Is an eight year old stingray bowrider a good boat?

Question

We're looking at a 1999 Stingray bowrider that has 143 hours on it and has 190hp. It is 9 grand. Is stingray a good company? Is this a good boat? Isn't that kind of an old engine? We're also looking at a 2002 four winns with 225hp for about 13-14 grand. Which boat is better?..for the price

Answer 1

I agree with John M to a point.  You can't possibly check everything on a good used boat.  If it is well maintained it shows.  You could have a marine mechanic check it out for you. At your expense.   Both boats, the Stingray and Four Winns are way overpriced.  In this market you can do much better.  If you are looking for a good used boat, buy something that has a great hull and interior and you pay to repower it with a brand new engine.  That way you will have a great boat with a new engine when you are done.  Boats are like "the old chicken joke", where a lady came into the butcher and asked for a chicken, she smelled it left, right. top and bottom and said "this chicken stinks" !  She did this 3 more times and handed them back to the butcher.  The butcher said "Hey lady, can you pass a test like that" ?    Same with boats.  You make them what you want them to be, at your expense.  An older engine will cause you to have to spend money on it in repairs.  Buy the boat for a good price and anticipate that you will have to spend money on it.  Marine engines are very expensive and costly to repair.  Be careful what you buy.  It is a buyer's market now with the cost of fuel and this time of the year.  Shop around.  Good Luck.

Answer 2

Either way you go , remember that a boat takes a pounding on the water, hitting rocks and sand bars. Take the boat to a specialist to check the underbelly for stress cracks and patch jobs in the Gel coat. Have them check the engines out.