Are Bayliners really that bad???

Franki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 16, 2002
Messages
1,059
Hi guys, <br /><br />I have heard many people trash bayliners on this board.. and I have often wondered what they are like..<br /><br />Then I discovered that they actually sell them over here, I went and looked at a 88 Ciera 24 footer and it was a great looking boat..<br /><br />then we had a car show, and out the front was a 2002 version of the same boat.. even better looking.. both had mercruser stern drives, and over all looked like fantastically outfitted boats..<br /><br />Are all bayliners bad? or did they just get a bad wrap from early smaller models??<br /><br />I am not trying to start anything, I just want to know..<br /><br />they were selling the 88 model over here for 50,000 dollars, (a bit under 25,000 USD) and I thought that was alot for a second hand 14 year old boat... (had a rebuild leg and motor though)<br /><br />any thoughts would be nice, cos they look really good.. (the basic bayliners are apparently shipped to Australia and kitted out over here, the finish looks pretty good.)<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank
 

G DANE

Commander
Joined
Nov 24, 2001
Messages
2,476
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

As with everything, it depends of how things are taken care of. Since 1984 there were sold many Bayliners here in Denmark. Compared to the Norwegian and Swedish boats, they were cheap, ( mainly based on effective production ) and as you mention well outfitted. Some of these boats were bought of people, first time boatowners, who had no clue about how to care for a boat. A part of these boats are in poor condition today, harming Bayliners rep. I later read tests mentioning their quality improved a lot. I think the boat always offered good handling and safety.<br /><br />See this:http://www.rotdoctor.com/glass/GLintro.html#top of coarse only some are bad.
 

ReefRat

Recruit
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
2
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

"Bayliner" = bay-liner. The bottom of Tampa Bay is lined with Bayliner's. Low priced first time boat. No resale value. Plywood floors and transom. Non-stainless hardware. Cheap price, cheap boat.
 

trollhole

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
423
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

Oh god here we go again! :mad: <br /><br />Everybody, to save this board from another massive posting on the subject just go to<br /> Whats up with bayliners?
 

Summer Fun

Banned
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
2,251
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

they are all good until that break then there all junkkkkkkk
 

C17LoadSmasher

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 24, 2001
Messages
152
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

Duh.. isn't anything good until it breaks. I like my Bayliner.
 

Capn Mike

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2001
Messages
561
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day on the Columbia River. I was anchored in a hog line (caught 2 nice chinook, thank you) and watched the parade of boats pass me by. I don't have a Bayliner, but did see lots of them. Gawrsh, those poor fools all had smiles on their faces, the kids seemed to be having fun, and there wasn't gloomy gus to be seen. Gee, if they only knew what all the "experts" know about how crappy their lives really are for owning a Bayliner..... :(
 

martyscher

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 18, 2002
Messages
207
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

Years ago, my buddy had some model Bayliner with cuddy cabin and I/O Volvo.<br /><br />Nothing spectactular, but seemed OK. You could ski behind it and it always attracted the girls.<br /><br />What else matters? ;) <br /><br />If you want tragedy, while on the highway, the recessed drink holder flew out of my new Lowe Angler. I'd of thought that the boat sank! :( <br /><br />I thought about making Lowe replace it under warranty, but since it was only $3.05, I would just buy it. My great LOCAL dealer (Al West Boats in Colorado Springs) gave me a new replacement for free. In return for their good service, I purchased two mooring ropes that I may have gotten a tad cheaper elsewhere.<br /><br />Now I am ready for the water again ;)
 

TxRiverRat

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 1, 2002
Messages
140
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

goodlooking bayliner? that could go for a textbook definition od an oxymoron...
 

Summer Fun

Banned
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
2,251
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

duh!! i have a bliner too and love it that was just a phrase calm down and have beer thats what i was told when i got bent outa shape about bliner bashers :D :D
 

mikeblare

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 15, 2002
Messages
31
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

I really wish that all the "knowledgable" morons out there who bash bayliners out there had the smallest clue as to what they were talking about.Geez lets all jump on the moron wagon and spout off about how bad a particular brand is when you dont have honest experience to speak about. Just to settle things no I dont own one I have never owned one but four of my boating friends do and guess what My boat gets moored in front of my house in the water theirs are all trailered to the water. Guess who gets more hours on the water, they do because I bought a quality boat a chris craft and things just keep going wrong. they are all within a few years of each other and hours of usage. Now Im not knocking my boat but I get a little frustrated when I see them going by with smiles on their faces and mines just floating there with something else broke. heres a list lower shift cable, Vertical drive shaft, eye hook in hull, wiring harness,gas guage,courtesy lights,swim platform pulling away from transom. yup sure am glad I didnt buy a bayliner Id hate to be out there enjoying the water instead of waiting for a replacement shaft that happens to be on backorder boy am I glad.
 

Anchor Man

Cadet
Joined
Mar 17, 2002
Messages
9
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

Sorry but I have to ask. If it bothers you so much why did you have to post a message to a thread that has been dead for 2 1/2 months and move it up to the top again? This thread was better left dead.
 

91formula

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
69
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

All the bayliner problems, well I have a force 92/120 HP and guess what it's let me sit 3 times, not to bad for only changing the lower gear lube once since then, I finally just replaced the inpeller, after 10 years!, Runs as good today and when I first bought it, yes the starter just went out and I bought a new 1, A whole 159.00 dollars and oh I forgot I had to buy a new trailer, but the 11,000 dollars I paid then is alot less then the new 25,000 I would spend for something brand new like a wellcraft or something, I got my money's worth and it still looks like a million bucks, I just guess I got the good 1.
 

mako

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 15, 2001
Messages
110
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

If you want a boat for inshore or for the lake and can get a good deal by a Bayliner. For offshore serious fishing use buy almost anything else!
 

Walter

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
787
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

All I want to know is where Capt. Mike was anchored...<br /><br />My 1980 Beachcraft fell apart after less than 4 years use. Talk about a piece of junk. But, she sure had pretty lines...so I refurbished her...ya might say I made a respectable woman out of her! Ha, ha...<br /><br />Piece of junk or not...she's paid for...she runs great...looks great...and she's all mine.<br /><br />You Bayliner owner's don't know how good you've got it...compared to some boats that are out there!<br /><br />Yep...let this post die...again.<br /><br />Walt
 

waterguy

Cadet
Joined
Jun 14, 2002
Messages
19
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

Here we go again with the Bayliner Bashing. I don't know if the liners are good or bad, but I seriously considered buying one until I read the threads on this web. I'm really glad now I didn't buy one, as I think the things being said about them are mainly true. For me it came down to a SeaRay or a StingRay. My wife and I decided on the StingRay. I'm really glad we did, as it's a great boat, build well, no wooden tansoms, runs well, fast, and has all stainless steel parts. And everyone tells me it looks better then any Bayliner. Last week we went boating at our local lake and I had my boat moored at the public dock waiting for some guests to arrive, when a couple of guys starting putting a Bayliner in the water. It looked great, but after the one guy left with the trailer the other man tried to start the Liner. It wouldn't start. I asked him if I could help and he said "Would you buy this piece of junk from me?" I told him I have heard so much bad stuff about Bayliner and asked him what he thought. He said he bought the boat because it was very cheap. He said he had no Idea just how cheap it was. He said he would give it away if he could, but it has depreciated in value so fast that he owes a lot more on it then it's worth. He said he would love to have a boat like our Sting Ray. He had looked at them but said he couldn't afford one. He said it was either the Bayliner or not have a boat. Then he said "Come to think of it I don't really have a boat now". His buddy came to the dock expecting to have a fun day on the water. Instead he went back to get the trailer and they left. I really did feel badly for the guy, but I counted my blessings that I hadn't purchased the Bayliner we looked at. I have you people on this site to thank for that.
 

sloopy

Commander
Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
2,999
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

!!! :mad: Hey guys its Sailboaty, sailsail, 00-boaty here<br /><br />I sail a Bayliner Buccaneer and I love it. (I am also 15 years old) I have sailed many other boats from MacGregers to swans and Amels (not in order from crappy to luxery :rolleyes: ) Bayliner builds boats for the Masses (forgive me for copying someone elses words) but many are treasured, I treasure my Bucc 200 and work on it and fix it up. that's what I love to do... the boat was a Piece-O-CHit when I brought it and now is not (it will never be perfect, I'm on my 5 type of outdoor carpit for the cockpit, do any outdoor carbits look goo :rolleyes: !!! :mad: ) you can do a search for Bayliner buccaneer's online, there is a great MSM message site for them. half the people making these badjudgments are just saying ****, they have no idea what they are saying, they are just saying it so they can be friends with the other half of the badjudgmenters, the guys who own crownlines, baja, maxxum. the second time boaters, Most people who buy bayliners ARE FIRST TIME BUYERS!!!!!!!!! they have fun, then there sold for a cheap price and some one else has fun on the water, then 10% of them sink :) , the people who buy them reeeeeeellllllly used are us who are looking for a deal and don't care or us (me) who like the custom look and feel OF DIY (Do it yourself) I got my boatt for 1500 and now it is worth 5000 and liability Ins. is 20,000 (can I share that) thats fun the satasfaction of doing it yourself. just a though........ hard to understand!
 

Jango

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 15, 2002
Messages
132
Re: Are Bayliners really that bad???

I have a 1988, 1700 Bayliner. The smoothest running boat I've had. Previous owned Glass boats include a 17 ft Bassboat, 20 ft Baja and a 17 ft Four Winns. The Bassboat and the Baja (270HP) were very rough riding wereas the four Winns was better but not near as smooth as the Bayliner. I hear comments about poor construction and materials. My Bayliner is solid with no wood issues and a joy to drive. ALL fasteners are Stainless and hardware stainless or Aluminum. It's hard for me to understand where some of the Listers on these Forums are comming from. I suppose if you treat a Boat (ANY BOAT) like a piece of Crap, it will become a piece of Crap.
 
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