Boat choices

[TheSpecialist]

I looked at 5 boats with a buddy of mine, he is buying. We have narrowed it down to 2 choices

1999 Scout 202 Sportfish w ttop, Yamaha ox66 150 hp, trailer dual batts leaningpost with tackle storage, bowdodger, and the boat is impeccably kept by the owner. This boat has everything but a chartplotter, radar.

The other was 1999 proline with a Johnson 150 oceanseries, all the electronic but no radar, single battery, and a trailer.

I think hands down the Scout, the owner is obsessed with keeping his stuff nice and it shows, the proline was at a broker and it was in nice condition but not as nice as the scout. The scout owner said he is negotiable, the proline is pretty firm. Both in the $15000-16000 dollar range. We heard the scout run on the muffs, and it started right up, and the guy is willing to sea trial. Opinions??

[MrHunters]

From what I have seen scouts fit and finish is beautiful. Buddy of mine runs an 18 and loves it.

Sounds like you've made your mind up already 15-16 Sounds kinda high for an 11 (12) year old boat. How many engine hours?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by MrHunters

From what I have seen scouts fit and finish is beautiful. Buddy of mine runs an 18 and loves it.

Sounds like you've made your mind up already 15-16 Sounds kinda high for an 11 (12) year old boat. How many engine hours?

I agree. This is a buyers market. For that coin I'd expect to find a 4stroke in newer years

[Raider Ronnie]

Scout makes a very nice boat (fit & finish awesome )
Can't speak for the ride.
The choice of engines, I would go with the Yamaha OX all day long !
Proline is/was Genmar high production crap !

[taJon]

Originally Posted by MrHunters

From what I have seen scouts fit and finish is beautiful. Buddy of mine runs an 18 and loves it.

Sounds like you've made your mind up already 15-16 Sounds kinda high for an 11 (12) year old boat. How many engine hours?

who's that?

run from those ocean series engines.

[fishsmith]

Even with wiggle room 15K does sound high for 12yr old boats with 2 stroke motors.

Roundtrip to the bank with a 150 2stroke is going to burn 20 + gallons, in comparison, my buddies 21ft boat w/140 4stroke burns 11 - 15 gallons. Speed is lost, but the $$ adds up.

Based on what I've read, I'd vote for the scout, but there are lots of old prolines on the water, so I wouldn't knock them.

All motors start in the yard, a sea trial is a must, motors act very different under load. That was a great lesson I learned from the School of Hard Knocks.

[Double Hall]

I think the Proline is the better boat, the Yamaha ox66 is a great engine, but I'd be curious on the hours on both (I think the Yamaha has 400 if the one off Craigslist). As stated by others, both are a bit high. At that age, new engine could be right around the corner for either, so you're potentially paying 15k for a 11 year old hull and a trailer.

I actually wasn't impressed with the new Scouts when I shopped a few years ago, but it could have just been the half-a$$ layout trying to squeeze a toilet in the console.

I'd keep looking, although probably not what your buddy wants to hear.

This one is a 19k and more than you listed, but seems to be a much better boat for the $: http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/1751308567.html

[clcharette]

The asking price for both is too high. For that price you should be able to find one with a newer 4 stroke on the back. Be patient and keep looking.

I have a 1999 Angler center console with a 2004-05? 150 Honda with only 200 hrs loaded with radar, two fish finders a chart plotter another GPS unit, radio on a dual axle trailer and It is only worth around 15-18K. Boats depreciate fast the first few years and then keep depreciating at a rate of around 700-800/year.

[Rip Runner]

Scout would be my first choice, but agree with all others that the price on both is too high. You can get a 22-23 foot boat of the same vintage with better electronics etc... for that money.

If he's looking to pay in the 15-16K range he should look at restored 23 SeaCrafts with a newer single outboard on a bracket. You can get a real nice one for low 20's with updated electronics etc...

There are too many good boats out there to pay $16k for a 1999 Proline with a carb 150 that's for sure.

[TheSpecialist]

We have looked at a lot of boats, and there is alot of crap out there for sure, but we Nada the boat, motor, and with the trailer the guy is only about 1500. high. That said this boat is well taken care of, and my buddy made an offer today on the Scout and it was accepted. I have a 96, 2 stroke Johnson, and i know that a well taken care of 2 stroke will last a long time.

Thanks for the input.

[chathamblue30]

Keep shopping !

[chathamblue30]

this is a nice quality hull at a great price 1996 Robalo Center Console for sale in Bristol, Rhode Island - YachtTraderOnline.com

[missing link]

BUY MY TROPHY 19,500 I'll throw in rods electronics
PM me lots of X tras
Trophy Pro 2052 WA extended hard top 4.3 merc Alpha 1 drive
LINK

[Clammer]

Link ;

what,s the price if you throw in your wife ????

[missing link]

PRICELESS u IRISH dog

[missing link]

just got in from fishing I kept one for my stomach 30" 15#
I smell like mud once the sun set WHAMMO one after the other
WHOPPS wrong place
the MODS understand though my BAD
ML

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by chathamblue30

this is a nice quality hull at a great price 1996 Robalo Center Console for sale in Bristol, Rhode Island - YachtTraderOnline.com

Mark, what's up with you recommending a boat with a Merc hanging off the back. Especially after Timmy's latest adventure.

[gf2020]

A few comments...

• The Scout is the better boat here.
  
• 400 hours is nothing on a 10 year old outboard.
  
• Pro-Line was never owned by Genmar.
  
• You guys are smoking crack if you think you can find a newer good brand 20' center console with a 4-stroke engine for $15K or less.

Have your buddy buy the Scout, pay a price he is comfortable with and go out and enjoy the boat.

[TheSpecialist]

Originally Posted by gf2020

A few comments...

• The Scout is the better boat here.
  
• 400 hours is nothing on a 10 year old outboard.
  
• Pro-Line was never owned by Genmar.
  
• You guys are smoking crack if you think you can find a newer good brand 20' center console with a 4-stroke engine for $15K or less.

Have your buddy buy the Scout, pay a price he is comfortable with and go out and enjoy the boat.

Done deal, we have been watching the used market up here for months, and echo your sentiments exactly

[TheSpecialist]

Originally Posted by BigBo

Mark, what's up with you recommending a boat with a Merc hanging off the back. Especially after Timmy's latest adventure.

Forget the merc, now tell us about that Scout in your driveway...

[chathamblue30]

Tim inspired me to support merc products as long as there are two of them on the boat and you have towing insurance

[MrHunters]

Trading in my 19 baycat with a zuki 115 four stroke... 300 hrs... w/ electronics.

I'll bet you see them list it for around 15K
So I guess I'm a crack smoker

Originally Posted by gf2020

A few comments...

• The Scout is the better boat here.
• 400 hours is nothing on a 10 year old outboard.
• Pro-Line was never owned by Genmar.
• You guys are smoking crack if you think you can find a newer good brand 20' center console with a 4-stroke engine for $15K or less.

Have your buddy buy the Scout, pay a price he is comfortable with and go out and enjoy the boat.

[Van]

This is one of those "HERE WE GO" topics.
People post stuff with their heads up their.........!

In the 90s Proline made a superior boat. All glass and resin. FIST technology all glass and solid core stringers. No glass over plywood or wooden stringers.

Take it from an owner...........My 95' is as solid as a rock not a stress crack to be found in 15 years of pounding.
HOWEVER, the oceanrunner series of Johnson are a POS.

There are some exceptions and that engine could be one.
After Bombardier bought Johnson and worked out some kinks, they made great late models fichts and then world class e-tecs.

Either way you need to know the hours on each engine. As others said its the big ticket item. Not much serious stuff happens to a boat, but repowering is $$$$$$$$$$$$$.......

Scout is also a well made boat and with that combination of power and owner seller. It sounds like a better way to go as long as the engine is good. Radar is up to the "new" owner on a 20' class, there aren't too many with it. A chartplotter can be had for a few hundred bucks. Should not be an issue.

Either way I agree its a buyer's market. You can get a lot of boat right now for short money. I looked at a 32' boat with twin 250s in the 100K range, and he would negotiate to 70K. But I think right now, my sons college education comes before a bigger boat !!!

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Forget the merc, now tell us about that Scout in your driveway...

You mean the one with the Merc? It's a new project. Almost ready. Probably this week sometime.

The fit and finish is excellent on the Scouts. Your friend won't be disappointed at all.

[chathamblue30]

Scouts are nice machines !

[TheSpecialist]

Originally Posted by BigBo

You mean the one with the Merc? It's a new project. Almost ready. Probably this week sometime.

The fit and finish is excellent on the Scouts. Your friend won't be disappointed at all.

I will have to bring you by his house so you can check it out..

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

I will have to bring you by his house so you can check it out..

I'd like that Bill.

[Raven]

the stuff dreams are made of.