When you are shopping for used boats and personal watercraft in the $2,000 to $2,500 range, you are usually weighing two different versions of the same day on the water: a larger boat that needs your time, or a compact rig that is ready to go. That is exactly the matchup between a 1999 Malibu hull and a 2008 Lowe L1436-L Jon boat and trailer.
Quick verdict
The boat and trailer package is the more complete buy if you want to fish or explore a calm lake without turning your weekends into a project. The 1999 Malibu costs $500 less, but the seller is keeping the motor, so plan to find a replacement engine before it can move on its own.
At a glance
| Feature | 1999 Malibu boat | boat and trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 2,000.00 | USD 2,500.00 |
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Hull material | Fiberglass | Aluminum |
| Power / motor | Gas inboard/outboard design | Electric trolling motor |
Where each product wins
Where the 1999 Malibu boat wins: the Malibu is a cruiser-style platform that fits buyers who want water sports and leisurely cruising rather than a minimal fishing skiff.
Where the boat and trailer wins: the Lowe is a self-contained package. The trailer, 55lb Newport Vessel trolling motor, new battery, Garmin fish finder, life preservers, and paddle are included, and the seller says the seats and equipment have been used only twice. Title and registration for both the boat and trailer come with the sale.
Product notes
1999 Malibu boat
For someone with a replacement engine already in the shop, this 1999 Malibu gives you a fiberglass cruiser for water sports and leisurely cruising. The hull is designed for fresh water, the fuel tank holds 11 to 20 gallons, and the boat uses a single inboard/outboard layout for gas power. The clear caveat is that the seller is keeping the motor for a pickup and is selling the water-cooled headers and other motor parts separately. That leaves you with a boat that cannot move until you supply power, so factor the cost and effort of a replacement motor into your budget. If you are comfortable with that project, you get a larger platform than the Jon boat and a base that can be set up the way you want.
boat and trailer (2008 Lowe L1436-L Jon boat)
This is the go-fishing-this-weekend option. The 14-foot aluminum hull rides on a trailer that has been rewired with LED lights and upgraded with new bearings, seals, rims, tires and a spare. It comes with a brand new 55lb Newport Vessel trolling motor, a new battery, a Garmin fish finder, life preservers and a paddle, and the seller says the seats and equipment have seen water only twice since being purchased new. Title and registration for both boat and trailer are included. The trade-off is that there is no gas engine, so you are limited to electric trolling speed on calm water, and a 3-foot beam makes it a compact platform rather than a roomy cruiser.
Final choice by use case
Pick the 1999 Malibu if you want a larger hull for water sports, already have a motor source, and enjoy the work of a repower project. Pick the Lowe L1436-L Jon boat and trailer if your priority is a ready-to-roll fishing setup with electronics and safety gear.
