Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

renee

Recruit
Joined
Jul 10, 2001
Messages
1
We are in the market for new boat and we found a 95 Bayline Capri that appears to be a "good deal." However, SEVERAL people including boat mechanics have told us STAY AWAY!! They say the hull is thin and they rot easily and the motor is a Force, which requires repairs on a monthly basis. Anyone with this type of boat have advice. I see Bayliners on the lake all the time. Thanks, Renee
 

RIDEPATE

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
324
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

renee, others are correct, stay away from the force,don't get me wrong some have had good luck with them but the majority has not, if you'll study some force posts on this board you'll understand why.as far as the hull goes the older ones are pretty crappy,a different company makes them now i believe and have improved them greatly.key thought-if the deals too good to be true....beware.jimbo
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

Howdy, Renee. The above gentlemen are doing you a favor. Most of us are inhibited from bad-mouthing products because there are examples that are reliable as a rock. <br /><br />The Bayliner Capri-FORCE package is so pretty and usually so cheap that it is hard to resist. There are examples that are a great value. The rest are TERRIBLE!!! If you want heartache and misery from a boat/motor that's the place to get it.<br /><br />Pay more, get a good boat and a good engine.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . . <br />JB
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Joined
Jul 1, 2001
Messages
7
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

I have a Bayliner with a 120 force. The boat is fine if I am rowing! As far as the motor needing work monthly, if you can go that long with out repairs your lucky! Best bet seems to be anything with a Yamaha!<br />Good luck and happy boating.
 

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

renee, it does really boil-down to how good is a good deal? If it's grossly below the price of a 95 boston whaler or Grady White of simular size/ HP, then sure, go for it.<br />As you take your chances with ANY used (or new) boat you purchase, caveat emptor. But there are some of us on this board that like a good deal,have the time and patience (and sometimes,yes, the money) to eat out own mistakes. I enjoy my Bayliner Capri a lot, but it is not my favorite boat....Too small for blue water, too big fer the bass hideouts or the flats.<br />But I spent 100buks or better on the motor after purchase, just because it sat for a year or two without being used (Carb kit, fuel pump kit, plugs, impeller yada-yada).<br />And I didn't mind, I enjoyed working on it.<br />I have good faith in it,and would leave the dock if I didn't. You can't buy that security. It must be earned. As a new boat owner, (any boat you choose), you must develope a level of trust in your equipment. Even further trust than you would your car, as this thing can strand you ,not on the side of the road, but on the water. If you can't trust it, how can you have fun in it?<br />As for the Bayliner/Force resale is lower than most others. Check the bluebook on the boat before purchase.<br />They are a sporty looking,albeit impractical.<br />The motors are good,but require close attention to preventive maintainence, or they will let you down. They require somewhat more care than the normal outboard, and in other ways, LESS. They have no oil-injection, computerised ignition,bells and whistles to fail. They are a chrysler design from the late 70's, and so, are simpler to repair.<br />Iether way you decide to go, enjoy your decision. http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/seanzaw/myhomepageindex.html <br /><br />Get the boat appraised, have the compression test done on the motor, and buy all means, make sure you are allowed to be given a shake-down cruise BEFORE purchasing any boat.<br />And happy sailing.
 

Walter

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
787
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

Renee...<br /><br />Where else can you go to get free boating advice coming from folks blessed with countless year of experience and know how? How I wish I would have found this site years ago.<br /><br />There's not much else a person can say that 12 footer and the others haven't already. My personal preference would NOT be a Bayliner Capri/Force package. Regardless of whay you decide, I only hope you find a nice boat that's fun, reliable, and safe!<br /><br />Good luck! Walt
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

I recently purchased a used boat with a 50Hp force motor on the back and here are my comments.<br /><br />The motor is very easy to work on, very limited on parts.<br /><br />I question the rated horsepower. Is a 50Hp a 50HP?<br /><br />No matter what troubles I've had, it always starts. I can even start it with a dead battery and failed starter.<br /><br />Its a stinky, smelly motor.<br /><br />I'm a tech weenie and prefer to do all the work myself. This motor has given me plenty of opportunity to learn how an outboard operates.<br /><br />I have "the trust' in the motor, but I would'nt let my wife take it out alone.<br /><br />Bottom line: If you are a DIYer and like to get your nails dirty, this is a doable deal. If you just want to get in it and drive and trust a mechanic to keep it running. Deal is undoable.. Just my $.02
 

page62

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 26, 2001
Messages
104
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

I ditto Roger. I have a 1985 Force 50 and it ALWAYS starts. But mine doesn't even stink -- maybe it's the oil I'm using (Pennzoil synthetic blend).<br /><br />But it's definitely the ugliest motor on the water (except for old V4 Evinrudes)...<br /><br />By the way, the Force motors (at least the early ones) were rated in gross hp (at the crank), while other motors (after 1982) were rated in net hp (at the prop). That's why a Force 50 seems like another mfr's 40....
 

oly

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2001
Messages
12
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

Renee - <br /><br />I just bought a '95 Bayliner Capri last May. Before I discovered this site, I asked some boating friends about the Capri and the basic response was that it was a lower end no-frills boat. With that being said, I haven't had any problems with it. I've had to replace the water pump impeller and I am currently replacing the steering cable, but I consider the impeller a normal maintenance item and the steering cable was a known entity when I bought the boat. I winterized it myself for around $20 last year and it started just fine this spring (Force 120HP). Who knows what will happen in the future, but it works great for what I like to do (skiing, tubing, cruising). I live on a small lake in Minnesota and if the thing died I could paddle home. Kind of like cars - figure out what you need (want?) it for and go from there. Good Luck!
 

DRYFEET

Recruit
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
2
Re: Buying 95 Bayliner Capri

i own a 1987 force 50hp.that is the reason i am on this forum.so far replaced stator,choke solonoid,pump impeller(which because of no overheat horn caused head gasket and other heat problems which i was able to fix).bottom line it always starts and gets you away from the dock,sometimes a oneway trip.if you are on sheltered water,have a understanding family,know how to "talk"to the motor and are a handy andy type person you can get on the water cheap.if a dependable motor is required pass.
 
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