Conference vicki::boats

    It's best to try not to be binary about boats; rather, determine
    your most common useage and find the manufacturer which suits you
    best, price, performance, size, handling, robustness, economy, etc.
    
    There is no such thing as "good" or "bad" in the boating world.
    For example, Bayliner probably offer the most options in a well
    thought-out package, for the fair-weather weekend cruiser, for the
    most reasonable price. Logical: they are the world's biggest
    manufacturer.
    
    Incidentally, it's strange to hear comments like "Bayliner are the
    worst, Sea Ray are the best". They are built by the same company,
    to only slightly differing market requirements.
    
    Hatteras boats will take more pounding than most and offer high
    "status", but so is the price tag.
    
    Make a list of the kind of use you will make of the boat (Skiing,
    weekend coastal cruising, lakes, fishing, rounding Cape Horn....)
    and then put together a matrix of boats in the correct range.
    
    That way, your decision will be objective and not based on intangibles
    such as "well, I heard that........" or being influenced by slick
    salesmen, or making the decision the way most people do it (based
    on cosmetics and flashy gimmicks that are more use in the slip than
    on 6' seas)
    
    Good luck!
    
    Ray

    Marlin Boats are built to be very good quality. You will pay for it. 
    Just be sure to check out any boat for sound construction and proper
    operation prior to buying.
    
                                Good Luck
    
                                Walt
    

    I COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE WITH .1, THERE IS DEFINITELY GOOD AND
    BAD IN EVERY WORLD, IN THE CASE OF THE "MARLIN" I'VE NEVER 
    HEARD OF THEM. IF I WERE INTERSETED IN THIS BOAT, I MIGHT
    BEGIN BY CALL THE COAST GUARD AND BOAT U.S. TO FIND OUT 
    WHETHER THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS, OR PROBLEMS.
    I MIGHT ALSO WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY UNITS HAVE BEEN SOLD
    TO DATE. THIS AIN'T HARD TO FIND OUT, BOATING MAGAZINE
    PUBLISHES THESE ANNUALLY AND OR ON OCCASION. AS FOR THE
    RECOMMENDATION OF A "BAYLINER" I'M NOT GOING TO ENTERTAIN
    THAT CONVERSATION AGAIN, WE HAVE ALREADY BEAT TO DEATH
    IN A PRIOR NOTE. IT A FREE COUNTRY AND WE ALL HAVE OUR
    OPINIONS. BUT TO SAT THAT THERE IS NO GOOD OR BAD
    IS NOT LOGICAL.
    
    
    JIM.  (PARDON THE CAPITALIZATION)
    
    

    Re -.1:
    
    OK, perhaps I was going just a little too far when I said there
    is no "good" or "bad", but I won't back off far. Was it all my note
    you objected to, or just that phrase? 
    
    I stand by my opinion: that the boat should be carefully chosen
    based upon the use it will receive and its fittings, specifications
    and ratings (the boat magazines are usually good and objective,
    if a source is needed).
    
    But I've some strange forms of (generally unqualified) hysteria when
    people ask for recommendations, particularly when it is "fashionable"
    to slam a particular manufacturer. Some manufacturers make very
    nice big boats, but don't compete in the cuddy sizes. Other companies
    specialise in small boat building. It's fruitless to generalise.
    
    Regards,
    
    Ray.

    I had some (limited) exposure to Marlin. A ski-school that I attended
    had 6 Magnum Skiers (by Marlin).  These are AWSA approved inboards
    with 260 hp Mercruisers.  The quality of materials, and the
    construction seemed pretty good, and the gelcoat and upholsery was
    nice.  I would'nt want to own one tho'. (Killer rooster tail at
    15' off!)   ;^)   FWIW
    Doug.

re .4:

>>>     .... (the boat magazines are usually good and objective,
>>>    if a source is needed).
    
Well, maybe, but only if what they say doesn't offend an advertiser. 
Most boat reviews I've read are extremely cautious and restrained in 
their criticisms (access to the engine is just a trifle awkward probably 
means that access is totally impossible without complete disassembly of 
major cabintry and bulkheads). Yes, magazines are helpful, but be 
skeptical. 

    RE .4 I WAS REFERRING TO THE "GOOD OR BAD". ANYWAY, I'LL AGREE
    ON THE POINT YOU MAKE, A BOAT SHOULD BE BOUGHT WITH PURPOSE IN 
    MIND. IN PLAIN ENGLISH, WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO WITH THE
    BOAT. ANSWER THIS QUESTION, AND THE TYPE OF BOAT YOU NEED
    BECOMES EASIER TO CHOOSE. AFTER THIS, YOU BEGIN TO DECIDE
    ON THE LEVEL OF QUALITY YOU CAN AFFORD (WHICH MAY NOT MATCH
    YOUR NEEDS), AND FINALLY THE EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED.
    KEEP ONE THING IN MIND, BOATS NEW OR USED, WILL HAVE SOME
    EQUIPMENT WITH THEM, MAKE UP A LIST OF WHAT YOU NEED
    UNDERSTAND WHAT COMES WITH THE DEAL, AND THEN PUT ASIDE
    A FEW BUCKS FOR THE ADDITIONAL THING SYOU'LL NEED
    
    GOOD HUNTING.
    
    JIM.

    Anyway back to the topic.
    
    Kevan. If your interested ? I happen to know the area rep for marlin
    boats and he has (guess what) a brand new 18' cuddy and a brand
    new 21' cuddy with 165 mercrusers, FWC. all decked out !
    
    I can get you a deal on these NEW BOATS with trailers that you can't
    beat anywhere.
    
    If you want to talk ? Drop me a line.
    
                          Walt
    

    Moved by moderator...
    
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Note 896.0                  Marlin (Mfg) Info please                  No replies
HPSTEK::CYGAN                                         7 lines  13-AUG-1991 08:43
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    Anyone had any experience with MARLIN (mfg) boats?
    
    Let's hear the good and the bad.
    
    thanks
    Dick Cygan