First Time Boat Buyer

[disneytycoon]

I am getting ready to purchase my first boat in the next couple of months. I have been leaning towards Bayliner mainly due to the looks and price. All the research I have done says to stay away from Force Motors and older Bayliners. My question is this: What year did Bayliner quit putting wood floors in? There seems to be problems with the wood floors rotting. I am mainly interested in an 18 to 20 foot cuddy. What year am I safe to purchase to avoid this problem? Your feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer

I don't know what your price range is but there are many different manufacturers that offer similar options and in the used boat market you can frequently find a great deal if you keep your options open.<br /><br />Don't touch a Force IMO. I can't think of a less reputable rig outside of the L drive. I don't know when or if they stopped using wood in their construction procedure. Sorry, I couldn't be of more help. I did check the I-boats classifieds and there are several boats in your area in the under 8K price range that are within your designated area of interest. <br /><br />Good luck in your search and have fun!!!!

 

[searay4now]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer

I am a first time modern boat owner as well, I used to restore wooden boats but the demand from my family to go performance over ruled my desire to show wooden boats. Now I have a used Sea Ray, 1991 185/Bowrider. Believe me, I researched boats extensively and found the best bang for the buck is Sea Ray! Sea Ray also offers a package deal for around $16,000.00 But I found used Sea Rays very desireable and profitable as well, where are you from, I take it near Florida due to the Disney name?? but Sea Ray is a very reputable co. My 1991 has a wooden floor in the middle, if I ever wanted to replace it all I would have to do is unscrew 8 screws and replace the retangle wood, 5' x 3' with ply, coat it with west system then carpet. the frame work of the boat retains its integrity! But opt for the higher powered Sea Ray, I have the 5.0 LX 235 hp 8 cyl. total cost of the boat and trailer, $5,800.

 

[searay4now]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer

..........additionally, look at the NADA values on the boats you are thinking about, My $5,800.00 Sea Ray is valued at $8,000.00 and thats w/out the trailer!

 

[Bondo]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer

What year did Bayliner quit putting wood floors in?

#1) They're Still the Same as Before.......<br />

What year am I safe to purchase to avoid this problem?

See #1...... The Newer ones Just Aren't Old Enough, YET......<br /><br />If you use the Search button above,+ type in Bayliner, You'll get All Kinds of Info...<br />Then go over to Project Boats forum,+ Do the Same.... You'll be able to see pictures of Just How BAD It Can Get........<br /><br />And, This Quote is Mine....<br />

I too have worked on more than a couple of boats over the years....... <br /><br />New, Old, Used, or Abused...........<br />I've Never found a Bilgeliner that I'd call a Quality Built Boat.....<br />If present Bilgeliner owners are Offended, I'm Sorry.....<br />If Your boat suits your needs, I'm Glad......<br />But, that Doesn't Mean Bilgeliners are Quality Boats......<br />They're Not.......<br />Except Maybe CCrews, But, then again, Very little of his boat is Original Bilgeliner.....<br /><br />Not to start a Riot again, <br />But, My Opinion , based on the Facts I've found to be True , <br />quote:<br />------<br />Bilgeliners are built with the Least amount of Inferior materials possible, to create the Illusion of a Quality Boat.....

 

[mole2]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer

How much are you looking to spend? You can pick up a brand new Bayliner 175 for under $10k for boat, motor and trailer. A 185 doesn't cost much more. And a 1952 cuddy only runs $16k. And for that you get a lifetime warranty on the hull. <br /><br />I don't know what contruction they are using on the the Bayliner models, but the Trophies don't have wood in the deck any longer nor in the stringers. You can pick up a brand new Trophy 1802 WA for around $23K for boat, motor, trailer, tax, reg etc. There is a 10 year hull warranty on the Trophy.

 

[Pikester]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer

I have been looking into bayliners (actually decided to go with a Sea Ray), but was able to get a lot of information from the dealer:<br /><br />The lifetime hull waranty is running into its third year (note: this is not a hull AND deck warranty, just the hull)<br /><br />There is wood boat panel, saturated with epoxy resin so as not to rot. It is manufactured by Greenwood Forest products. Lifetime waranty.<br /><br />Bayliner uses full foam filled stringers (close cell foam), not just for structural integrity but for quitness and floatation.<br /><br />The gelcoat is hand sprayed on<br /><br />I also found an interesting site that has a lot of details on their construciton process:<br /> http://www.islanderboats.com/boats/bayliner/Quality Construction.html <br /><br />Hope this helps.