Re: Which Boat Is Best???
tash, I remember your thread on the new Bayliner test drive you had. Now, I see you continue to remind folks of how solid an impression that boat made on you. It's interesting, but not surprising, that the "Bayliner is lowest quality" remarks continue even though many haven't been on a bayliner ever or at least in the past few years.
Now, it seems the merger of brands under one or two owners is able to bring up the quality of the entry level boats (Bayliner, Glastron are two i've seen at shows and been impressed). Does that make a Bayliner a SeaRay equal....no of course not. It is a simple fact that some of the premium brands use higher quality materials.
One obvious knock on Bayliner historically is the upholstery doesn't hold up well. Yeah, it was cheap, low-quality upholstery and it did fall apart sooner than many better brands. Is the new material better? Probably. Is it Cobalt level, no way. But if it is maintained well it should hold up fine for years.
Anyways, quality issues are VERY hard to change perception with reality! Just ask U.S. auto companies. We all still remember the 70's/80's when the U.S. cars rusted out and fell apart at 80k miles. Do they still? NO, but even 20 years later the old quality issues haunt them. Bayliner will face the same uphill battle, and to a point it's their own fault.
Sorry for the long, somewhat off-topic post. Back on topic, yes, it is remarkable how SMALL the interior of most 19' models are these days! I have a 1985 19 footer and if I want to ever get a newer boat I think I'll need a 21' just to stay even in interior space! If the VIP is a bigger interior 19' THAt would be a biggie for me. The Searay you reference looks like the interior of a 17' to me - it wouldn't even be under consideration for me with three kids and their friends along all the time.
