The Boating Forum - Thinking of buying a new boat.

I recently started pricing two new boats, a 19 outrage and 188 edgewater. Both boats weigh the same, are within inches of eachother, will ahve similar options, with trailer and will have max horsepower (150 verado or 150 yamaha). They are both priced within a couple hundred dollars. The prices I received were in the 40's (out the door, taxes prep, bottom paint, dmv..)

What should I buy? It will be used 50% fish, 50% cruise. No intention of selling unless my transom falls off.

I need help.

Thanks :)

I have posted similar questions before and I apologise. However revisiting both dealers this weekend.

Finally, I plan to use it in bay and ocean.

All help will be appreciated.

Jerry, not knowing you financial status, maybe I should keep my thoughts to myself, but have you considered a slightly used boat? You are in good market to be buying boats that others don't want anymore. 40K + for a 19 foot boat, wow. I bought my old SeaCraft and repowered when I had to, put a new Loadmaster under her and I am still into it for way less than that, but different strokes.

I am sure there are plenty of members here who own both boats and will weigh in with their opinions. I think Edgewaters are a great boat and very well built, I believe Whaler has lost some quality but I have no basis of knowledge for that statement either!!!

So, either way, good luck and safe boating! :thumbsup:

Take them both for a ride. Both pretty sweet packages. There'll be something that draws you to one or the other.

I can't test ride them, the BW dealer I am dealing with is sold out and Edge has one with a 115 on the back.

Flipping through Sportfishing Mag tonight as it just arrived, got to the boat review sections...

There's not one 25 plus foot center console around, brand new for less than 100K dollars reviewed......

Gulp...

Gonna stick with my boat.

Definately find the model you want and find a used one to get the depreciation credit.

Those are probably my two most favorite 19-footers and definitely at the head of the class in that size range. For an all-purpose 18-19 center console, those two offer the best combination of family, fishing, cockpit space, safety and impeccable build quality.

If you are set on buying new, I would let the quality of the dealers dictate my selection. If used, keep an eye out for both boats and buy the one that comes along first with a price and in the condition that will satisfy your standards.

Jerry,

I just got my Edgewater 188 a few weeks ago .. and I LOVE IT!!!

Na, it's not a cheap boat .. but you get what you pay for .. I was looking at 20'ers and nearly ordered a Scout 205 ... Til` I got on a 188 .. They are the biggest little boat I've ever seen and built solid .. My last boat had NO STORAGE and with the HUGE Center Concole - I've taken trips leaving the front cooler home .. I got a 150 and a T-Top .. IT's THE BEST!!!

pchicken, is that Edgewater's factory T-Top?

Yep ..

My only concern with the Edge is the open transom design. Although not my kids yet I will have kids in the boat and I don't need any of them walking into the motor. THe dealer said he would install two sleeves and piece of starboard that I can lift out to lift the motor.

Pchicken: did you consider the whaler? did you test ride the whaler for comparisons sake? Please tell me about the ride of the Edge, performance...... anything else you can think of.

Thanks

I tell ya .. The wife and I looked at a lot a boats .. The 19 Outrage is a great boat and was totally on the short list - my buddy has one .. but there was somethin` about the EW that got us ..

She's wanted a boat to cruise in with lots of cousions .. I wanted a solid well built boat that I could fish both inshore and off, with lots of storage and I could park in my drive way .. Like I said, I was looking more at 20'ers .. but when I got in a 188 - it felt BIGGER than every other boat I was considering.. THE FINISH IS OUTSTANDING .. and I couldn't find 1 Negative from a single EW owner .. THANKS THT!!! :tht_rulez:

As for kids .. My Son is 10 (I've had him out 15 miles offshore and we both felt 1oo% sercure : ) - also my buddy has a 6 n` a 8 yr old .. the 5 of us went out last week in less then favorable KID-CONDITIONS .. (Nothing crazy - 2ft n` choppy) but for kids that love to complain and have in my old dingy .. THEY LOVED IT and have been begging to get back out there!!

I haven't had it out in anything nasty (yet).. but the rides been smooth and dry .. Performance on the 150 is spec'd to top at 48mph with 2 adults and 1/2 tank a gas .. (you can find that at yamaha.com) .. I haven't hit that yet .. but have I have hit 40 with 3 adults, my son and 3/4 a tank - before the wake zone came up on us : P - it may have very well hit 50 ..

I waited 3 months to get it .. everyday wondering if I made the right decision .($$ etc .. it's my 1st "NEW" Boat - so, kinda scary) .. but now that I have it and I can honestly say .. YES - For us it's perfect.. !!!

reading over the prices it just seems incredible that an 18 foot boat could cost over 40,000. Have you looked at the 180 wellcraft. I owned one and it was the best 18 footer ive ever been on. Plenty of storage in the bow, under the console, and there were two aft jumpseats with storage under each. Nice flair and an 18 degree deadrise handled chop with ease and with the 150 would do 48 mph with a full tank and 6 people. 54 mph lightly loaded. A new one cant be much more than $28000. As far as the used market. I only paid $40000 for my 26 foot Sailfish in 2006. only 3 years old and 220 hrs on it when we bought it. Its your boat and your wallet it just seems like there are other options.

I'm just glad someone buys new boats, other wise there would be no used boats And some people just are not comfortable with anything used.

I think your concern about the open transom is a valid one and I wouldn't be crazy about the star board solution, though I sure it could be done nice. I think I like the BW design better and with the removable jump seat you can create more room and have less need to step in the motor well. I do think the EW is nicer looking.

At this price I think dealers should be willing find a way to get you a test ride.

Good luck.

LOL .. No one every said boating was cheap : P

Personally I like the open transom and most of the time have a 5 Gallon chum bucket there anyway .. My old boat had one like the BW .. it was great for garbage and made a decent automan .. but other than that .. it was in the way ..

The jump seats were a concern - I liked the BW cause they were removable as well (but where to put them, when you remove them) .. I don't miss that 2 foot of space a bit. PLUS - I've got extra storage on the EW .. and those to are the dryiest on the boat .. and a lot bigger then ya think .. Speaking of storage I'd almost bet I can carry twice as much crap on my EW and you would never know it .. and not just in the HUGE center console ( I could smuggle 3 cubans in there) ; P

There are a few things I'd change for sure .. but every boat is a compromise ..

It's all a matter of taste .. both are well built boats ..

Everyone has been great, and I appreciate the responses. Keep them coming, leaving for the shore now. Will tell you how it went.

So this is how it went. I decided to go to a different Edge dealer that I went to last year and the 188 came in 5K less than the other dealer. No trailer, however some basic electronic (gps, depthfinder, fishfinder, vhf, cd stereo) are included, which were not included from the other dealer. Finally the trailer from one dealer to the next was also 1K difference. I don't understand how one dealer from the next can have that much of a drastic price difference. Finally, I went back to the whaler dealer and he would not budge any further with price and asked me to counter offer. I refused and told him what I was getting the Edge for and he said no way he can match. He also started down playing the Edge which became a huge turn off for me. He stated that the Edge had wood in it....... I told no but the whaler does. Any way if all goes well, I will be placing my order on Saturday.

The edge dealer also gave me a sea trial in a 20' w/ T-top and a 150 yammie on back. Great boat, very solid, minus the T-top shaked a little coming off some waves. I also felt the boat was underpowered w/ a 150 and barely hit 40mph with 3 on board and 3/4 fuel. THis boat needed a 200hp. Finally the boat handled the waves very well, not a drop of water sprayed us. I am excited I think the 188 will run great with a 150 and without a t-top, since my personal opinion is a 188 is to small for a t-top, decided to go with the bimini instead. On a larger T-top all the way.

Edgewater 188 w/ 150 yamaha ordered this Saturday. Very excited. Grew up being a Whaler fan and thought this is what I would have ended up with, hope I made the correct decision.

Nervous and excited to get her. After all the research, I hope she rides as well as I have heard.

Thanks to everyone who has provided feedback to this thread and all other threads pertaining to these 2 companies.

Good luck to you and the new boat!