bayliner opinions please

[lofosho97]

Hi Im new to the forum and did a search for this topic but didnt find much.I had a friend of mine offer me his 1989 bayliner capri 1970 for a $1000.Its got a 125 hp force inboard l-drive motor in it and minor interior problems.Its been sitting for two years but other than that its in real good shape. I talked to a close family friend at a local marina about the boat in general and he told me in short that bayliner is cheaply made and a bottom of the barrel type boat and that I shouldnt waste my money that it will give me nothing but problems.I've heard nothing bad about bayliners and see them all over the place.So my question to you is what do you think of bayliners?I only have 2 days to make a decision.Thanks for the help.

 

[roscoe]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Hi, welcome to iboats.<br /><br />""did a search for this topic but didnt find much""<br /><br />There are thousands of posts here that talk about Bayliners.<br />Many will say they are bad/cheap/etc.<br />Most weren't that bad, but early models didn't hold up structurally and suffered from serious wood rot.<br /><br />The problem you are facing is not the boat. The boat hull, but transom, floor, and stringers should be checked for rot.<br /><br />But the L-drive is a ghost from the past. Parts are very hard to find, many shops won't even work on them, they were underpowered, the drive unit itself is not replacable with any other drive, and the powerhead can only be replaced with an exact duplicate. If theis boat was ever used in saltwater, just walk away now.<br /><br />So if either the motor or drive unit fails, you will have to totally rebuild the transom and buy a new outboard.<br /><br />I would pass.<br /><br />Use the red "search" feature above, search in the Force forum, key word L drive or L-drive. Start reading. <br /><br />If you decide you MIGHT want it, make him take you for a test drive before agreeing to the purchase. Plan on spending $300-$500 to get it into running condition, and pray that nothing major breaks.<br /><br />If you actually buy it, slap yourself. <br /><br />For not too much more money, you can buy a decent reliable rig.<br /><br />There is a reason he is trying to give it away.

 

[rook]

Re: bayliner opinions please

I have to agree, I've got a 20ft Capri with a Volvo Penta ,personally I wouldn't touch anything that has Force written on it. My boat sat for 2 years also, outside but covered and the floor and stringers completely rotted out $3000(CAD) later she was like new again. Not really a bad boat but definately far from great. Be VERY CAREFUL with your decision, freind or not there is a reson he only want's a grand

 

[cuzner]

Re: bayliner opinions please

The l drive was a good idea, but never caught on. Walk away from it!!!Too many problems with it. I looked at one in the early 90"s The concept did'nt last long enough to get the problems worked out.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: bayliner opinions please

If you are looking for a project boat Bayliners are cheap to work on. Just the starting price is high and if your not a good outboard mechanic run like hell from that Force.

 

[fixin]

Re: bayliner opinions please

I'd pass,unless it was free.

 

[Realgun]

Re: bayliner opinions please

IF it was an outboard and it worked fine I would say no problems get it. But the I-drive was a bad idea. Run away fast!<br /><br />Cheap boats true but, the hull stringers and mostly transom were fine its everything else thats bad/cheap.

 

[Sea Six]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Meet the only family who still has a boat like that:<br /><br />

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Originally posted by roscoe:<br /> There are thousands of posts here that talk about Bayliners.<br />Many will say they are bad/cheap/etc.<br />Most weren't that bad, but early models didn't hold up structurally and suffered from serious wood rot.

Huh...so what about Bayliners redheaded-step child, the Maxum. I bought one recently and didn't realize they were made by the same company...I thought Bayliner was a much better made product, and if so, then my Maxum is going to be a flop soon?<br /><br />Please, tell me it ain't so!

 

[3388sam]

Re: bayliner opinions please

IMHO I've owned a few. Bayliners in general are great boats for the money.<br />The I-drive is going to be a problem if you ever need repairs.<br /><br />You will hear/read about the Bayliner bashing, but remember there are 10s of thousands of Bays running problem free for years that you'll never hear about!<br /><br />Maxums built by the same company but to a "Higher Standard" Our Maxum weighs aprox. 800 lbs more the same size and equipped Bay. Where's the extra weight- more stringers (stiffer hull) and uses thicker and heavier materials through out.<br /><br />US Marine (now New Brunswick) is all of 15 min. from me. I know a bunch of people who work there and they will put their boats up against any others.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Originally posted by 3388sam:<br />Maxums built by the same company but to a "Higher Standard" Our Maxum weighs aprox. 800 lbs more the same size and equipped Bay. Where's the extra weight- more stringers (stiffer hull) and uses thicker and heavier materials through out.

SWEET!

 

[Realgun]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Maxums built by the same company but to a "Higher Standard" Our Maxum weighs aprox. 800 lbs more the same size and equipped Bay

Interestingly my liner as I have stated on numerous occasions, is built fine and the gelcoats nice and thick except where the idiot beached it and wore it through. Oh and that happens to other brands too!<br /><br />I did replace everything but the hull, stringers, and transom. THose stringers are very thick long and strong. I think where Bayliner went wrong was all the stuff that goes in after the hull and top were made. And this is where the bashing comes in.<br /><br />I have stated this 1 to many times Bayliners are fine boats, light in weight and stronger than heck. No need for over kill there.<br /><br />My teeth rattle long before the hull would crack!<br />So keep your extra 800 Lbs. <br /><br />Matter of fact in my rebuild I have lost approx. 150 lbs in weight from the factory guestimate.<br />Just the two panes of glass were 70 lbs!

 

[MnMike]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Originally posted by lofosho97:<br /> Hi Im new to the forum and did a search for this topic but didnt find much.I had a friend of mine offer me his 1989 bayliner capri 1970 for a $1000.Its got a 125 hp force inboard l-drive motor in it and minor interior problems.Its been sitting for two years but other than that its in real good shape. I talked to a close family friend at a local marina about the boat in general and he told me in short that bayliner is cheaply made and a bottom of the barrel type boat and that I shouldnt waste my money that it will give me nothing but problems.I've heard nothing bad about bayliners and see them all over the place.So my question to you is what do you think of bayliners?I only have 2 days to make a decision.Thanks for the help.

 

[MnMike]

Re: bayliner opinions please

I just acquired a 1989 Bayliner Ciera 2650 and found out that the Bayliner parts dept won't or can 't help me with determining who is OEM on the deck access hatches since they don't (?) have information going back past 1994. I take that to mean they arenn't concerned about their boats after 11 years. Or that their boats shouldn't be repaired after that age. They must not figure that aftermarket support regardless of age will make for repeat customers and for new customers for their product line. Like much else in the business world nowadays, an MBA degree says maximize your profits today. Customer loyalty and suuport are not measureable quantifyable factors to take into consideration when making financial decisions. MBA is short terms today thinklology for making a better bottom line now (so consulting fees and annual bonuses are paid). Other than that I likke my new old boat. Better salon space engineering was needed. Better user documentation for the on-board equipment also needs improvement.

 

[SeaJayacas]

Re: bayliner opinions please

"I take that to mean they arenn't concerned about their boats after 11 years."<br /><br />Most compamies aren't concerned what happens 11 days after the sale, much less 11 years. By the way many companies selling boats 11 years ago have since gone bankrupt.

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Why should boats be any different than anything else? If you needed a new turn signal lever for a 16 yr old car, a new door for your 16 yr old fridge, or a new hatch for your 16 yr old boat, it's unlikely that the factory will be much help.<br /><br />I also suspect, but don't know for sure, that this is not a problem unique to Bayliner.

 

[3388sam]

Re: bayliner opinions please

Realgun wish I could shed those pounds off the boat. Sure didn't buy it because it weighs more!<br />And your right you'll blow kidney out before the hull will crack!

 

[dtherrien]

Re: bayliner opinions please

I just sold my 86 bayliner trophy with a 86 125 force.It could very well be the best boat i have ever owned.I sold it thinking i was going to up grade....now that i have my new boat...its not really a whole lot better than my trophy.The boat and motor never gave me a bit of trouble....The first person that looked at it , bought it.