keep my bayliner?

[henrymox]

ive been trying to decide for most of the winter if i should keep my 89 bayliner 1700 capri 85hp force or buy a new bayliner 175. the only reason this is even an issue is because last year towards the end of the season the starter started acting up and then the choke was being a pain, i closed the season on a very low note(i didnt even winterize the motor i was just sick of it) and i dont care for being towed in anymore. i had decided i was either going to get an etec or a new boat. i got all the info on the etec and talked to people who own them and really liked what i heard. im just having trouble justifying putting that much money into a motor for an 80s bayliner. i know they have the reputation of being cheap boats that dont last but mine is in really good shape and i really do like the styling of it. the only thing wrong with it that i can think of is a small crack in the hull right under the ladder maybe an inch long its been there since i bought it. i figured if the boat did deteriorate too bad id just buy another old bayliner and put my etec on that one. can anybody give me some suggestions? maybe im overlooking something or just not thinking right. any help would be great thanks.8

 

[fishmen111]

Re: keep my bayliner?

Depends on what you want to spend Henry. From what you say, I would repower with the etec to keep initial costs down and keep my eye out in the future for a nice upgrade boat with a blown motor and switch the etec over. Bayliners are hard to beat in the bang for your buck catagory.

 

[slia67]

Re: keep my bayliner?

I don't know how much the etec's run (I assume $8-10k for a 115 hp model), but I believe you can get a new 175 for less than $12k. Plus, you may be able to still pick up an '07 left-over much cheaper.


Doug

 

[CharlieB]

Re: keep my bayliner?

I'm all for more power, but............

remember that you HAVE TO stay within the limitations of the manufacter's rating for that hull.

There should be an information plate that list maximum load, maximum # of persons, and maximum horsepower.

Some states (and Insurance Co's) will not allow ANY excess power. Period.

 

[Dave K.]

Re: keep my bayliner?

this is what i plan on doing, maybe it will help you. i have a '84 capri cuddy/ 85hp. mine runs great & the boat is in real good shape as well. plan on running it this year & maybe next but ultimately want to sell the whole package & simply upgrade both, boat & motor. if it was me having motor problems, i would repair them as they don't really seem to be BIG problems. i would then probably sell & upgrade BOTH, or, run it another year. either way i wouldn't go thru the expense & trouble of changing out motors. don't forget, especially now, that an 85hp is in the small to medium size range & gas still isn't bad (at least on mine) & that set up might still be worth something (of course w/ a running motor that is) i also like the bayliner style & they are priced right, so i would fix/ run or sell/ then get the 175....my 2 cents!

 

[tommays]

Re: keep my bayliner?

You do not really say if you have tried to have the motor repiared and it keeps failing

 

[azlakes]

Re: keep my bayliner?

1989 bayliner with a force whata POS get rid of it.

... what a tremendous contribution you just offered. we should turn that into a sticky post.


Henry, i echo Dave Kirks comments.

g-luck

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: keep my bayliner?

Its pretty simple...if the novelty of the boat and motor are over for you...its time to sell it. Same usually goes for cars, bikes, TV's...you name it. If it's not and you are just being a little annoyed with some mechanical issues...then hit Frank C. up in the Force forum....he'll give exactly the info you probably need to get it dialed back in. For a little elbow grease and a few bucks you may be smiling again.
This also makes sense if money is an issue. For something way less than a $1000 you can probably get your previous reliability back.
However if you just want to repower....ante up the bucks and go for it. There appear to be some great newer motors out there, although they aren't giving 'em away....apparently.
Best of Luck all around!!
BP

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: keep my bayliner?

upgrade to the bayliner 205. killer boat. 3 options, bow rider , wake board, fish n ski.

 

[cbavier]

Re: keep my bayliner?

Welcome Aboard Henry.

You'll find lots of help, opinions and FREE Advice here at i boats.
There is just about any topic your interested in posted here on the Forums

 

[roadrunnr]

Re: keep my bayliner?

Henry:
I have a similar setup except it's an 89 Maxum with an 85 hp Force. I believe the maximum horsepower rating is 85. I went through the same decision you are going through right now a few years back. Because 85 hp outboards are no longer produced and putting a 90 would exceed the rating, I chose to repair the old Force. Like you, I like my hull and it's in excellent shape. Good luck with your decision. Keep in mind a boat with a non functioning motor might be harder to sell, unless your willing to give it away. Posting your problems in the Force forum will probably give you good insight on how to remedy your Force problems. A lot of these outboards are parted out on ebay, so acquiring parts shouldn't be a problem.

 

[skinny water1]

Re: keep my bayliner?

why would you even consider running a force. 85hp your lucky if your getting 40hp.......

 

[elwopo]

Re: keep my bayliner?

Wow....interesting post Henry! I've been going through the SAME dilemna for quite a while now. I only recently decided what I'm going to do...and began acting on it just days ago. Since I don't know much about your situation or how you like to use your boat....I'll just fill you in on how I came to this and you can see if anything works for you.

I've got a 96 capri 1700 with a Force (farce?) engine. It had 40 hours on it but became nothing but trouble. Won't bore you with details but it left me stranded 5 times. Had it to several mechanics and followed every bit of friendly advice I got here. Finally the lower unit blew out. So I let it sit while I tried to "decide" what to do. Life got in the way....and it sat for 2 years.
Probably just like you....back and forth....new engine....new boat....new engine...new boat....

Well I've been looking at new boats for 2 months. Lots of good stuff out there but nothing perfect. Not enough outbards (which I prefer) and the new layouts have so much bench seating that walking around for fishing is next to impossible. I don't know if your model has this....but in the back area of mine are plastic brackets that a seat cushion can snap onto (in the back corners. Taking friends out....snap em in. Going fishing...leave em at home for much more room. Nothing new I've seen has this.

Another factor is speed. It's important to me but not to everyone. When the Force worked it spoiled me. Factory prop and it was 48 mph all day long. 96 was the "anniversary" version so they put the highest hp the boat would take. Most other years they put 90s on them. If you go with a new boat most don't come with the highest hp it can take.

So...for me....it was get something new for around 23k (because if I'm going new I'm going bigger), get an engine upgrade to run at 50 mph (or more) plus the "extras" they can get you for. I would probably wind up in the 30-35k range to get all the features I have now....but "new".

My solution....11k for a brand new etec 115 and I'll clean and fix everything on the boat I have and know works for me.

If you're thinking aobut the 175...it's nice but being stern drive you're going to lose some interior room that you're used to.

Nobody can tell you what exactly to do because no one knows what is important to you....like you do. Just look at the options and whittle it down to what features matter most. The good thing is that no matter what you do you're probably going to wind up happy and not second guess yourself. You'll be back on the water with something reliable.

Best of luck to you....make your decision....then get out and have some fun!
Life is too short to do anything else.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: keep my bayliner?

why would you even consider running a force. 85hp your lucky if your getting 40hp

....ahhh, the naysayers...and with a double post for double affect....or not.
You should have a honest chat with Frank C. in the Force forum, he sheds a lot of light on the Force and its 'apparent' dubious background (its not quite what people think it is)
It's actually a pretty reasonable and simple motor, until Merc took it over and then phased it out..in a pretty marginal way.
Anywhooo....my 90'/90hp has run sweet and problem free since I bought it. Good power, good sound, good deal all in all. I had it out over 30 times last year...all trouble free. Knock on wood...and hopefully good maintenance will keep it that way.
All Good.
BP

 

[roadrunnr]

Re: keep my bayliner?

Henry:
With a little maintenance you could repair your starter motor for very little outlay in cash. Search the Force forum for starter motor and you'll find a wealth of onfo on disassembling, cleaning and replacing the brushes on your starter. The choke circuit is pretty simple and easy to troubleshoot. I've had problems with mine because of a weak/old battery. Replacing the battery resolved the problem. Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted!

 

[silveraire]

Re: keep my bayliner?

Just to throw a brick in your plan, have you thought about a slightly used bayliner 180? It will cost you between $8000 and $9000 to get a 90 e-tec. For a little more money, you could get a nice 2004-2006 180. They are outboards and run merc. motors. If you make that choice, try to find one with an opti on it.

chad

 

[ezmobee]

Re: keep my bayliner?

If it was me and I was happy with the boat, I would fix my Force. If I did not think I could get the Force to be reliable enough I'd start looking around for a used Johnny/Rude of similar HP. At least then parts would be easier to obtain and there'd be a greater pool of mechanics available to work on it. The money you'd spend on the used Johnny/Rude you'd easily get back when the time came for you to sell.

 

[Mike_V]

Re: keep my bayliner?

I went through the same misery with the brand of boat and engine that were more POPULAR - Chris Craft and Evinrude Rebuilt the whole boat motor and trailer and could still not trust it on the ocean.
Considering the high cost of modern low emissions outboard engines versus the fact that you can get a recent model 18' bow rider with an I/O for about the same price - or less - than the outboard. The I/O takes up more room, has less power to weight, but you can get a whole newer boat motor and trailer for less.
Then SPEND YOUR TIME BOATING with peace of mind.
Chances are the 17' or 18' used bow rider may be garaged and in fine condition with the owner who has "two foot 'itis".

 

[dst87mcssac]

Re: keep my bayliner?

I have a 1996 Force 75 on a Pontoon Boat and my Force Motor has done a good job expect for one problem. I seem to go thru a new starter every two seasons. Currently, I am on my fourth starter unit. I use my boat almost every weekend durring the summer. I have rebuilt the starters and purchased new ones. My advise to you is go to E-bay and purchase a new after-market starter for $90.00. It cost the same to have them rebuilt so I would just go with a new aftermarket unit.

I am considering just replacing my starter every seasons as a cheap insurance policy. If you go to the Force Forum you will see that the starter seems to be the weak link in that motor.

I am going to run mine until it blows up. Repowering only makes since if you are planning on holding on to the boat for many more years.

I hope this helps,

Donald