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Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
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Author:  BullGatorTitan [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
First, I will tell you what I am looking to do with the boat. It will mainly be used to tow the kids on a tube, skis, knee board. The kids are 4, 5, and 8. However, at times I would like to be able to have some fun myself, including wakeboarding, and I am 5' 10", 220lbs.

I have been looking for a couple of weeks now, but I am in no hurry, as here shortly I will have the money to purchase the boat with cash instead of financing. (Settling a legal matter where I was hit by a car while on a bicycle) Here are a few of the boats I have seen that interest me, but I was hoping for some insight, as I have never owned a boat before.

These are just the boats I have found on Boattrader, and just began searching Craigslist. I put some comments on each boat, but feel free to comment on any or all of them. I am going to take my time and research.

I am not set on getting a Four Winns, however about 10-11 years ago I used to go out on a boat with my brother's friend, and he had a Four Winns. My brother saw him the other day and asked about the boat, said they still take it out, and the boat is still running great. I know the quality is there. Thanks for any and all help.

I am located in N. Florida, and definitely willing to travel to pick up the right boat.

2003 Freedom w/150 outboard
This boat has an Outboard, and not sure of the advantages/disadvantages as opposed to the I/O.

2005 180 LE
This boat has the 4.3L Merc, not sure on the advantages/disadvantages of the Merc vs Volvo

1998 Horizon 200
This one is an older boat (1998), but has the Volvo 5.0.

2001 Horizon 260
This boat is older (2001), but according to the seller, has had the following done this year: new battery, impeller, water/fuel separator, spark plugs, exhaust and intake gasket sets, riser and manifold kit and fresh bottom paint, at the same time the tandem axle aluminum trailer was fully serviced for bearings and lights.

2005 Horizon 180 (might be fish and ski)
This boat appears to be the Fish & Ski, and I really don’t see me needing the trolling motor much, if at all. How hard would it be to remove that?

2001 Horizon 230
This one is larger, and has the 5.7l engine. With a family of 5 to start out, thought bigger might help out later, but not sure how much power with the additional length/weight.
Author:  230 Mike [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
Boating in fresh or salt water?
Author:  BullGatorTitan [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
230 Mike wrote:
Boating in fresh or salt water?

Will mostly be fresh, but the occasional salt, since I live 5 minutes from the intracoastal.
Author:  St. Louis Dave [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
You will love the room and the ride in the 260. If you are going to be on big water, you want a big boat. Looking at the listing, it needs a bit of TLC, but if your survey checks out, that is an incredible boat for under $15K.
Author:  millhaven_nice_guy [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
That H260 has been on the market for years. I remember seeing it when I was looking for mine! That would be three years this Fall. The motor must be well used to have had all that work done on it. It would be underpowered too IMO. Check to make sure it has bow and cockpit covers, Bimini, carpet, radio appears missing etc... All that stuff adds up fast if you have to start buying it later.
I would also look for a boat with an extended swimplatform... They make for real cheap extra "living" space.
Too bad your so far away...
Author:  flaMtneer [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
I guess my only advice would be to think about what size boat works best for you. I'd definitely err on the side of bigger. If you're 5 mins for the ICW you might find you prefer saltwater. We really like the cruise from Daytona to St. Augustine and we'd rather swim in the saltwater most of the time. The larger boat, aside from the obvious more room, would do a better in open water. Since you're interested in water sports, make sure whatever boat you pick has enough engine for the size, especially if you'll be loaded up with people. The 260 with a 5.7L might be marginal for water sports - but you'd have to get some opinions from folks who have that setup...not trying to discourage you, just mentioning things to check out.

Good luck! Keep us posted.
Author:  230 Mike [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
I would flat out not buy a 260 with a 5.7L. If you're going to be in the salt, you might give more thought to something with an outboard. And definitely not a painted steel trailer.
Author:  BullGatorTitan [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
One of the things that turns me off on the 260 is the condition it appears to be in, and the engine size. Does anyone have an opinion about the 1998 Horizon 200 with the 5.0? The engine has 358 hours, would there be any significant maintenance it could possibly need at that time? Also, what about the 2005 180. I would think with 220 HP it would be plenty of power to do just about anything. Price is a little bit higher than the others, but I am sure they would come down some.
Author:  LouC [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
You have 3 kids and if you are doing water sports you have to have a spotter so that's 5 people, and I think an 18 footer is marginal for that amount even though the manufacturers say otherwise. Even more so with an I/O power package because it takes up so much room in the rear of the boat, an 18 footer with an OB would be OK though. Of all the boats I think either the 98 200 or the 2001 230 would interest me most because they both seem to be in better condition. Fresh water use is a big plus take it from me being in all salt water. I'd look at both and buy based on how you like driving it and condition. Also the 230 is a good sized boat, make sure if you choose it that your tow vehicle can handle it...the 200 is quite a bit smaller and lighter...Condition overall is really most important, boat repairs are expensive, in the long run it's cheaper to buy the best condition boat you can find...take it from someone who replaced a deck (floor) and most of the interior, it was a good learning experience but the next time around its going to be a 2-3 year old one for me....at the oldest....
Author:  BullGatorTitan [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
LouC wrote:
You have 3 kids and if you are doing water sports you have to have a spotter so that's 5 people, and I think an 18 footer is marginal for that amount even though the manufacturers say otherwise. Even more so with an I/O power package because it takes up so much room in the rear of the boat, an 18 footer with an OB would be OK though. Of all the boats I think either the 98 200 or the 2001 230 would interest me most because they both seem to be in better condition. Fresh water use is a big plus take it from me being in all salt water. I'd look at both and buy based on how you like driving it and condition. Also the 230 is a good sized boat, make sure if you choose it that your tow vehicle can handle it...the 200 is quite a bit smaller and lighter...Condition overall is really most important, boat repairs are expensive, in the long run it's cheaper to buy the best condition boat you can find...take it from someone who replaced a deck (floor) and most of the interior, it was a good learning experience but the next time around its going to be a 2-3 year old one for me....at the oldest....


Thanks for the great advice. I am looking to spend no more than $20k, but I can venture a little higher. I also found this boat below that seems to be in great condition, although I am not familiar at all with the MC350MAG, but the ad list it as 280HP, FW's site list it at 300HP. I am definitely leary of buying anything that does not appear to have been well maintained, although I know looks can be deceiving. Most of the use will be freshwater, but I do want to be able to drop it in the intracoastal when I feel like it.

When the wife got home from work tonight I showed her the boats, and her favorites so far have been both the 230s, the one listed above in my first post, and the one listed below. Thanks again, and the tow vehicle won't be a problem, trading in our Pathfinder for a full size SUV of some sort when I get my settlement.

2004 Horizon 230 MC350MAG
Author:  scotchwater [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
So far, IMHO, this boat (based on photos and info supplied alone) is head and shoulders above anything you were looking at in your first post. Price is pretty spot on, if you do a cash offer you'll walk away even cheaper. Plus, as another mentioned, for your size of family I wouldn't consider anything smaller. If you're serious, have them fix the faded vinyl and with a little elbow grease and wax you'll have a great looking boat! Another factor to consider, if this is your first boat, you're right in a "mid" range size and it is pretty easy to learn how to handle it. And, it will easily hold all of your brood.
Author:  230 Mike [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
BullGatorTitan wrote:

2004 Horizon 230 MC350MAG


I recommend it highly, but I'm biased. :) Also I believe they've got some facts wrong in that ad. The 350MAG is indeed 300HP. Unless there was a change between '04 and '05 (not likely IMO), the fresh water tank is 12 gallons and the fuel tank is 58 gallons. I'm not a saltwater boater, but if it's located in Jax I wonder how much it's been in the salt and how it's been maintained. I don't know how much more life there would be in the risers & manifolds on a 6 year old boat if it's seen a lot of salt. Again, I'm no expert in that area but it's something I'd question. Pretty boat, though.
Author:  RotaryRacer [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
I'd buy the 2003 180 Freedom with the outboard.

In fact I did buy a 2004 version of the same boat this spring.

It is a wonderful boat. All these guys think you need a bigger boat. I don't. I think the 18' boat with an outboard has more than enough interior space for 5 adults and a few kids. It handles big water well enough for the occasional fair weather outing. That 150 pops the boat on plane without even thinking....I'm dead serious. I have easily yanked up just about anything or anyone out of the water on various skis, tubes, ect. This boat just plain works well for just about everything.

To me the adavantages of an outboard make this an easy decision.

I think you should buy that 2003 for $8k (a very good price if the boat is in good shape) and stash the rest of your cash away. In a couple of years if you want a bigger or newer boat you have a nice cash reserve to help make it happen.
Author:  LouC [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
True the advantages of the outboard for a new boater are significant, no worries about fumes in the bilge, easy to winterize, more room in the boat and better ability to trim up in shallow water...the only concern I'd have is to make sure good service for whatever OB is on there is locally available.

And being in Florida if you are anywhere near salt water the resale on the OB will be much easier than on an I/O...
Author:  TX H210SS [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to buy a boat, need advice/suggestions please
Don't just consider the seating capacity of the boat....taking the kiddos and momma out for the day of wakeboarding means a ton of gear.....wakeboards, knee boards, tube, ice chests, snacks, towels, safety gear and the list goes on. An 18' boat will have less storage for all your stuff...it's not seating, but how much crap you have to stumble over in the process. That's assuming you take as much as we do - on my 210 we have had 8 people (within capacity # wise but pushing it weight wise with gear)....two wake boards, two knee boards, 1 innertube, 1 trampoline tube etc.

The last boat you posted has some nice room for sure - good power - plus a dual prop system that adds a ton to the performance and handling....nice setup if boat is in good condition.....get a Survey done regardless cuz no deal is good if the boat has major issues.....having a fresh water wash down is nice too if you will be in salt....plus that boat comes with a galvanized trailer which will be a MUST for you even if you go to salt ONCE.

The salt will add to your maintenance for sure - exhuast riser corrosion etc....just part of the game.
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