Conference vicki::boats

Alan,
There are only two companies that I know of selling outboard powered
17' cuddy cabins: Sunbird and Bayliner.  The Bayliner is 16'6" long,
with an 85hp Force.  The Sunbird is 17'3", with an 88hp Johnson.  Both
have a base price of right around $9K new and come with a trailer.
I compared the two before I bought, and in my *opinion* the Sunbird 
is a much better deal.

If you're buying used, your only real option is going to be the Bayliner,
because the Sunbird has only been out for a little over a year and there
are very few on the used market.  I did see a used 1988 Sunbird recently
in the classified ads of Offshore magazine recently, but they wanted 
almost full list price  for it.  The Bayliner has been out for several 
years, and almost every issue of Offshore has at least a couple of them
listed, generally for around $6k.  If you're interested in a used Sunbird
your best bet may be to try the dealers to see if anyone's traded one in
yet.

I bought the 17'3 Sunbird cuddy cabin back in April for exactly the same
reason you stated, my 4 cylinder pickup was too small to tow a 19' cuddy
over long distances.  Other than a couple of initial quality control 
problems the boat had, I've been very happy with it.  It performs and
looks great, and the dealer did a good job of fixing the initial problems.

As far as I know Sunbird and Bayliner will be your only options, maybe
someone else knows of another one or can give you some feedback on the 
Bayliner.  If you want any more info on the Sunbird just send me mail.

Rick W.

    
    
    	I too looked at a number of boats and although I bought a 17 foot
    	Sunbird runabout I was tempted by their cuddy. The Sunbird after
    	2 seasons has been excellent. I purchased it with the 175 V6
    	because we use it both inland and on the coast. In my opion for the
    	dollar it is a better boat than the Bayliner. I like the layout of
    	the controls the hull design and the interior. If has performed
        well and after having it for 2 years I have learned a lot and have
    	continued to compare it to other boats. I trailer it with a Jeep
    	Cherokee, 4 liter, 6. I'v been on ramps were I was glad to have the
    	4WD. You have to consider weight both for trailering and for boat
    	comfort, especially in rough waters. My boat is 2100 lbs. and it
    	rides well for a 17 footer. The 19 has a bit wider beam which is
    	also important. Good luck with your search...
    
    	Bill
    
    and
    	
    

    
    The eyes have it!  I'd go with the Sundbird also!  We wanted a
    cubby cabin and the only choice we had was the bayliner or the
    sunbird, we did alot of talking to boat folks and not one would
    recomend the bayliner,,I dont mean to put them down (for you
    bayliner folks) but the boat of the year for the price is is
    the sunbird,,espally if you want a small cubby..most other
    boat dealers only deal in 22 foot cubby and they will not make
    anything smaller. I own the 19 foot sunbird and we are loving
    every minute of it..we made the right choice..good luck w/ your
    choice!
    
    Louisa

Re: .1, .2, .3,
    
    Thank you for the replies!  I too have come to the conclusion the
    the 174 Sunbird Cutty looks like my best bet.  The best price I've
    found is $9100 Boat, Motor, Trailer.  Power tilt and trim is $700 
    installed.   I have a few questions,
    
    Where did you buy your boat?
    
    What types of problems have you had?
    
    Did you compare or look at the Nissan 17' boat?
    
    I spoke with a guy over the weekend who has an 88, 174 and he said
    that it's top speed is 38mph with 88hp johnson.  He also liked it.
    
    Has anyone pulled a tube or skier behind their boat?  Does the swim
    platform get in the way of the ski rope?
    
    Thanks again, my current boat is almost sold and I'm getting
    the itch to buy another.
    
    Alan
    
    
    

RE: Note 430.4 

>> Power tilt and trim is $700 installed. 

I paid $650

>> Where did you buy your boat?
   
   Gauch Bros. in Shrewsbury MA.  They've been great so far, I would 
   recommend them.

>> What types of problems have you had?

   Misadjusted fuel pickup hose, ran out of fuel with 1/4 tank left
   Stuck bilge pump float switch
   A screw hole though the hull below the waterline from the factory!

   All problems were fixed quickly and properly by the dealer

>> Did you compare or look at the Nissan 17' boat?
    
   Look yes, compare no.  Their 17' cuddy is styled like an offshore
   racer, and has a tiny cockpit and a very low ceiling in the cabin.

>> I spoke with a guy over the weekend who has an 88, 174 and he said
   that it's top speed is 38mph with 88hp johnson.  He also liked it.
  
   Mine will do 41mph with 2 or 3 passengers, 42mph with just the driver.
   It will tow a slalom skier at 36mph.  The guy you spoke with probably
   does not have the power trim, it's required to squeeze out those last
   few mph.

>> Has anyone pulled a tube or skier behind their boat?  Does the swim
>> platform get in the way of the ski rope?
  
   Yes, our moderator Rick Suter has skied behind my boat and seemd to
   do OK, although it will never be mistaken for a Ski Nautique.  I use
   a tow harness, and the platform does not get in the way.
    
>> Thanks again, my current boat is almost sold and I'm getting the itch
>> to buy another.
    
   Go for it!

Rick W.

    re: Power tilt option.
    
        If you don't get, I guarentee you will regret that you didn't
    it is a very,very useful option.