Buying used Bayliner B/R - 3.0L or 4.3L

[oldjeep]

Fuel economy is a funny thing to worry about in a small runabout anyways. In our 2005 3.0l 195 we would go through about 10 gallons for our normal day of skiing, boarding and cruising. In my Malibu I burn closer to 20 for the same activities. But that is the tradeoff of a hull that is designed to be inefficient so that it creates a better wake.

You would really want to ski behind a properly prop'd 3.0 to decide if it worked for you - and that is going to come down to how efficient your deep water starts are.

 

[JoeRJGR]

My comments . . .

Fuel efficiency and boats don't go together.

The 3.0L will use almost as much fuel as the 4.3L when asked to do the same sort of work. so, you really won't be meeting a fuel economy objective with the smaller engine, all the while you will wish you had more power.

Boating is expensive, so the Admiral (wife) will have to become accustom to the $$$$

Bayliners are not the world's best boats, but they have upped their game within the past 15 years or so. Still it would be best to really check out both boats to see if there are any deterioration or structural issues.

If the 1999 is well maintained, then it may be OK and have the power you need.

Do you have a 3rd and 4th option?

I do have a third....1998 18.5 SeaRay with the 4.3....near my beach house....cant get a reply from the guy though........I know everyone knocks the Bayliners...is it the fiberglass or build quality????Everyone uses the same hardware and engines...no?

 

[bruceb58]

The problem with Bayliners was their build quality from the mid 80's to the mid 90's. They finally got their act together by the late 90's.

 

[tpenfield]

I do have a third....1998 18.5 SeaRay with the 4.3....near my beach house....cant get a reply from the guy though........I know everyone knocks the Bayliners...is it the fiberglass or build quality????Everyone uses the same hardware and engines...no?

Keep in mind that the structure of the boat is wood, the outer hull is fiberglass, but that is not where the strength of the boat is. . . . the earlier Bayliners did not do a very good job encapsulating the wood with fiberglass. I'm not sure if Bayliner has switched to the more synthetic structures. Just something to keep in mind as you look at 10-20 year old boats.

 

[bruceb58]

Early Bayliners also used the absolute worst hardware imaginable. The wood structure for the seats and doors was barely made waterproof so they rotted out. They improved a lot in those areas in the late 90's

 

[Fastatv]

Hi guys, getting ready to buy my first boat after skiing for many years off of a friends when I was younger. The boat will be trailed, and used for water skiing, tubing, etc. Now, when I say skiing, I would like to slalom, but dont know how practical that will be. I'm 55 (180lbs), and I have an 8 year old. Most of the time it will be just my wife, myself and my son...(for now). I'm looking at two boats. 1999 18.5 Bayliner with a 4.3L (asking 5K), and a 2005 18.5 Bayliner with a 3.0L (firm on $5600). I have heard that if I prop it right the 3.0L wou;d be fine, others tell me to go with the 4.3 because who cant use more power, especially for skiing...again, I know that getting up on 2 skis vs 1 is alot different. Since my wife is only now on board with this, fuel economy will be a important as I dont want to hear the complaining about hopw much gas the thing is using....I just remember when me and my pals starting skiing at age 30, we first had a searay with probably 150 outboard on it, which took a little time to get up on one skii, then they bought a Toyota ski boat and it popped us up like nothing....Im sure the 3.0 l will be fine for my son short term and Im wondering how much skiing I'll end up doing, but water sorts is why I am buyting the boat. Of course one boat is 6 years newer too. Im retty sure the 4.6 liter sat in the water for the last few years while the 3.0 was always trailed......

Thanks for your help.

I think if I were in the market for a boat, I would always prefer the larger engined boat....I enjoy the power, speed, and sound. Now, having said that, I currently own a Larson DC 170 ( 17 footer ) and it has the 3.0L installed. In the 17 foot boat, it is really very impressive. I can pull up a 200 pound slalom skier fairly quikly, with three adults in the boat, but I have a 19 pitch installled instead of the 21 pitch which is recommended. I think it's really a horsepower to weight ratio ( boat weight, length, and hull design thing ). Take a few different boats out for a ride, see what you think. Another huge advantage one can have is if the smaller engined boat has a wakeboard tower installed. Pulling skiers from high above the boat and from the approx center of the boat.... instead of the rear and low mounted ski eye makes a big difference as well.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I can definitely say that the 4.3L is a better puller for an old guy on a slalom ski than the 3.0L, all other things being equal. I swapped out the 3.0L for a 4.3L on a 17 foot runabout 'ski' boat, so I have before and after with same hull. I weigh 215 and I turn 60 this year. I also coach baseball and am a ski patroller so in pretty good shape. I could not get up on a slalom ski without a lot of stress on me with the 3.0L. I rented a late model 18 footer with a 3.0L and it was the same tough job getting up on a single. I'm the only one in the famdamily that skis, everyone else does that silly wakeboard stuff and a 3.0L was just fine. You will wish you had a bigger motor if you are water sporting.

Can it be done, sure.

Enjoy the search. Don't get in a hurry. One guarantee with boats, there is another one on the market tomorrow that is better/cheaper/nicer/cleaner.

 

[JoeRJGR]

I can definitely say that the 4.3L is a better puller for an old guy on a slalom ski than the 3.0L, all other things being equal. I swapped out the 3.0L for a 4.3L on a 17 foot runabout 'ski' boat, so I have before and after with same hull. I weigh 215 and I turn 60 this year. I also coach baseball and am a ski patroller so in pretty good shape. I could not get up on a slalom ski without a lot of stress on me with the 3.0L. I rented a late model 18 footer with a 3.0L and it was the same tough job getting up on a single. I'm the only one in the famdamily that skis, everyone else does that silly wakeboard stuff and a 3.0L was just fine. You will wish you had a bigger motor if you are water sporting.

Can it be done, sure.

Enjoy the search. Don't get in a hurry. One guarantee with boats, there is another one on the market tomorrow that is better/cheaper/nicer/cleaner.

I hear you...I 100 % agree from your comments and Mile Highs.....I would love a small Crownie with at least a 4.3........

 

[oldjeep]

I do have a third....1998 18.5 SeaRay with the 4.3....near my beach house....cant get a reply from the guy though........I know everyone knocks the Bayliners...is it the fiberglass or build quality????Everyone uses the same hardware and engines...no?

The main difference between a small searay anfmd a bayliner is the stickers. Built by same company. In 2005 I looked at both and bought a new bayliner.

 

[JoeRJGR]

mile High..what kind of a wake are you looking at with your I/O?

 

[krakatoa]

The main difference between a small searay anfmd a bayliner is the stickers. Built by same company. In 2005 I looked at both and bought a new bayliner.

then I will stick" with Sea Ray, IMHO its a better and long way good looking boat than Bayliner. About 3.0 or 4.3 I will go with 4.3, "more power is... more power"

 

[oldjeep]

then I will stick" with Sea Ray, IMHO its a better and long way good looking boat than Bayliner. About 3.0 or 4.3 I will go with 4.3, "more power is... more power"

Depends on the year. In 2005 the Searay 190 sport interior was terrible compared to the comparable bayliner 195.

 

[milehighjc]

mile High..what kind of a wake are you looking at with your I/O?

With her wound up:



This video is the first time I got up on a new to me dedicated slalom ski. It should be about 31mph. You will notice that my wake is a little funky, that is because I put SmartTabs on the boat, and the hull design on my crownie 182 forces them a little more inboard than I would like. I can smooth the wake out a bit if I set the tabs to be a little less aggressive. The tabs REALLY smooth out the ride in chop, and virtually eliminate bow rise during the hole shot.

Anyway, you will get the idea...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBJRz4AA7XY

 

[Rick Stephens]

This video is the first time I got up on a new to me dedicated slalom ski. It should be about 31mph. You will notice that my wake is a little funky, that is because I put SmartTabs on the boat, and the hull design on my crownie 182 forces them a little more inboard than I would like. I can smooth the wake out a bit if I set the tabs to be a little less aggressive. The tabs REALLY smooth out the ride in chop, and virtually eliminate bow rise during the hole shot.

Anyway, you will get the idea...

Interesting wake. And an awesome picture showing that wake. I also run Smart Tabs and it does change the wake. I was able to mount mine more traditionally outboard of where you did. Here's a video of my 17 foot V-hull with Smart Tabs before I pulled the motor last year and swapped in a V6 in place of the 3.0L.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-AIuK5VkjM

 

[milehighjc]

I have been thinking about buying the PR500 mounts for mine so that I could retract them easily when skiing. Its not a big deal, but the wake is a bit chopped up with the tabs deployed. I meant to try a little less pressure last weekend, but forgot until I was already in the water. oh well.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I have been thinking about buying the PR500 mounts for mine so that I could retract them easily when skiing. Its not a big deal, but the wake is a bit chopped up with the tabs deployed. I meant to try a little less pressure last weekend, but forgot until I was already in the water. oh well.

I have a set of those that wouldn't fit because of my step. PM me if you want to deal.

 

[milehighjc]

I have a set of those that wouldn't fit because of my step. PM me if you want to deal.

Thanks Rick... I am going to try shifting holes on mine manually this weekend to see what happens... will be in touch if it looks like there is good benefit (I think there will be)

 

[JoeRJGR]

Mile High, had you ever thought of getting a Mastercraft or Ski Nautique? There's an older SN 2001 near me in great shape..

 

[SDSeville]

and....I dont consider getting up on two skiing......agh....

I had the 2005 bayliner 185 with a 3.0. It was great for tubing, knee boarding, and wake boarding. However, it was real hard to get adult slalom skiers up, especially new skiers. How about start on 2 (super easy with 3.0) and drop one.

 

[Salacia]

I had a Maxum 1800mx with a 3.0 and wouldn't have liked to try to get up on one ski behind that! I would defo go with more power but make sure it's the right boat and walk away if not there will always be another.
Best of luck