2000’s Bayliner 175 I/O

[matt167]

I’m not against something other than the 3.0L but I do like them due to being cheap to maintain and I have some parts.

As far as getting something tin, one in a bowrider configuration really hasn’t been available since the 80’s. I’d really have to just keep working on the Offshore V 18 I have but I’ve burned so much time on it, and I just want to go boating.

An Islander is on the list too, but it’s less of a family boat.

 

[airshot]

Can't beat resale on a good aluminum hull. My Islanders was a 1983, previous owner replaced the flooring and new trailer tires. Paid 3K for the entire outfit. I replaced an axle on the trailer, updated some wiring and added some removable seats. Replaced some seals on the out drive along with water pump. Replaced the V bunk cushions and run her alot on the river and lake. After 9 years sold her for 3500 with the transom getting soft. Her new owner still runs her on Sandusky bay after replacing the transom.

 

[matt167]

Can't beat resale on a good aluminum hull. My Islanders was a 1983, previous owner replaced the flooring and new trailer tires. Paid 3K for the entire outfit. I replaced an axle on the trailer, updated some wiring and added some removable seats. Replaced some seals on the out drive along with water pump. Replaced the V bunk cushions and run her alot on the river and lake. After 9 years sold her for 3500 with the transom getting soft. Her new owner still runs her on Sandusky bay after replacing the transom.

I wish it was worth something. I put it up cheap a while ago and got scrap offers. It has a new transom and the interior was good. It’s sat and the cover leaked one year so it’s gonna need a floor and one of the seats plywood is rotted as well. I’ve owned it 6 years I think and it hasn’t made the water once.

 

[airshot]

I wish it was worth something. I put it up cheap a while ago and got scrap offers. It has a new transom and the interior was good. It’s sat and the cover leaked one year so it’s gonna need a floor and one of the seats plywood is rotted as well. I’ve owned it 6 years I think and it hasn’t made the water once.

Unfortunately....if the floor and seats have rotted, so has the sub frame, boats rot from the bottom up...not down. Have had many friends go thru similar situations with glass boats. You put all the work into getting them solid and one leak messes up all your work in a short period of time...been there myself.

 

[matt167]

Unfortunately....if the floor and seats have rotted, so has the sub frame, boats rot from the bottom up...not down. Have had many friends go thru similar situations with glass boats. You put all the work into getting them solid and one leak messes up all your work in a short period of time...been there myself.

It’s a StarCraft tin boat

 

[matt167]

Well Wife looks and says. What boat do you really want. I tell her an Islander. None are available within a decent distance. Told her the minute I found one we’ll have to go look.. expanded my search and found a Mercruiser 3.0L powered Sylvan offshore 22’. Probably going to look next weekend.

Round and round we go

 

[airshot]

Well Wife looks and says. What boat do you really want. I tell her an Islander. None are available within a decent distance. Told her the minute I found one we’ll have to go look.. expanded my search and found a Mercruiser 3.0L powered Sylvan offshore 22’. Probably going to look next weekend.

Round and round we go

Loved my 22' Star craft Islander, the 3.0 could do 35 mph with two adults and fishing gear, could run 100 miles with the 25 gallon tank. Good Luck..

 

[matt167]

Loved my 22' Star craft Islander, the 3.0 could do 35 mph with two adults and fishing gear, could run 100 miles with the 25 gallon tank. Good Luck..

It’s got a 9.9 kicker with remote steering, a Hilux 7 and a Lawrence GPS plotter fish finder…. But even if it’s a good deal I’m going to leave it if it needs more than basic maintenance

 

[matt167]

What are the actual differences between a Sylvan Offshore and an Islander? I know that Smokercraft was the parent company at the time and I think Still is for both, although now under Brunswick if I’m not mistaken. I notice and I’ve never picked up on it that the Offshore is a lapstrake design but a same year Islander is smooth sided. Are they based off of older models?

 

[airshot]

When Starcraft was forced to split up, many parts were interchanged to get the other companies up and running. In some cases the hulls from different years were mingled together so some had the lapstrake and others were smooth. At one time the title date of mfg was the date it was sold, and different from date on the hull. Was working at a local marina during those years and quite a bit of confusion in boat sales during that time. My own Islanders was a victim of that changeover. As far as difference between the Sylvan and the Islander, I can't say, but never heard any complaints from all the Sylvan owners I knew. My current boat is a 1992 Sylvan and it has been an excellent boat as are my two neighbor's Sylvans.

 

[matt167]

When Starcraft was forced to split up, many parts were interchanged to get the other companies up and running. In some cases the hulls from different years were mingled together so some had the lapstrake and others were smooth. At one time the title date of mfg was the date it was sold, and different from date on the hull. Was working at a local marina during those years and quite a bit of confusion in boat sales during that time. My own Islanders was a victim of that changeover. As far as difference between the Sylvan and the Islander, I can't say, but never heard any complaints from all the Sylvan owners I knew. My current boat is a 1992 Sylvan and it has been an excellent boat as are my two neighbor's Sylvans.

Sylvan still has the brochure for an 89 Offshore and the color on the brochure matches the boats color.

I know every other Sylvan Offshore I’ve seen has been I/O OMC so the Mercruiser is probably a rarity

 

[airshot]

Sylvan still has the brochure for an 89 Offshore and the color on the brochure matches the boats color.

I know every other Sylvan Offshore I’ve seen has been I/O OMC so the Mercruiser is probably a rarity

Most were OMC as Starcraft had the Merc contract....when OMC was going down, Sylvan switched to Merc, but shortly after Sylvan went to all pontoon boats. There was some early 80's models that had some hull issues from bad aluminum, but was shortly corrected. Yes the Merc units are more valuable..

 

[matt167]

Welp looks like I’ll own it. It’s solid. Not kind of solid. It needs some tinkering and repairing. The cabin door needs adjustment. Rear seats and the engine cover need recovering. Not because it’s been neglected, it’s simply showing 40 years of age. But the electronics, 9.9 yam with electric start and controls and the cannon downriggers made it a great deal. The only worry of mine is the 3.0L has the DIS ignition which I know is NLA but that’s stabbing a new distributor if it ever causes issue.. all in all $6k but I know it’s way more than that if I had to re sell at the top of the season.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Dozens of options on ignition in a 3.0

 

[matt167]

Dozens of options on ignition in a 3.0

I know. And I got spares. Only weird thing is I cannot find the dipstick. The guy obviously changes the oil as it’s as clean as I’d expect inside with a nice fresh filter. But if SHTF I could drop an entire engine in it if I had to… it’s nice having a selection of parts

 

[Pmt133]

Looks clean. Nice pickup.

 

[Texasmark]

I noticed the hand rail on top of the cabin offering support when you walk on the Gunwale around the cab and want some support.......I really like that...find it to be a must have!!!! You really ought to enjoy that boat.

On what you paid for it.........forget it!!!!! Money is long gone and you'll never really miss it and its gone forever!!!!
However, what you have is what appears to be a great boat and you and invited guests, especially family, to enjoy for many happy outings. Those experiences will surely be "priceless" for you!!!!!

 

[Lou C]

I wish I could have an alu boat here but in my salt pond keeping it in the water it's a risk, and you don't see many at all.
About engines, I think it's a shame there are no more GM inline 6s, these were good engines and an inline 6 is naturally balanced unlike an inline 4 or a 90* V6, although the 4.3 did improve a lot with the even fire crank (split journal though) and the balance shaft. The inline 6 in my old '98 Jeep actually idles smoother than the 5.7 Hemi in my '07 Jeep!
Inline engines are great for inboard use because they are easy to service. The inline 6 is an underrated, underappreciated engine.

 

[Pmt133]

I wish I could have an alu boat here but in my salt pond keeping it in the water it's a risk, and you don't see many at all.
About engines, I think it's a shame there are no more GM inline 6s, these were good engines and an inline 6 is naturally balanced unlike an inline 4 or a 90* V6, although the 4.3 did improve a lot with the even fire crank (split journal though) and the balance shaft. The inline 6 in my old '98 Jeep actually idles smoother than the 5.7 Hemi in my '07 Jeep!
Inline engines are great for inboard use because they are easy to service. The inline 6 is an underrated, underappreciated engine.

The 250 is heavy and long... it's only real drawback. I think there is a ~75 lb difference between the 350 and 250. I imagine the intake/exhaust manifold is a pain to cast too.

Dad had one in his invader. It did 50 per the brochure with the "165" the base "228" 305 did about 60 and the 350 was rated to 65. Fuel burn was the same for the 305 at crusie (not great for the 6) but it was smooth. He test drove both with his dad as a kid. They went with the 165 but it made the dog house huge. He has fond memories of it.

The 4winns with the 4.3 in his own words is "worlds better" than the 165 was. Better out the hole, better top end and pushes the boat nearly the same despite being significantly larger in size and much quieter. (Not as smooth) After I did the repower he said it really reminds him of that boat... sans it being 17 feet and riding on nothing but a pad down the great south bay spending more time in the air than the water....

 

[matt167]

I noticed the hand rail on top of the cabin offering support when you walk on the Gunwale around the cab and want some support.......I really like that...find it to be a must have!!!! You really ought to enjoy that boat.

On what you paid for it.........forget it!!!!! Money is long gone and you'll never really miss it and its gone forever!!!!
However, what you have is what appears to be a great boat and you and invited guests, especially family, to enjoy for many happy outings. Those experiences will surely be "priceless" for you!!!!!

I’m thinking we’re really going to like it. I really like that yes it’s a fishing boat but everything is there to keep it a family boat just the same