need advice

Im looking at 2 boats, one is a 88 Bayliner 2459 with a 5.0 liter omc with low hours one owner, the other is a 89 thompson 240 hardtop with a merc with a chevy 350 engine 1000 hrs and lots of equipment, 2nd owner. both are around $8500 with trailer . primary use is perch and walleye fishing, which would be a beter boat for lake erie

I'd go with the one which you like best....They both sound to be pretty close in value. Look for most comfortable and suitable for what you plan on doing. Also check them both out thoroughly for what kind of shape they are in. They both make great Lake Erie boats....they both have been around forever and you will find many of them out there still. Goo Luck with your choice....

I agree with what is stated here...88 OMC's were the newer generation called the cobra, though there is still parts available, they are sometimes hard to come by and more expensive then the mercruisers. OMC=One More C-note. Also, just because they have low hours, doesn't mean they will run better. The seals and boots etc will rot when they aren't in water or not used. My recommendation would be to inspect them both very closely. Take both of them for a test ride if you can, run at all speeds. See if they troll down nice. Don't be shy on the throttle a time or two either, some problems don't present themselves till higher RPM's. Both of these have GM V-8's in them, so I would suspect there is plenty of power. If it were me, I would lean closer to the thompson. Solid and proven boat. I have riden on those older Bayliners and they are like a buoy out in rough water, feel like your constantly swaying side to side more than normal. There is pro's and con's to each boat. The bayliners were all fiberglassed including the floor. Makes for easy clean-up and no wood rot. The thompsons have wood floors. Check for soft spots, if you find one, it's possible the stringer could be rotten as well. Transom as well, take a hammer and tap on the transom, should sound solid.