Purchasing a new boat! advice needed

[simsavage]

Hey Everyone,

The time has come to upgrade my vessel and I have been looking at getting a bow rider.
I have taken a particular interest in bayliner 175 around 2006.
This boat will be a pretty big upgrade for me going from a 55HP to a 135 HP and I'm very excited to find something I love.
From what I have found in my research most people have positive reviews on the bayliners.
I'm looking at paying around the 16-17k range. hopefully I can find something decent in that price range.
Just after any advice on buying, price, reliability all the usual when looking to buy a second hand boat.
I think when I find one I will have it looked at by a mechanic before purchasing it.

I got well and truly played last time i purchased a boat so I don't want that to happen again

[TheRealPoMo]

I was looking in that bracket a while back.
With the dollar at parity with the US, a locally built fibreglass 18 footer in similar condition was not within cooee price wise.

Ended up with a Reinell 185 with a 190 V6 Volvo for low $20K. Glad I went the extra.
You will be presented with "Low freshwater hours" - mine had about 70.
Now this is entirely feasible with an import from the states that gets used a couple of times during summer on Lake Tahoe and then laid up for 10 months, but not a given on each and every one.
Engage a marine surveyor for under $200 and they will look at the gotcha's (Rot in stringers, corrosion in risers, optimistic hour meters....)
Best advice I was given was look for a tidy unit...if it looks rough, then it is rough. Also look out for those kept in the water - usually have antifouling on the hull.

Also, if you do go with a Yankee Bowrider, you will need to remember that they go like stink on Lake Tahoe but are somewhat limited by weather in our open waters - if that is your intention.

Cheers

[Camhawk88]

The Aus $ is only buying US80c at the moment. Fair way from parity. At a 16k budget, by the time you consider freight inspections, GST and import duties you will probably only have US5k to spend on a boat as a rough guess.

Personally dont think it is worth it in the sub 25k bracket at the moment.

[simsavage]

I'm looking at buying second hand, already in Aus.
This one is a little over budget but is also newer
http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...=0&pss=Premium