Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

[FastBoatBronson]

Without doubt a person will spend days searching and reading excessive amounts of posts and not only get questions answered but also get expert advice, support, step-by-step how to's, and everything else you may need to know.
After reading countless posts for 2-3 days, unfortunatly, I still have not found information that will help with my questions.
So I decided to register and post my idea for this project.

I have a 1992 20' Bayliner Capri with a 4 cyl. "L-drive" (light metal knock coming from motor). Ofcourse the floor is in need of serious repair.

Here's what I want to do. Is it at all possible , while redoing the floor and transom, I make it strong enough to support and mount a V8 and convert this hull to a jet drive? The cost and expense is irrelivent at this time. I am seeking the knowledge, advise, and ideas from those who would dare to go there.

If there is any other ideas as to upgrade this boat with a bigger engine I would love to hear it.
Sure rebuilding the 4cyl. would be the most obvious and reasonable choice, for most.
I have done my share of customizing and building (not marine yet) to know that, with imagination, experience and the right tools for the job, anything is possible.
So please share your thoughts as it is much apreciated.
And thanks for having the "The Best Websight for Boaters of all Kinds!"
Mike - "Fast(andFerious)BoatBronson"

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

It can be done, not sure if it would perform well, but it can be modified for everything to fit if you have the time, $$$$ and ambition.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

agree.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

First, a jet drive is not as efficient as a prop. a 350/260hp engine in that boat with a jet might do 45-50, a prop drive on the same engine would do 55-60, but it might look cool! Basically a jet drive is for shallower waters. I'd say just fiberglas it all up, and put a large outboard on it, it would probably be faster then either, but if you must have a V8, a prop is the way to go. Maybe even an Arneson surface drive, it is more efficient then any of these, for more speed, & a great rooster tail from the prop being 1/2 out of the water.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Yup, you can accomplish almost anything with enough time and $$$.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

My buddy just bought a 21' Eagle jet boat with a 460 ford motor and an american jet. Top of the line boat with the right jet on it.What a disapointment! He's learning quickly it ain't all it's cracked up to be. Flat out it won't keep up with an average runabout.45 mph tops and HUGE money to feed the pig. It will go faster with a couple more g's into the motor. It's about high HP with high RPM. Then you have to keep the tolerances of the jet tight. Suck a little gravel into the drive at the boat launch and you get to rip the drive apart and dig out a few hundred more to get it tightened back to spec.You have to turn about 6000 rpm or higher with a tight pump before they will fly. Don't forget the almost total lack of control when you slow down to pull up to the dock or load the boat on the trailer. With the little I have learned over the last couple of weeks I would never consider a jet drive unless all I had to run on was a shallow river. Just my 2 cents.

 

[FastBoatBronson]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Thanks for reminding me of the problems deeling with jet drives. I remember now an earlier discussion that pointed out the disadvantages of the jet.

Now with a prop drive system, what kind of options do I have? Other than a 6cyl. outboard.

I am just not happy at all with the "L-drive" set-up but love the Bayliners hull design.
Thanks again for the input.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

what was said above is pretty much on the mark... Just be sure that before you start something "silly" that you've got the money in your budget to spend 2-3 times as much as you think its going to cost after you do the homework, twice the time, and realize that it may wind up to be totally unsafe or unusuable when you're done...

Also note that while you may like your hull... if you want to really fly, you can probably find a used but servicable outboard rig that will run 80's plus for what you're going to spend to run 60's in your bayliner... You may even be able to find a tunnel hull set-up that will truly fly for what a decent marine build engine, drive, and all the little things that will eat you alive on a conversion like you're tlaking about.

The used boat market is full of boats right now... Nice ones and very reasonable prices...

 

[redfury]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

You can always convert to an different outdrive, you'll just have to redo the transom, which you would have had to do anyway. I think I'd definitely look into Seacast to rebuild the transom with if you are going to drop serious HP out back.

I remember seeing a jet drive system that used a sliding plate on the bottom of the boat...it gave the boat almost outboard like control...actually, the video seemed like it had MORE control piddling around the dock.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

ummmm. no way man.

Yes you can spend a lot of money to do it but it would be wasted.

Your hull won't take the speed. It's not designed to.

Boats that are made to go fast are built totally different. You would suffer hull de-lamination i.e. all your gonna do is rip it apart.

No to jet most you'd get is maybe over 40 mph while pouring gas through it.

No to large outboard boat is not made for it.

No to v8 where a 4cyl belongs.

Please don't overpower a bayliner, they are nice cheap boats but that's all they are, enjoy them for that.

Where's all the don't overpower your boat guys on this one?

If you want a fast boat buy one don't make a boat that was never meant to be into one it's not a good idea.

Lots of great deals out there that you could buy for the price of a motor and drive let alone all the money your gonna spend trying to make that hull stay together.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Ayuh,...

While I agree that Anything is possible when you throw enough Money at it,....

Using a Bilgeliner equiped with an L-drive sure as 'ell isn't the hull to be starting with.....
Right now,... You have a pile of Parts......
You can drop $10,000. into it with a Brand New motor,+ drive,....
And,.... You'll STILL have a Pile of Parts......

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

I don't think any one was talking about overpowering the boat. Was a 4cyl the only motor option available for a 20' Bayliner? I don't have the option list but the 4 was probably the smallest motor option for that boat. These days a small block V8 is the standard motor with power options up to 260 HP.

 

[FastBoatBronson]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Thanks for all the conserns, I know what your saying. And sure, why all the work and money when I can just buy the type of boat I want. But for me it's not that easy. I live in the BayArea, SF, Calif. and I've been looking for past 6 months and havent found anything I can afford. I've been searching an area that covers a 1/3 of the state. The Bayliner was FREE. Sometimes you just have to work with what you got.
So instead of saying, "you dont want to do that" with a reason like," it's a bad idea", let me hear some more open-minded, creative ideas. Besides I beleive this boat did have a V8 option.
Finally, I'm guessing but can anybody speak from actual experience?
FastBoatBronson

 

[contractorguy]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

bronson,

My god man!!! what are you thinking???? If you put a v-8 in a bayliner, your hull will explode into a million pieces...everyone knows that!! (except all of us that own v-8 bayliners.....)

I've been thinking about doing a similar swap on my maxum (L-drive)... I know the hull/transom/stringers will take some serious modification, but 'I aint scared'.


I'd look for a mercruiser or vp salvage boat with the 5.0l gm...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

I don't think you'll find anyone that has direct experience making this exact conversion, although it most likely has been done, the chances of finding somebody that has done it will be slim. These boats (L drives) weren't all that common and in most parts of the country you can find a Bayliner of that age for almost nothing and it will have an I/O stock, so you have all the parts to work with, you just need to rebuild the hull to get rid of the rotten wood. If you can't afford to buy the correct model and fix it up, you'll never be able to afford the cost of buying all the components seperatetly and rebuilding the boat. Check the cost of an engine and outdrive, plus add all the "stuff" needed to fully rig it and you'll be into it for many $1,000.00s. I'm not trying to bash you, it can be done, it just may not be cost effective

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Hey man no one is trying to down you at all, I think for one we're trying to point out sometimes there is a reason for a boat being free.

As for thinking you want to go fast I think that comes from your thread title and you being fastboatbronson and all.

That's cool contractor guy that they offer a low power v8 in a bayliner but that has kind of nothing to do with why most people would think of putting a v8 and a jet drive in a boat.

A bayliner is not a quality hull it is a budget boat. I'm pretty sure everyone can agree on that. Some people flat out hate and insult them. I don't think there is a need to go that far I just accept them for what they are.

So if we rule out the going EXTREME with my bayliner and change it over to doing extreme repair job on my bayliner or losing the L drive.

Sure see if you can find a deal on a used motor and outdrive it has to be a do able project and some off us think this stuff is a lot of fun.

The L drive seems to have proven it's self as a bad idea and it would probably help out some others to have a good thread on here of your conversion maybe even with photos of the disassembly.

The transom extension thread should give you a good idea of what it takes, beef up the stringers and drop it in. I wouldn't spend the money on seacast and they make it down the road from me so I wouldn't need to pay shipping. Use plywood and epoxy (check out MAS) with glass cloth in between each laminate.

Please don't be bothered if you ask and a bunch of guys feel the need to point out that a bayliner is a low quality hull. We're not dogging you were just trying to make sure you know what your getting into, which is kind of why you asked.

Welcome to the forum it's real cool I've learn a lot from and I'm sure you will too.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

I dont know how hard you looked for another boat but i dont think you realize what your getting into re- powering the 'LINER...
New or rebuilt merc 350 / 260 hp - 4-6K
New or rebuilt Alfa outdrive 1-2K
depending on condition of stringers/hull work -1K
Upgrading wiring/gauges/control linkages - 1-2K
None of this includes mechanic time for things you might not be able to do yourself-(attaching outdrive to motor) ect...
So its at 8k without even trying,not to mention all the hours to accomplish this task..I've repowered 2 boats,its a pain-in-the-butt / expensive / frustrating job..and i think you may want to keep looking....2 cents...

 

[redfury]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Every man loves a challenge though guys! He can take that cheaply built boat and if he puts the effort, time and research into it, it can be a better boat than when it was first made. I mean, everyone thought oops! was crazy to extend a decent boat 5 feet, but he did it, and did a damn good job...I don't think that anyone would refute that.

I'd add that if you just do your homework before sinking a lot into the boat, you'll be able to determine whether or not it's a good idea. Lots of folks have done insane things, and they seem to work out fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnJI0cKLh5E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ebfAtfuF8

 

[Dan Schmidt]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Go for it!! I've been reading this forum for many months now, and I've learned a ton. You just have to sort through the natural tendency of some to negatively question vs. address your root question. Many others will point out the risks with some facts, yet will always focus on the "how to".

Ignoring the $, I'm certain it would be technically feasible. For your info, I have a 1992 Capri brochure and I don't see a V8 option. I don't know the L-drive config, so I can't help much on the redesign. But I have the same boat with a V6 I/O. Let me know if you need any pictures, etc.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Going EXTREME with my Bayliner

Yea someone above had sudjested one of those surface drives. so i figured i would check into it and i found this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sApJwD3EDxg

I dont think that that Gayliner could handle one of those! And if like you say money is not that much of an object then why not buy a decent boat? Just a question. I just cant see one of those paper boats with one of those drives. Thats about the most overpower that ive seen on here.