1996 Bayliner... Questions again

[Chevysolid]

Hey all, thanks for all the good feedback on my questions so far...

You have all been helpful,....

I have been looking at 17-19 ft. Bow Rider's in the 3-4K range... Most boats have been late 80's early 90's... I am looking to get a 3.0 or 4.3 mercruiser...

I ran across a 1996 Bayliner 17ft, with a 3.0 Merc, for 3500 OBO, with no cover, owned said that he winterized it himself, but at first couldn't remember which motor was in it, only knew that it was a four cylinder Mercruiser.

It is covered storage,

My concern, I spoke with someone who said that Bayliners are the "cheapest" boats out there, speaking of workmanship mainly... and wanted any first hand feed back... Pictures that he sent look very good, and I will not be able to water test... hoping to have him give me some time to take to the marina and have it gone through if I were to purchase it...

Thanks for any feedback

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1996 Bayliner... Questions again

price is high for a 3.0. if you are planning any watersport, or more than 4 people, go with the 4.3, don't be disappointed. if he won't let you start it on muffs, pass on it. if he wants to sell it, he can rewinterize it. 13 year old boat bring the price down. bayliners are entry level boats, they were not bad boats, but most had entry level owners, who did not properly maintain them. there are the exceptions.

 

[Chevysolid]

Re: 1996 Bayliner... Questions again

I am hoping to do some skiing and tubing with the boat... we are on a fairly small lake, and speed is not as much a concern as is acceleration and planing....

with the properly pitched prop is the 3.0 still an issue, I guess I am getting some mixed feedback on that part of things....

Bayliner's in general I understand as an entry level, but if the cosemtics are up to snuff and the boat runs well,
would $3000.00 be reasonable?? or should I stick to something less?

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: 1996 Bayliner... Questions again

If it has no cover, i would inspect the deck very well. I would be willing to bet money that says the thing was in the covered car port the whole time. Bayliners are prown to rot. DO NOT BUY IF HE WONT LET YOU TAKE IT OUT.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1996 Bayliner... Questions again

i have not been impressed by any boat that had a 3.0. it just does not have enough guts, to ski properly. especially with a load in the boat. if you ski where there is a beach, and everyone stays on the beach, except driver, and look out, it might be fine.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 1996 Bayliner... Questions again

I had a 4cyl boat and defended it in discussions like this. Then I started running a 4.3. Yes the 3.0 will move a small runabout reasonably, but it is louder, vibrates more, and is less fun. Since boating is all about fun, I vote to keep looking for a 4.3

If you had NO watersports interest, just cruising or fishing, the 3.0 would be fine.

 

[Chevysolid]

Re: 1996 Bayliner... Questions again

Steve, thanks for that reply, it makes a lot of sense, and I appreciate your first hand experience... I think that I will be looking at 4.3's and larger motors then.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1996 Bayliner... Questions again

A friend had a 20 foot cuddy Bayliner with a 4.3. Freshly tuned, it did 50 MPH top end. But, the damn thing vibrated the whole back end of the boat; felt like it was twisting it. I was really not impressed by the package. Ride one first before you even begin to talk money.