Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

[canadman]

Ok, I posted yesterday and I'm really struggling with my buying decision and hope someone can help me with some good advice.

Here's my situation, I've boated for years (20 years or so - since my early 20's). Though I've had many boats over that time they have generally been in the ordinary bowrider type range (18', outboard, that type of thing).

I'm a pretty competent boater, licensed, etc...

I have always wanted one day to size up to a bigger cruiser. I have two kids and want the room and convenience to have 'inside' space and some conveniences (galley, sleeping, lounge seating, bathroom, etc...). It's a different style of boating I realize that (I've used my boats mainly for fishing, the wife and kids like to cruise and swim, etc...).

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1974 27.5' Bayliner Victoria Command Bridge. I realize this is an older model but I have seen many pictures of it and it is pristinely clean for its years with all new upholstery, carpet, etc.. in 2000. It has twin Volvo 140hp, 4 cyl. I/O that according to the owner (a retired gentleman who's the second owner) the engines run well (I will naturally test 'drive' it). I can pick the boat up, with tandem trailer in good condition for $5,500. Boat includes camper back, bimini, various covers, extra props, Eagle fish finder, power winch (on trailer), etc...

1. Does this sound like a good deal? (Not sure what constitutes a decent deal for older well maintained Bayliners)

2. I want any opinions on the Volvo powerplants. Good, bad, what should I check for?

3. What is the Victoria like as a boat to use? Hard to load? Bad in rough water? A pig to drive? Tough on fuel? Anything else that might help me to know?

4. I've never had a large boat like this before, never had inboard/outboard... How much of a learning curve is it? Is it something I can pick up or is it a nightmare to get into? It seems pretty intimidating, just learning all the 'extras' required to run the thing.

Anyway, sorry to be so longwinded but I'm really struggling with this. Always wanted an older cruiser and have always liked Bayliners. Any advice or input you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[canadman]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

Sorry, forgot to add it's a command bridge so it has a flybridge as well...which begs the additional question... How hard is it to drive from a flybridge...seems like driving a car sitting on the roof...lol

 

[tommays]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

Find out what the motors are ,there should be a metal tag on them like AQ140

Then you find out about part prices and look into the Volvo service in your area and if there willing to work on older boats


The Volvo dealer would be you best bet to be sure there are no expensive problems with the motor and drive






Tommays

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

it's not going to be peppy boat, like the bow riders. with practice, it will be easier to dock having twins, using one forward, one reverse technique. i definately feel a test drive is required. you may not like the way it handles. as far as piloting, the flybridge gives you much better view of where you are going, unless you get seasick. as there is more motion the higher you get.

 

[stevens]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

At $5500, you're getting a boat that's nice with engines that run, and at a cost that would allow you to repower (should you need to) and still have gotten a lot of boat for a very reasonable amount of money.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

With 2 I/Os you are sure to get an education. Maby there was nothing suitable in a V-8 back in 74. Sound like quite a substantal boat. Cant comment on the price. Is this canadian or us dollars? Seems like a lot or money either way, but I am not familiar with the prices up north. The fact that it has 2 engines would scare me away but I am an O/B guy. FRED

 

[Solittle]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

Well Canadaman I can offer some input as I had a 1977 Victoria. It has one of the best layouts for a boat of this size and the flybridge is huge. Mine had a single 350 ci. in V8 chevy hooked to a Volvo (270 I think) outdrive. With that power it was a slug. I could get it up on a plane if lightly loaded with the engine screaming. So I highly recommend that you go for a test ride before you put your money down. With twin engines the rig you are looking at may perform just fine.

Read this carefully - You best have a very heavy duty triple axle trailer with brakes on at least two axles - not to mention a truck big enough to pull the sucker. It is big and heavy. Mine was 35' from the front of the trailer to the back of the outdrive. I think it weighed in around 12,000 pounds. For me it was white knuckle driving every time I moved it. Since it is huge it has a lot of surface for the wind and passing cars/trucks to push around. Also you need to think of height going down the road. I took the wind screen off of the flybridge in our neighborhood by underestimating the clearence of some trees.

I had mine for a couple of years and sold it six weeks before hurricane Andrew ripped through Miami. While I loved it in some respects I was not sorry to see it go.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

A couple of other thoughts -

I thought the construction quality to be good - far better than the late 70s-80s small junk outboards that Bayliner put out.

We weary of the glowing words from the seller - - enough said.

I would suspect that the engines/outdrive are not the original. If they are keep in mind that they are now 34 years old - that is not a big deal in my mind if they were well maintained but you could drop a big bucket of cash into it if you need to repower.

I hung an auxiliary on the transom platform and had to use it on several occasions. Mine wias a 9.9 long shaft and was not nearly powerful enough but it was all I had and pushed it OK but slowly when I had to use it. I did not have to use it any time where there was much more than a light breeze.

It is not an off shore boat - period. It handles as you might expect. Due to the size it can be a real bear in any situation with wind and little maneuvering room.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Bayliner Victoria & Volvo 140 I/O

Keep in mind twin 140s will use about 28 gph(gallons per hour) @ wot(wide open throttle)yet will deliver slightly les performance than a single 280 due to additional twin drag.There is definately more maintenance with an I/O and obviously twice as much with the twins.I/Os tend to be tail heavy and even the singles get a lot of requests for improving hole shot in the prop forum.
If it was mine to do I would hold out for an outboard powered boat.
It will be easier to maintain,will get up quicker,easier to tweak for the best performance.
No complicated oil changes or winter storage preparations.