Re: 1998 Bayliner 3255 Avanti Sunbridge
Re: 1998 Bayliner 3255 Avanti Sunbridge
Find some people that own them and ask them what they think. The "bottom-liner" days are far-gone. Ignorant people speak of things they know little about. Bayliner is a "price built" boat, but I can name a two dozen others that are as well. Most of what you hear bad is what some guy heard about his brothers buddies bayliner, etc, or "I read on the internet...". With proper maintance, that boat will serve you fine if thats the layout your looking for. You're not going to get the fit and finish of a Hatteras or Tiarra, but your not going to pay for it either. The downside to the bayliner is that they don't hold resale very well(because of the unsubstantiated reputation), but that may be a bonus as you're looking at used.<br /><br />"doesn't much matter what year, make or size, they all generally have problems of one sort or another. known for poor materials (gel, electrical, gauges, etc), poor craftsmanship, changing suppliers from year to year, etc.."<br /><br />I believe if you do the research you will find that per boat sold, on late model boats, there problems per boat are not above average. Problems with gauges and such will be the same across brands. Bayline does not make thier own gauges(or motors, or steering systems, etc..). You do have bayliner employees installing these items, but I think that is a mute point. Hull and gel problems were prevolant in the early 80's bayliners. Brunswick makes half of the boats on the water for crying out loud. I'm not saying all their lines are the same level of quality, but I dont think any of their lines in this day and age are the garbage that people who have no clue like to spout off about. Name me any boat brand and I can find somebody with a horror story.<br /><br />I dont own a bayliner. I did own one that I fished salmon tournaments in everything the Great Lakes could throw at it for three seasons and my biggest problem I had with the boat was a 5 years old, the speedo on the dash wouldnt read. I put over 600hrs on the boat in 3 seasons. I would have looked at them when I bought my new boat, but I got a good deal on a different one. <br /><br />Everyone on here would lead you to believe that a GW is the best thing since sliced bread, and per boat produced, I can find you more hull problems with late model Gradys than late model bayliners, period, but people with no first hand knowlege will keep spouting what they heard...<br /><br />Take it for what its worth, but if someone coughs up an opionion, ask if they owned one of if they're just regurgitating "what they heard".
