Skiboat Input

[josh.schreiber]

Hey guys the wife and I are looking for a family ski boat. We've come across a 2000 Crownline 180 with a 4.3 Volvo penta motor. The guy is asking $8,700 (price includes a trailer). How good of a deal is this? The price is negotiable, so I definitely won't be paying the full $8,700. The boat has been taken good care of. Aside from the price, does anyone have any thoughts on this model or the company in general? Everything I've heard about Crownline has been positive. Any quirks or problems that I need to be aware of?
Thanks for the help guys.

 

[SpurHunter]

While a ski-boat is cool to cruise and or ski behind, for my money a nice toon gets you a more functional boat. If you want speed, find a shorter boat with bigger motor. Unless your wake-boarding, they will pull any skier you want to pull, pluss better for crowds of people.

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">I will have to back Spur on this one. A 4.3 is fine for pulling water toys, young skiers on two skis, and for cruising. They won't handle a 200 lb. guy on aslalom. A 5.0 or larger would be much better to handle the drag of multiple skis or a large skier.</font>

 

[Punisher]

don't listen to them,my son has a Sea Ray and it's 20 foot with a 4.3 in it and it pulls me i'm 225lb with 4 other people in the boat too and he has pulled two people at once. ski boats are geared lower than bass boats for that reason to pull. and that boat your looking at is a good one just look at the bottom of the boat at the transom under the outdrive for cracks they are BAD, if no cracks should be good

 

[SpurHunter]

I didnt say it wouldnt pull people, I said a toon was a better choice for all around use. My 90 HP 4-stoke pulled a 300lb guy up ona kneeboardthe other day, I was shocked.A bigger 2-stroke would be the beans on a toon for pulling all kinds of water sports.

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">There is being pulled and then there is being towed correctly. Correct speed for a slalom is 36 MPH. I weigh 225 and most 4.3's while not pull me to speed. The other problem is getting up. Being pulled on a slalom, like a submarine for half a mile until the motor might gain enough brake out speed, just sucks. If you want a ski boat buy a Malibu, Mastercraft, or at least a big block. Horse power does all of the things that you want to do, when you want to do it. If you just want a cruiser then a 4.3 in good shape would be just the ticket.</font>

 

[Punisher]

Sorry Carl I forgot you spoke when you speak we should forget everything else, he knows everything from laws on spot lights too ski boats and everything in between.....he is all knowing all telling......but on the other hand he said get a boat with a big block only if you got money to blow with gas prices today....... really really ??????????? and get the boat if you want it you will like it and if not just sell it next year they make them everyday

 

[salecreekaviator]

This is going to be more opinion than you want but here goes anyway.

I think a Crownline has a good rep, and looks good. Don't have any experience with a 4.3 so don't have a power opinion.

However, I think it is important that you consider other factors in how you are planning to use it, i.e. how big is your family and do you plan to entertain friends? We have a family of 5 but we enjoy having friends with us on the water. Our family alone will almost max out the headcount capacity on many skiboats but the weight capacity is even more stringent. The average weigh capacity on my old boat was calculated at 140 lbs per person (some boats are calculated at about 175 avg now). It doesn't take many full grown guys like me to blow the 140 lb weight average and signifcantly reduce the legal/safe headcount onboard.

We have been spoiled by having an old worn out deck boat that would fit 13 people at the 140 lb avg. We could legally/safely get a couple families in it and cruise at 30-33 mph without destroying the gas mileage too bad and it handled rough water very well. Made the trips to Steve's Landing or an afternoon cruise a lot of fun with friends and the speed kept the journey at a reasonable length.

Our old deck boat is dead now and we have been looking around. Incredibly sticker shock. I haven't seen one comparably priced to the Crownline you mentioned. We are considering a toon due to lower entry price and large capacity but after having a deck boat I am spoiled by the available speed and smooth ride. Unfortunately price of entry for a fairly new deck boat can be steeper than I want or can afford.

 

[TNsnow]

Crownline made a very nice boat but has had problems keeping the doors to the factory open. If it is clean and appears to have low hours it is probably not too bad of a deal.
We have a 2002 Regal 18 footer with a 4.3 Volvo for $8500 that is on our pre-owned site if interested. The good part on buying from a good dealer is that the boat gets gone through and you have a little more sense of security.

 

[Sammy3531]

poboy - 7/28/2011 8:52 PM

Sorry Carl I forgot you spoke when you speak we should forget everything else, he knows everything from laws on spot lights too ski boats and everything in between.....he is all knowing all telling......but on the other hand he said get a boat with a big block only if you got money to blow with gas prices today....... really really ??????????? and get the boat if you want it you will like it and if not just sell it next year they make them everyday

emoLaugh emoLaugh

 

[Buoy-Master]

Crownline , as MANY other boat companies right now, is struggling a bit. Many have shut doors for a few weeks from time to time just to save cost and reopen to fill orders. These owners are smart and surviving! You have too in this economy! Pontoons are selling big time along with aluminum boats and the fiberglass market is EXTREEMLY down compared to last year. 8 percent I believe in over all sales. But dont let that discourage you! The name Crownline wont go anywhere! Its too popular and too much of a nice quality built boat. Even if they sold out, new owners will continue the line. I watched Caravelle (Great boats) do this and they are making a slow come back after a 1.5 of total shutdown. The outboard and that engine will work like a charm bud. </p>

Who made the trailer...can you tell? We've done a crap load of Crownlines in the past! Other good names include...SeaRay, StingrayEbbtide, Cobalt (high$) Hurricane, Small Rinkers are nice, Chaparral is a great boat!</p>

 

[Hiwassee Angler]

Bryant make some great boats and they are local!

 

[josh.schreiber]

Huh. Okay cool thanks for the help. 'Preciate it.

 

[Buoy-Master]

I've seen and set trailers on many bryants. Although they look good, they're junk.

 

[SNUFFY]

you need to go to bed Billy ! sleep it off.
I ve seen a lot of things but not trailers set on boats

 

[josh.schreiber]

emoLaugh

 

[2jigs]

SNUFFY - 7/31/2011 11:23 PM you need to go to bed Billy ! sleep it off. I ve seen a lot of things but not trailers set on boats

</p>

emoLaugh emoLaugh emoLaugh </p>

I told ya the other night Billy, amber& yellow don't mix too good!emoToast emoUpsmile </p>