What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

[gregintexas]

I just got my first boat from an old coworker of mine: a 1989 Bayliner Capri 2150 with an OMC 5.8L. In reading these posts, Bayliner seems to be bashed pretty well, along with OMC. I realize Bayliner is not top of the line, but we took it out and it ran great. Has new transom and lower drive as of last year. The boat itself seems solid and in good repair. Am I missing something here?? What is the issue with an OMC engine and drive unit?<br />Any insights here would be appreciated.

 

[Pony]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Greg as with anything really, something is only as good as how well it was maintained. Bayliners are known for being affordable. As a result a lot of newbie boaters bought them as starter boats. As you can imagine many werent maintained properly etc. They have a history of rotting floors and stringers, and compared to other boats in the same class it isnt manufactured with the same quality features and sometimes materials. Its the same reason why lots of bashing goes on about Force enigines. I cant help ya with the OMC part of your post.......but bayliners can be good boats if cared for properly. IMHO. My unccle has one. like many others the floor had to be replaced but it was because his garage was leaking in the winter and all the snow melted in his boat and saturated to floor. I'm sure you will get quite a variety of opinions on this one...

 

[tommays]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

the issue with OMC is that there no longer makeing drives <br /><br />so parts and service have become hit and miss <br /><br />most parts can be found<br /><br />if you have a good service person that is the real key to keeping it going<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[gregintexas]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Thanks for the input. Good ongoing maintenance is key. I feel my boat was pretty well kept up so I'm feeling good about it. Also have a good, old-school mechanic who can take care of the engine/drive, so I guess I'm okay.

 

[JB]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

B'liners have always been entry level boats, a lot of boat for the bux.<br /><br />To meet pricing goals they had to be built cheap, making them very vulnerable to poor maintenance. Your 16 year old boat with a new transom is an excellent illustration. If the stringers are not new they may soon need to be.<br /><br />They are still a lot of boat, and pretty boats, for the buying price. Unfortunately they will not tolerate neglect and they will not stand up to inspection of the little details of materials and workmanship that some of us insist on.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Greg ,if you owned the boat WHEN it need a new transom,you may be Bayliner bashing right now..??A new transom is a major job/problem/expense and if you owned the boat and were faced with that problem ,you would have a totally different outlook.Charlie

 

[mercrewser]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

LOTS of 1989 vintage boats need new transoms. and floors. and stringers. and cores. etc etc.

 

[zuup_2000]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

I have also heard alot of bayliner bashing. My father bought a bayliner back in 1988, It was a 2550 sierra with the flybridge, and the OMC I/O. My father was very meticulous with his maintenance, and the boat was very well kept. It was used all summer long for walleye fishing and even into the fall for salmon fishing. This went on every year untill 1998, and he never had any problems with the boat. He even got very good money for it at sale time. <br /> The funny thing is that friends of his bought a 28ft sea-ray at about the same time. Which had a handful of problems throughout the same time period. He didnt do much maintenance, which is probably the reason for his problems. <br /> I believe that the second reply is a pretty accurate. Maintenance is a big factor.<br /> I own a 1987 bayliner 17ft capri with the 85HP force. I have not had a bit of trouble with the boat or the motor, even though everyone is telling me that its going to go bad soon.<br /> I would not hesitate to buy a bayliner, especially when the prices are so good.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

zuup,in your case your bayliner is the better part of your boat/motor combo.If you have not had a bit of trouble with the motor,you are waaaaaaaaay ahead of the game.Sorry if you think I am bashing but it is fact.If you get another bayliner stick with Jonnirude,Merc,yamaha if its an outboard and mercruiser if its an i/o.Charlie

 

[zuup_2000]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

What exactly is known for going bad on the Force motors? This is the first Force Ive owned. My previous boats had a 90HP johnson 84 model, and the other was a searay with a mercruiser(good old 1976 model). My father has had a handful of boats. Majority of them were Johnsons, and one was a OMC seadrive outboard.<br /> The Force is a pretty basic looking set-up, so I was curious what was usually first to go out on them. Is there something I can keep an eye on?

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Its the same reason that people who shop 5th ave NYC bash those of us that shop at walmart. My wife likes expensive... and I like 3 of cheap cause I'll probably trash it anyway... and if I do.... still have money left to buy another. <br /><br />sorry if this doesnt mak sense... typing while driving

 

[Booner]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

greg:<br /> I think JB covered it. Entry-level boat that was inexpensively produced. You let us know what you think about your bayliner/OMC combo in a few years.

 

[trebor0301]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

I Bought a used Bayliner for next to nothing.Its a 1984 so I would expect a little nickel and dimeing to happen.The funny thing is,here on iboats I see posts asking for help fixing the same stuff as me.The only difference is they have all the other brands of boats like SeaRay,Baha,ect.,ect. and sometimes much newer models.So Greg don't let them get you down.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Yeah, they all rot out. When you're looking at boats over five years old history is more important than brand name for the most part. Some were built better than others but that doesn't matter much when they're sitting in a snow bank.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

"has new transom"... <br /><br />Here we go again........ <br /><br />I always thought the transom was part of the boat.

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Check out this link:<br /><br /> http://p076.ezboard.com/fbocwebfrm39.showMessage?topicID=5.topic <br /><br />Stay away from OMC, as mentioned above. Most parts are not avaiable anymore. If looking for a Bayliner or similar brand, try to find one with Mercruiser or Volvo power.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

the floor had to be replaced but it was because his garage was leaking

I've heard it all know. <br /><br />We're arguing the merits of a boat whose floors rot when exposed to water.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

I think the questions been answered. LMAO

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Originally posted by Mercrewser:<br /> LOTS of 1989 vintage boats

1989 is vintage now? Man, that stings. It seems like only yesterday...

 

[Bondo]

Re: What's Up With All the Bayliner Bashing??

Nope,......... I'll Never BadMouth a Bilgeliner to a Prospective Buyer,....... Not Me,......... <br /><br />I'll have to Bookmark this thread for Future Reference,................................