JD Power ratings

[ckone0814]

Several people on here have pointed to the JD Power site so I took a look. To my surprise, Bayliner scores 3's pretty much across the board which seems pretty respectable considering the scores of other brands generally accepted as much better and (sometimes much) higher in price.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: JD Power ratings

Bayliner has come a long ways since the 90's. but the parent company is in trouble at the moment. see the brunswick post.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: JD Power ratings

Yes, I have been following that thread. The company is cutting back, like many other companies are, boating industry or not. That shouldn't dissuade anyone from buying a new(er) Bayliner though if they are in the market, should it?

I have seen quite a few late-model, like-new Bayliners for sale around my budget limit but have mostly avoided them based on what I heard their quality is. I was just commenting that the JD Power rating seem to say something different. I know they're no Boston Whaler but are they as bad as some people seem to think?

 

[smclear]

Re: JD Power ratings

Bayliner earned their reputation for poor quality years ago. Their quality could not have gone down in my opinion. However, several years ago they purchased Sea Ray which is widely regarded as a very quality boat. Since that purchase, Bayliner has made tremendous strides in their quality. So much so, that today they are a very decent boat. Not the best to be sure but they have come a long way. The fact that JD scores them as high as they do is a testament to that.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: JD Power ratings

be intersting to see how they all rate, and who is still around a couple of years from now.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: JD Power ratings

OK, so I'll ask... If I was including the Bayliner brand in my search, what years would I want to avoid?

 

[MTribe08]

Re: JD Power ratings

OK, so I'll ask... If I was including the Bayliner brand in my search, what years would I want to avoid?

Good Question, I'd like to second that along with another question. Suppose I'm looking at 2 boats, A 98 Bayliner 19ft bowrider 4.3 vs. a 98 Sea Ray 19ft bowrider. How much better of a boat is the Sea Ray or is it?, and Why?

 

[marine4003]

Re: JD Power ratings

what makes a boat "good" is its general construction,and materials used in construction,power plants are about the same, Mercruiser in most cases. Hull,hand layed fiberglass is better than chopped 'glass shot onto a hull,its support stringers get encapsulated,also generally thicker,which means stronger.Topside - vinyl is thicker,better grade,Stainless fittings are real stainless and not zemack,also fittings are thru bolted not screwed in,gauges and wiring are better grade,carpet is snap-in over a gelcoat surface instead of permanent over glass,finish is thicker..gelcoat can vary as much as 3 mill's..meaning a longer lifespan,then you have the goodies,built in fire suppression system,premium stereo,bolster seats,things that are extras on a lower grade boat.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: JD Power ratings

My opinion has much more to do with what you expect from your boat, than what some magazine has to say. I would also have to state that if buying a used boat, how the previous owner cared for it, is again much more important than how anyone would "rank" that boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: JD Power ratings

i personally tested the 2007 Bayliners. the newer boats are good quality. the older boats were beginner boats, with beginner owners. they were not bad boat, most had bad owners. use the never any maintainance, and wonder why they had problems. boat cover??? what is that?

99% of boats made that are left outside, uncovered, will have many of the same problems.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: JD Power ratings

These are kind of nitpicky comments, but I hate to see misconceptions passed on.

There are virtually no hand laid high or medium production boats being made, only a few very low production or custom boats, but the majority of these use a chopper gun also. The roving and/or other type of continuous strand fabric is always hand laid in every type of production. I know of no boat hulls being made with only chop.

Gel coat will vary more than 3 mils on every boat made, if you check it during production you will commonly find areas as low as 12, to as high as 35 mils. This much variance isn't good, but it happens. Hulls are normally sprayed thicker than other parts, this can help with surface profile and is more resistant to blistering. Other parts may be sprayed thinner, thinner gel coat is less likely to crack and weathers better.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: JD Power ratings

Ok, I think I'm pretty clear on what makes a boat better than another. So......I'm looking at a 98 Bayliner and a 98 Sea Ray both the same power train, lenght and interior setup. Assuming they were both taken care of the same way, how much better of a boat all around is the Sea Ray? Is it worth $1,000,$2,000 more?...I would assume the resale value for one would be better, just because of the name...but is that about it?

Thanks

 

[marine4003]

Re: JD Power ratings

Ok, I think I'm pretty clear on what makes a boat better than another. So......I'm looking at a 98 Bayliner and a 98 Sea Ray both the same power train, lenght and interior setup. Assuming they were both taken care of the same way, how much better of a boat all around is the Sea Ray? Is it worth $1,000,$2,000 more?...I would assume the resale value for one would be better, just because of the name...but is that about it?

Thanks

I answered that question,it has to do with the materials used in the production,QUALITY.there is a big difference between the two boats.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: JD Power ratings

I answered that question,it has to do with the materials used in the production,QUALITY.there is a big difference between the two boats.

Ok, my misunderstanding, I didn't realize you speaking specifically about a Sea Ray vs a Bayliner. I thought you just making generalizations of why one boat may be better than another.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: JD Power ratings

The fit and finish will be better on the Sea Ray, plus like M4003 said, many of the components that go into building the boat will upgraded.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: JD Power ratings

The fit and finish will be better on the Sea Ray, plus like M4003 said, many of the components that go into building the boat will upgraded.

Fantastic...that being said. I came across this boat today http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/894402686.html and at first glance it appears to have many things that I want in a boat.

However, the asking price is $11,500 for a 1995 18ft bowrider. www.nada.com gives it a average resale value of around $4,900. Is this seller out of his mind or is nada that far off?

Thanks for the help.

 

[marine4003]

Re: JD Power ratings

In this case its a combination of both...many sellers having plunked down 30K for a boat 8-10 yrs ago and have kept it up well, dont understand depreciation,especially of boats,so when they go to sell, they go by what they THINK its worth,also NADA's not the most accurate means of judging a boats worth,newer boats..yes..old boats not even close,Theirs tons of used boats out there,and as economic conditions get worse...the more prices will fall..bide your time and look at alot of available resources...e-bay - craigs list -used boat.com.local on-line classifieds and be prepared to travel..it took me 5 months to find the Celebrity in my Avatar...but it was worth it.

 

[lkbum]

Re: JD Power ratings

Fantastic...that being said. I came across this boat today http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/894402686.html and at first glance it appears to have many things that I want in a boat.

However, the asking price is $11,500 for a 1995 18ft bowrider. www.nada.com gives it a average resale value of around $4,900. Is this seller out of his mind or is nada that far off?

Thanks for the help.

He says 150 engine hours on a 1995 boat??? Unless it's been replaced, that less than 10Hrs a year..... Thats not a good sign. If the boat has been stored inside as the seller states, the interior should be in EXCELLENT condition. That would up the asking price by maybe $1000. NADA may not be that accurate, but in this case I think it is. $4500 + $1000 for excellent condition would be a fair price for the boat. But 150hrs on the motor in 18 years???

 

[MTribe08]

Re: JD Power ratings

He says 150 engine hours on a 1995 boat??? Unless it's been replaced, that less than 10Hrs a year..... Thats not a good sign. If the boat has been stored inside as the seller states, the interior should be in EXCELLENT condition. That would up the asking price by maybe $1000. NADA may not be that accurate, but in this case I think it is. $4500 + $1000 for excellent condition would be a fair price for the boat. But 150hrs on the motor in 18 years???

Well $5,500 is quite a ways from $11,500. I can just imagine the response I would get if I offered him that. He does say the interior is in excellent condition, but the extremely low hrs is a interesting, even though its only 13yrs, not 18. Its a 1995

 

[jkust]

Re: JD Power ratings

I had to chime in on this one. $11,500 for that boat is substantially overpriced. As others have said, in this economy, this time of year, keep shopping and you will find something much newer than you expected. I just saw a 2004 crownline 180 with 4.3mpi for just a little bit more than the 95. It was gone in one day. The best deals I have ever seen are right now.