91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

[altissimo79]

Hello Everyone,

I need some thoughts or suggestions... I am a first time boat owner and I need to choose between the boats listed in the title... Both are in great condition, and both come with nice trailers... the Bayliner has a 90hp Force Outboard while the Rinker has a 3.7 liter merc. inboard. Obviously the Bayliner is a little newer... but which is the better boat?

Thanks for your help!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

What kind of drive has the Rinker got on it?

 

[perchin]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

If both boats are running at full potential, the Rinker will win in every catagory there is. Build quality, Fit and Finish, power, reliability in the power plant, anything, the RINKER IS THE BETTER OF THE TWO.

Although you didn't mention what the boat will be used for. There are great differences between them. The outboard will be easier to maintain, where as the I/O will take some patience and know how to maintain.

If it were me I would opt for the Rinker and just read up on it here in the Merc. section

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

If both boats are running at full potential, the Rinker will win in every catagory there is. Build quality, Fit and Finish, power, reliability in the power plant, anything, the RINKER IS THE BETTER OF THE TWO.

Although you didn't mention what the boat will be used for. There are great differences between them. The outboard will be easier to maintain, where as the I/O will take some patience and know how to maintain.

If it were me I would opt for the Rinker and just read up on it here in the Merc. section

Don't know if I'd go that far. Biggest issue with both boats is the drive train. A Force outboard isn't the best motor ever built, however the 3.7L is a motor that hasn't been produced for a number of years and the parts - especially exhaust manifolds are not neccessarily going to be easy to get.

If it were me I'd look for option #3, but if the rinker has a merc or volvo outdrive it may not be a bad choice.

EDIT: Which 3.7L is it? When I see 3.7L I think Buick 225 V6/OMC, not that other Merc motor

 

[perchin]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

read the op. its a merc.

 

[Red Snappa]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

If both boats are running at full potential, the Rinker will win in every catagory there is. Build quality, Fit and Finish, power, reliability in the power plant, anything, the RINKER IS THE BETTER OF THE TWO.

Although you didn't mention what the boat will be used for. There are great differences between them. The outboard will be easier to maintain, where as the I/O will take some patience and know how to maintain.

If it were me I would opt for the Rinker and just read up on it here in the Merc. section

I agree. People who know boats know that Bayliner is junk. Force outboards are also junk. I/O's are also a headache. Outboards are so much easier to maintain. They are also lighter and therefore easier to trailer. I'd say go with neither and keep looking. There are plenty of boats out there for sale in this economy.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

read the op. its a merc.

Missed that.

So assuming it is that 3.7 L inline 4 that merc used to make, I'd still skip it and find something with either a 3.0L or 4.3L

Far as I know you can't get the manifolds for it anymore and the only thing available is an aluminum replacement for around 1K

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

I agree. People who know boats know that Bayliner is junk. Force outboards are also junk. I/O's are also a headahce. Outboards are so much easier to maintain. I'd say go with neither and keep looking.

Harsh - lots of Bayliner owners would disagree. Although I would skip a bayliner or any other boat that had either a Force outboard or an OMC outdrive.

Before the OMC guys jump on me - yes it was a decent drive but parts are expensive and its getting harder to find people who know the voodo of setting up the gears and shifting.

 

[perchin]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

Harsh - lots of Bayliner owners would disagree. Although I would skip a bayliner or any other boat that had either a Force outboard or an OMC outdrive.

Before the OMC guys jump on me - yes it was a decent drive but parts are expensive and its getting harder to find people who know the voodo of setting up the gears and shifting.

Ummm..... I think the OP asked about wich one was better between the two he stated. And I was not saying "hey oldjeep, your bayliner is junk". That era of bayliners though, were just that "JUNK".

 

[seabob4]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

Sorry, but given the two choices, I would opt for...NEITHER!

 

[91capri2050]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

my 91 Bayliner Capri is not "junk". Its way ahead of some other manufacturers of that same year as far as design and styling, and has a 4.3 Merc in it, so i dont see how its junk, not to mention its all original with not a single rip in the upholstery.

 

[ezez]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

my 91 Bayliner Capri is not "junk". Its way ahead of some other manufacturers of that same year as far as design and styling, and has a 4.3 Merc in it, so i dont see how its junk, not to mention its all original with not a single rip in the upholstery.

+1 it's all about taking care of your stuff.

My '91 Capri 1802 Cuddy interior is almost as good as when it came off of the showroom floor. Never takes on a drop of water in the bilge. Absolutely solid floor without any soft spots, etc. The exterior is in great condition for a 20 yo boat that still waxes up nice. The original camper back is still intact but probably is about to be replaced. I rebuilt the 90Hp Force motor last year and the total bill was under $600.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

Both boats are too old for the brand name to make much difference. At this point it's all about current condition. A survey is needed.

Assuming both hulls are good, and both motors are good, I still wouldn't touch the 3.7 with a 10-foot pole. Obsolete, many known issues, getting tough to find parts for. The Force is obsolete too, but can still be fixed when it breaks, or easily replaced with something newer. From what I've read right here on iboats the 3.7 has no direct, 'better' replacement. Break it for keeps and you might as well dump the boat. A 25-year-old Rinker simply isn't worth spending that kind of money to fix.

I don't consider either to be an ideal choice, but if the Bayliner is in really good shape, and really cheap, it'd be my pick.

My .02

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

I purchased a 1984 Rinker 205 Cuddy with the 190 in it. The boat has performed extremely well. My Merc mechanic has nothing but praise for it....one of the other fellows has indicated that at this point it's more about their individual condition and, in my opinion, thats correct thinking....but the Rinker DNA is stronger than the Bayliner....just my two cents....I've got an I/O and run it all over Ohio....three weeks ago 120 miles up the Ohio to Pittsburgh and back....planning a run from Cincy to Louisville...have complete confidence in the merc....again, just my experience.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 91 Bayliner Capri 1800 vs. 85 Rinker V190

Sorry, but given the two choices, I would opt for...NEITHER!

Make that two votes for neither.

3.7L is a 470 ....even though it is hooked to a mercruiser...... it is the worst mercruiser powerplant ever made and long discontinued. Go ahead and google 470 problems and the same thing can be said for the Force.

I would keep shopping.