Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

[mtmetzger]

Hey all! I've been bitten by the boat bug and have been looking around for a good family starter boat under $4000. I would like a runabout that holds at least 6 people and can be pulled with my Tacoma (6500 lb capacity)

After a couple months of searching online and at various marinas, I got excited about finding a 99 bayliner Capri 19.5 ft in the price range, but many people are trying to steer me away from them and are suggesting chris craft, four winns or sea ray instead. But most of those in the price range are mid 80's boats.

After a little research, I found some peope saying that bayliner got a bad rep after some of their 80's boats, but wasn't sure about a late 90's.

The question- for a first boat, should I go with the 99 bayliner or a mid 80's four winns, sea ray or chris craft for the same price? Assuming all are ready for the water...

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

If you are buying used (well used at $4000), don't pay attention to the name on the side, pay attention to the condition, maintenance, and storage. A well taken care of Bayliner may be better than a neglected (insert name here). Go over what ever you look at with a fine tooth comb looking for soft spots in the floor, weak transom, scrapes, gouges, torn up interior, etc. These all show signs of neglect and you will want to walk away. If the Bayliner looks good, has a good history, and "speaks to you" - who cares what the name on the side is.

Good luck and post back with pictures of the new vessel.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

You say you want a starter boat... Does that mean you will potentially wanna sell in a few years and upgrade? If so you may have to deal with the perceived undesirability when you go to sell. Just as you, have heard the negative vibes about BL in your boat shopping. I have never owned a Bayliner, but I wouldn't touch one with a 10 ft pole, JUST from what Ive heard...I gotta admit I my be unfairly negatively prejudiced But..............that i am........... . If i could swing it, I would go with any of the other 3 any day of the week... Just my 2 cents.....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

As an actual bayliner owner, I'd say check it out and if it is in good shape then buy it. Searay in that size is of similiar quality and you pay a premium for the sticker package.

Bayliners are not the fanciest boats, but they use the same engines and drives as everyone else - there is no secret crappy engine/drive manufacturing facility at Mercruiser or Volvo that makes parts for BL

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

DuckHunterJon nailed it in his post. Brand means nothing in your intended price range. Heck, as an example, that fancy Chris Craft you've been recommended? In that price range it's going to most likely be from the 80's or 90's where they were all powered by now-obsolete OMC stern drives. I'd much rather have a Mercruiser Bayliner.

For least chance of financial disaster, it's tough to beat an aluminum hull with an outboard. Fiberglass boats can can have rot and older I/Os can be pricey to get caught up on maintenance if you aren't planning on doing the work yourself.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Re: Byliner vs. Other brands for first boat

You can just about center your search on fiberglass inboard outboards in your retail market, unless you're willing to look at pontoon boats. In the middle of Kentucky, there are just no aluminum full hulled boats in the retail market that meet your needs, and larger hulled outboard boats are a rarity. There are plenty of bass boats, but they don't meet your needs.

Look for a boat that's in pristine condition, and that's been kept under cover or in a garage its whole life. Then, you won't have to worry so much about rotted transoms and soft spots in the hulls. They're out there.

The internet has made it so easy to find good boats--Boattrader.com, Craigslist.com and EBaymotors.com are the best places to look for boats that fit your needs.

Good luck, and enjoy your search. Remember it sometimes pays a lot to drive a little. Look in Lexington, Louisville and Cincinnati areas--they're closeby and have plenty of boats to choose from.

 

[mtmetzger]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Thanks for the advice! I have been very diligent on craigslist in the lexington and louisville areas for the last month or so. I decided to pass on that particular bayliner just because it had soft spots. I stumbled on a 95 four winns freedom 170 and looked at it yesterday. It was at a marina where he was having the service department "get it ready for the water" It was priced under $3000 and I was very excited. I looked at it last night and the floors were solid as a rock, but after speaking with the service guys there I discovered the only thing they had done was put a power steering belt on it. It still needed a starter relay and they were waiting for it to come in so they had not been able to start it or check anything else with it. The guy was wanting me to buy it without hearing it run, but that wasn't going to happen... I don't care how good the price was.

This morning I will be looking at a 95 dynasty 180. It's a little more than the Four Winns, but I have a good feeling about it after talking with the guy. He has already offered to put it in the water and he sounds very confident about it. If this one doesnt pan out, I'll check out the four winns after they finish checking it out.

The Four Winns has the 3.0 OMC and the Dynasty has the 3.0 Mercruiser. Which is the more desirable package?
I'll let you guys know what happens!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

OMC has been out of business for over a decade and their stern drives are no longer fully supported with parts or service. For I/O's, stick with Mercruiser or Volvo Penta. For outboards, anything but Chrysler/Force is fine. (same reason)

 

[mtmetzger]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

OMC has been out of business for over a decade and their stern drives are no longer fully supported with parts or service. For I/O's, stick with Mercruiser or Volvo Penta. For outboards, anything but Chrysler/Force is fine. (same reason)

That's what I thought and then I read something that said otherwise. Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[scipper77]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

I think Bayliner got it's bad reputation mostly from there 1980's combo of the Capri w/ that Force outboard. Not the most reliable motor and classic carpet on wood for a deck. If you stored them dry and kept up on the maintenance there is no reason why this combo couldn't last a long time. If you bought this combo because you it's all you could afford (aka spent ALL of your money on it) then it was probably not serviced as well as say someone who ponied up for a chris craft.

This goes back to what john said, It's all about how a boat was cared for. Personally, all I care about is that there is no rot and no major mechanical problems. If you own the boat you will need to do things like the water pump, bellows, gimbal (if like me you didn't do the bellows until it failed). If there is rot there is really nothing you can do short of a complete restoration that will cost you more than the $4000 you are willing to put in.

 

[mtmetzger]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Well, I picked up a 1995 Dynasty today and took it to the lake. The guy started it up for me and it seemed like it ran pretty well and the outdrive looked excellent. The floors are solid and I saw no signs of rot anywhere. I did a compression test and it came back 70-70-80-70. I heard the numbers were not as important as the consistency across the four (please correct me if I'm wrong). When I got it on the water I noticed that the voltage gauge was only reading 10 volts so I wasn't sure if it was broke or accurate. Turns out it was accurate and she failed to start the last time we turned it off to take a dip. We got a tow back from some nice ladies in a pontoon which was about an hour long haul back to the launch ramp. Other than that, the boat performed up to my expectations. Ill charge and test the battery and replace the alternator and hopefully it will be good to go. I'm still pretty happy with the purchase since I expected there would be a few bugs to work out in the beginning.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Any decent marine service can check the alternator to see if it's ok. Buy a new battery. Have the alternator checked.

It's moot now but Bayliner's bad rep is as bogus as a three dollar bill. I spent over 20 years in boating safety with the USCG, dealing with boat manufacturers. US Marine, who makes Bayliner, was one of the easiest to deal with. There is a good reason why they are the largest boat manufacturer in the world. They got the bad rep because they were killing the competition. Bayliner invented the package deal; boat motor and trailer for one price. Everyone else was selling these items separately. The Force engine was as about as basic as an outboard gets, it was actually the old Chrysler outboard in a new package. When maintained they lasted just fine. But a lot of boaters expect things to just take care of them selves and don't do proper servicing and maintenance. Any boat, Chris Craft, Sea Ray, Four Winns, or Bayliner will fail if you don't take care of it.

Duckhunter hit the nail on the head, and obviously you were listening. Good luck with your new boat. take good care of it and it will take good care of you.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

I agree with Duckhunter, ezmobee and peter, the most important issue for you is the care the boat has been given over its lifetime, far more important then the brand.

Another reason I think Bayliner got such a bad rap is that they were priced inexpensively, add to that the attention span of most Americans and you have an inexpensive boat that has changed hands a half dozen times in 15 years, less and less maintenance over those years and you see where I'm going. Don't be in to much of a hurry, its YOUR market not the sellers, there are so many boats for sale right now its almost sickening, but for you its perfect! Be patient and good luck!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Well, I picked up a 1995 Dynasty today and took it to the lake. The guy started it up for me and it seemed like it ran pretty well and the outdrive looked excellent. The floors are solid and I saw no signs of rot anywhere. I did a compression test and it came back 70-70-80-70. I heard the numbers were not as important as the consistency across the four (please correct me if I'm wrong). When I got it on the water I noticed that the voltage gauge was only reading 10 volts so I wasn't sure if it was broke or accurate. Turns out it was accurate and she failed to start the last time we turned it off to take a dip. We got a tow back from some nice ladies in a pontoon which was about an hour long haul back to the launch ramp. Other than that, the boat performed up to my expectations. Ill charge and test the battery and replace the alternator and hopefully it will be good to go. I'm still pretty happy with the purchase since I expected there would be a few bugs to work out in the beginning.

Congrats, lets see some pics! Yeah the compression consistency is the most important. If it ran strong, I wouldn't worry about the numbers.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Glad to hear you found one you liked. If battery and alternator are all it needs, I'd say that's a nice find. Be safe and enjoy it!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

How many manufacturer representatives do you see on these forums responding to issues and in general just exhibiting excellent customer service... ONE, take a guess who. (Bayliner)

 

[jmorgan87]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Congrats.

My first boat experience as a kid was with a Bayliner. It was in excellent shape. The only complaint we had was being under powered. It was a 4cylidner I/O if I remember right, and with a family of 6 it was just too little boat. It was dependable, and had no issues. Had it for a season, sold it and purchased a much larger hurricane deck boat I/O.

maintenance is the key to any boat, and i think once you start looking at old boats. Unless a particular model had known defects or issues.. the brand is hardly worth mentioning unless two boats are of 'equal condition'.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

How many manufacturer representatives do you see on these forums responding to issues and in general just exhibiting excellent customer service... ONE, take a guess who. (Bayliner)

That was a lame effort on their part that they never followed through with.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Well, I picked up a 1995 Dynasty today and took it to the lake. The guy started it up for me and it seemed like it ran pretty well and the outdrive looked excellent. The floors are solid and I saw no signs of rot anywhere. I did a compression test and it came back 70-70-80-70. I heard the numbers were not as important as the consistency across the four (please correct me if I'm wrong). When I got it on the water I noticed that the voltage gauge was only reading 10 volts so I wasn't sure if it was broke or accurate. Turns out it was accurate and she failed to start the last time we turned it off to take a dip. We got a tow back from some nice ladies in a pontoon which was about an hour long haul back to the launch ramp. Other than that, the boat performed up to my expectations. Ill charge and test the battery and replace the alternator and hopefully it will be good to go. I'm still pretty happy with the purchase since I expected there would be a few bugs to work out in the beginning.

Congrats. Might I suggest a second battery with a switch. I have owned boats from 14ft all the way to 28ft and that is always the first thing I do. That way if you run the radio or it isnt charging quite right you wont get stranded.

Good Luck! Have fun out there and be safe!

 

[mtmetzger]

Re: Bayliner vs. Other brands for first boat

Thanks guys! This place is great!

I believe I will go ahead and get the battery switch and a second battery just in case. Being stranded out there with no cell phone coverage was not a good feeling at all.