Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

[JohnnyZ28]

Is this a decent deal? It is a 21' Bayliner Capri with a 5.0L V8 Mercruiser Alpha One Drive (225hp). The owner said he bought it from his friend and they are the only two owners. He said he just had the hull buffed and looks brand new. The interior was faded and cracked before (the seats, etc.), but he just had the interior redone. He said the boat has 300-350 hours on it. He also replaced the electronics and starting components.

What should I look for when I take a look at this boat? What other questions should I ask? Lastly, is this a decent deal? He is asking $5,200 for the boat which, to me, seems a little high. It also comes with a bow cover, a bimini top, a transport cover, the trailer (which has new tires), and that's it!

Let me know what you guys think!

The guy said this is an older picture of the seat. He now has the new seat covers installed.


Thanks for any help!

 

[JohnnyZ28]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Here are two other pictures...

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

...it doesn't look like the 21' model. It looks more like the 18'-19' model.
Regardless, that price isn't too far off the mark...maybe a little high.
Was the primary usage fresh water or salt water?
He would probably sell without too much hassle or negotiation at $4500. If the boat is mechanically sound thats a reasonable price to get in some good, reliable boating.
This is a good powertrain combo, but make sure you hear it start and run successfully..maybe a local lake/test drive. It should be mechanically checked out in my opinion....maybe a compression test.
If it is 300-350 hrs...this isn't too much for a V-8, but again it depends on what kind of usage and maintenance.
See what offers he will entertain.
Good luck

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

The boat looks like its in good condition, The condition is not your main concern, It's the engine & strerndrive you need to be concerned with, You can have an exellent looking boat sitting in your drive way or getting towed back to shore. Make sure you Keep an eye on the TEMP GAUGE While you are out there, should stay at 140-150degrees steady, check to make sure the oil is not(chocolate milk) smell the oil too and see if it smells like gas. and check the stern drive oil there is a VENT SCREW on the port and there is a fill screw on the bottom(release that a little to see if there is water mixed in with it. I love our boat, she is a great boat !! the interior wasn't as nice, I enjoy working on any way, The engine & stern drive comes first then every thing else. It is not enjoyable when the engine and drive are not working properly, no matter how good the boat looks. Joins us on the mercruiser engine inboard site. Welcome to IBOATS. Paid $3,500 for our with engine in good condition and have not one single regret FUN, FUN boat fastest on lake so far. Love our boat !! Wife too !! I can down load every thing you need to know about your engine and stern drive, maintainence (Mercruiser manuals)

 

[jddenham]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

I noticed a hydrofoil mounted to the lower unit. Why did he do this? It is often a quick fix when the foam inside the hull is waterlogged and heavy.

I would take it to a scale and weight it. Then compare it to what it is supposed to weight.

 

[JohnnyZ28]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

These are the emails I received from him in response to a few questions I asked:

John,

The hull looks great,no cracks or anything in it,I layed on the ground under it when I buffed it and the only wear is a small strip on the keel left from beaching the boat on sandbars. I found one small crack on the cap behind one of the rear seats and other than a couple of surface blemishes,everything looks good.The surface blemishes aren't noticeable until you get a few feet from the boat and I really haven't tried too hard to buff them out but I can.I went through the carb and cleaned it last year,I don't think a carb kit would be needed but it wouldn't hurt,they're about $50.00 and about two hours of work to remove and install.I hadn't thought of doing a compression test because there aren't very many hours on the motor.I have a tester and if you'd like we can test it to see for your own peace of mind.It has huge water cooled exhaust manifolds but the plugs are accessable(with a little yoga and some profanity).As far as the outdrive,when I drained the gear lube last fall,it looked like new,no shiny specks in it and it wasn't milky from water leaking in.The winter did more damage to the seats than the floor,there was a soft area around the floor storage that I patched and re-enforced,the carpet cleaned right up.

Thanks,

Bob

The only real issues were the interior.The previous owner had it serviced and winterized at the dealership and they shrink-wrapped it for storage at their vacation home.The shrink wrap lasted about a week and the boat spent the winter exposed to the elements and it ruined the vinyl.I went through it end to end and other than the vinyl and my ignition issues,the only other issues were cosmetic,like buffing out the hull.

 

[JohnnyZ28]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Oh, and I verified that it was a 20' model.

 

[JohnnyZ28]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Oh, and is that a decent trailer? I don't want some junk trailer as I am a newbie.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Yes trailer is fine !! Grease the bearings Advance auto sells the Grease gun(new) and the red Marine grease to maintain the grease fittings on the boat too !! I am read your other post right now.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Are you going to go look at it too(engine)

 

[JohnnyZ28]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Oh, and what type of mileage does this boat get when just putting around on the water? What about when going at it hard or pulling someone on a tube? Is the 3.0L provide way better fuel efficiency?

Also, does the BAYLINER logo peel off? It looks pretty outdated and I'd like to freshen up the graphics. It just screams "Hello 80s!" LOL.

 

[JohnnyZ28]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

I noticed a hydrofoil mounted to the lower unit. Why did he do this? It is often a quick fix when the foam inside the hull is waterlogged and heavy.

I would take it to a scale and weight it. Then compare it to what it is supposed to weight.

I have no idea what a hydrofoil is.

I can tell you anything about cars, but boats I am a complete newbie. It would probably be better if I sent my wife to do the talking in a low cut shirt.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Oh OK its a 3.0L> Very good milage. I can have fun all day Yes its 20'. so its a Capri 1950 model

 

[jddenham]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

A hydrofoil is the plastic stingray looking thing right above the prop. I am also concerned because there was a soft spot on the floor that he "patched and repaired". Usually the floor goes from water coming up underneath it.

Inspect around the motor mounts and see if the wood stringers are getting soft or waterlogged.

If there is any way to access, look at the foam and feel for water.

If the foam under the floor is waterlogged, it's just like having an overloaded boat. It might keep you on the water for a few more years, but it will eat the gas up, and not perform as well both on take off and top speed.

Check those things out!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Just make sure you check the engine out good. Look for the signs we are telling you to look for. (water in the engine etc..) These are more important than the trailer etc.. Those things are all miner compared to "the engine, stern drive,Temp-cooling system running hot etc..."

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

The boat looks like its in good condition, The condition is not your main concern, It's the engine & strerndrive you need to be concerned with, You can have an exellent looking boat sitting in your drive way or getting towed back to shore. Make sure you Keep an eye on the TEMP GAUGE While you are out there, should stay at 140-150degrees steady, check to make sure the oil is not(chocolate milk) smell the oil too and see if it smells like gas. and check the stern drive oil there is a VENT SCREW on the port and there is a fill screw on the bottom(release that a little to see if there is water mixed in with it. I love our boat, she is a great boat !! the interior wasn't as nice, I enjoy working on any way, The engine & stern drive comes first then every thing else. It is not enjoyable when the engine and drive are not working properly, no matter how good the boat looks.

 

[EricR]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Go by any bank and have them look up the value for you, there is a blue book for boats just like cars. It will give you a range depending on condition.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

Here is the NADA guide for a 1990 20 foot BR...............



July 11, 2007 print this page


Low Retail Average Retail

$2,650 $2,970

Reported Engine Range: 201 - 230 HP (4.3L - 5.0L)
Total adjustment for your engine(s) - Add: $1,655

TOTAL PRICE $4,305 $4,625


For NADA VALUES GO HERE

http://www.nadaguides.com/Values/Va...6d705&DID=38943&wSec=4&wPg=1027&zipcode=48228

 

[jddenham]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

You forgot the values of the bimini, bow cover, and transport cover (roughly $300). Also add $30 - 40 for galvanized trailer.

You've got a little bargaining room.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Looking at buying a 1990 Bayliner Capri!

I had an older 20' Sea Ray bowrider with the same 305 V8, it was a fast boat, 48-50mph when fully trimmed out at WOT, but I also had 3" thru-hull exhausts (not too loud with this motor), and it was a heavy boat. I'd guess the Bayliner should be even faster, & more economical, set up right, because I'd say it's somewhat lighter. This is a good engine for it's size, it is built like the Chevy 350-(5.7) and has the same long stroke crank for torque, but smaller pistons for economy. Actually it maybe more economical then the 4.3 V6 with the 350's large 4" bore, & stroke, with only 6cyl's. But his price is a little high, as others had mentioned.