88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

[TerryNova]

I need someone to tell me if I'm crazy or what!
So here's the situation... I just moved up to Wisconsin and found a lake house to rent, because of my job I"ll only be here for two years max. So I'm really only looking for a boat that will run for about 2 summers, to relax, have some people over, and maybe do some fishing too! I'm fresh out of college, getting married in October leaving me with little extra cash. I've been browsing craigslist and finding some boats. I know I want an outboard as the lake I'm in is very shallow, Lake Koshkonong mean 5ft deep.
I found this, asking for $1100

1. It needs the floor replaced, however because I am only wanting it for two years, I'm thinking I cheaply apply some carpeted, cut to fit plywood over the old and that will last me, hopefully cost maybe $200. Yay or Nay?

2. Power tilt does not work... The seller said it worked his first time out with boat last year, then took it out and nothing. I flicked the switch up and hear a 'click', flipped it down and heard another 'click'. What kind of repair costs might that occur. And thank you for any answers with my super detailed diagnosis!

The engine is supposedly fine and running great. Said all three pistons are at 145 psi compression... good or bad I have no clue. I am going back this weekend, as he is going to hook the hose up to the motor and I'll be able to hear it, and play with it. Anything special with this motor I should look for?

As you can probably tell I am completely new to boating and would appreciate any help whatsoever. Long post I am sorry, Thanks if you read through it

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

MONEY PIT....... boats tend to rot from the bottom up and if the deck is soft...... that is only the tip of the iceberg.

Force outboard has a horrible reputation......

Run away!!

Look through our restoration section to see what a rotted bayliner looks like of the same vintage.

 

[TerryNova]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

Really though for 2 years? I'm not looking for an investment. Yes I think it would be a money pit if I was to restore the boat, but I'm nowhere close to that. Bob what other kinds of rot should I be looking for? What happens with a rotted boat? If it floats its pretty good right?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

Lotta motor for 5' of water. Transom would be a rot worry.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

The compression figures are good (if they are accurate), and if the motor has been properly maintained, it will be the least of your worries.

It IS possible that only the deck (actually, it's really called the sole) is rotted; that was the case with my '88 Bayliner. However, with all those leaves in the boat, I have a feeling this one was neglected a lot worse than mine. It is very possible that the transom and/or stringers are bad, which would make this a poor candidate for restoration. A catastrophic transom failure at speed would be a real disaster. A broken stringer while under way would be almost as bad.

If you are still considering this boat after reading the replies, at least take someone with you who knows enough about boats to look into the structure of the boat.

 

[Black as]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

I need someone to tell me if I'm crazy or what!
So here's the situation... I just moved up to Wisconsin and found a lake house to rent, because of my job I"ll only be here for two years max. So I'm really only looking for a boat that will run for about 2 summers, to relax, have some people over, and maybe do some fishing too! I'm fresh out of college, getting married in October leaving me with little extra cash. I've been browsing craigslist and finding some boats. I know I want an outboard as the lake I'm in is very shallow, Lake Koshkonong mean 5ft deep.
I found this, asking for $1100


1. It needs the floor replaced, however because I am only wanting it for two years, I'm thinking I cheaply apply some carpeted, cut to fit plywood over the old and that will last me, hopefully cost maybe $200. Yay or Nay?

2. Power tilt does not work... The seller said it worked his first time out with boat last year, then took it out and nothing. I flicked the switch up and hear a 'click', flipped it down and heard another 'click'. What kind of repair costs might that occur. And thank you for any answers with my super detailed diagnosis!

The engine is supposedly fine and running great. Said all three pistons are at 145 psi compression... good or bad I have no clue. I am going back this weekend, as he is going to hook the hose up to the motor and I'll be able to hear it, and play with it. Anything special with this motor I should look for?

As you can probably tell I am completely new to boating and would appreciate any help whatsoever. Long post I am sorry, Thanks if you read through it

With all that rubbish in the boat tells you that its not really well maintained I would keep looking

 

[TerryNova]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

OK, Thanks everyone for your input! Its a sexy looking boat but I guess I'll keep on searching. I think I just really have an itch to buy a boat now

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

I think I just really have an itch to buy a boat now

Just not a Bayliner (they don't call them bilgeliners for nothing) and not a Force motor.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

""1. It needs the floor replaced, however because I am only wanting it for two years, I'm thinking I cheaply apply some carpeted, cut to fit plywood over the old and that will last me, hopefully cost maybe $200. Yay or Nay?

2. Power tilt does not work... The seller said it worked his first time out with boat last year, then took it out and nothing. I flicked the switch up and hear a 'click', flipped it down and heard another 'click'. What kind of repair costs might that occur. And thank you for any answers with my super detailed diagnosis!

The engine is supposedly fine and running great. Said all three pistons are at 145 psi compression... good or bad I have no clue. I am going back this weekend, as he is going to hook the hose up to the motor and I'll be able to hear it, and play with it. Anything special with this motor I should look for?

As you can probably tell I am completely new to boating and would appreciate any help whatsoever. Long post I am sorry, Thanks if you read through it """

If the floor is rotten, the stringers are likely shot also.
The transom is also a common rot location on those boats. If they sat wet, they rotted, period.
Your floor repair could easily go $600-$1200, and weeks of your time. If the transom is also shot, add another week.

Power tilt and trim could be a loose wire, or a shot pump. Cost, $5 to $400.

"engine is supposedly fine and running great. Said all three pistons are at 145 psi "

If he can't prove it, on the water, its no sale.

The other problem is that the engine has 4 cylinders, so if 3 of them are good, does that mean he is hiding something about the 4th ?

This is not the motor for a non mechanic. If you have to ask what to look out for on this motor, you don't need to consider it any longer. The motor may even run seemingly well on the water hose, but not perform at all on the lake. If one cylinder is bad, or a coil, or a cd module, or the stator, or the trigger, it could cost you $1000 to fix it, or ever $2000 to rebuild it.


Keep your money.
Come up with a total budget for a water ready boat and trailer.
Then wait till May and go shopping for a boat.

Insist on a water trial. No water trial, no purchase.
Insist on having the boat checked out by a mechanic.
If your budget is $2000, spend no more than $1500 on the rig, and spend the rest on service, maintenance, life jackets, spare tire, registration, liability insurance, etc.

And take a safe boating course offered through the Department of Natural Resources.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/safety/boated.htm


https://hfwolf.centraltechnology.net/wdnr/laam.nsf/publicHSClasses?OpenForm&Seq=1

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

Said all three pistons are at 145 psi

Ah but how about that FOURTH piston? How's that one?

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

Ah but how about that FOURTH piston? How's that one?

Hilarious....you beat me to it!!....and of course yes indeedy that is a 4 cylinder motor...not a 3 cylinder.
Walk away....naahhh, run. Whenever I see an interior that looks like that I don't look twice...the boat has been completely neglected.
Keep lookin'
BP

 

[osborn159]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

i think you can do a lot better for the $$ right now, lots of decent stuff on cl and boat trader, look in the used boat classifieds on iboats, ive seen some ok deals, you do not want a boat that has all the leaves and crap in it, that shows it has not been cared for. id spend a little more if necessary to get a well maintained boat. this is a project boat, i wouldnt trust it in the water.
D

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 88' Bayliner Capri 125 Force OB... totally new to boating

Yep! A bucket of rot is all that is....

Love the vice grips on the battery post too...