160 bowrider questions

[claws]

I'm considering the purchase of a new 160 bowrider. I'm looking for a simple and easily manageable boat to use exploring the Sacramento River Delta waterways. My wife and I are both 71 years old and need a boat that is easy to launch and easy to get in and out of. We don't do water sports so the stock 60 hp motor and 22 mph cruising speed should be fine for us. Would this boat be safe to run in this environment on relatively calm days? Can I fill the gas tank at the local gas station directly from the pump? I have a bad back and lifting 5 gal gas cans into the boat to fill up is not doable. Any advice or comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Kim

[efarstad]

For easy to get in and out of I'd also consider the Element for stability and ease of use. Not much to maintain on an Element and super easy to launch. It has a 12 gallon tank that can be filled at a gas station easy enough, I've done it many times. Hope this helps and gives you another option.

[Jay_Myers]

You may want to consider a 170. Very manageable. Lots of motor options up to 130hp . At seventy one you might like a full windshield. This boat has lots of room and storage . On a 160 there is no storage to speak of. the seats are fixed and in the bow area when sitting your knees are in your chest. Rear latter on a 160 is designed for very agile people.

[claws]

Thanks for the replies guys. I had first considered the Element E16 but was put off by reports here of water getting into the sponsons(?) and causing rot to the wood members in the boat. I thought that the lack of a windshield might be a problem as well. Since the nearest Bayliner dealer is more than 100 miles from me, I don't want to have any problems that have to be addressed by the dealer. Another issue with the Element might not be an issue after all. I assumed that the portable 12 gal gas tank would have to be removed from the boat for fueling. I can't lift 96lbs of gas into the boat these days, but someone assured me that the boat can be fueled on the trailer at any gas station with the gas tank in place. I would prefer the Element for stability reasons and would welcome any responses to my concerns with this boat.

Thanks,

Kim

[Jeffw]

I love my Bayliner cruiser, but we also have a pontoon boat. For your age (I'm not far behind,) I think you'd love the stability, handling, ease of entry/exit, comfort, utility, room for friends, etc. I've rented a pontoon at Tower Park Marina west of Lodi a few times when traveling the area by RV. I highly recommend you give that a try before you buy anything. They may also rent runabouts like the Element. Welcome to the BOC!

[greebo]

As an Element XL owner, i would like to reinforce the recommendation for an Element. I'm in the late 60's and am aware of the difficulties in launching and landing a boat by yourself. I have several friends who have given up boating because of these issues. I have no problems launching my boat, and can refuel from a servo with the boat trailered. However, i usually refill from portable jerry cans as it saves travelling with the boat on a trailer. Sure, a windshield would be nice. I know many are concerned about water in sponsons but from what i can see there are only a few boats that have had this problem and Bayliner's hull warranty is good. The Elements room, storage capacity and stability are bar none - important for us oldies.

I suggest you should consider this option.

Just my two cents worth.