Question about JD Power

[Brookenstein]

I have a friend who is looking at buying a boat.  It has an approval or rating something from JD Power.  My question is does this actually mean anything or is this something that can be 'bought'?

http://www.jdpower.com/boats/ratings/index.asp?v1=7

[hottub.pool_boy]

We don't know much about jd power, but we know somethings about boats. What size and style are they looking for and what part of the u.s.?

[Brewman]

I don't think JD power ratings are for sale, but couln't swear to it.

Our Crownline boat get consistently good to excellent ratings from JD power, and our boat looks to be very well made- so in our case the JD ratings seem to be on.

 I'd use it as a general guideline, but also consider other factors.  Especially if they're buing a used boat.  The actual boat and how it was treated under previous owners would be more concern to me than a rating.  
 The older the boat, the lesss I'd worry about ratings.  
 
There are general guidelines, like not trying to save money by skimping on the engine, and things like that to take into consideration too.

As hottubpoolboy said, let us know what the details are, and maybe you can get some good advice for your friend.

[drewstar]

JD powers claims to be an independent survey company and base thier rattings on customer reviews.  They claim not to be influenced by manufactuers and coporations. They collect consumer opinon suverys.

I haven't heard anything negative about them, and the products that they do support are quality products. So, while I'd be aware of any JD powers rattings, or awards, and consider it a slightly positive thing. I would not use it as a leading indictaor in my choice.  

[Brookenstein]

We are in SoCal and our friends know nothing about boats.  I grew up on a used something can't remember what, (not a Bayliner I know that much) and it got us stuck in the river a few times, but for the most part it was good and I know a little, but haven't kept up.  Anyway, she went to the store to buy the kid a quad over the weekend and was looking at gear and came back to find her husband filling out paperwork on an 18' Crownline.  She made him take a step back so they could do a little research, but so far everything they've done make them think it is a good decision.

They went to a Four Winn dealer as well.  In fact I stopped by the dealer and then went to the Crownline with her and I thought the difference was remarkable.

[Brewman]

We have an 18' Cronwnline, a Bowrider.  It's a 2003 model, and we'er very pleased with it.  

Did you get a better impression from the Crownline or the Four Winns?

I'd be happy to answer any questions your friends may have on the Crownlines.
Not as familiar with Four Winns.

[Brookenstein]

Brewman, that is the exact boat they are looking at.  It is a 2007 model, no 06's left.  It is the solid red, with the racing checkerboard print, the rails at the front of the bow, I believe the V6, 6 cylinder, with 190 hp.

Like I said, I haven't been on boats much since I was a kid.  My brother actually has our old boat (I wanna say an 86)... so I'm used to solid construction don't get sold easily on flash even though most the boats around us were/are usually prettier.  My first impression of the Four Winns, was this is a nice boat, but I was suprised how little had changed in 20 years on boats except there is less storage.  The Four Winns was nice but it didn't look to me anywhere near a $25k boat.  The seats didn't look nearly as comfortable, especially up in the bow area.  When I looked at the Crownline it definately had the 'wow' factor, but it also seems to have the construction/durability to back it up, and isn't just a pretty face.  The price difference between the two boats was around $1200 I think.... and for that kind of money there was no comparison IMO.

[Brookenstein]

Ok, so they bought the boat last night.

They don't have the new boater orientation where they take them out on the water and teach them how to use it and whatnot until Tuesday. They have never ran a boat on there own and have only been on a boat 2 or 3 times ever.  Do you think they could handle taking it out this weekend on their own?  I'm so paranoid, I wouldn't risk it, but they are so excited they really want to do it.

[96SC]

In a brief word. NO.   Do they know how to dock it, put it back onto the trailer etc.  I have been around boats almost my entire life and putting it back from where you launched it from is my biggest weakness.  If they don't know how to 'park it' they may be in for a big CRASH. (it may involve more than their boat, too).  I'd be more than parnoid for them, tell them to wait for the orientation.

Friends don't let friends drive ignorant.  Which is what they sound like, about boats.

[Brewman]

I'd wait and go out with the dealer, if at all possible.  Learning this stuff can be a little overwhelming, and having someone there to walk them thru the process is a good idea.  Weekends at the boat launch, if they are trailering, can be challenging for those who are experienced- and a total nightmare for those who don't know what they are doing.  
 So did they go out, or decide to wait?

[96SC]

Yea, Brooke,  did they go out?

I didn't see any news this morning about a 13 boat pile up or a boat driving through a pier because they 'couldn't find the brake pedal'.

[Brookenstein]

LMAO.  They did ask me if it had breaks!  

Nope, they waited and are going out tomorrow with the dealer.  They spent the weekend cleaning out the garage to make room for the boat.

[Brewman]

Wise decision.  It'd be a pity to harm that nice boat first time out.

They're gonna love that Crownline.  If they have not done so already, have them check out Crownline's website.  There is a very good user forum there.

[96SC]

LMAO.  They did ask me if it had breaks!  

Nope, they waited and are going out tomorrow with the dealer.  They spent the weekend cleaning out the garage to make room for the boat.

How proficient are they at backing in a trailer?  You may want to visit them when they try and take a camera and plenty of film, it may be an all day event.

[Brewman]

Grab a six pack, a lawn chair, a video camera, and head to the public access.
 I guarantee you on a busy weekend you'll have a blast.

I've seen so many try and launch their boats who don't have a clue- it's good humor- unless you're stuck in line behind them.
One of my favorites was the infamous "Toss me the keys" incident.  A guy was standing in knee deep water, and asked his buddy to throw him the boat keys.  Of course the keys were not on a floating keyring, and the guy missed the throw by a mile.  Keys went "plunk" right into about 4 feet of muddy, weedy, water.
Not sure if he ever found them.

What really irritates me is the group gawk.  A big truck pulls into the launch area, and about 8 people come spilling out- like clowns coming out of a VW Bug.
 Anyway, 7 of the people stand around gawking and watching as one person backs the boat in, gets out of the truck, gets into the boat, starts it up, backs off the trailer, ties the boat off at the already too crowded dock, jumps out, gets into the truck, pulls the rig into the parking lot- the whole time all the other 7 just stand there.  
 What could have been a 2 minute in and gone turns into a 15 minute tie up at the launch site.