1994 3.0 or 2003 3.0

[Shadow91]

Finally narrowed down my search to two boats i think. Both these boats have been well maintained and serviced with plenty of records and are in fantastic shape. Both boats are the same price and 18 foot with a 3.0 mercruiser and mercruiser drive.

The 1994 is spotless. Always stored in doors and has all the original factory covers and the seats, engine compartment and drive look brand new. Could easily be on a showroom after a good polish. Supposedly turn key ready. Its a bayliner capri 18'

Other one again, well maintained, hasnt been started this season but is in very good shape as well. Just had the gimble bearing replaced, new starter, and a few other things done by a marine shop when it was winterized. Again, parked indoors and always covered. The alternator went bad over the winter, but the engine will start and run off a jump box or jumper cables and has been diaged by a shop with paperwork. Guy is just tired of putting money into it. this one is a 2003 18' capri that is in good condition but not not showroom ready like the other.

Both have the same engine and drive, from what i can tell. Is there any big changes between the years of the 3.0? Im leaning towards the 2003 due to the age and recent shop maintenance but the 1994 is just so clean and comes with a nicer trailer.

Thank you all and hopefully ill been done with these post after tonight.

 

[H20Rat]

Motors are basically the same, no major differences. (assuming that '03 is carb'ed) It still all comes down to boat condition. The '94 bayliner is highly suspect. Not saying there isn't a showroom condition one out there, but bayliners are cheap boats, often sold to first time boaters. (especially ones with a 3.0 engine) They are almost always abused and put away wet. Are you sure he didn't put enough lipstick on the pig to cover up defects?

Is a 3.0 in a 18' enough for your intended use? That is just bare minimum power, you aren't going to be happy if you plan on pulling 2 tubes with a boatload full of people.

 

[Shadow91]

Mainly want just a reliable boat that will pull a two person tube without issue. I just sold my old seaswirl with an OMC 2.5 (maybe a 3.0 not really sure) and it was definitely okay power wise and i would assume the newer boats and updated drive has a little more kick. Not really looking for a speed demon, just a nice cruiser that can pull a tube and maybe down the line get into wake boarding or knee boarding as the kid gets older.

Most of the boats with a 4.3 or bigger are either older, have volvo drives, omc drives or force engines. That or they are twice the cost, or need major repair. Im just looking for a boat that will be reliable for a few years and then if my son (hes almost 4) really gets into as he gets older then i can look at the option in a few years of a bigger boat. I really like the mercruiser line as its still available, parts are easy to come by (as are the other GM engines) and plenty of shops will touch it. NO ONE in my area will even touch an OMC anything, very few will deal with force and volvo and just about everyone will work on mercruisers. While its not my first boat, it will realistically be my 'starter' boat to really get into and learn about boating for awhile.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the build quality of a '03 bilgeliner is higher than the '94
motor is same, however one is 9 years newer
alternators are $80
3.0's are under-powered for an 18' hull in my experience.

 

[Scott06]

Scott's steering you straight go for the 03 bayliners have come up in appearance and quality over that time and an alternator is no big deal. 3.0 hasn't changed much over that time, or really the last 40 years...

3.0s are one of the most reliable, economical, and easy to work on engines out there, and they sure are slow.... Had one in a 17 ft bow rider for many years, was great when my kids were young, but as they and their friends grew it was time to step up to a bigger boat. Honestly used to beat the tar out of that 3.0 skiing and tubing and it just ran and ran, didn't owe me a thing.

So for what you outline this will allow you to get your feet wet inexpensively, if it's something your family enjoys you can step up later and selling a 10 year newer boat at that time will put you in a better spot

 

[Shadow91]

Well ended up buying the ‘94. The 2003 was sold from underneath me. Drove nearly 2 hours go go look/buy it only to get about 15 minutes away to receive a ‘just sold’ notification. Seller knew I was on the way.

Oh well. It is what it is. Was suspicious as it was very under priced.

Ended up with a 1994 Bayliner Capri 1750 LS with a 3.0 and alpha one drive. Cleanest boat I’ve looked at period. Cleaner then half the boats I’ve looked at at local sale yards and boats way newer. Original owner, was used as a ‘ferry boat’ because the guy had a 75’ house boat they would stay on during the summer and this was their way back and forth to the dock. Older couple with plenty of maintenance done, recent tune up from a shop, new starter, and a few other things. Other then a small rip along the seem on the captains seat, the interior is like new. Floor is very solid. Everything works, was even the first boat, dealers included, that had a drive support for the stern drive while on the trailer. Engine fired up without hesitation, stayed at operating temp and oil was clean and no signs of any issues. Hopefully be a good boat.

Only thing i can’t seem to find is the coast guard placard. Really want to know max capacity.

Anyways here she is.

 

[Scott06]

Looks like a good boat, certainly well cared for and must have been stored inside by the lack of fading of gel coat. Enjoy

with out a tag I would think max capacity is six people.

 

[kerberos824]

I have a 2003 Bayliner 175 with the same engine, and max capacity is 7 people OR 885 pounds. That "or" is the biggy, since with gear, a cooler, and normal Americans in my boat that equals out to a real world capacity of 4 people, 5 if they're skinny.

 

[Shadow91]

Looks like a good boat, certainly well cared for and must have been stored inside by the lack of fading of gel coat. Enjoy

with out a tag I would think max capacity is six people.

Yeah they said they kept it in a heated garage while not on the water. The seats, carpet and upholstery is in even better condition then the hull. Engine bay is shiny and you could eat off it. Drive has no markings on it and isnt even faded. Came with two props, both look brand new, not a scratch on them.

Did the estimate conversion for the occupancy, well from looking at google, and figure 7 or 8 people would be about right. Ill stick to 6-7 to play it safe. We of course all only weigh 120lbs (HAHA) (17.581x6.91/15 = 8.09) ((17'7''x6'11'' / 15))

 

[Lightwin 3]

Looks like a nice boat. The B'liner Capri's were lighter than may other glass boats so the 3.0 may be adequate. Plus, the Capri's had a pretty fast hull design.

Enjoy!:thumb:

 

[H20Rat]

You truly have a one-in-a-million boat, they do exist, just extremely rare. Congrats and get out and enjoy it!