1st time buyer, Bayliner

tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

those ski nautique, were fantastic, 351 windsor was a great motor.
 
H

happyskahater

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
30
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

That older Searay looks really clean...i bet you could get it for about 4k,,
They were well made boats too..
 
oops!

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

happy ska hater....can you post yer location in your id?
it will help.

also.....i dont want to appear to be shining up my bayliner bashing stick...

but unless you can find a garage kept bayliner....without an l drive or force ob on the back.....you might want to stay away from the older used b-liners......most people mistreat there boats.....as mentioned....there is no such thing as a bad boat...just a bad owner....but the b-liners were ...uh...more subseptable to early deterioration than some of the rest...

there is another thing NOT to look at....is a omc drive.....

as far as the dealers......they dont know how it was treated.....and with the us econemey going in the tank......used boats will be east to buy cheap privatly.....

btw.....i drove to vegas from canada to buy a bayliner capri 4 cyl i/o...and im running the boat right now......it will get a compleate re build this winter.

cheers
oops
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

happyskahater said:
Doing as we speak haha. Thanks for all the help guys! Called the guy for the Larson, we'll see. Think I'll look at the Nautique tomorrow... just sounds like it could be too much fun to pass on.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1987-SEA-RAY-S-19-93781286

anybody have an opinion? Again thanks guys... never thought buying a boat would be this confusing. :confused: :eek: :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Looks like a better option than the original bayliner you looked at.
 
H

happyskahater

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
30
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

Thanks again for the help yall. Added my location (TX ... hence yall). Going out to check the Sea Ray out tomorrow. Anybody have any comments as to what to check for if I do a water test with him?
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

I love the look of those older SeaRays and that one is gorgeous! Hope it checks out.
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

There are lots of things to do, depends on your comfort level and knowledge. If you're not comfortable, spend a few hundred $$$ and get a marine surveyor. They know what to look for (and even specific issues with particular boats/engines)

Here are some things to do but I'm sure others can add more:

1)Compression check on all cylinders, should be over 100 and all cylinders should be within 10-15% of each other. If one is low, that may indicate internal damage or bad carbon buildup

2) Check the oil in the lower unit. If it is milky, that indicates a leak that has let water into the gear case

3) Check floor/stringers/transom. Looks for soft spots in them.

4) Make sure you test the boat in the water, not simply on muffs. See how it runs

5) Ignore the 'extras'. Its great it has a nice sounding stereo or a fishfinder and GPS. And, its important everything runs, but that's the 'extras' you care about after you've determined the boat is a good boat.

6) review any maintenance records if available.

7) consider taking it to a local marine and paying a few $$$ for a mechanical inspection if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

8) Don't hesitate to ask the owner questions. If they won't take you for a water test because they don't have time, or the launch is too far, or any other excuse for only running it on muffs, or letting you have it looked at by a mechanic, then you'd be best to walk away. If it's been looked after and a good boat, they'll want to talk about it.

9) Lastly, think about it. The excitement of owning your first boat will sway your decision. Take time. If you want it, tell him you're going to think about it, call him back in the AM. You'll be heavily influenced by its appearance (it looks cosmetically well maintained) but remember, if you put lipstick on a pig, its still just a pig.:p

You'll see it again and again on this forum, "There are no bad boats, just bad owners" If its well maintained and you are careful, it'll be evident in what you're getting.
 
H

happyskahater

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
30
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

I'm comfortable with everything except the compression check... I assume that it should be done by a boat mechanic? I don't know if a marine surveyor would be a good option at this price point but would provide extra peace of mind. I'm going to have my brother take a look at it with some of his (auto) mechanic friends before making any final decisions.

So far the owner has been very forthcoming and offered the test ride without me asking. I take that as a good sign. I'll let you guys know of any issues that arise. Thanks again.
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

If you're taking a mechanic friend, have him take his compression tester. He'll know what to do to test it. Good luck.

Here are the steps:

Using a manual, handheld compression gauge.

* Make sure the engine has been warmed up before beginning the test, to ensure that the oil has been warmed up. A cold engine will not test correctly.

* Disable the ignition system by connection each spark plug wire to a good engine ground (use a jump wire from the ground to the wire inside the plug boot) Don't just simply disconnect the wires. Cranking the engine and firing the coil without allowing the coil to discharge through the plug leads could result in severe damage to the ignition system

* Insert the compression tester into one cylinder spark plug hole at a time.

* Hold the throttle to full open position to ensure the engine gets adequate air intake.

* Crank the engine continually for at least five to 10 full revolutions to obtain an accurate reading on the compression tester. Do this on each cylinder.

* Record the reading for each cylinder. If any of them vary 10 percent or more from each other a problem may exist in one or more cylinders. If the variance is greater than 10 percent, specialized testing equipment may be required to fully diagnose the problem.

* If all cylinder readings are within 10 percent of each other, no further testing is required and compression is considered optimal. (While the variance is more important, expect a minimum of 100 psi for each cylinder)
 
H

happyskahater

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
30
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

Alright just got back off the lake a bit ago. The test drive went well, but I have a couple of questions that I don't know if it's just typical with boating or if this is an area of concern. The boat seemed to pull to the left the entire drive, as if the alignment on a car would have been off. You couldn't let go of the wheel without it wanting to start heading left. I dont know what that means...

The engine started up quickly, no problems whatever there. Oil was fine, silky and smooth. No fluids found around the engine that were of a concern. Didn't try to run the bilge but owner said it works... Electrical works but couldn't get the windshield wiper to work, easy fix? Floor was solid, upholstry was in good shape for the age. Transom seemed solid, hull didn't have any major dings, few minor scrapes and nicks on the gel coat.

Didn't give any mechanical tests or check the lower unit oil (not even sure what that really entails), but I'm not sure how all of that is accomplished. Owner offered to take it to a mechanic with me, without my asking. He seems very honets. His asking price is $4950, I was considering offering $4250 tomorrow once I sleep on it. Does anybody agree with this pricing? Found the blue book value to be $4000, but I realize boat values are hard to nail down.

Any advice is greatly appreciated as always. Thanks!

-Jesse
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

Hey,do i get a finders fee? LOL!!:D

It sounds like the seller is an honest guy to offer the test drive and taking it to a mechanic.
The pulling to the left could be the tab on the outdrive needs turned more to the left.
It looks like a small fin hanging down just above the prop.
One bolt holds it.Standing behind the boat,loosen the bolt and turn it a notch or two farther left.
Checking the drive oil is easy.Look for the drain plug below the prop on the drive housing.Use a large flat head screwdriver and loosen it up a few turns.
Let the oil run into your hand or a glass jar.
If it looks milky or kind of like a brown milk shake then the drive is leaking.

Ask the owner when the drive was last removed and the gimbal bearing inspected and u-joints greased.Should be every year.
When were the bellows last replaced.They last about 3 to 5 years.

Nice looking boat though,its worth 4500 if everything checks out.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

Another thought on it pulling to the left.
Did it have a hydro-foil bolted on the drive?
looks like a whale tail.
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,413
Re: 1st time buyer, Bayliner

Gary H NC said:
Hey,do i get a finders fee? LOL!!:D

It sounds like the seller is an honest guy to offer the test drive and taking it to a mechanic.
The pulling to the left could be the tab on the outdrive needs turned more to the left.
It looks like a small fin hanging down just above the prop.
One bolt holds it.Standing behind the boat,loosen the bolt and turn it a notch or two farther left.
Checking the drive oil is easy.Look for the drain plug below the prop on the drive housing.Use a large flat head screwdriver and loosen it up a few turns.
Let the oil run into your hand or a glass jar.
If it looks milky or kind of like a brown milk shake then the drive is leaking.

Ask the owner when the drive was last removed and the gimbal bearing inspected and u-joints greased.Should be every year.
When were the bellows last replaced.They last about 3 to 5 years.

Nice looking boat though,its worth 4500 if everything checks out.
Click to expand...

I'm with Gary on this one. The guy seems very honest and if the things he's listed above check out, I'd go for it. Its a great boat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top