new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

[mrmushroomman]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

Wow.. I agree with all the above statements but the Sea Ray is a little better built when it comes to the small details as mentioned above and those small details are what helps on the resale and why Sea Ray has maintained a well known name in the boating industry even when Bayliners were junk. Yes the Bayliners have improved a lot of things but it's up to what you can afford and how well you plan to take care of it. I am a Sea Ray owner but i did look at purchasing a 2007 Bayliner because of what you get for the price. In the end i wanted to pay a little more to know that when i go to sell it ,it will still be worth something. There is a reason why there are alot of Bayliners for sale on boat trader and other listings. I am not going to bash either boat because as long as you are on the water having a good time that's all that matters so you decide what your comfortable buying and don't let anyone steer you in the wrong direction because of there preferences.

 

[tmh]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

A "slightly thicker hull" as it was called, is maybe the biggest difference you can have in a 18' bowrider! it isn't even close to insignificant. What's next?......Bayliner has only a few more holes in the hull than Searay....no big deal?

I checked the specs for these two boats, bayliner has a 7'7" beam, Searay has 7'3" (according to their web site), yet the Searay weighs quite a bit more! So it's NOT the same hull most likely.

Let's keep the personal attacks out of it. I agree that some here try to pretend Bayliner is a much better boat than it is. Answer me this then, how is it they can make money selling them for near the bottom of price range? If your answer isn't "they build them with cheaper materials" then you're wrong. THAT is how they do it!

btw, nothing wrong with that nor is there anything wrong with concluding you don't want/need to pay extra for a better built boat! Heck, you can do everything in the Bayliner you can in the Searay! Either is fun and a great family activity. Just like a Scion and a Lexis ES350 (or whatever) both are good transportation.

 

[tommays]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

Well

The bayliner has a fiberglass liner option at 765 dollars


I was pretty shocked when national geographic tv did a Searay factory how its made show and the hull was 100% chopgun

You really need to look at the small things to see the quality differance

Flip over the seats and look at the exposed staples on one boat and the carefully covered ones on the other


If you look you will see a dry weight on the Bayliner of 2895# Vs the Searay dry weight of 2600#

 

[marine4003]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

I guess i am to be considered a "bayliner basher".....and what gives me that exalted status is my often repeated statement "Its an entry level boat"
Now, that's not a bad thing,in fact for someone who has limited experience boating, why should he/she spend top dollar on a boat that will be banged around and not as well maintained as say,a experienced boaters boat, will? for the simple reason that the more experience one gets, the more likely one is to start poking around and fixing/tightening/cleaning ect, as for the difference between the two boats,aside from a chunk of change is SeaRay is a far better built boat,not just structurally, but in the components used,and assembly of those components,thru bolt instead of screwed,solid stainless instead of Zemak,better grade vinyl,thicker gelcoat,ect.....this doesn't make Bayliner a "Junk" boat....what it does is makes it an entry level...starter boat that will preform well and last years AS LONG AS ITS MAINTAINED.The boat i currently call my toy, has twin 454's delivering 1500 HP,has been clocked at 87 mph,and has a stupid amount of money tied up in it,its difficult to handle at full speed...hard to dock...has to be constantly maintained...in fact the only time i enjoy her is when shes running at 60mph out in 2-3 chop on the ocean,the remaining time she's an expensive pain-in-the-a*&,my point is,it was 15 years of learning before i was ready for a boat like this. So for those who purchase Bayliners to gain experience..save a buck..whatever, remember this quote : "Its a sad frog who don't praise his pond"

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

I guess i am to be considered a "bayliner basher".....and what gives me that exalted status is my often repeated statement "Its an entry level boat"
Now, that's not a bad thing,in fact for someone who has limited experience boating, why should he/she spend top dollar on a boat that will be banged around and not as well maintained as say,a experienced boaters boat, will? for the simple reason that the more experience one gets, the more likely one is to start poking around and fixing/tightening/cleaning ect, as for the difference between the two boats,aside from a chunk of change is SeaRay is a far better built boat,not just structurally, but in the components used,and assembly of those components,thru bolt instead of screwed,solid stainless instead of Zemak,better grade vinyl,thicker gelcoat,ect.....this doesn't make Bayliner a "Junk" boat....what it does is makes it an entry level...starter boat that will preform well and last years AS LONG AS ITS MAINTAINED.The boat i currently call my toy, has twin 454's delivering 1500 HP,has been clocked at 87 mph,and has a stupid amount of money tied up in it,its difficult to handle at full speed...hard to dock...has to be constantly maintained...in fact the only time i enjoy her is when shes running at 60mph out in 2-3 chop on the ocean,the remaining time she's an expensive pain-in-the-a*&,my point is,it was 15 years of learning before i was ready for a boat like this. So for those who purchase Bayliners to gain experience..save a buck..whatever, remember this quote : "Its a sad frog who don't praise his pond"

THis is the point that I originally made, if you want to spend less, buy the Bayliner but don't rationalize that it is really the same boat as the Sea Ray, because it is NOT!!!!!

 

[Robert185]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

Just want to jump in on this, I own a 2008 Bayliner 185. It's my first boat and I think it is a great boat and a tremendous value. What makes it great you ask? Because I could afford it. The Searay? Out of my reach. Is the Searay the better boat. YEP. Just climb in the Bayliner, nice gauges, decent trim and hardware. Now get in the Searay. WOW what a difference. Really nice appointments and hardware. IF you can afford the Searay, buy it. If you want an inexpensive boat to go out on and don't need the "extras" get the Bayliner.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

I always have been a huge SeaRay fan, but given your circumstances, I would buy the Bayliner. With $8k to spare, you can pick up a few SeaRay t-shirts. The Bayliners have improved tremendously in the last few years, and SeaRay, though better, has remained the same high quality. With the same power package, I just feel the BL is a better value. SeaRays will always command the higher resale value, but five years down the road, I doubt that difference will equal $8k.

 

[wuttja]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

I looked at and water tested several used boats including Sea Ray, Bayliner, and Glastron. I ended up with a 97 Sea Ray and even though it is 11 years old, there wasn't the rattles and loose parts & pieces that I found in other boats. With used though, the boat is only as good as how well the previous owner took care of it. How much of the difference is build quality versus previous owner care? I can't say for certain, but I will say for my first boat used was the way to go. The cost was much more manageable, and even though my model year is older than a Bayliner for the same price, I feel it was the right fit for me and my boating needs. After 3-4 months of ownership, I appreciate my decision every time I go out on the water.

 

[jkust]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

We have a 1984 Bayliner 16 foot capri we bought new at the winter of 84 boat show. Now we also have a 2003 nearly new Chaparral. Of course there really is no call to compare the two boats but I can say I enjoy time on the Bayliner as much as the Chapp. The comments on the 84 are how did you keep it so nice and the Chapp they are just nice boat. It is all how you take care of it. The Bayliner and its Force engine by all accounts should have lasted a few years and imploded by comments I read over the years. The truth is I have spent exactly 3 dollars in maintenance other than engine winterization in all these years for new plugs on the 85 HP Force and you would not believe nice the condition it is in, low quality and all. Nothing rattles or shakes and it has done everything we have asked of it without hesitation and I can beat most boats with a 3.0 I/O. Now that I have the Chaparral, it seems almost overkill to have a premium quality boat versus a more basic model. Nice boat comments are great but it does not make the family enjoy any more. I say save the 8K and get on the water.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

I have to chime in here by saying that I'm in a similar situation as the poster and I appreciate ALL comments by EVERYONE - no matter what side of the fence they're on or how they say it. The OP asked for opinions and that's what he got...anyway...having said that, can I throw Tahoe brand in here without hijacking the thread? Seems priced in Bayliner territory - how does it compare?

 

[marine4003]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

Tahoe.....another entry level boat,just prettier...With all things, you get what you pay for, my buddy wanted a 26-30 offshore fishing boat,so we went to look at Grady-Whites...dam fine boat,everything is thru bolted with 516SS
thick hull well built...then we looked at Trophy....huge difference!!! the price scale had the GW 17K higher and it showed, Tahoe is a pretty boat,Merc engine & outdrive,nice graphics ect....but it aint no SeaRay.
Price truly reflects quality,if it didn't, the boat wont sell, and the company goes out of business.

 

[5280Hawk]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

I jsut found this photo today - 2009 185 Bayliner flight edition. I am Buying this boat as soon as I can.

 

[marine4003]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

"I jsut found this photo today - 2009 185 Bayliner flight edition. I am Buying this boat as soon as I can."

What with the urgency of your post,i believe you need some VERY important info : The girls DO - NOT come with the boat

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: new Sea Ray 185 or Bayliner 185

What with the urgency of your post,i believe you need some VERY important info : The girls DO - NOT come with the boat

Marine!!!.....what the???...no chicks? no wakeboards? no tan? no muscles?.....hell, I'm out.
BP