Bayliner, why all the hate?

[Viking...]

There's an awful lot of them out there, and I'm curious to know if the distaste for this brand is warranted?
Are there actually legitimate reasons for the bad rep, or is it a case of a few bad apples ruining the bunch.

I'm heading out after the kid's soccer game to look at an '85 Capri 195 with Volvo/Penta 120.
The boat is the right size, the right type (bow-rider), and has an I/O with a good reputation.
It's also reasonably priced, the owner having purchased a new boat.

So, my question again, why all the hate for Bayliner?

 

[mphy98]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

I have found any time you have an "entry level" boat, the snobs come out in droves. Yes there were initial quality issues as with any mass produced item, but all in all, they floated, got under way, and satisfied a whole lot of people. I bet there are a lot of people here in this forum who have had these boats. My neighbor has had one for ten years and all he does is change the oil and winterize it. (it could use a good wax job) Same thing in the RV industry. Coachmen is looked down at too, but you see a lot of them out there.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Ditto the last 2 posts...

I have heard the factory build quality has improved since the early and mid 80's

I have a 1999 and love it! I put a bunch of work into it. (see link thread below) But this boat's previous owner took very good care of her! I would rather buy a well kept Bayliner than an abuse more expensive boat...

BTW, A marine survey would be money well spent. Look for soft spots in the deck. Check engine and bilge area, It should be clean and well kept.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Viking, the 80's are the vintage that Bayliner had the most quality control problems. So buyer beware. And check it over very closely. Boats of that vintage is why Bayliner has its well deserved bad reputation. Also, since they sell entry level boats, they get entry level owners. Owners who don't take proper care of them. Any boat will suffer from neglect. It just seems that a higher proportion of Bayliners are neglected.
The other problem with Bayliners is that they used OMC engine/drives, which are now obsolete. The one you are looking at has a Volvo, so that's better. Do you have the ability to service it, or is there a qualified Volvo technician close by?
As far as new Bayliner's go, their quality is much improved. And for the prices they charge, in my opinion, they are "impossible to ignore" when/if you are considering a brand new boat.
When I buy a pocket sized cabin cruiser, I will definately be looking at Bayliners.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Here is how I see it. Bayliner built entry level (price) boats. This allowed a lot of people to become first time boat owners. As first time owners they did not know how (or care) to properly maintain a boat or store it. The end result, a lot of Bayliners that died too young.

Ayuh,... Hate has Nothing to do with it....

Bilgeliners are Entry level boats, usually bought by Non/ Beginner boaters....
Entry level boats are built with the least amount of inferior materials to create the illusion of a Quality Boat...
Sunbirds also come to mind...

 

[Nico2112]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Here's a riddle...

If Bayliners are "entry level" and "cheap", they why are they more expensive than Glastrons?

I love building boats on the manufacturer's websites, and it came to my attention that Bayliners are not that cheap compared to their Glastron counterparts.

I guess Glastrons reduced their costs with the aid of VEC technology, and can now offer cheaper boats with better quality (just my guess)

Anyway, to the original poster, I don't think in these days any boat manufacturer is small. They all offer entry level, mid level and top notch lines, so it's just about personal preference IMO. As mentioned before, their quality was sub par in the '80s, but not today!

Cheers!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

one word... FORCE. most OB bayliners came equipped with possibly the worst outboard known to man, and some of that stinky reputation rubbed off on the boat.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

As many have previously stated, there were many quality control problems in the 80's. To be exact, I believe all the way to '89. And the Force outboards, you would probably get to your destination faster with four oars. One for you, the wife, and for each of the two kids / company that came along.

 

[kamby]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

This debate has been talked about so much and on ther forums. Personally i dont think there that bad of a boat. I have an 85 Bayline Carpri with AQ125a Sterndrive.
This is my first boat and take fairly good care of it and i know what my limits are as to what i can do to it mechanical wise. As with any boats you gotta check them over, i've seen some nice new boats that were trashed. And ive seen old gems that still look new. As with anything you buy Cavet Emptor. Definatly a sea trial if your going with something older. A survey maybe worth while but i dont know how much they cost, and it might not be worth it if its close to or over the purchase price.
Also with Volvo Engines they are good engines, they require alot of maintance, and parts are a little spendy unless it has a Chevy/Ford engine branded as a Volvo, there still expensive but not as bad.

 

[jkust]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

One of my boats in an 84 Capri with the dreaded Force. It has been a great boat and has exceeded all expectations and I would buy it again however we bought it new and have kept it up. If your prospective 85 was well kept...don't be afraid if it passes your examination. The odds are though that after several owners it may have found one that did not keep it up. As for quality control, obviously it is not up to the level of my Chaparral or any modern boat but we still have a good time on it which is what matters to the family anyway. I will make a broad-brush statement and say that most boats regardless of brand after 24 years will show their age and wounds but when the wounds are rot you build a bad rep.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

There is also the fact that because Bayliner occupies the lower price bracket, more people buy them. The more that are sold, the more people there are out there with ownership experience and therefore the problems are magnified as well.

This is similar to the effect of the PC vs Mac debate in computers. Since 95% of the computers out there are PCs and the vast, vast, vast majority are running Windows operating systems, the number of people who have experienced problems is very high. Does this mean the % of problems with Windows is greater than the % of problems with Macs? Sorry MacHeads, but the statistics say "no". It's just that the raw number of problems with Windows is much, much, much higher because there are billions more Windows OSs out there.

Grouse

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

How about an L-drive? Remember that stunning bit of technology they produced and then abandoned?

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

In the retail sales arena, all games are used, including negativism.
I won't go any further into that.



Anyway, I have an '85 Capri, with a VP4 banger in it, and it is a fine boat!
It was well maintained before I got it, and I have not had to do anything other
than points, plugs, oil and lube for it. Runs smooth as can be, and gets great
mileage with a top end of about 38 mph. It is a 2 stage planing hull, so if you want
to zip skiers and boarders up "right now", it is not the boat for that. It will get
them up, but it is not an "instant up" pull. It was designed for cruising, and it
does that just great! I feel very fortunate to have it.



Good luck!

 

[Viking...]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Thanks very much for the replies everyone!

I looked over the boat very carefully, the owner seemed quite willing to let me take as much time as I wanted.
Floor is solid, everything works, motor was cold and fired right up and idled just fine.
I took it for a test drive out on the St. Lawrence and wow, it works just great!
No water in the bottom after about an hour of zipping about.
At full open throttle, it had a cough or two, almost as if it was starving for air, or perhaps an adjustment issue. I throttled back the barest fraction of an inch, with perhaps a 50 r.p.m. decrease, and it settled right down and was fine for a good mile stretch of water (fresh gasoline, 89 octane).
All other throttle positions appear to be just fine, from idle to that fraction below wide open.
The boat has honest wear, but no signs of abuse or neglect. All electricals work, oil is clean and smells fine.
I grabbed the outdrive in a bear-hug and gave it a good wrestle. Everything appears very solid and tight, the bellows were replaced 2 years ago and appear to be without blemish or wear.
Ok, enough suspense...I bought the boat.

Thanks again folks,
Cheers!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Good luck with it. As many people will say on here, after many years have past it's all about maintenance rather than brand. I'd rather have a well maintained Bayliner than a Cobalt someone left out in the rain. Let see some pics!

 

[Nico2112]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Congrats on your new boat

I agree with Ezmobee, we want pics

 

[Viking...]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Pics!

Of course, I'm thoughtless.

I'm heading out in a few minutes for the Ride for Dad fundraising event in Kingston, but I'll get on that soon as I'm home later this afternoon.

I'd rather be boating

 

[danfrompgh]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Welcome to the boating community. Its not always the name that makes a boat bad. My 10 yr old Bayliner and my brothers 20 yr old ChrisCraft with an OMC outdrive get more nods at the launch ramp than the guys with the SeaRays and Cobalts that are filthy and haven't seen the wash bucket in years. Keep it maintained and clean and you'll be on top of the problems if they're gonna come up.
I do suggest if you have'nt already done it, sit in on a boaters safety course with the entire family. Most are free.
Enjoy your new boat !

 

[Viking...]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

As promised.
It's raining out, or I would have taken a photo of the interior too!

 

[tic]

Re: Bayliner, why all the hate?

Glastron makes a better boat at a similar price point.. Show me a bayliner with a solid floor that's 20 years old..... It's rare... Unsealed wooden stringers and plywood everywhere.. perhaps an ATTEMPT at sealing but a poorly executed one at best.. Most people on the water know to steer well clear of a bayliner..