheel you are turning a rudder rather then the whole out drive unit, they are more responsive and they handle incredibly well. If you like an M3 you will prefer the ski/wakeboard boat.

the best piece of advice I can give is to store it inside! Keep an extra prop and an extra raw water impeller on board along with some tools to change out those parts

[Malibu1]

I purchased my 2004 Malibu VLX new back in 2004. I have not had to do one single thing to it in 11 years except for change fluids and fill with gas and change fuel filter and impeller when manual says to. If I had to do it again, I would get the same boat.

[RIDERDIE]

I've had a sea ray 195 bow rider with a wake board tower and a 4.3 merc since new in 06. For the 195 the 4.3 is plenty of engine. The boat has no problem reaching a little over 50 still to this day. Horrible hull for choppier days but on a calm day it's fine. For the area I'm in if I buy another it will be a center console with a deeper hull.

[ASAP]

I would advise against this... as everyone that I know that has wanted one has sold one very soon after. But... if this boat will be stored on the water and frequently enjoyed then it's a different story... albeit I never quite understood the fascination with boats and never wanted to own one.