Jetski or Bowrider speed boat?
Discussion
I'm considering buying a jetski or speedboat for the summer to have some fun wth the children. budget is about £8k and we will mainly use it for the children (20, 14, 7yrs) to learn to wake board and generally mess around at the coast.
I've been looking online at the new Yamaha EX deluxe, or a 10yr old Bayliner 175 bowrider.
I'm swayed towards the jetski mainly because it would be new (low running costs, less likely to break down), easier for me to launch / recover and it can be stored in the garage at home. I thought a jetski could also be easier to use if I want to keep an eye on the children when they are sailing dinghy's from the beach. We'll be joining a boat club with their own slip etc.
A few people I've spoken to have cautioned that jetskis can become boring quite quickly, aren't great for towing wake boarders and you obviously can't fit as many people on them as in a boat. Others have said a 10yr old speed boat could be an expensive toy to maintain.
I'd be interested to hear from folks that have either (or both).
I've been looking online at the new Yamaha EX deluxe, or a 10yr old Bayliner 175 bowrider.
I'm swayed towards the jetski mainly because it would be new (low running costs, less likely to break down), easier for me to launch / recover and it can be stored in the garage at home. I thought a jetski could also be easier to use if I want to keep an eye on the children when they are sailing dinghy's from the beach. We'll be joining a boat club with their own slip etc.
A few people I've spoken to have cautioned that jetskis can become boring quite quickly, aren't great for towing wake boarders and you obviously can't fit as many people on them as in a boat. Others have said a 10yr old speed boat could be an expensive toy to maintain.
I'd be interested to hear from folks that have either (or both).
Bowrider for me every time. Jetskis arnt all that, as you say, cant pull a wake board too well, certainly cant go fishing off, no chance of going out for the day and taking your picnic. Then you get wet and cold all the time.
A small-ish boat isnt hard to launch, especially from a proper slipway. Keep it in the back garden with a cover on. They are all GRP anyway, so Im not sure where any sudden costs are likely to come from? Yes, engines need a service once a year or so, but a jet bike will need a service too.
A small-ish boat isnt hard to launch, especially from a proper slipway. Keep it in the back garden with a cover on. They are all GRP anyway, so Im not sure where any sudden costs are likely to come from? Yes, engines need a service once a year or so, but a jet bike will need a service too.
Personally i think jet ski are great fun if you buy two or have friends with them, I have come close to buying one several times because there easier to store etc. but having used them i find that i get bored of them quite quickly.
With speedboats you can tow ringos, wakeboard etc you will have somewhere to store all this stuff so you're not stuck hanging around the beach or slipway all day. You can also take a few people with you so you tend to spend more time out. You could fit all of you in my speedboat quite comfortably.
With regards to speedboat ownership, if you buy the right boat i don't think the cost difference between them and jet skis are all that different, after owning a few boat theres a few things i would recommend looking for in a boat.
In order of importance
Build of the boat, some older cheaper speed boats have plywood construction and ply decks (normally carpeted), i would avoid these, i like boats with fibreglass decks and foam stringers. there also easier to clean. they also don't rot as much as the others
Engines, i like Mercruisers, there reasonably simple, you can get cheaper bits from America if you need them. i would recoemend buying a 4.3L because the 3.0 is gutless tbh and when you load the boat up you will be running at full revs to get anywhere fast, and use just as much fuel. my 4.3 merc used less fuel than my 140hp 2 stroke i currently have a 5.0 mpi and its good on fuel for what it is.
Storage! is very important on the water, think what you need and want to carry, one reason i bought my third boat was because of the storage.
Trailer, pay attention to them, a lot for sale are under-maintaned, the brakes are shot and they can be rotten. and they cost a lot to replace.
Boat covers cost a lot so try to buy a boat with a good cover.
You should be able to get a nice boat for 8K i would recomend spending a little less than your full budget for fixing bits when you find them.
Hope this helps
With speedboats you can tow ringos, wakeboard etc you will have somewhere to store all this stuff so you're not stuck hanging around the beach or slipway all day. You can also take a few people with you so you tend to spend more time out. You could fit all of you in my speedboat quite comfortably.
With regards to speedboat ownership, if you buy the right boat i don't think the cost difference between them and jet skis are all that different, after owning a few boat theres a few things i would recommend looking for in a boat.
In order of importance
Build of the boat, some older cheaper speed boats have plywood construction and ply decks (normally carpeted), i would avoid these, i like boats with fibreglass decks and foam stringers. there also easier to clean. they also don't rot as much as the others
Engines, i like Mercruisers, there reasonably simple, you can get cheaper bits from America if you need them. i would recoemend buying a 4.3L because the 3.0 is gutless tbh and when you load the boat up you will be running at full revs to get anywhere fast, and use just as much fuel. my 4.3 merc used less fuel than my 140hp 2 stroke i currently have a 5.0 mpi and its good on fuel for what it is.
Storage! is very important on the water, think what you need and want to carry, one reason i bought my third boat was because of the storage.
Trailer, pay attention to them, a lot for sale are under-maintaned, the brakes are shot and they can be rotten. and they cost a lot to replace.
Boat covers cost a lot so try to buy a boat with a good cover.
You should be able to get a nice boat for 8K i would recomend spending a little less than your full budget for fixing bits when you find them.
Hope this helps
The 175 Bayliner is only available with the 3.0 4 cylinder engine.
4.3 v6 is an option on 185 and above and out of budget for the age range.
I had a 185 3.0 Mercruiser and for a first boat found it perfect.
If you get it checked out thoroughly before sale:
The boat will be safer, more comfortable, more useable and not lose much value.
It will cost more in fuel and maintenence but hey its boating.
Pics or gtfo:
4.3 v6 is an option on 185 and above and out of budget for the age range.
I had a 185 3.0 Mercruiser and for a first boat found it perfect.
If you get it checked out thoroughly before sale:
The boat will be safer, more comfortable, more useable and not lose much value.
It will cost more in fuel and maintenence but hey its boating.
Pics or gtfo:
I've got a Larson 180 with the 3.0 engine option, c2005. I looked at bigger engined options but have to say this one has proved to be just fine. You should find something like this on budget if you go the boat route. I was warned that Bayliner considered more of a budget build, others on here may have views. I like the way this is put together and it's more than happy hooning around the Solent.
Bowrider design ideal for family use, perfect for ski fun or pulling the inevitable toys!
Easy maintenance with the four pot motor and no major trauma during my ownership. Trailers are a nightmare. Assume any used one has knackered hubs/bearings/brakes and treat with caution. Get a twin axle if you can, safety in number of wheels!
Bowrider design ideal for family use, perfect for ski fun or pulling the inevitable toys!
Easy maintenance with the four pot motor and no major trauma during my ownership. Trailers are a nightmare. Assume any used one has knackered hubs/bearings/brakes and treat with caution. Get a twin axle if you can, safety in number of wheels!
RumRunner said:
I have a good 2004 Maxum 1800 MX for sale 3.0Lt Merc
Glad to find someone to do with boatshed on here.Why is it that you are the only broker that I see on the internet that requires browsing prospective purchasers to register and log in before being allowed to see more than one picture of a boat? I assume you spam the hell out of them afterwards?
I've currently got two jetskis, a bowrider and a specific wakeboat. The advice I give all people considering a watercraft is definitely get the boat first.
I actually had a maxum 1800SR with the 3.0 4 cylinder a few years back, it's a great starter boat. You'll be able to do so much more, especially with three kids and their friends.
The only issue with the 3.0 is it gets a little weak pulling water-skiers out if fully loaded but of course you can change your prop pitch effectively gearing it down (I did this on mine).
Getting one jetski is a bit hopeless if you're family and only works if you use on a non-surf beach or river where you can take people out one at a time while others watch from the shore. The maintenance is not far off the boat as well. Plus you have a host of other issues towing such as sucking up the tow rope (experienced in this!).
Anyhow, boating is great fun. Just be sure to study some safety measures first, especially if your towing!
Some basic rules I use on top of general boating ones:
Never run the motor when people are getting in or out of the water.
Never ever reverse when the rope is out or your rider is in the water.
Clear call signs and signals e.g. when rider is set to go they should say "hit it" because "go" sounds like "no". And Spotter should watch for Rider's hand signals at all times.
Never ever wakesurf behind a sterndrive!! (I've seen idiots doing this!!)
And some other tips for wakeboarding behind a sterndrive:
You can trim the sterndrive up slightly to create a bigger wake (intermediate to advance riders)
Move people to the rear or one side for ballast - bigger wake
And lastly, watch out, it's addictive fun!
(that's me looking grumpy due to everyone loving the sport so much I have to take loads of families out!!)
Oh, found a shot of teaching kids to wakeboard behind a jetski as well...
I actually had a maxum 1800SR with the 3.0 4 cylinder a few years back, it's a great starter boat. You'll be able to do so much more, especially with three kids and their friends.
The only issue with the 3.0 is it gets a little weak pulling water-skiers out if fully loaded but of course you can change your prop pitch effectively gearing it down (I did this on mine).
Getting one jetski is a bit hopeless if you're family and only works if you use on a non-surf beach or river where you can take people out one at a time while others watch from the shore. The maintenance is not far off the boat as well. Plus you have a host of other issues towing such as sucking up the tow rope (experienced in this!).
Anyhow, boating is great fun. Just be sure to study some safety measures first, especially if your towing!
Some basic rules I use on top of general boating ones:
Never run the motor when people are getting in or out of the water.
Never ever reverse when the rope is out or your rider is in the water.
Clear call signs and signals e.g. when rider is set to go they should say "hit it" because "go" sounds like "no". And Spotter should watch for Rider's hand signals at all times.
Never ever wakesurf behind a sterndrive!! (I've seen idiots doing this!!)
And some other tips for wakeboarding behind a sterndrive:
You can trim the sterndrive up slightly to create a bigger wake (intermediate to advance riders)
Move people to the rear or one side for ballast - bigger wake
And lastly, watch out, it's addictive fun!
(that's me looking grumpy due to everyone loving the sport so much I have to take loads of families out!!)Oh, found a shot of teaching kids to wakeboard behind a jetski as well...
Edited by robm3 on Wednesday 17th May 11:46
Edited by robm3 on Wednesday 17th May 11:49
SeeFive said:
RumRunner said:
I have a good 2004 Maxum 1800 MX for sale 3.0Lt Merc
Glad to find someone to do with boatshed on here.Why is it that you are the only broker that I see on the internet that requires browsing prospective purchasers to register and log in before being allowed to see more than one picture of a boat? I assume you spam the hell out of them afterwards?
Agree it's a bit annoying but I bought via them and they did a good job
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