SeaRay Amberjacks

Hey Walter,
I didn't quite get your previous mail. Were you saying you always bought new or you never bought new?
There's no question that you can get more boat for the money used. The lure of new, is that it "is what it is", warranties, etc. Depreciation, though, is a killer! Buy used, but you better do your homework.
Now this same "source" about the redesign of the Amberjack advises to buy now. Why? The new design is a step in the wrong direction, and the older AJ's will be worth that much more. If you haven't guessed by now, this "source" has a dog in this fight.
 
"I have always bought brand new boats,"
"Buy used, but you better do your homework." Yeh right , read some posts here , new seems to be worst than used.

Walter

I explained my position, I think it is clear, I don't want to beat a dead horse.

Best of Luck
 
Buying used can definately be a risky proposition. Not having a full and or accurate history can add to the risk of troubles. On the other hand all new boats have a certain run in period during which alot of the troubles and defects will surface and hopefully be remedied. I think of it as letting someone else iron out the kinks.
The biggest disadvantage to the IO package is as Walter notes, the fact that you have 7500 X 2 dollars hanging in salt and corroding. On a positive note I have had no corosion issues with my b3's. Zincs which are not cheap are changed 2x per season minimum.
Handling IMHO is excellent. Real world performance shows much better millage and hole shot. WOT MPH is also much higher; pushing a differential of 5 knots or more. V drives may give a bit better rough water handling, due to drives not pulling out and aerating in big swells but I avoid that type of big water anyway.
As far as maneuvering around the dock I find it's handling to be quite good. I can stick this puppy in a 10'3" slip with a cross breeze almost every time.
If you live on the S Shore or any area with skinny water the IO's are a no brainer.
Ask Away
Harris
 
Walt,
"I have always bought brand new boats, I never listened to the advice that was giving to me on BE about buying used. The way boats depreciate I find it a crime to buy new. :) If you have a budget that can afford you a new boat, look at used boats with that same budget in mind. What you will find is you can buy a better boat or a bigger boat with that same budget."

Not to be a pain in the ass, but if you read the above quote from one of your previous mails, it seems contradictory. It confused me.
Are you saying you regret you bought new?
Also, I'm South Shore my whole life. How's the North Shore different?
Thanks again,
Charles
 
South shore you have 5 feet in the channel and you have to stick to the channel to stay out of skinny water. Ability to raise the drives is an advantage in many places. Groundings generally involve sand and shoaling is an issue in many places.

North shore you have 30-100 feet plus of water 15 minutes from the slip and you pretty much go in a straight line to wherever you want to go without regard for depth outside of the harbors/creeks. Congestion is not an issue since you are not confined to channels. Groundings can involve rocks/boulders and can do alot of damage. Shoaling is generally not an issue and the rocks don't move. With the benefit of water depth we also deal with alot of lobster traps and commercial traffic.

More info than you really want...water depth is the primary answer.
 
"Are you saying you regret you bought new?"

Yes, reason being if I wanted to trade up the hit I would take (used boat) would be far less then that of a new boat. If you buy right (used) and sell in a couple of seasons, you might not take a hit at all.
 
My wife tells me I'm a pain in the ass all the time, but she'd be bored without me. Just want to thank everyone for the help, I know sometimes it gets repetitious but the advice and info I'm getting here is priceless.
 
I have a Amberjack and love it
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