Is Bayliner decent first boat?

[sea wolf]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

unless it is immaculate, walk away from the OMC drive system, no longer supported with parts, or service. few shops will work on them, expensive. that vintage bayliner is noted for rot, due to deferred maintenance. they were beginner boats, and most neglected.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old

Bayliners aside, I must be the only Cobra owner that can find parts. In the 15 yrs. that I've owned mine I have yet to have a problem finding anything for it. In fact, there are plenty of aftermarket parts available.

 

[nuttyboater]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

I worked at the Bayliner plant in Pipestone MN back when i graduated from high school, they treat their employees like crap and they pressure everyone to work fast. Basically crank them out as fast as you can regardless of quality, if it looks ok it will pass their so called quality control!

We used to spend a couple days a week repairing ones that came back from dealers, they would go out to a dealer and be put in the water, all sorts of problems would be found, and finally the dealer would just toss his hands up and have it trucked back to the plant for a "factory refurb".. Of course it would be shipped back out and sold once again as new regardless of all this.

After about 1 1/2 years and sparse raises and less than stellar pay i left them for something else. Working for Bayliner actually turned me off on owning a boat for years.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Well, what's done is done. I think you may have had your mind made up before reading all the posts. However I agree $1200 is very little to spend in the boating world. Just bought my latest after looking for three months, and there are a ton of boats for sale around me. For the money I think you got a good deal. I was finding non-running rotting junk out there for the same amount.
And once around others in this community you will get a good opportunity to see what we are all running and find a brand you can move up to. Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

[scott2000d]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

$1200 for a boat that runs and floats, and a trailor as well?!?!? I live in New Brunswick, Canada and I just bought a 14' aluminum, 25HP johnson (that nobody even knew if it ran), and trailor for $1100. And that was the cheapest deal I was able to find. I would probaly wet myself if I found a deal like that around here.

 

[tmh]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

$1200 is pretty cheap if it runs well. I think the issue i'd have with the OMC drives is not that you CAN'T get parts, it's that the parts aren't always locally available and/or at the local mechanics' shops. For me, I can't stand to have my boat out of action while i search the internet for parts. I usually have it serviced by a Mercruiser pro who stocks most normal failure parts, so in and out and back on the water.

IF I could stand to be out of action for a week and if i was a good mechanic myself i'd be less worried about the OMC drive. So I guess it depends on how you like to handle emgine/drive work.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Personally, I like Bayliners and think much of the negativity comes from a "snobbish" attitude. Few care to admit the boat you paid half of what they did is just as good as theirs.

No, actually it comes from having the experience,knowledge and mechanical ability to discern between a well built boat and one that is manufactured to be a "beginners boat". Snobbery has nothing to do with it,for someone who is just starting out,a Bayliner,IF IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED (just as any boat) is excellent for the first timer.low cost,millions of in-expensive parts,and when its used up....well , time to step-up in quality.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Not gonna go there......

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Not gonna go there......

Really, what good is it gonna do?

I base my thoughts and opinions on experience. I live in an area where everyone around me has a boat. We get opportunities to be on the water a lot more often than others. I have been on literally hundreds of boats over my fishing and boating career. Unfortunately, the Bayliner/Force combinations were very popular and many people I know have had them. I don't think I'm a snob by telling someone, who happened to ask, what those peoples experiences were. Unfortunately many of those experiences were bad. I, therefore, would not have anything positive to say for Bayliners.

Wasn't one of the posts from someone who once worked for them?

There is a saying " A wise man learns from his experiences. A wiser man learns from the experiences of others."

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

A couple of weak hulls. One power loaded and listed off the bunk and split a three foot gash in the hull. Another hit a ramp at low speed and also split at the waterline Owner's fault, but should that have happenedon either one? Rotted floors and stringers. Stainless rails not welded, corroded fittings. Switchgear failure. Hatches and hinge failures. Lights and fittings corroded. Cheap bilge and baitwell pumps.
A rotted baitwell hose after only three years, filled boat with water while we were fishing, auto bilge did not kick on. We were on the bow fishing and did not notice untill almost too late. We were seven miles out. Battery 2/3 underwater. A few more minutes and we would have joined the sharks we were catching.
And this was a friend who we both bought our boats new in 1986. He spent $12,500 for his Bay/Force. I spent $8,600 for a Traveler (no longer made) and a Yamaha 90. My boat lasted ten years, never had major engine service. I put in plugs and impellers. That's all. He spent another $3,800 in the five years he owned his and gave it away for $4500. I sold mine for the same amount after ten years.

 

[tmh]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Finally, the only real thing I have seen is issues with the floors. But as others have said, that tends to be the fault of in-experianced owners (who could get into boating cheaply) and not how the boat is made.

Whats left? Not much other than the extras or accesories...

When the deck, stringers,transom and engine mounts rot out, a boat is worthless. Yes, it CAN be fixed, but the time/cost usually is more than the real value. SO, "just the floor" is not some small detail.

80's bayliners were made very poorly compared to many other brands. I have a 1985 mark Twain 19' bowrider, my brother has a 1987 Bayliner 19' bowrider. Unfortunately, BOTH boats needed a new deck and I worked on both. The entire sub-deck structure of my boat was 10x more robust than his bayliner. gas tank supports, stringers, you name it. Just not even close to the same quality.

My boat still has excellent upholstery - yet it was left out and mistreated by previous owners. 90% of 80's bayliners have cracked and ruined upholstery. Even those that were babied and still have OK upholstery have foam that has been worn out for 15 years! Cheap materials, not my opinion but a fact.

Screws, thru bolts, wiring, covers, latches, etc. all held up less well than most more expensive boats - because they were lower quality material and workmanship. That's just how it is and why Bayliners were a low cost boat. There's no mystery to it.

This is not a knock on Bayliner owners or their boats. It just bugs me when I see these threads where folks pretend high quality products are the same as low quality. It is true that the Mercruiser in a 1988 bayliner is the same as in a 1988 Cobalt, so IF the rest of the boat has been very well cared for and in good condition it's a fine boat to buy used. heck, I'd own one of the nicely kept ones in a second if it wasn't OMC I guess.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Everyone I've ever known that had one ended up with nothing but hassles.

If they were taken care of and don't have one of the bad power packages (no they don't make them, yes they do chose the cheapest possible option) they can be a good boat.

Are they a great boat nope never gonna happen, never were meant to be.

Don't feel bad if you have one and people understand that it is a cheap boat that was slapped together, it's only the truth.

Just have fun with it.

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Hey, instead of starting a holy war over boat manufacturers and their relative merits, how about cutting this guy this kind of break:

Is he going to personally enjoy this boat for the relatively insignificant amount of money spent?

$1200 is nothing, if he gets a couple of seasons of fun on the water out of it! I say good purchase, enjoy the boat!

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

And I disagree. Lets look at mechanical. All the mechanics in a Bayliner are the exact same as ANY other boat. GM/Ford engines tied to Volvo/Merc/OMC out drives. I mean Bayliner doesn't make this stuff.

As to the hulls, they seem to stand up as well as any of them. I've not seen them "broken" from use any more than any other hull. I mean yeah, you hit something and you can break them, but that is true of any fiberglass hull.

Finally, the only real thing I have seen is issues with the floors. But as others have said, that tends to be the fault of in-experianced owners (who could get into boating cheaply) and not how the boat is made.

Whats left? Not much other than the extras or accesories...

i dont realy care on way or the other. our bayliner has a lot in common with our sea ray. they both burn gas and float. lets see, after that, well the bayliner is better when.............................................sorry i cant come up with any thing.
bayliners have there place in the market just like every this else and they seem to fill this nich well due to the number of them around.
any one that thinks they are better quality,just as good as,or finshed as well as all other brands are realy kidding theirself. there an entry level boat. get over it and move on.
i cant see anyone being a snob for pointing out there,bayliners, short coming to some one who asks.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

When my friend Chris was working on his one of the guys hanging out pealed away part of the b and made it a g.

I had the funniest pic (lost it in the divorce) of them on their short maiden voyage (over heated) four guys, no shirts flexing as they pulled away from the ramp on the Gayliner.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

I think the thread title is related to a bayliner being a good first boat...Yes, as long as it is in good condition,low hours,merc powered,and solid floor/stringers ect..as for the folks who own bayliners and enjoy them..thats great!! but the fact remains there is no comparison between Donzi/Wellcraft/Formula/Fountain/Mariah/Baja/ and Bayliner,there a totally different class of boat just as Chevrolet is to Mercedes,I've raced offshore in a Pantera,Scarab,Fountain and a P class modified racer..given that i am pretty well versed on the construction of boats,i could go into alot of reasons why lower cost boats aren't as well built as there more pricey cousins,so be happy with what you have and enjoy whatever boat you happen to own.

 

[seagull369]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

After I ripped out the floor on my '89 capri a few years back, I discovered the poured in "floatation" foam water logged just about everywhere. Not only did this add literally hundreds of pounds to the boat, but would probably have made it sink like a stone even if it took on (otherwise) negligible amounts of water.

I tested the very little foam that wasnt affected by submerging it in water, and soaked it up like a sponge. So much for closed cell.

The coast guard told me foam in these kinda boats only needs to survive a max of 10 years according to their rules, but a boating manufacturer (not bayliner) I spoke with told me what happened was unacceptable and strongly urged me to contact the company. The calls I put into Bayliner were not returned.

 

[sfborn]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

I too just bought a 1987 Bayliner Capri on the cheap. It's my son's project boat while he is home from school. The boat is in pretty good shape as it was primarily garaged over past 20+ years. However, the one part that is bugging me is the base plate for the ski tow. It sits right in the middle of the floor and is rusting through the cheap chrome plating. I would love to know if there is a parts source out there where I could pick up one of these in decent shape. If not, I suppose I could try and have it replated.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

wow this is another old thread, it seems people have strong opinions on these boats, but to me if it floats and can go under its own power, who are we to judge, just look at the CUBAN'S and what they have used for boats a 50 ford truck comes to mind but seriously who cares for 1200.00 that is truly less than what it costs to rent a boat to fish on in canada for two weeks.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

I too just bought a 1987 Bayliner Capri on the cheap. It's my son's project boat while he is home from school. The boat is in pretty good shape as it was primarily garaged over past 20+ years. However, the one part that is bugging me is the base plate for the ski tow. It sits right in the middle of the floor and is rusting through the cheap chrome plating. I would love to know if there is a parts source out there where I could pick up one of these in decent shape. If not, I suppose I could try and have it replated.

Look up your local Bayliner dealer and call the parts department. The plate may still be available.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is Bayliner decent first boat?

Ayuh,...

I'm pretty darn Sure, that wasn't a Factory Option....
No Doubt an aftermarket addition....

Do a search for Ski Posts,...
Maybe you can ID it,+ get a replacement....