Please Help, am I in over my head??

[arupton]

I am about to purchase a 1983 Bayliner Trophy, 22 foot 3600 pounds unfueled. The owner says that the only problem with it is the battery won't hold a charge, but they can charge it enough to crank the boat and let me hear it run, but I'd have to replace the battery to actually use the boat. Also, the trailer is said to be in good condition, but the surge brakes do not work, unknown reason.

Many questions, first, does anyone have experience with this type of boat? I know just about nothing of boats, but this *seems* to be a good deal, they're asking $3,300 for it. I want something to put in the sound, ICW, and maybe some of the larger lakes around my area. Also, I have a Chevy Trailblazer V6 and although I should post this on a chevy forum, does anyone out there tow with this type of vehicle? I believe I'm rated for about 8,000lbs, but I'd be towing a minimum of 2+ hours each way, each time, so I don't want to blow out my tranny.

Anyway, sorry to ramble, I'm pretty excited to go check it out this weekend, but I don't want to get in over my head!
Thanks in advance!

 

[arupton]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

ha, looks like im so excited, i forgot to actually ask my other questions.......

when dealing with a boat of this size and age, what would you say is the first thing to go on it and what should i be concerned with? also, are there any tips or things to look for when inspecting it? any tell-tale signs to watch out for that could be ominous? i don't-not- believe the seller, but the seller is not the actual owner, the owner passed away and she is just going by what she sees, therefore, she is in the same boat i am (no pun intended) where to the both of us, it may look perfect, but to an experienced boater, there may be something that you would see that i dont, that would lead to you believe this is a costly paperweight!

thanks again guys!

 

[QC]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

We need to know the power package. Price sounds high to me . . . No way does a V6 Trailblazer have an 8000 lb rating. My '08 C1500 with a 5.3 only has 7700 lb. rating.

Edit: Where are my manners today??? :redface: Welcome aboard!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

This doesn't have a Force outboard on it does it?

 

[imported_John o]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

According to info I found on trailerboats the 2004 trailblazer 4.2 V6 had a 5000lb towing rating.

 

[bustermin]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

dont mean any offense here, but you sound really green, maybe you should find somthing a little smaller for your first boat. ive seen alot of rookies destroy their boat as well as other peoples boats and property due to little or no experience.

 

[gixxerjim]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

I am a newbie too but here is my take on the situation: if the battery won't hold a charge you're likely looking at electrical problems that are draining it, a new battery won't solve that.

Given your apparent green-ness (?), I would start out with something quite a bit more manageable, like 18 ft or so. Towing and getting in the water will be easier, if you don't like it you can more easily find a buyer of a family fun day boat from the late 80's. You can readily find these in great shape for $3600.

Your inline-6 Trailblazer will have no trouble at all with a 2500lb boat/trailer combo rather than the 4400 lb boat trailer combo you are considering, too.

Good luck!

 

[arupton]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

no offense taken, thank you for the replies. yes, i am very green when it comes to boating, i have driven a boat, trailered a boat, but never actually OWNED one. various family members have had one that we've taken out but if something happend, i had no vested interested b/c it wasn't my pocket. the engine in the boat is a 4.3L chevy V6 from what i was told. i havent seen the boat in person, only pictures. im up in the air as far as getting it, but im mainly wanting something to take on the sound, not freshwater. that being said, i can easily get a sunbird or the like, but i dont know how well that would stand against the sound due to salt water and actually being in the sound itself (stability). and yes, the trailblazer is closer to 5k lbs, what was i thinking.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

Price is too high. I would make them replace the battery and fix the brakes, you will want them on a boat that weighs that much. Also, you might just want to keep looking; it's my understanding that many Bayliners from that time period have flooring and stringer problems. You can get a better kept, more in shape, boat for that same money these days. Also, if you are going to take that boat in salt water, you better be prepared to do a lot of extra work, like washing the trailer every time you use it, flushing the engine ever time, etc. If you are going to do salt water, might want to look at an outboard motor and something with a galvanzied trailer. Just my $.02

 

[arupton]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

thanks for the info, to be honest, that's kind of what i was wanting to hear. the boat seems like such a good buy, but deep down i think i may have known i was getting a little over my head on this one. i do however, still want something i can take on the sound (ft. fisher if anyone knows about NC) and possiby the ICW around morehead city (NC).

is it unheard of/stupid to take a primarily freshwater boat (galaxy/sunbird/etc) and put it in the sound, assuming you wash the hull and trailer, flush the engine and use preventive maintenance (corrosionX, wax, etc.) to insure proper upkeep??

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

The best and simplest approach to this is to ask around your friend network and see if someone with boat experience can join you to look at any boat.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

I think walking away from this one is the right thing to do. The owner won't put a $50 battery into it so the buyer can do a proper test? No trailer brakes? it isn't going to be just the linings... it'll be the actuator, the master cylinder, rusted hydraulic lines, etc, etc. Forget it!

You need to do some serious hands-on shopping, not from pictures. Look at a bunch of different boats that interest you. Start forming some opinions. You'll see the difference between well-kept and poorly kept boats. Sooner or later you'll find a deal that looks right. THEN get it inspected.

Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[arupton]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

That is some very good advice, thank you; I'm glad I found this forum. I will continue to look around and hopefully land a good deal!
Thanks again everyone.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

That is some very good advice, thank you; I'm glad I found this forum. I will continue to look around and hopefully land a good deal!
Thanks again everyone.

Yup, take advantage of the good will and expertise here. I wish I'd known about this place before I bought my first boat. I made all the dumb mistakes you're being warned about up front

Boat shopping is a lot of fun if you don't pressure yourself to buy one asap. Decide how you want to use your boat, then start zeroing in on a type and size that fits. When you see something that interests you, gather up the information about the powertrain and post it here. There are some outboard motors and I/O types out there that people will warn you away from. Others will tell you if the boat you're considering has enough power to do what you want it to do. Stuff like that.

Enjoy the voyage and keep posting.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Please Help, am I in over my head??

I know your waters. Look for a fiberglass center console 17-19' range, with an outboard. Whaler $$$ parker $$ or carolina skiff $. The hulls are basic so you don't have to worry about them. They are also very safe and seaworthy; you can get in big trouble in those "sofa" boats like a searaybayliner. The wiring is easy to fix if needed; not much else to go wrong that matters.

Focus on the motor; that is what you are paying for. If the motor seems tired, budget as if you were replacing/rebuilding the motor next month. The fresh water guys around here run their motors for decades. In salt, 20 years is old.

The fuel is the biggest enemy now; causes more problems than salt water. If the carbs have not been rebuilt, go straight to a mechanic and do it (and the water pump). Take better care of your fuel than you do your children.

Trailers are easy to fix and consider how much/how far you have to trailer. With a 17-19 and rollers you never have to sink the axle. Ask your seller how he launches and retrieves; if he's a sinker, budget in new axle, springs and lights. You won't need brakes, which is a big plus in salt water.

There are lots of other posts around here for what you need for equipment.