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

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

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

here is my two cents on the whole bayliner thing ...<br /><br />if you are a johnny on the spot, go gettum sorta guy that doesnt mind hard work, bayliners represent a tremendous VALUE for the money ... but from what ive read, there is a catch (aint there always a catch?)<br /><br />aside from the garage or barn stored creampuff, odds are good your bayliner will need lots of work, as will most any neglected 15 plus year old boat<br /><br />so you pour the money and work into your bayliner, and once repaired, you have a boat the equal of any boat out there, cause you have rebuilt it to YOUR specs, wood is sealed, glass is laid in place, your new laminated plywood transom will be stronger than any new one, the floor will last 20 years before anything will happen to it, even with lousy maintenence, if you want a good boat for low bucks, buy a larger beat up bayliner, and run it til you feel youve gotten your moneys worth<br /><br />and then the catch hits<br /><br />bayliners have a bad rep, they have low resale value, so if you are going to buy it and bump it up 4 feet in a year or two, go with a different brand<br /><br />if you arent mechanically inclined, or want a turn key boat, look elsewhere, unless you find a cream puff, but KEEP it a creampuff, keep her covered, keep the weather out of her, youll be fine

 

[catfish1]

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

as you can see there are different opinions about bayliners, i have an 85 mod myself. i replaced the floor in it this summer and i found no problem with the original construction of the boat, its a good boat. the only thing i can say if you consider buying a bayliner is try to find one rigged with an evinrude or merc or something like that, the force motors are usually a pain in the butt and have a little less power, they also have little to no resale value which will take the resale value of the whole boat down. just do some homework and you should be ok with a bayliner, nows the time to buy! good luck

 

[3boyzz]

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

In have a 1994 Starcraft Islander 191 that I have used in the San Juans and it worked great. The cuddy is big enough for my two sons, 8 & 10, and me to sleep. Or if I'm lucky me and my girlfriend!!. It is aluminum so I don't worry about dinging the hull. It has the 3.o mercruiser I/O and cruises all day at 30 mph (gps) and will go over 120 miles on a 38 gal tank.<br /><br />I'm going to sell it in the spring because I'm looking at a 24" plus boat. Kids are growing!!! I wish I could find a 24 aluminum!! Anyway, it has dual batts, ss prop, 2000 Tohatsu 15 hp 4 stoke with remote throttle and steering and a great cd stereo. The kicker is plumbed into the main tank so no extra tank is needed. There a few other goodies as well, so if u are interested, give me a holler. Good luck!!

 

[Goeb1133]

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

Bayliners are fine first boats(or second or third)... Stick to the later models. If it was made prior to the early 90's, inspect it thoroughly. Many bays were and are owned by inexperienced boaters and not properly maintained. Good luck, Goeb

 

[Stratocaster]

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

I get the feeling most of the "bilgeliner" comments are talking about the small runabouts. I base this on the frequent mention of outboard motors.<br />

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

Bondo, the only response you offered to this quote was something about "yes, the truth does hurt". You didn't respond to my comments. Where's the evidence? Exactly how many friends of your cousin's hairdresser have owned a Bayliner anyway?

 

[Jdeagro]

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

In defense of Bayliner! Getting a bad reputations is very easy, getting rid of it is near impossible. Let's look at the issue of quality from more than one point of view. If i were selling against Bayliner the price issue would be a problem that would need to be addressed. What is the easiest thing to say, It is "cheap" because that's the way they build them. The last thing you want is a pleasure craft that isn't so pleasurable. Scare tactics often work! <br /><br />Fact is that there are more Bayliners on the water than any other brand and more are sold everyday. <br /><br />No manufacturer, especialy the size of Bayliner(Brunswick) is going to knowingly build junk in their largest volume product line. It would be a death trap. They may risk problems with a low volume line but not their bread and butter.<br /><br />So why are they so much "cheaper"? It is one of the only lines that has enough volume (and automation)to drive component costs down. They are one of the few that can afford the engineering and tooling cost to make the boats more efficiently, and drive the cost down by amortizing the expense over a large number of boats. <br /><br />Compare the cost of a boat to a car, and compare the sophistication, accessories, conveniences, and reliability. The higher the volume the better chances you have of getting "the best bang for your buck". <br /><br />That doesn't mean that Bayliner is the best boat in the world, but it doesn't mean it isn't a good value. If it is a used boat your after, "buy condition and good maintenance". The year of the boat means less.<br /><br />Just my opinion!

 

[Bondo]

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

Well Stratocaster,<br />I'm Sure your friend Caroline has her own Opinion that She devoloped by asking Many other People their Opinions .......<br />And I can't think of Any more Direct Response to your Quote, Than My 1st Direct Response....<br />

"I've Rebuilt, Repaired,+ Junked Out More than a couple of Boats".........<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, <br />quote:<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> Built with the Least amount of Inferior Materials Possible to create the Illusion of a Quality Boat.... <br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And, That is Still a Fact.....<br /><br />I'm Glad you enjoy your Boat.... I even Looked at a Trophy, Once, for a Minute..... <br />But, I've seen a good many, Up Close + Personal..... <br />I'm Glad I waited,+ Went for Broke... The Boat of my Dreams.... <br /> It Now sets Stripped in the Shop....<br />And NO... It Aint No Bilgeliner....

 

[Stratocaster]

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

Well bondo, Caroline is not my "friend" as you put it, but many boaters feel that she is their friend. She tracks and compiles statistics on boat recalls, safety issues and so forth for BoatUS. She calls em as she sees em. The quote about Bayliners being no better or no worse than any other brand of boat was from her. That's a comment based on facts, not opinions. Not trying to convert anybody here, just saying for crissakes don't confuse facts with opinions...they aren't the same thing.

 

[johnnybigrigger]

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

...

 

[Capn Mike]

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

I have a 23' Striper and like it very much. There are other Stripers in my marina, and Sea Rays, and Bayliners, and so on. And there are more Bayliners than any other make.<br />Those that are well maintained, regardless of make, bring smiles to their owner's. Those who don't know nor care about maintenance always seem to have problems, regardless of make.<br />Guess those Bayliner owners who are having good experiences with their boats need to talk to Bondo to learn the error of their ways.... <br />Prejudice of any kind cannot be reversed with facts. But where undermind lives, there are a ton of good Bayliners for sale...find one and buy it right. And then enjoy.

 

[catfish1]

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

bondo, i have asked before and got no reply from you but i'll ask again. why do you call bayliners, bilgeliners? are you saying that bayliners leak? my bayliner is 19yrs old and doesnt leak a drop, never has! its been through some punishing water conditions too.

 

[Bondo]

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

catfish1,<br />Merely a play of words.... the bilge is a pretty Low place.....Which is where Bayliner is on My boat list....<br />I don't shuffle paper to find Facts.....<br />I Crawl through Bilges to find Facts.....<br />I was asked my Opinion, which is based on the Facts I've found to be True....<br />If a Four Winns or Wellcraft or Grady White or Even a Starcraft has a panel made out of 1/2" plywood, the Bilgeliners will use 3/8s"...And on, And on....<br />I'm Sure there are Many fine bayliners out there,+ If that's what you Need, Go For It..!!<br />I'm just pointing out there are Many Better Boats out there.....

 

[rodbolt]

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

hello<br /> I read with intrest all the posts about bayliners . it is an entry level boat. as were the maxum the hydrasport and a few others. all were decent boats. most suffered because the owners had so many other payments they could not afford to maintain the boat. one of the few good boats left appears to be grady white. it is rare that I have a problem with a grady and one call to them is all it ever takes to get it fixed. I too have laaughed at bayliners but its like comparing a chevette to a lexus.if you can find a bayliner that was maintained andis in good shape I dont see a problem. or you can buy a new grady white or boston whaler anyway<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[catfish1]

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

bondo, its cool! i was just wondering if it had something to do with leaks. hey, while i have your attention, check out my post on the inboards forum (motor locked up!)

 

[93bronco]

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

the good thing about bayliners is they have a bad rep, so that means you can usually get it cheaper.<br />-<br />ive went to the last 2 boat shows here & inspected alot of boats. i was shocked at how poor sea pro and sea hunt were constructed.<br />the sea pro was by far the worst.<br />ive even saw a 23ft hydra sport vector series with the foam flotation falling down in the gunwales, i guess it was caused by moving it to the show.<br />-<br />as with any boat there are issues.<br />like the guy up the street from me who owns a 21ft mako that had 2obs motors but he changed it to 1. he never sealed the other 8 holes, now his transom is bad.<br />-<br />dont let them steer you away from a bayliner on rumors, they are an entry level boat- there are more out there, so its only logical to have more complaints.

 

[MajBach]

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

Bilgeliner:<br />Harry Krause - a very outspoken member in the alt.boats.cruising news group coinded the term several years ago.

 

[JAZZedBW]

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

Get a BOSTON WHALER or a Carver. 2 BEST BOATS!

 

[Stratocaster]

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

Carver...best boat alright.<br /><br /> http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/Carver370.htm <br /><br />Boston Whaler...intelligent design!<br /><br /> http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/boston_whaler_outrage_26.htm <br /><br />My point? Just like Bayliners, these boats are probably not nearly as bad as Mr. Pascoe says, nor nearly as good as the "purists" say.<br /><br />It seems simple to me. As long as a boat is safe, well-designed, economical and performs well in expected conditions, then it's a "Good Boat".

 

[Jdeagro]

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

MajorBach;<br /><br />Missed you in Canada - sorry!

 

[kclark1963]

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

There isd some really good advice being given. I recently purchased my first boat it's 17' deep V hull 1963 Lone Star w/ a 1968 100 hp Johnson.<br /><br />I"ve polished and waxed the boat put a new Bimini Top on new seats and a 2000 Johnson 115 hp 2 stroke w/power tilt/trim.<br /><br />When i take it out iget all kind of compliments on this boat and I can go fishing or pull skiers with it. I paid $800 for this boat that included the the trailer with 16" wheels and I've put about $3600 into it to for the engine, seats and top and some of time cleaning it up.<br /><br />If you find something you like do some research and then buy.<br /><br />I love my boat