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WANTED 235 Persuader bow rider

That would be the Persuader 234.

What's your year range, and price range? And what motor are you looking for?
 
Good luck. I searched every corner of the country for a 234 and came up with only a handful... all duds. There is one in Worcester Mass, but it was a terd, totally neglected. I'll keep my ears open for ya though. Go here... www.craigshelper.com and use the search engine. That's how i found mine.
 
Thanks for the tip

I'm patient, I have a feeling this next one will the last for awhile. Looking to build a house.

Thanx and happy new year
 
Robby said:
I'm patient, I have a feeling this next one will the last for awhile. Looking to build a house.

Thanx and happy new year
Click to expand...

You dont mean to tell me you are boatless after selling the senator are you? I've only driven my 234 once since purchase but in that short ride, i can tell it is worlds better than any 20' including my old 202 persuader. The ride is smoother, less porpoise and quite a bit faster. don't give up till you find a 234, it's worth the wait. and yeah, i think you'll keep it. There aren't many fast bowriders in this price range and size.
 
Winter,
We bought a 253 last year but with the kids we decided to get another open bow. Still looking.
 
Robby said:
Winter,
We bought a 253 last year but with the kids we decided to get another open bow. Still looking.
Click to expand...

A 253 is a jump up in size from the ole Senator! But yeah, the open bow with kiddies is a must. It's funny, you and the guy from illinois with the starliner (can't recall the name) both said your boats are too small. I didn't listen and bought a 202 persuader and it was REAL tight. The 234, athough not that much bigger, uses the room much better. Plus, it has allot more storage. Keep looking. I used www.craigshelper.com but found mine on Ebay.
 
OK Winter, I've been holding off posting this but..... with the fate of the starliner still uncertain - I've been browsing at all sorts of boats - inboard wakeboard boats, stingray BR's, a few V-drives, etc...

I came around to this conclusion - the starliner, a pulsare 2100 OR A 234 fit my family's needs and my wants / tastes the best. Yes, I said it - after hassling you (just a little) for going I/O - I think it has some pro's and cons, but is right up my alley. In my waiting-induced depression, I just saw that purple 234 in Milford for $20K and actually debated taking out a $10K loan, getting some vinyl professionally done to cover some of the purple graphics and leaving my OB roots! In reality, I should be able to get some resolution on my boat in a month so I'll wait. The starliner is my first choice for ease of towing/operating/light weight. But a 234 is definately a sweet boat and would knock down waves way better.

So the questions after all of this typing is:
What does your rig weigh for towing? Is your jeep a V6, how does it tow?
How is the space compared to a starliner - you're a few feet larger, but I think those couple of feet are taken up by the engine/sunpad
I like full width swimplatform
How does it come out of the water (for towing a skier), how is the wake (for wakeboarding)?
 
Needafunboat said:
.......
So the questions after all of this typing is:
What does your rig weigh for towing? Is your jeep a V6, how does it tow?
How is the space compared to a starliner - you're a few feet larger, but I think those couple of feet are taken up by the engine/sunpad
I like full width swimplatform
How does it come out of the water (for towing a skier), how is the wake (for wakeboarding)?
Click to expand...

Uh oh.... coming over to the dark side are ya!?:poke: Good for you! :thumb:

LEt's start with the towing. Forget towing a 234 with a V6 Jeep. I have a nice 03 Jeep Grand with the V8 and although there is enough power, it's not a fun ride. Too short of a wheel base. And thats why, sadly, my jeep is for sale. I just bought an 07 Avalanche.
Room is going to be about the same, as far as passengers go. You may find the Liner has a bit more, but i think the 234 has more storage. As far as smoke goes, the previous owner built the original 454 to a 468 with some very minor tweeks. I haven't nailed it out of the hole in the one time i drove it, but it seemed to have a good deal of pick-up once on plane. With the right prop, you'll likely dislocate shoulders yanking skiers. The ride is superb, better than the 202 i had. Anyway, dont settle for the 21 or 22' persuader, go right for the 23'.
I think i recall that purple 234, it was decent but quite a bit more than what should be paid with this economy. If it's the same one, you should steal that by this point. Wasn't it like a late 90's?
 
'hmmm well I'm not quite there yet! I have a V6 mountaineer that I think would struggle with that boat. Do you know the weight of that rig? I have to find out which rear end is in my truck, but it will either tow 3200 or 5200 lbs -- amazing difference for a pretty small difference in axle ratio!

There are actually 2 234's in the area - both white / purple :irked:... That one that you saw - the guy is still asking 20K for that one (clean looking, new motor, silent choice and trim tabs - 1998). Another '95 for 15K with low hours, but it was "stored in the water". Both seem pretty high - especially in this micro economy in the winter! The ride, that nice big block rumble... and a blower down the road -- a nice 80mph BR... it's tempting!!

BUT if the starliner is rebuildable - I'm going to do that. We only hit big lakes a few times per year and with the kids a year bigger - the ride is less of an issue. If I cruise at 40 instead of my infant-friendly 25 - the ride is actually MUCH better. Plus my truck tows the starliner like nuthin.

I am going up next month to cut a hole in the barn - the HO insurance guy has made his report so I am now free to get in there.

I'll let you know what they find out.
 
Needafunboat said:
'hmmm well I'm not quite there yet! I have a V6 mountaineer that I think would struggle with that boat. Do you know the weight of that rig? I have to find out which rear end is in my truck, but it will either tow 3200 or 5200 lbs -- amazing difference for a pretty small difference in axle ratio!

There are actually 2 234's in the area - both white / purple :irked:... That one that you saw - the guy is still asking 20K for that one (clean looking, new motor, silent choice and trim tabs - 1998). Another '95 for 15K with low hours, but it was "stored in the water". Both seem pretty high - especially in this micro economy in the winter! The ride, that nice big block rumble... and a blower down the road -- a nice 80mph BR... it's tempting!!

BUT if the starliner is rebuildable - I'm going to do that. We only hit big lakes a few times per year and with the kids a year bigger - the ride is less of an issue. If I cruise at 40 instead of my infant-friendly 25 - the ride is actually MUCH better. Plus my truck tows the starliner like nuthin.

I am going up next month to cut a hole in the barn - the HO insurance guy has made his report so I am now free to get in there.

I'll let you know what they find out.
Click to expand...

3100# dry is what a 234 weighs. Don't forget to add the weight of the trailer, fuel, life jackets, anchor and cooler full of adult beverages. Botht hose boats are way overpriced. With boats, unlike cars, the year isn't nearly as much of a price adder to the deal. Condition, motor, hours etc is all far more important. I paid $9k for my 92 234 with low hours, and a near perfect hull/top side/ interior and a rebuilt drive and 468ci. All that is worth far more than a later model Persuader in lesser condition. Also, dont be affraid to rent a truck and drive 1/2 way across the country. Fuel is cheap now and it may be worth your hassle. I drove 1000 miles round trip at $4 a gallon to fetch mine :o
 
Thanks for the info. Only 1000 miles? I think I have you by about 400 miles on my starliner retrieval... Yes, the one that less than a year later sits under about 6' of snow and a crushed steel roof...

Keep an eye out for one for me. $9K for that one is a nice deal! My folks live in Pittsburgh and we still have alot of friends on the east coast so I could do a drive that way too...
 
234 bowrider

i have a 2001 234 with a 454 mercruiser. mint cond. it has low hours and is very clean. i am located in south arkansas. you can let me knw if your interested.
 
Hi Flushdraw,

Thanks for the info. I should know the fate of my starliner in the next few weeks and I'll then know how serious I am about picking up a new one. I still may have to find a bigger truck to tow it with. I think my truck would do it in the level mid-west, but it is far from an ideal tow rig for a 4000+ lb package for longer distances. A truck and boat just aren't in the cards for me this year with what's going on in the auto industry right now...

Anyhow - Let me a know what you are asking for it, color, hours, etc... Might be some guys closer to you who would be interested too.
 
I too am looking for a 234 BR, that 1998 is STILL on Craigslist for $18200, I would love to get my hands on it but I think he's WAY overpriced... I'm thinking $12,000 on the HIGH side? what do you guys think???
 
Johnny - I don't think that guy is moving on price. In like 2 years, he's dropped about $2K. Yes, very overpriced. That 2 yr warranty has to be down to a year now.

Yesterday I picked up a new truck that will actually tow, so I could get a bit more of a lake boat if I wanted. It was funny re-reading this old thread. My boat came out absolutely perfect (plus some cash in pocket), so I have debated taking a loss on the starliner and getting something that would run torch or burt more comfortably. But I'd have a hard time parting with the starliner so we'll probably stay put for a while.

Anyhow, good luck. I could maybe be convinced to look at that 234 in Milford for you - I live on Milford Road one town south of the boat.
 
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