couple of questions !

[wmustanggt]

ok guys i am new to this forum and am thinking about getting a bayliner real soon and i have some questions if you all dont care to answer some for me .

the boat i am thinking of getting is a 96 ,17 ft ,bayliner ,cuddy ,with a 70 force outboard !

- i went on another boat forum site before i found this one , Told them what kind of boat i was getting , the response was NO dont get a bayliner i asked why ! the answers he gave me are the questions that im asking you guys if true !

Please answer true because i will have a lot riding on this boat if i get it...........i will be trading my 96 ,20 ft,pontoon boat ,with a 115 mercury outboard for it ..........thanks

1st-question - do the transoms get soft easy and start leaking ?
2nd-are the bottoms bad about going bad meaning getting soft and falling through ,as well as the rib cage in the bottom or fiber glass around bottom ?
3rd-is a 70 force a good motor ,dependable,also if i decide to go with a bigger motor later is that going to be a problem for the boat to handle and does it matter what brand motor i put back on it ?
last-can you buy a troller motor for a cuddy cabin ?

Thank you all in advance for your answers .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: couple of questions !

bayliners were known for rot problems, but most of it is bad owners, not that it is a bad boat. you just have to check each boat out throughly. personally, when i buy a boat with a Force motor, i usually do not even try to fix them, i just break them down and sell the parts. sure you can put a wireless electric trolling motor on the bow.

this is for any boat:
Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[oops!]

Re: couple of questions !

ok.....ill just polish up my bayliner bashing stick......


as mentioned......there is no such thing as a bad boat.....just a bad owner.

if the boat was garage kept all its life....and never left to the elements....it could be just fine.....

if not......

the force is not considered to be one of the better motors....and 70 on a cuddy seems a little small.

if you dont know about boats....but really like this one....HIRE A MARINE SUREVYOR...!.....he will save you a ton of grief.

i wont lie to you....that package is POTENTIALLY...more trouble than its worth....but if well kept it could be a nice boat if repowered...

welcome to i boats......this is a fantastic place.......and your question has been asked a bazillion times.....search "buying a bayliner"....and read read read.

cheers
oops

 

[cpubud]

Re: couple of questions !

just about any boat if taken care of is a good boat.

 

[steelespike]

Re: couple of questions !

My info indicates the cuddy is rated for 120hp. and weighs 1200 not bad for a cuddy.I feel the merc is a hell of a lot more motor than the Force and I don't mean just hp.Maybe just swap boats.You might look here for Merc and Force parts I think you will find many more Merc parts available.
Judging by the posts here The Force is suseptable to problems from poor maintenance.Somewhere about 96 or after Merc parts were used more some not too successfully.

 

[Beefer]

Re: couple of questions !

...and from the other side of the podium....

I have a 94 Bayliner 16' Bowrider, with a 94 70hp Force. For the $$$, I'm pleased with it. The engine hasn't failed me, except after I first got it, it needed a starter. Since then, zero problems.

The boat has been ok. I agree that previous owner maintenance is key. I have 2 soft spots in my floor which need to be repaired, but otherwise it seems ok. When shopping, I saw tons of other 'better boats' (Wellcrafts, SeaRays, Larsons, Caravelle) that were pure garbage.

I'd recommend a surveyor, but if that is cost prohibitive, at least really walk the deck, and don't be shy about it. Look hard at the floor inside the cuddy, and all the nooks and crannies you can. Knock hard on the transom, listening fro dead spots.

I think the worst thing for boats of these types is the carpet which retains moisture, and can lead to mildew, mold, and rot.

Oh, and I get 30mph at WOT on GPS, so don't expect to fly in this combo. You may be able to move up in hp, check the rating sticker for max recommended hp.

Good Luck!

 

[wmustanggt]

Re: couple of questions !

thanks for all you guys info........................it appears that i am now the owner of a bayliner

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: couple of questions !

Congrats.

 

[Beefer]

Re: couple of questions !

Congrats! Don't forget to post pics!

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: couple of questions !

I have an 86 Bayliner cuddy
It had a Force 125 on it
The Force started right up and was never a problem
However it was a 20" motor and I have a 25" transom, so I replaced it with a 25" 2002 Mercury 125
The boat now runs great and is as sound as any boat I've owned