Buying a different boat; need opinions

[Rolla91]

The boat I am interested in right now is a 1989 Bayliner 17ft. It has an inboard ford 4cyl and OMC outdrive. The boat has new topside paint with ghost flames added, tinted windshield, recovered seats and trim, a new marine grade stereo system with an amplifier, subwoofer, and a wired remote you can throw off into the water while you're out of the boat swimming.

It seems like it's in really good shape, the floor seems solid everywhere I step, it doesn't have any sort of dark stains around the drain plug indicating that there is rot on the inside. It doesn't have any scratches on the bottom that I can see.

The trailer is Galvanized or aluminum. I was told it was aluminum by the owner. It has LED tail lights and brand new tires on it.

They are asking $3500 for it. Does this price seem right for this boat?

Are there any other things I should look into on this boat?

How are the ford 4cyl on power? I'm not extremely worried about speed, more so about fuel consumption but I still want to be able to pull someone on a tube sometimes.


Thanks for any help.

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

Like anything else you buy, it depends on your local market and supply/demand. However, that seems a bit pricey to me.

I'm not going to bash Bayliner, I have one and I love it. But the used market for them is definitely a buyer's market. All the extras are nice, but you gotta remember that it's still a 1989 17ft Bayliner. New paint? Gotta ask your self why it needed new paint. New upholstery? That only happens when the old upholstery is trashed. . .so why was it trashed?

Be careful, but if you love the boat, low-ball them. Like, to the tune of about $1000 lower.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

i like new bayliners, but that vintage is known to have rot problems, and the OMC is a big NO,NO. they have not been built in years, and parts are expensive and dwindling.

keep looking.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

WADR it sounds like you're focused on tunes and paint. "It's not the whistle that pulls the train." First you buy the motor, then the boat that goes with it: hull, operating gear such as controls/electric, interior, features, gear and trailer. Trailer priority depends on how much you do: from the dry slip to the ramp, anything will do; 90 miles every weekend, get a good one.
If I were buying a boat that old, I'd buy it as if none of the frills work, and have enough in reserve to replace the drive in the next year.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

there is nothing really wrong with this boat, except that it is the least desireable brand with the smallest, least diserable powertrain. I had relatively good luck with my 2.3 ford/OMC but I wrestled with the shift problems that put OMC out of business. Certainly not going to be a fast boat, either. It would have to be mint to get the price they are asking.

 

[Rolla91]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

The new topside paint was done so the ghost flames could be added, it had nothing to do with a problem with the boat. The same for the interior. It was all custom done, inside and out. The boat is said to be a 2 owner boat, both of whom always garaged it.

The person who owns the boat does custom auto body work and did the flames to show off his work.


The fact that OMC is out of business does scare me some, I was unaware of this.


Does anyone else have suggestions on another brand of boat I would look for in my price range?

I've been looking for something I liked for the past year and a half and this has been one of the first that really caught my eye.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

Let us know where you're located (preferably add it to your profile, I wish everyone would do this). Some members may be close and may have seen something on Craiglist or something they could tell you to check out.

After a few years what brand the boat is means little. It's all about how it was maintained. Bayliner and Sunbird were entry level boats but I'd still rather have a maintained one of those than a Cobalt left out to rot. In I/O's you want Volvo or Mercruiser power (except the Mercruiser 470) and in outboards you want pretty much anything except Chrysler/Force (again little parts support). I'm assuming this Bayliner was a bowrider. There should be plenty of those available for you to check out.

 

[Rolla91]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

Yes the bayliner is a bow rider which is the type of boat I'm leaning towards simply because I feel there is more usable space on the boat.

I'm located in mid missouri and travel to the lake of the ozarks regularly, I'll update my profile with the info.



My budget for right now is around 3k but I may be able to swing 3500-4k for something extremely interesting to me.

 

[Rolla91]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

I've been looking on my local craigslist also, how about any of these boats?


'89 Maxum 17ft

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200945838.html


19' bayliner ariva (force OB though)

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200793908.html


'85 17' Mach I I/O

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200907577.html


'79 IMP needing a new motor

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200883675.html

Its just a chevy 305, I can get one of those VERY cheap.


I'm hoping to find the best, biggest boat I can that my V8 Explorer will still pull. Speed is not really an issue as long as it is powerful enough to pull a tube and gets decent fuel economy. I would like to be able to do around 40MPH which shouldn't be a problem I don't think.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

I don't have good news

'89 Maxum 17ft
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200945838.html

Force outboard and not a very big one at that. I don't think you'd be happy with the performance of that one. On the positive side though, that boat looks to be in excellent condition and the owner has it priced very fairly. You may consider it to get you on the water and then upgrade the power later.

19' bayliner ariva (force OB though)
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200793908.html

There is NOTHING good about this boat.

'85 17' Mach I I/O
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200907577.html

"3.0 Mercruiser with OMC outdrive" This makes no sense. Which is it?

'79 IMP needing a new motor
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1200883675.html

Nice looking boat, good beefy trailer. You can not just drop in an automotive 305 and call it good. I don't know the specifics, I just know you can't. (and you may as well get a 350 if you're going to go to the trouble )

 

[Rolla91]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

When looking at these used boats I'm somewhat worried about fuel consumption. The less it uses the more I'll be able to use it. In comparison to the 2.3 OMC in the 17' bayliner how much more fuel would a 20-21' boat with a 350 or 305 V8 Mercruiser use?


I'll mostly be using this on the lake of the ozarks here in Missouri, would I be better off buying the largest older boat I can afford or trying to get a newer, smaller boat for the same price? I've heard bad things about smaller boats on the lake but I've seen them out when I'm there.

 

[taggers59]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

If you are looking for a older boat I would stay with a SEA RAY. For the same price you would pay for a Bayliner you get a better boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

If you are looking for a older boat I would stay with a SEA RAY. For the same price you would pay for a Bayliner you get a better boat.

..or about a couple dozen other brands. SeaRay makes good boats but they are still a middle of the road brand.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

Your Explorer will pull anything. Almost any boat can pull a tube.
Fuel consumption is an issue but recreational boating is all about burning gas. A four stroke outboard gets good "mileage" as does a flat-bottom boat. The lighter the boat the better the "mileage" and also you can power it with a smaller motor. The searaybayliner bow-rider types are right heavy; a center console has more room per foot, so you can run a smaller boat. That benig said, there are big weight differences in hulls with similar design; Whalers and Grady's are heavier than Privateers, but they have more to them.

 

[Rolla91]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

I'm looking for a bowrider or cuddy cabin type boat.

Since none of the other links I posted sparked much interest how about these?

'89 VIP(needs work, emailing to find out how much work)

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1179354402.html

'84 Mark Twain V-sonic

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1186317748.html

'82 IMP

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1173757731.html

'87 VIP runabout

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1181623946.html

'88 beretta

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1185873051.html

'77 Invader

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1196515455.html

'81 Mark Teain 240v CC

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/1197795621.html

Cruisers INC 22'

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/1197983780.html

'83 Bayliner capri 19'

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/1199523335.html

87' 22' Sea Ray

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/1200614096.html



I'm sorry for posting all of these links but I really would like to find something that seems decent before I drive 1-2 hours to find something that will be junk, Since I'm not extremely knowledgeable about the brands and problems associated with them I need as much help as I can get.

 

[Rolla91]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

Also, I forgot to mention, I'm not above doing some mechanical work. I just want to be able to have it done and on the water before the fourth of july and I don't think I could get into fiberglass work in that time frame.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

The 87' VIP looks good but there is not much info or pics. The 87' Sea Ray and 83' Bayliner look decent also.
No matter which boat you choose be sure to really check good for rot. If you go I/O check the bellows also. A sea trial will tell you if it runs good. Testing on muffs is a gamble.
You might have to wait a few months for something really good to pop up. I drove out of town to buy my boat. The boat came with a Merc 4.3, great interior and a decent finish on the hull (it buffed out really nice). The boat did not need anything (impeller was changed as a precaution). I have put 60 trouble free hours on it. The boat is a 1988 and I paid $2600.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

All of those look pretty decent and seem to be priced fairly. I would think with no rot and running engines they would all be pretty much worth the money.

The exceptions would be the '81 Mark Twain which looks like a load of problems and I don't know if that Invader cabin cruiser would be worth the effort to repower.

Can anyone tell if the IMP is a Volvo or an OMC Stringer? (You don't want a stringer)

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

All of those look pretty decent and seem to be priced fairly. I would think with no rot and running engines they would all be pretty much worth the money.

The exceptions would be the '81 Mark Twain which looks like a load of problems and I don't know if that Invader cabin cruiser would be worth the effort to repower.

Can anyone tell if the IMP is a Volvo or an OMC Stringer? (You don't want a stringer)

The 91 Mark Twain doesn't actually seem to be bad at all except for needing to have the engine rebuilt. The all new floor/upholstery seems to look good and the outside of the boat looked clean. Again, rebuilding the engine is a problem but if you can grab a 24' boat in good condition otherwise for 2K bucks, it may be worth it. I have a thing for the MT's though.

 

[Rolla91]

Re: Buying a different boat; need opinions

Thanks for the help guys. I emailed all 14 of the sellers and only received two response so far.

One for the '87 22' sea ray and also the seller replied about the '84 mark twain V-sonic. The mark twain is said to be owned by a corporation and the seller knows it doesn't run but did when it was parked. Thats pretty much all they can give me, oh and that they will take any reasonable offers.