80's Bayliner I would like to restore

[massimofinance]

A good friend gave me his eighties bayliner. Apart from the engine work, I would like to do some "sprucing up" and would like your opinion:<br /><br />1) The floor is plywood, with a cut out piece so you can reach the bilge pump. I would like to perhaps cover it all with fiberglass or some rubber coating material. (looks to be in good shape) any suggestions?<br /><br />2) There are a number of pieces of plywood covered with carpeting lining the sides of the boat, inside, in the cockpit. I would like to remove these, perhaps replace them with same size and dimension plastics, is this a good idea?<br /><br />3) The seats are cracked, is there a good, cheap way to fix them?<br /><br />4) The blue canvas cover has a number of the snaps: rusted and broken, is there a way to fix those?<br /><br />5) I would also like to remove all the carpeting, and replace with something more "marine" and durable, suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks, I am looking to do this on a shoestring budget, so any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Welcome - Let me introduce you to the red search function at the top of the page. Go there and enter bayliner as a search arguement and read away. <br /><br />Before you jump off I would suggest that you grab a pad of paper and write down what you plan on doing and what you estimate the cost in both time and $. Bayliners of that era are not well regarded in many circles especially if they are powered by a Force or Chrysler OB. You may be opening a big pit to pour a lot of time and money into.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

You really want to make sure the structure is sound. If the structure is sound, then the rest is cosmetics. I will tell you that boats are like cancerous legions on your bank account. It is difficult to do things cheaply, but not impossible. The seats can either be completely replaced as units or be reupholstered. In the end, at about $130ish per side minimum, replacing as a unit is the cheapest unless you are skilled at upholstrey. Snaps can be replaced, it is easy and cheap to do yourself. If the plywood floor is bare, it needs to be sheathed in fiberglass. It should not be bare though, so you'll want to make sure someone didn't lay plywood over an already rotted floor. It has happened too many time to count, to me included. There are various non-skid coatings available that work as a good floor covering. Installing snap-in carpet sections is an alternative, so you can have the comfort for the mrs, and you can remove it for fishing day (if you fish). You may as well stick with wood for the side panels, it is the cheapest way to go, and they don't rot as quickly as a floor can as long as the vinyl is intact. Good luck, and don't despair over the anti Bayliner sentiment. You can build it into a good boat with the right work...

 

[Realgun]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

JasonJ there are a lot of people with the opionion that Bayliner is a crap boat me for 1.<br />And I am restoring 1 right now!!!<br /><br />Now let me set it all straight to people.<br /><br />1. The HULL proper is a great design and is very strong and thick!!!<br />2. Force engines are just over rated but they are easy to work on. Parts are available from Napa Auto parts no less!!!<br />3. GREAT ALASKAN YELLOW SPRUCE STRINGERS.<br /><br />The downside <br />1. Floors are not prepared properly. They were stapled to the GREAT ALASKAN YELLOW SPUCE STRINGERS. <br />2. The floors are not glassed from side to side.<br />3. Some parts are not backed properly ie the bow eye and the front and rear handles.<br />4. They used cheap vinyl but cool patterns.<br /><br />So all in all not a bad boat for the price and with a proper fit of floor and better quality hardware and upholstry a very good boat.<br /><br />Keep bashing them as I need cheap boats to fix up!

 

[cc lancer]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Before you jump off I would suggest that you grab a pad of paper and write down what you plan on doing and what you estimate the cost in both time and $.<br />Regardless of what you are restoring, one of these day you will want to sell, or trade up.<br />Fact is Bayliners have a bad rep., will you get any thing near what you have invested in time and money?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Originally posted by cc lancer:<br /> Fact is Bayliners have a bad rep., will you get any thing near what you have invested in time and money?

Come on guys. I'll bet less than 10% of the boating worlds buyers have any clue about bayliners undeserved bad rap...(we sure have a bunch of them in our marina)....besides, a boats a boat, and it will drain your wallet no matter what it is. And its labor of love rebuilding a boat..name on the side is then changed to your own. Same same old leaky junk Harleys. I can get TWICE what I paid for my old Shovelhead, but after the blood, sweat and a few extra $ and a LOT of time, they will bury it with me.

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Everyone's here because they love boats. The price is a fact, though. I'm saving every possible cent right now to do a major restoration when I get back, and while I started out to fix and resell this boat, now I'm planning to keep it. I've planned, replanned, saved money, studied this and every other forum I could find. I've practically put a book together of information for my first major project here. Resell it? Maybe, but I'm not committing to anything yet. <br />Back to the original question, if you really pinch your pennies here like me, there are options for everything. As stated, polyester is cheaper than epoxy. If you are trying to learn something about the different qualities of each, read the basic training manual on fiberlay.com It's fantastic. You can also buy a lot of materials on ebay. Compare prices, and you'll do alright. The difference, over the course of a long boat restoration, is a lot. Just be sure you do everything right the 1st time. When you get that deck off, check the stringers really well for rot. Check your transom at the same time. No matter how much money you spend, you are going to have to commit to do it or not do it, and then follow through or the money really is wasted. The same encouragement I've received here is that if you commit to this, and then follow through, you're going to be really proud at the end to put that boat behind your truck and take it to your favorite fishin hole. And there isn't anything you're going to come up against that someone here hasn't dealt with, so you'll get all the tech support you could ever ask for. Whatever you decide, good luck with it.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

dont do it if you are looking for a "monetary investment/return", but if you want a cheep boat that you can rig up yourself any way you want and last you as long as you take care of her... go for it, but i like "solittles" suggestion

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

A good friend gave me his eighties bayliner.

Soon to be ex-friend...

 

[massimofinance]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Hi all and thanks! This seems like a great place to get advice and appreciate everyone's time!<br /><br />I heard the same things about bayliners, but as a "newbie" I figured this is a good starting point and a nice winter project.<br /><br />The engine is an Evinrude VRO V4 115 HP, two cylinders have poor compression, so I am looking into that.<br /><br />I will also consider all your advice, and the online database and will check back. Thanks again!

 

[massimofinance]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Hi all, quick question: I want to buy an owner's manual or a detailed repair book for the hull (bought one for the engine already) Any suggestions? Also, where on the hull can I find the identification number so I can figure out exactly what I have? I know it is a Bayliner Capri. Would like to know the year and serial number and whatever else. Thanks.

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

The Hull ID should be on right hand side of the transom(Looking at the back of the boat). The year of the boat is the last two digits of the ID.<br /> As for a book on the hull, you might try a Bayliner dealer. I've never seen any on just the hull , but that does'nt mean there isn't one made.<br /> I'm restoring a 80's boat also. It does'nt matter to me what it costs to do it I like the boat. I agree wholeheartedly with robby6950. A labor of love.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Bayliner does have a book on the boat! My neighbor picked up a center console 1988 19 footer 125 Force (didn't know they made one!) and got the book from the owner. I have no idea where you might find one, and he went south for the winter, so I won't see him until spring. Try ebay, or a Bayliner dealer

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Carpeted or wooden surfaces could be coated (after removing carpet, of course) with a non slip coating, (someone chime in with some brand names). Your broken snaps can be replaced, they are pretty common. If the originals are riveted, you'll have to drill the rivets out and screw in new snaps (on the boat). On the cover, you'd likely need a punch type tool to install new snaps into the canvas. You should be able to remove the old ones by drilling out the centers or by crushing them sideways if you're not into finesse. You could easily damage the fabric trying to replace snaps. Practice on some old jeans or something. Good luck with the boat.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

There is a forum just for Bayliner Owners with excellant help, advise and best of all....lots of phone #'s and links. There are even a few guys there that used to work for Bayliner. The owners manual for the boat is obtained FREE from Bayliner. Go to the Forum to get the #. <br /><br /> http://pub12.ezboard.com/bbocweb <br /><br />Heck there is even a few of em lurking around here. Huh Don?<br /><br />By-the-way, if you want to see the mother of all restore projects, check this out..<br /> http://community.webshots.com/user/speakrdude <br /><br />Have fun,<br />Jim

 

[Realgun]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Heck there is even a few of em lurking around here.

Yes with the same handle and boat too!!!

 

[msmorto]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Hi<br />You may whant to see what I had to do to My Bayliner <br />www.msmorto.photosite.com

 

[Mark42]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Regarding the seats and a "good and cheap" way of fixing them. Well, the term "good" is relative, so I will take "good" to mean a solid repair that will hold up for a while. I know what "cheap" means. So, after much deliberation, my suggestion for a "good and cheap" fix for the seats is this:<br /><br />Buy some duct tape in the colors that match you seat and go to it.<br /><br />Seriously.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

MsMorto: Real Nice Job! My boat is very much like yours, just that I have an outboard motor. Question, what is below your carpeted floor? I would like to put down some "rubber paint" instead of carpet. Also, (and I apologize if this is a stupid question) but how did you know the floor was rotted? I would like some tell-tale signs. <br /><br />One more question: There are many drill holes in my hull, on the top lip, how can I fill those in? would epoxy, caulk work? Thanks!

 

[msmorto]

Re: 80's Bayliner I would like to restore

Hi massimofinance <br />My floor was 5/8" plywood with carpet over it.<br />You need to pull back the carpet and check to see if any tell-tell of rot. If you have any rot whatsoever, chance are that most of the wood in the boat is rotten. I find in my boat some rot here and there, so I procastinated if I should <br />repair what I had, but the more I dug the more rot<br />I find. So I decided to do a complete restoration.<br />This was not an easy job, as you can see in the photos.<br />You might want to check WEST MARINE on line for variuos repaire kits for fiberglass for your drill holes in your hull