Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

[prorider17]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum, but not new to the boating world. However, this is my first boat bought by myself. I've searched the internet and found that for my budget and wants in a first-time boat, the Bayliner 185 was up my alley. I found a 2004 Bayliner 185. It's all up-to-date on the maintenance and is in awesome shape for what it's time.

Two questions though:
1. The seats have mold residue on them. I've read that different cleaners should help, so I'll experiment. Any advice would be appreciated.
2. On the stern, underneath the removable back seats, I noticed cracks in the paint. I'm told this is common and not a big deal to worry about, but thought I'd ask what the deal is with it. I've posted pics below. Besides these cracks, the floor, transom and every other part of the boat are in incredible shape! The boat only has 60 hours.

Here are a few pics:

 

[briangcc]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

As for the mold...in my owners manual, there's a formula for a mold remover. It goes along the lines of distilled water, white vinegar and peroxide. Spray it on, wipe it off, and then finish up with a good vinyl protectant. I can get the exact formula this weekend if someone doesn't pipe in sooner.


As for those cracks...I'm no expert, do not play one on TV, and have not stayed at a Holiday Inn (recently) but from what I see, that's not paint cracking, that's fiberglass cracking. If that's indeed the case, that's not a good sign. And in this instance, I hope I'm wrong but you are the owner of a 10 yr old boat that isn't wood free. And cracking in a boat isn't common.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

Those hatches are below the bow seats, correct?

And the 'bottom' of this compartment is the backside of the hull, correct?

The cracks tend to get worse the closet they come to the consoles, correct?

Based on this pix:

1 or both are open to the footwell below each console.

I'd crawl around under the boat & see if you can see any spider cracking in the gelcoat that I suspect is directly on the other side of the compartment's bottom. From the chine to the keel along both sides of the boat.

Post pix of anything you find.

Further inspection of the entire boats' wood structure is warranted, but off hand, the cracks you're asking about aren't, in & of themselves, alarming, IMO.

BTW: I stayed overnight in a hotel recently, will tonight too, but not at a Holiday Inn Express, so............ :watermelon:

Welcome to iboats & boat ownership. Ormand Beach, my wife's aunt & uncle live there. Pretty nice weather you folks are having about now. The crew @ the dry dock will help you get this Bayliner cleaned up & in use, no problem. Might take some work, it is a10yr old boat.

Let us know what you find on the hull, and post up more pix. Can't have too many..

Where'd this boat come from, it certainly doesn't look like it's seen rough or ocean service:

 

[prorider17]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

Thanks for the responses. The pic of the front cushion was about the mold. The two other pics showing the cracks are on the stern side of the boat underneath the stern seats. I've heard it's common and I shouldn't freak out. It doesn't look drastic enough to say it's fiberglass cracking, but I'm also a noob.. That's the only area out of the boat that has that too. The entire bilge area has no cracks at all.

The boat has next to no hours on it.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

If she were mine, I'd HAVE to sand those cracks down with some 60 grit and find out if it was Paint or Gelcoat and then re-coat with the appropriate coating. But...That's just me and it may not be "required" at all.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

I can only add that stress cracks may or may not be something to concern yourself with...
If they are a surface finish crack and not a structural lay up crack, then you really have nothing to worry about...
I would take the suggestion of "jbcurt00" and inspect the outer hull very, very carefully...
If the interior cracks have matching "twins" on the outer skin of the hull...it may be very possible the boat has seen some extremely rough handling, whether on a trailer running hard over train tracks, in transport or some really serious wave action in the water...this I would be concerned about...
If they are a cosmetic thing, you can easily sand/grind down the cracks and re-fill them with what ever product was originally used on the finish, either paint or gel coat...as "woodonglass" mentioned...this is something I would definitely take care of sooner than later, as any compromise of the sealed surface will eventually allow water to penetrate the wooden sub-structure and begin the dreaded process of allowing rot to form...
If the damage is structural, then you have a much bigger job on your hands...but not one that is out of the realm of your capabilities...
Whatever the case, best of luck...
GT1M

 

[prorider17]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

@GT1000000 what do you mean by the outer hull? I see no visible signs of any stress anywhere on the boat besides these two areas. Just curious. I can take a video shortly for you to see.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

@GT1000000 what do you mean by the outer hull? I see no visible signs of any stress anywhere on the boat besides these two areas. Just curious. I can take a video shortly for you to see.

What I mean is if there is any visible cracking of the gel coat on the outside surface of the hull...
If not, then the stress cracks may be nothing more than a cosmetic issue, but one that I would definitely want to re-surface to prevent any future water intrusion into the substrates...
One way to check for cracks is to get some powdered chalk, like that used in a chalk line, and rub it on the surface of the hull...if there are any significant cracks, the powdered chalk will get into those areas and show up...

 

[prorider17]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

Thanks for clarifying. I'll definitely investigate further to see what the potential outcome of this will be. The outer hull is in incredible shape. The deck is in great shape too.. It just seems to be these two areas that have the cracks.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

You're very welcome and keep us updated as to your findings...

 

[prorider17]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

So, I took my photos over to my local Bayliner dealership. They say it's nothing to worry about. It's just the top coating of the paint in that area, but hasn't affected the gel coat or anything like that. I guess the people who built the boat didn't scuff up the top layer of the gel coat enough before laying the paint down.

I'm told I can sand down the cracks and re-paint with an epoxy paint. Would anyone know what the best course of action in handling this would be? Any product recommendations? He said I could paint it on. I just want it looking good before I hit the water in a week or two's time.

Thanks!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

Looki in to a two part polyurethane paint such as interlux. they are very good

 

[prorider17]

Re: Just bought a 2004 Bayliner 185 - Few Questions!

Hey Woodonglass - Would you recommend the Interlux Interprotect 2000E? My noob knowledge is pointing me in the direction of it - Interprotect 2000E Epoxy Boat Fiberglass Barrier Gray, Quart - Interlux Y2000EKIT/QT - iboats