Conference vicki::boats

	I don't have any experience or opinions regarding the manufacturers
but I do have input regarding size...go for the bigger of the two (assuming
similar quality etc.).
	It may not sound like much but every square foot counts.
Regards,
Paul

    i'm commenting on your requirements:
    
    What sticks out, is the fact you have four folks to accomodate.
    
    Do as you like, but try to include these in your thinking.
    
    Boats depreciate, don't care how you cut it.
    You pay Sales Tax, which is a gift to at least this state, and
    is not recoveralbe, or deductible. ITS GONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
    Buy something that will last you for 5 years, seems at this
    point, depreciation levels out, if you trade or sell before
    this point, you'll take a bath.
    
    Jim.

    I don't have any experience with these manufacturers either. I have a
    19' SeaRay w/cuddy cabin. I have two children who find the cuddy
    exactly what they need. You should consider two things (at least!)
    	What type of boating are you going to do? - Day trips, fishing
    	beaching etc. The second is that boats are basically sold by the
    	pound. When I bought my 19' Searay it was much less expensive than 
    	a 19' Grady White. The difference was that the Grady weighed
    	3000 lbs without an engine and the SeaRay weighed 2000 lbs with
    	an engine!   GOOD LUCK

Make sure you get fresh water cooling on the Mercruiser.

Else, you take it into the ocean, and 

	yoooouuuu'lllll
				beeeeee
						soorrrrry!

Jeff

    Thanks to all...
    
    Is the concern for fresh water cooling for the merc in regards to what
    the salt water will due to the cooling system.  What about if the boat
    is run in fresh water after it is run in salt water to flush it out???
    Will this help???
    
    The "not knowing one"
    

    Opps, also forgot to ask this...
    
    Can it be converted to fresh water cooling after the fact??? Or do you
    need to replace the entire power plant????
    
    Thanks

    After market fresh water cooling is available, it was discussed
    a while ago in these notes. You can flush your i/o with fresh
    water after going in the salt. I used to do this on my 230 mercruiser
    which always ran in the salt. I do think fresh water cooling is
    overrated as was also discussed in the above mentioned note (if
    some can find it all this was hashed around).
    
    Capt. Codfish (who has a 340hp i/o with raw water cooling in the
    salt all the time).

    On the freshwater cooling: unless things have changed in the 
    chemistry world, adding the unit after using it in the salt
    
    

    My apologies for the previous incomplete reply. I was interupted
    and had to leave for a few minutes.
    
    Anyway, basically the corrosion process starts, there ain't
    no way to reverse it.
    
    There are advantages to FW cooling.
    
    1. its very easy to winterize.
    2. the blocks operating temp, is higher giving you a better
       operating temp.
    
    
    Another consideration: My understanding is that a marine engine
    will need major work somewhere around 1500-2k hrs. (your milage
    may vary). Based on yearly usage, it may or may not be worth it
    to you.
    
    My own experience: Several years ago, i was in the market for
    another boat. In talking with several brokers, fresh water cooled
    boats sell much faster, and a somewhat higher price. Its not
    that they are worth more, but the buyers percieve they are.
    I called Silverton, they would not make a recommendation,
    but there advice was, get one thats fresh water cooled
    just for the marketing aspects.
    
    Jim.