Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

[Sr20_00]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

Get what you are going to be happy with and can afford. If YOU like it, it runs solid, and it can provide your family with good memories on the water then go for it. I personally wouldn't want the Force motor but if it's solid according to the mechanic then go for it! I have a '92 Sunbird Corsair which is very similar to a Bayliner and my family has enjoyed it thus far!

 

[ezez]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

I have a '91 Bayliner Capri 1802 Cuddy w/ 90HP Force.

Don't be too discouraged with all the Bayliner/Force bashing. Like anything if it has been taken care off and maintained it could be a very solid deal.

The Force motors are easy to work on but it might be difficult to find parts and/or find a mechanic who is willing to work on them. So, if you are willing to work on it yourself and possibly hunt down some parts there isn't typically a problem with them. Mind you the boat won't be winning many races. Mine tops out at about 35mph.

The interior and hull on my boat are in excellent shape. Floor and transom are solid. There is never a drop of water in the bilge. Put my hull and interior up against any other manufacturers and mine would be as good or better for its age.

 

[altissimo79]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

WOW... didn't know we were going to get so passionate about it... As for a better boat in "YOUR" area for the same price... tell me what one might be? Also, the picture of the bayliner you just posted... the one I am looking at looks in as good of shape as that one... Question... should I need any parts, i.e. the side plastic air intake look alikes, one is cracked... any suggestions on places that I can get some parts for a 91 capri? Or just check out for parted out boats?

Thanks again everyone for your help!

 

[91capri2050]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

I have a '91 Bayliner Capri 1802 Cuddy w/ 90HP Force.

Don't be too discouraged with all the Bayliner/Force bashing. Like anything if it has been taken care off and maintained it could be a very solid deal.


The interior and hull on my boat are in excellent shape. Floor and transom are solid. There is never a drop of water in the bilge. Put my hull and interior up against any other manufacturers and mine would be as good or better for its age.

++1

 

[91capri2050]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

WOW... didn't know we were going to get so passionate about it... As for a better boat in "YOUR" area for the same price... tell me what one might be? Also, the picture of the bayliner you just posted... the one I am looking at looks in as good of shape as that one... Question... should I need any parts, i.e. the side plastic air intake look alikes, one is cracked... any suggestions on places that I can get some parts for a 91 capri? Or just check out for parted out boats?

Thanks again everyone for your help!

ebay may be your best bet, or some parted out boat. I paid 4900 last year for the boat in the picture, which is in incredible shape, but it does have the 4.3/Aplha 1 motor, which would make it more expensive than the one you are looking at.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

This arguement needs to settle down. It was blown out of proportion from the start. No one initially said that Bayliners were "crap". It was pointed it out that a Force is probably not a great buy. It was also pointed out that Bayliners are lower quality. This is a fact. Can anyone name a boat of lower quality than Bayliner or Sunbird? That's not to say they are junk but they are on the very lowest end of the spectrum.

A potential buyer new to boats needs to be made aware of things like Force outboards or OMC stern drives not having good parts and service support. I also think it can't hurt for them to be informed about what the initial level of quality was for a brand they're considering.

Regardless....with used boats, especially well used boats, brand matters little. I've often said I'd much rather have a well maintained Bayliner than a neglected Cobalt. Any of the Capris shown in this thread appear to meet that criteria.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

The force is just like any other old outboard, very expensive to repair. Ebay and CL is you friend for parts, and find a repair shop that will work on it before you buy it.

My biggest complaint with my bayliner is the harsh ride due to the hull design. The quality control issues can be addressed when something breaks. Just make sure the boat is rot free. Old boats that have been wet often may look great, but may be rotted.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

The force is just like any other old outboard, very expensive to repair. Ebay and CL is you friend for parts, and find a repair shop that will work on it before you buy it.

That's simply not true. I could still get just about every nut bolt and screw for my '73 Johnson and my '81 Evinrude is even better. Mercurys are pretty good as well though they do have some models with some NLA parts.

 

[ezez]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

That's simply not true. I could still get just about every nut bolt and screw for my '73 Johnson and my '81 Evinrude is even better. Mercurys are pretty good as well though they do have some models with some NLA parts.

It's also not true that it is expensive to repair a Force if you are willing to turn a wrench. Although not all parts are available new anymore most of the Force outboard parts are still readily available used on Ebay and such.

Again, I have the Force 90HP that the OP is inquiring about and if I needed any part for it I could buy it new or find a used one within a week or two. I have a complete motor w/ a blown powerhead sitting in my shop that I can use for parts. It cost me under $250. Now the truth is the lower unit is probably worth the price I paid for the whole dang thing but my point is parts are out there if they are needed. In addition, because of the constant bantering about Bayliner/Force being crap they can be purchased relatively cheap.

Back to the OP the Force motor can be a very good serviceable motor. With that if you aren't mechanically inclined it probably isn't the best motor for you to buy because most marinas don't want to work on them. So, if you can follow a service manual and turn a wrench it can be a decent option otherwise I would look elsewhere.

 

[perchin]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

judging by the OP's original post, I'm gathering he is asking the iboat's member's opinion's becuase he/she is rather new to it all....... And I doubt that being new to it, he wants to start right off with something he can't take to the marina if need be.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

I have a '91 Bayliner Capri 1802 Cuddy w/ 90HP Force.

Don't be too discouraged with all the Bayliner/Force bashing. Like anything if it has been taken care off and maintained it could be a very solid deal.

The Force motors are easy to work on but it might be difficult to find parts and/or find a mechanic who is willing to work on them. So, if you are willing to work on it yourself and possibly hunt down some parts there isn't typically a problem with them. Mind you the boat won't be winning many races. Mine tops out at about 35mph.

The interior and hull on my boat are in excellent shape. Floor and transom are solid. There is never a drop of water in the bilge. Put my hull and interior up against any other manufacturers and mine would be as good or better for its age.

I think this is very balanced advice.

If the boat is in good condition and you've had it checked out by a professional to your satisfication, I can't see why there would be issues beyond the normal concerns that every fiberglass boat has.

Force would not be my first choice of outboards, but again I think the downside is limited. If it's running well now, why not? Run good fuel and good oil in it, and have fun.

Even in the worst case scenario of a total and unrepairable engine failure, I see plenty of 1990s vintage Merc, Johnsons, and Evinrudes on Craigslist that would make suitable and reasonable replacements. Obviously, repowering is an expense no boat owner really wants, but relatively speaking I'd rather replace an outboard than an I/O. Just like owning a car, you have to accept that there is always a risk of catastrophic failure. Don't dance if you aren't willing and able to pay the fiddler.

Also, I find it helpful to keep two things in mind:

Rule #1: The word "Boat" is not a noun. It is an acronym for Bust Out Another Thousand.

Rule #2: As long as you have a boat, you'll never be without something to do. Read into that anything you'd like.

Grouse

 

[Kracken]

Re: Advice Needed: 1991 Bayliner Capri

Bayliners are good boats for the money. Period. Is it a Grady White? NO, but it doesn?t cost nearly as much as Grady White either. I keep seeing members of this forum stating the manufacturer does not matter after a boat is X years old, it?s how well the boat is maintained.

I have to disagree. While maintenance is extremely important and probably the most important factor, it certainly does matter how well it was put together in the first place.

You can find a 91 Bayliner for $2,100, you would be hard pressed to find a 91 Grady White for $2,100 unless it was sinking or on fire.

Bayliners provide value (new and used) and that is why they are so popular.

My problem would be with the Force Outboard. I am not saying they are not dependable but it will be difficult to get certain parts for it. I sold my last boat because it had an OMC Cobra in it (also unsupported). It was a great motor that gave me 500+ hours of relatively trouble free operation. Unfortunately the parts are no longer manufactured and I had to rely on Ebay for used parts. I enjoy my time on the water, I don?t want to be hung up for weeks waiting on parts. Some people wouldn?t mind that inconvenience if the price was right.

There is a right boat for everybody.