Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

[TC777]

Hello all, I am new to boating and I have heard bad things about bayliners. I wanted to know if a bayliner is really a cheap made boat. I seen a 1986 18' bayliner with a 125hp outboard. The interior looks like it is in good condition from the pictures. Do I need to avoid bayliners? I don't know much about boats. So I want some good advice from you guys.

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

No. Next question.



Seriously, you need to avoid boats that haven't been properly maintained, and boats that might be impossible to maintain now. Unfortunately, a lot of Bayliners fall into both of those categories.

Discussion is about to follow, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[QC]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Somebody said it best the last time this topic came up. When was that, hmmmmmm, oh yeah, yesterday . . .

Bayliner's are entry level boats. A lot of them are bought new by people that have no clue and also do not develop the passion to obtain a clue. Result is boats that sit, without maintenance and then somebody buys them with even less of a clue, messes them up more, then they are sold again and they are a Pile Of Carp. Would happen to more expensive brands except their cost relegates them to those of us with OCD and we obsess over them and they are better when they age . . .

I did some testing two seasons ago with Bayliner and Maxum as a representative of iboats. While I was there I was struggling with the title of the thread I was going to write when I finished: I finally came up with it while I was piloting one of their boats: I Want a Bayliner

 

[lowkee]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

A hull is a hull, really. What you should consider most is the amount of wood and if it is rotten and the engine/outdrive. If the wood is rotten, you can get a good deal if you have the time/inclination to replace it yourself. For the motor, just make sure it is still made/supported (OMC isn't, Force is iffy at best, Mercury engine [470?] is no longer made and parts are rare). Beyond that, there really isn't much to a boat. Buy the one you like the looks of, matches you budget, can do what you want and will be reliable to you (reliable is subjective.. some people like a beater, some like a warranty). The boat which matches you in each of these categories is precisely the boat you should buy, be it a Bayliner, Chris Craft, Sea Ray or a dinghy.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

At least it has an outboard so engine issues can be isolated. What make/year? I wasn't aware they made OB's.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

I have the same boat, love it, BUT the motor is tough to maintain part wise, they are tough to get parts for, I have a great dealer who has been very good at provide ding what it needs but he warns me its not likely to be continued. another dealer refuses to do parts or service force.

 

[junior1113]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

bayliner ,sunbird ,cobia is like ford taurus enough said. good for a few years then someone elses headache look for a fourwinns or some thing similar engines are what they are and if that is a 125 force that is also junk



1993 21' hydra sport 200 evinrude

 

[Arabian180]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

No, but I do.

I would rather put on a pair of florescent orange water wings and have a rubber band powered propeller sticking out of my butt as to own a Bayliner.

NOW,
That doesn't mean it's not the boat for you it just means it's not the boat for me. That doesn't mean that they're a bad choice either.

Let me explain.

It means I have particular taste when it comes to what I own.
I like having something rare and unique and not like every other boat on the water that looks like it was stamped from a cookie cutter in mass production with a Monday morning hangover. (flame suit on)

.

The Nitty Gritty a Simple Suggestion and the opinion of yours truly.

The main thing when choosing any boat be it a $3k Bayliner or a $300k skater or DCB is knowing what to look for. If you're new to boats please save yourself some head/heartache and find someone that knows boats to look at a few with you and help with your decision.

IMHO Buying a boat especially a used boat based solely on the knowledge you've obtained reading a message board may not be a good idea.
You can make a mile long checklist from the suggestions of what to look for from everybody on here, but that's no substitution to having an "Old Salt" smoke things over with you.

Now I'm sure I stepped on a few tender little toes somewhere in all that.
SO
Let me close with.
If you like the Bayliner, can afford it, and everything checks out, by all means buy it. They're a (dare I say), good, affordable entry level boat when new, and if properly maintained a used one is just as good.
No sense in spending 10s of thousands to find out whether you like boating or not.
I Welcome you to the hobby and hope boating is an experience you'll enjoy and continue to enjoy for a long time.

Peace.

180
bored again.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

No, but I do.

I would rather put on a pair of florescent orange water wings and have a rubber band powered propeller sticking out of my butt as to own a Bayliner.

NOW,
That doesn't mean it's not the boat for you it just means it's not the boat for me. That doesn't mean that they're a bad choice either.

Let me explain.

It means I have particular taste when it comes to what I own.
I like having something rare and unique and not like every other boat on the water that looks like it was stamped from a cookie cutter in mass production with a Monday morning hangover. (flame suit on)

.

The Nitty Gritty a Simple Suggestion and the opinion of yours truly.

The main thing when choosing any boat be it a $3k Bayliner or a $300k skater or DCB is knowing what to look for. If you're new to boats please save yourself some head/heartache and find someone that knows boats to look at a few with you and help with your decision.

IMHO Buying a boat especially a used boat based solely on the knowledge you've obtained reading a message board may not be a good idea.
You can make a mile long checklist from the suggestions of what to look for from everybody on here, but that's no substitution to having an "Old Salt" smoke things over with you.

Now I'm sure I stepped on a few tender little toes somewhere in all that.
SO
Let me close with.
If you like the Bayliner, can afford it, and everything checks out, by all means buy it. They're a (dare I say), good, affordable entry level boat when new, and if properly maintained a used one is just as good.
No sense in spending 10s of thousands to find out whether you like boating or not.
I Welcome you to the hobby and hope boating is an experience you'll enjoy and continue to enjoy for a long time.

Peace.

180
bored again.

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[danfrompgh]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

If its a solid,clean, well maintained used boat that fits your budget,buy it. If you would feel better, have someone with some boat knowledge go with you. I don't regret for 1 bit buying my Bayliner. I don't get to use mine nearly enuf but the fact that its paid for makes it priceless. My motto is "Buy what you can afford and enjoy the hell outta it".

 

[skargo]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

I would rather put on a pair of florescent orange water wings and have a rubber band powered propeller sticking out of my butt as to own a Bayliner.

Thanks dude.

 

[Arabian180]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Thanks dude.

Right On.
180

 

[skargo]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Hmmmm, I had your quote in my sig, it seems to have vanished.

 

[Arabian180]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Hmmmm, I had your quote in my sig, it seems to have vanished.

Wonder why? Did I offend somebody?

Try it again

180

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Are you looking at my ad? you really should buy that boat. your profile doesn't say where your from. Bayliner can be OK, Force ob can be a problem, can't get parts or service anymore.

 

[skargo]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Wonder why? Did I offend somebody?

Try it again

180

No, I think some took it as me bashing Bayliner. Not the case at all, I was laughing at your propeller in the backside remark.

 

[TC777]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Thanks guys. I may not have found the right boat, but I sure am glad I found IBOATS!

 

[oops!]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

yes.....if the bay liner is coming at you from starboard in a head on fashon !!!!!.

 

[dontask]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

Yes--- avoid Bayliners, expecially with some of the lemon powerplants on or in the back. They do not have great reputations around any marine experienced boaters I know.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Do I need to avoid Bayliners?

We love our Bayliner. In fact two weekends ago we spent six hours on the lake w/another family. Their boat wouldn't start for the first five hours so most of them had fun in our boat for the day. Ours was gently used and I'm bound and determined to take good care of our boat. I'm taking off tomorrow afternoon and pulling my son from his last day of school a few hours early and we're going to do some tubing and fishing. It's a great toy.