Bayliner question

[rebars1]

I am curious as to what the is that issue some people seem to have with Bayliners? In the past they have been spoken of in not so nice terms. I don't have one, just curious. Is/was there a structural problem?

 

[jr1017]

Re: Bayliner question

Here's my 2 cents worth and I don't even think it's worth that.

What I've always thought about Bayliners is they're a good looking boat, but they are heavy and come underpowered. Unless you bought an outboard model and stuck a bigger engine on it.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Bayliner question

They have a reputation as being cheaply made. Things like.... Cheap, chrome plated parts instead of stainless steel. Screws instead of bolts and nuts. Thin fiberglass poorly laid allowing water intrusion. Etc.

I don't know if things have changed... but that has been their reputation - Right or wrong.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bayliner question

That of course may be an older reputation too.

Bayliner is now owned by Brunswick, parent company of over 40 boat manufacturers including Seayray, Maxum and Boston Whaler....all premium boats.... It's unlikely they would knowingly allow shoddy workmanship nowadays...Yes I know S***t happens and the Bayliners are sort of "entry level" boats.

I have a 94 20' Bayliner in my shop right now that I'm swapping the engine.......The fiberglass work in it is really no better than my 87 Four Winns 211 Liberator! (My brother paid $28,000 for it new) and they used screws instead of bolts in a lot of places. Very few companies hand hand lay-up fiberglass anymore....they blow it on with a chopper gun.....so in a manufacturing environment there would be some areas that might not get good coverage if someone got in a hurry etc....look up into your gunwales sometimes and you'll see what I mean.


If you really want to see how they're made, go to one of the bayliner manufacuring operations. I'll bet you can actually see how they put them together...
http://www.bayliner.com/manufacturing.asp

 

[bomar76]

Re: Bayliner question

If you belive the advertising for Bayliner stickied to to the top of this forum (disgused as "Threads") you'd think they were the best boat ever to float.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Bayliner question

They are a cheaply built boat to be affordable for the average Joe.
You get what you pay for.

 

[oops!]

Re: Bayliner question

one of my boats is a bliner capri.....1989......the bad years......

one of our guys here did a bit on bliners...(new) and loved them....and i trust him. my buddie owns a 06 17 footer....and really loves it......(4 cyl...i/o)

soooooo this info is on the old bayliners.

they were a price point boat ...(as mentioned) that means they were made cheaply, so anyone looking at boats could buy a really sleek...neat looking boat for not much money....

in doing this.....the boats fell apart quick IF not taken care of.....

my 89.needed a gymbal bering because the origonal engine was shoddly installed from the factory......small dings in other boats mean holes in the bliners and water intrusion is common thru the hull....the stringers on mine are shot...the foam is wet...and needs to be totally rebuilt.....it is less than 20 yeras old.......the figerglass hull is so weak that i can feel the water (thru the hull) lapping at my feet....

they ride rough....and you feel like a cork on the water when a smaller boat passes......

however......the styling and some of the features were outstanding.. including the long side windows....keeping the wind to a minimum...

i still use my b-liner on the weekend....but only till my resto on the big ray is done.....(that boat was 40 years old.....i rescued it out of a farmers feild....and at that time it was twice the boat that the b-liner (mine) is. (same size)

i will be rebuilding the b-liner this winter....and dumping it ...(i cant sell it in good consence to any one the way it is)

but again.......thats the older b-liners.........owner satisfaction on the new ones is way up.......the resale is low due to past considerations

cheers
oops

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bayliner question

If you belive the advertising for Bayliner stickied to to the top of this forum (disgused as "Threads") you'd think they were the best boat ever to float.

Man,Bonar......a little harsh there huh?

My threads were my and some other guys opinions that actually spent the day on those boats.
For the money they are good boats now made by US Marine Inc.They own Brunswick and many boat manufactures.
All of the hulls are built pretty much the same in a mold and sprayed chopped glass set to a certain thickness.
Some of the final glass work is done by hand.
I went through the plant and watched every step.

The early 80s Bayliners got the bad rap for structural problems.

 

[oops!]

Re: Bayliner question

gary......there is four new bayliners in the storage yard im doin my resto in.........i crawled around each one after i read your test reports......

a could not stick my head into every area as i wanted to......but......they look like there built good... i think theyve learned form past issues (it costs a lot of money to bring a boat back to repair it.......less to make it better

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bayliner question

Thanks oops!

They are made by a different company than they used to be.
The ones i looked over appeared to be made well also.
I think the hulls are much thicker than the older models.

Good for you on restoring your Bayliner before selling it.
I know its a lot of work but the next owner will be safe and it should make a great selling point too....

Good luck and post some pics when you get started.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Bayliner question

Jeez, another thread on this tired old subject. Bayliners are what they are, entry level boats priced as entry level boats and constructed as entry level price point boats. People on here would have you believe that are rivaling Cobalts now. If you want a cheap boat, get a Bayliner, but go into it with your eyes open knowing you are DEFINATELY getting a boat constructed with less material and lower quality appointments than just about any other boat out there. Are they better than they used to be, probably, but time will tell. Clearly the people who have done the reviews here had other motives with their reviews so I would take them with a grain of salt.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Bayliner question

Clearly the people who have done the reviews here had other motives with their reviews so I would take them with a grain of salt.

Easy, now!
This has been brought up a few times and usually results in a poofed thread....

 

[rebars1]

Re: Bayliner question

Sorry about the "tired old subject". For someone relatively new to boating this is new information. Thanks for the input.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bayliner question

Just to let you guys know i was NOT paid a dime for doing the reviews.
Yes they are entry level boats.But are better made than the old models by a long shot.
For the price i would buy one as a great family starter boat.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Bayliner question

Jeez, another thread on this tired old subject. Bayliners are what they are, entry level boats priced as entry level boats and constructed as entry level price point boats. People on here would have you believe that are rivaling Cobalts now. If you want a cheap boat, get a Bayliner, but go into it with your eyes open knowing you are DEFINATELY getting a boat constructed with less material and lower quality appointments than just about any other boat out there. Are they better than they used to be, probably, but time will tell. Clearly the people who have done the reviews here had other motives with their reviews so I would take them with a grain of salt.

It may be tired and old but it doesnt stop you from piping in.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Bayliner question

It may be tired and old but it doesnt stop you from piping in.

Well, have to make sure people hear the truth, not some completely biased opinion from the reviewers and others who have other motives. Besides what is the point of your post, at least mine offered useful information. Yours on the other hand was just stupid and pointless...

 

[marine4003]

Re: Bayliner question

I am guaranteed a laugh whenever Bayliner is mentioned, Two strongly opinionated camps as far as this subject goes, as stated above Bayliner is an entry level boat...good to learn boating in,not to much money to buy & operate,low resale value, but for the novice its a deal.It amazes me how folks respond to these questions about Bayliner like there FORCED to leave a reply,the best option is to pass up the thread without leaving a pointless,negative comment.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Bayliner question

It amazes me how folks respond to these questions about Bayliner like there FORCED to leave a reply,the best option is to pass up the thread without leaving a pointless,negative comment.

THAT ^^^was my point

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Bayliner question

Somebody needs to tell me what the "pointless negative comment" was? As long as people keep asking the same old questions, the same answers need to be given. If they are going to get the Bayliner lovers response, they need to get the real perspective. Obvioulsy, this guy did not search to get any answers, SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH GIVING HIM A REAL ANSWER AGAIN?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bayliner question

As far as having other motives for the reviews thats just not the truth.
I have never owned a Bayliner.I have owned Glastron,Renken,Starcraft,SeaRay and my current ChrisCraft.
My Chris has a super thick hull and is solid as a rock.I did not expect the same thing in the entry level Bayliners. But,i was impressed with the way they are now constructed.Much better than i expected.
Are they a Cobalt? NO! but that is reflected in the price.