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Hello all,

   With the price of gas going through the roof, I want to downsize from a 30 footer to an 18-20 foot boat.  I don't have an unlimited budget, so I need to stay in the 13 - 16 K range.  I saw a new 19Ft bayliner for about 16.5 (complete with trailer, bimini and other goodies).  I'd love to hear your thoughts about this particular manufacturer, as well as any other suggestions you might have.  I look forward to Active Boating opening their classified pages, so I can see what's available on the market.  Any and all suggestions / comments are welcome.   I hope to pick one up soonish and head to the Glen for some fun on the water.

What kind of boat do you have now? We have thought about going up a size, we have a 22 ft cuddy cabin at the moment.

That Bayliner sounds like it is a newer model.The newer models are built much better then the late 80's and early 90's. The boating industry standerards are more stringent now. If it is an older model boat ,(this is my opinion) I would steer away from it. The materials in the older boats are not near the caliber of today.

yeah, that's the same information that I received.  Bayliner didn't have the best name on the block.  Yes, this is an 08 model, and the aesthetics and lines of this vessel are very nice, comparable in fact to higher priced boats owned by some of my associates.  Thanks for the input

larry

I have a 30 foot bayliner (1999).  It costs a fortune to gas up (110 gallon tank), and, since I have it docked, there are the dock fees (another $300.00/month).  Gets real pricey real fast.  I would think long and hard before going up too far.  The economy is not right for this size vessel (at least not for a working stiff like me).

Larry

I can agree with the cost of a bigger boat for sure. We actualy got rid of a 23 foot center console because of the size of the fuel tank, so I guess the smartest thing to do would be to hang on to the boat we have now that we like and can afford to run. It just never hurts to ask, you know? Good luck finding what you want, i know when you do you'll have a blast. I like the fact that we used less gas in three trips to the glen durring the cookout weekend then we used to use for one trip with the center console.

Thanks... I know I'll be happy to get out from under the weight of those high fuel prices... It really dampens the fun of ownership.  Great boat, but it's time to let it go and get something trailerable.  Besides, with all the kids gone, I don't need anything that huge anymore.

Larry

Are you looking for a cuddy? I now have to boats and need to let the 20 ftr go. It is a 92 rinker cuddy with a new interior. Stan and his wife had a hand in helping us with the restoration.It was our first boat and we up sized to a 23ft wellcraft cuddy.The restoration on that boat is almost finished.You can see the pics in the albums, under boat resto pics. Any way, the boat is a 20 ft rinker cuddy. I just thought I would let you know. Hope to see you on the water mon. at disappering island.