They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

[undermind]

My 2 friends that are into boating both say to stay away from Bayliner. They say that they are poorly made. But neither of them own boats.<br /><br />It seems tough to look for a boat that's NOT a Bayliner. If they're so bad, it seems like a lot of people screwed up because I see them everywhere. <br /><br />I'm looking for a good starting boat that is dependable and safe. I'd like to have a small cabin for weekend getaways around the San Juan Islands in WA. I will do some leisure and light fishing, all SW. I'm able to spend up to about 12,000-15,000.<br /><br />I want the best value, I'm sure I will be buying used. What should I look out for? Any suggestions for my first boat?

 

[Bondo]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

Listen to you Friends......<br />Bilgeliners are built with the Least amount of Inferior Materials Possible to create the Illusion of a Quality Boat....

 

[mattttt25]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

if you are handy with tools and don't mind doing some engine work, you can pick up a used boat for that price that will suite your needs.<br /><br />bayliners are not that bad. they are a value boat, built with cheap materials and not the best practices. but if taken care of, you get your money's worth. most people don't own a boat for 15 years, they are constantly re-sizing (up or down). so if you see a bayliner you like and can afford, go for it. you'll probably be buying something bigger in a few years anyway.<br /><br />good luck and enjoy-

 

[denniz]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

Bayliners WERE junk 85-90 Now they are a good boat (if your looking at new ones.)

 

[PROLINEINMICHIGAN]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

I agree -- buy a smaller quality boat rather than a larger cheaper built boat. rather have an 18 ft quality boat rather than a 25ft cheaper boat. It is my opinion that any boat last for a few years --- but after that -- some boats seem to go to hell or need a large amount of repair while other still keep going.<br /><br />A good bang for the buck --- proline --- I spent several years searching before I bought my boat. A great hull (with a great warranty) -- built to last. But it is still reasonably priced. New 22ft with 200 merc should be around 25k. Used boat will be significantly cheaper but because of the quality --- still in good shape

 

[PROLINEINMICHIGAN]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

I also agree with rod --- I see alot of trophys (made by bayliner) on lake michigan everyday. lake Michigan pounds a boat to death -- so they can't be that bad. I don't have any personal experience with them however

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

A bayliner is a fine boat as long as you know what you are buying and check it out. Check the deck for springiness/sponginess. Look over the transom for cracks. I just bought my first boat, a 1988 bayliner capri 1950 with the 135HP i/o and I love it. Deck is solid and the boat is clean with the exception of some torn vinyl on the seats. I got a steal of a deal, current owner was unloading it for a bigger boat, asking $1800 but I got the boat motor and trailer ready to go for $1200. Just gotta think of a name now. <br /><br />I am not saying that the bayliners are top quality, but taking advice from people who have never owned a boat does not make much sense. My dad said the same thing, bayliners are not the best boat out there, but when he saw what I was getting for the price I was paying he said go for it. He's owned many many boats, wellcrafts, robalos, last 2 boats were a 2650 robalo and he now has a 20 foot aquasport. <br /><br />This is my first boat and I love it. Just having a boat is all I wanted, something that floated and ran. If you are doing the lake/bay thing the bayliner will suit you fine. Just check it out well because there are bad ones out there that will fall apart on you. Bounce around on the floor and check if it's solid everywhere. That's the #1 complaint I see, rottes floor/stringers. If you find a solid one and you like it my advice is buy it and enjoy it. If it's a nerwe model (and by newer I mean like 92 and up) they are much better built than the older ones that gave them a bad reputation. <br /><br />Good luck!!

 

[ratherbefishin]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

I think you get what you pay for.If you want a hand crafted, finely finished yacht quality boat, be prepared to shell out .For a fish boat, I'd choose a quality welded aluminum boat- utilitarian, functional and robust.You don't worry about spilling your coffee.

 

[susan61]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

My 19' 1991 Bayliner and I spent 10 years together on the chesapeake bay and she saw a lot of fish come aboard. She took a lot of rough water during that time. I had very few problems other than a minor carb problem with the mercruiser 3.0 I/O. Any boat will suffer from abuse, however do the maintenance and a bayliner will give you years of trouble free pleasure. One thing however if the boat has been stored outside check very carefully for any hidden rot in the wood under the decks and transom.

 

[conimicut1]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

I agree, a bayliner is not a POS, but it all comes down to cost, don't pay alot for one, because when you want to sell it you'll get an even lower resale. One friend said they have cheaper fitings and less of them, like only two versus four cleats. Once you buy all that stuff you've could've bought a better name. The name and reputation does matter, even if its not totally deserved. Just think, a non-boater thinks that bayliners aren't that good, that has to kill resale. Buy the best you can afford, you'll never feel bad, even when you have a problem.<br /><br />Now another idea. I bought a fixer upper and got it to run great, but sometimes wonder if I should have bought new. if you buy used, lets say 8 years old, you have to pay for a survey, pay higher interest and probably fix a few thingswuith aggravation and not being able to use it for a month or so during a short seaon and then try and sell it five years later, now its 12 years old and you get very little. Buy new? lower interest, warranty and better fuel economy and performance. If you have the cash to factor in a payment every month and sell or trade in the boat every 5 years, recouping over half the purchase cost, you may find its a better way. The low interest rates make buying new vs old a tough decision. I'd say you'd have to get a five year old boat for less than half of what it costs new, if not buy the new one. You said the best value that has to include resale and painfree use, after all it is a luxury for enjoyment.<br /><br />My only other comment, figure what you'll be doing on the boat and buy one for that purpose, many boat makers specialize in a use, like some make ski boats others fishing.<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[timothyl]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

For an entry level boat, Bayliners dont seem to be that bad. <br /> Bondo, don't take offense, but isn't it true that 'Any boat is better than no boat at all...'<br /><br />Bondo<br />"Any Grease is Better, Than No Grease At All..."

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

What bondo says is a perfect example of the crap spouted forth by boat owners who like to justify their "premium" boat purchase by looking down their nose at those who would dare to buy a boat that's actually worth what you pay for it. Bayliners are no better, or no worse than any other boat on the water. Do a Google search and see if you can find any ACTUAL evidence of Bayliners being inferior boats. All you'll turn up is the usual load of BS offered by those who have never owned one, yet seem to know everything about them. Ask Caroline Ajootian on BoatUS...uh-oh bondo, the truth hurts.<br /><br />Mike P

 

[J_Papi]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

I agree Stratocaster. I have an '89 Thundercraft 25 foot. Not the top of the line boat and not the bottom. Check into the boat you are buying, get a survey, look after the maintenance and that Bayliner will give you years of pleasure.

 

[snohomishbaddawg]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

For what you have to spend you will probably have to go used. If you are going to weekend in the San Juans you will want atleast 19 ft and probably 21 or more. Take a look at how often you will be using the cuddy and decide how big you really need. <br />If you decide a new boat is what you want you are going to be limited in your choices in that price range, especially if you want a cuddy. Bayliner will probably give you the most for your money if you decide on a new boat, but a cuddy that will meet your needs will be hard to find in your price range.<br />Also make sure you budget for all the extras you will need to do the thing you want. For the San Juans you MUST have a vhf radio and depth sounder. I would also recommend a very good set of charts and a GPS. If you want to fish alot for salmon you may want downriggers. Lots of times you can get a used boat with a lot of the toys already installed. You may also want to look at a kicker motor, great for fishing and a real lifesaver if your main goes "KABOOM"!<br />I live in Everett and looked for a long time before I bought my Arima SeaRanger 17. I had alot of the same criteria as you, except I planned on fishing the sound and strait 99% of my time on the boat. I do pull a tube once in a while, but mostly its me and 1 or 2 others fishing. The cuddy would be OK if I really needed to sleep in it, but I prefer a nice hotel or cabin. Mine is a 94 with a 90hp on it and I paid 9000.00. I added a new depth finder and a new kicker and it already had 2 downriggers, vhf, stereo so its pretty much set. <br />Look at a lot of boats and ride in as many as you can and then when you find one HAVE FUN!!!

 

[p sully]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

I would suggest you check an owner satisfaction <br />web site like JD Power. I used them prior to <br />purchasing my 1998 Sea Ray BR185 and the comments I read about on some other brands and Sea Ray were accurate based upon test rides and discussions with experienced boaters.The web site is jdpower.com You will find a "boat" button on the consumer site<br />Good Luck!<br />Sully

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

BUMP<br /><br />

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

...

 

[RatherBFishing]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

I had heard the same thing about bayliners as someone mentioned up above. I think they mentioned to avoid 1985 to 1990. I was thinking the range was more mid '80s. The reason I heard to avoid them was that during their "bad years" they were not sealing the supports or struts or whatever it is they use to reinforce the hull. They would tend to rot. I am pretty sure I heard they fixed those problems and their later boats are a good budget boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

Touche.......... <br />Very Excellent Point tlands.........<br /><br />undermind, There are Tons of Boats out there For Sale, this time of year is the Best time to be looking.... Up at the top of this page is a listing.... Or you can go over here + look.. http://www.boattraderonline.com/ <br />You Should be able to find a Quality boat with a Mercruiser at around 22' or 24'... That's still a trailerboat... Much bigger,+ it gets to be a pain to launch + retrieve... The advice above is Top-Notch... <br />Look, Poke, Inspect... Find a Mechanic to bring along when you look...<br />AND, Always Remember,

boats are like bank accounts... you can't get them too big! <br />

I've Rebuilt, Repaired,+ Junked Out More than a couple of Boats.........<br />I Don't run a Premiun boat now... 1974 Starcraft Islander... And I've had it down to the Rivits,+ Rebuilt it My Way, since I've owned it...<br />I'm just stating My Opinion, Based on the Facts I've learned in my adventures....<br />And, Being an Entry Level boat, Bilgeliners are in Fact,

Built with the Least amount of Inferior Materials Possible to create the Illusion of a Quality Boat.... <br />

Yes Stratocaster, The Truth Really Does Hurt....

 

[MajBach]

Re: They say "Don't get a Bayliner" so what should I get??

It IS the truth. Bayliners are an entry level boat, both in price and quality - it's simply a fact. It is also true that they have improved in leaps and bounds as has been already suggested. But, UNARGUEABLY they are one of the best values out there. There is a lot to choose from and I consider them an excellent choice for a first time buyer. No matter what boat you buy, it's going to swallow your money in more ways than you ever imagined. You buy a B/L and you'll still have some left-over to feed it. I think you get more than what you pay for than what you would with say a Sea Ray. I owned an '87 Sea Ray Sundancer. could have owned two B/L's for the same price. The fit and finish, durabilty etc. of the Sea Ray WAS NOT light years ahead of a B/L - not enough to justify the price anyway. <br />The only thing you learn to accept other than the fact that they are not top-quality and may require a more scrutiny when buying used, is the reputation they have on the water. No other boat that I can think of breeds these types of discussions. If you can accept Sea Ray and Carver owenrs turning their noses up at you when you drive by, then a B/L will suit you fine. I happen to think they have some nice designs myself.