Just joined and would love your opinions

[Lodger]

I've been trolling the forums for a few weeks but as I get closer to narrowing down my decision, I figured I'd get some help. Quick background, I grew up sailing on a 25' McGregor on a lake in Oregon. I've been on friends runabouts over the years and have decided that I want to go this direction.

It seems like Bayliner makes a decent product at a good price, so I think that is the direction I want to go. I've been looking between 17-19' to keep the price manageable. When I first thought about getting a boat, I wanted to keep it around 5k, but options seem fairly limited at that price. So I've expanded to 10k at this point.

So now a few questions:

Is the 175 going to be too small? I'm 6'4" and I've been told I will have a hard time getting my knees under the wheel.

How old would you feel comfortable buying if you weren't mechanically inclined and wanted to keep maintenance costs minimal.

I stopped by an Olympic Boat Center (Seattle area) and they have a couple of 2005 195s with the 3.0 L motor that they just got back on trade. They were rentals in freshwater and supposedly the rental place has on site mechanics who keep the engines in good shape. Compression tests are around 150. They show wear that you would expect on a rental, but not too bad. They are priced at $12,500. Seems like a decent price, but there are no hour meters so who knows.

Thanks for any help that anyone can provide.

 

[Randy169]

Re: Just joined and would love your opinions

Bayliner does make a decent product at a decent price.

That is their good, and their bad at the same time.

Now, this is a generalization and I hope not to cause too much havoc, but here we go.

Most newbies buy Bayliners because they make a decent product at a decent price. Unfortunately, most of these newbies don't know how to take care of a boat and this causes lots of problems down the road. So, I stay away from entry level type boats for this reason. (This is my opinion.)

Now for your questions:

-Not sure on the height thing. (helpful huh?)
-Stay newer (within 5 years) for lower maintenance issues.
-As for a rental boat, as long as the mechanics are maintaining the equipment (go talk to them - they can't be too far). And look at the rest of their fleet. Remember - lots of newbies are renting these puppies - over revving, running into things - not that we don't do those things! But at least they were maintained (we hope)
- Hour meters have been know to be disconnected anyway so that sometimes does not help. You have to look at the overall condition of the boat, the keel, the upholstery, etc.
- Compression sounds good.

Not a lot of help I know. Just my 2 cents worth.

Randy

PS We're on Whatcom and Lake Samamish quite often.

 

[azlakes]

Re: Just joined and would love your opinions

Hi Lodger...

12.5K for a 2005 rental sounds a bit much. Lots of good deals on gently used from that year, private sales. Hopefully BAYLINER185 will come along here soon. He has more info on that year and model type. And yes Bayliner is a great starter to mid line boat at a sound price. Is there a boat shop or dealer near you that you can climb up in and have a look at some bow riders? Your going to prolly hear and find that the 3.0 on a 19 footer is gunna lag some punch.

g-luck!

 

[jsteen0213]

Re: Just joined and would love your opinions

I actually purchased a brand new 2005 Bayliner 175 as my first boat. I am 6'0'' 200 lbs and Texas raised...never had a problem getting in and out of the seat. But,you are quite a bit taller. Try it out before you buy!

Long story short, I traded mine last year for a Larson Lxi 208. If you are anything like me you will love your bayliner at first. Until the newness wears off. Then, you will wish you would have spent the extra money and got what you really wanted.

When talking about boats $10,000 doesn't seem like much. But, lets face it....$10,000 is a lot of damn money! Don't settle! It's your hard earned $10,000 and remember that. My advice, if you are going to go used, shop around and find exactly what you want. Nothing is worse than getting something and wishing you had something else. Ya see....it's kinda like marriage. Ok, I won't go there! haha

My 2 cents....don't settle. There is plenty of suckers out there, like me, that will pay the stupid tax for you and save you thousands on a very nice used boat! My used Bayliner sold in 2 days on the lot. And just remember the old adage when you're looking at these rental boats..."drive it like it's a rental!" Would you buy an old rental car to drive just to save a couple bucks?

Also, check your area for boat shows. They are big right now. Sometimes you can find a decent deal and talk to boaters.

Good Luck!

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: Just joined and would love your opinions

I have the 07 185 as mentioned by AZLAKES.

I also have it up for sale so if your interested let me know. Im selling it because I bought a BAYLINER cruser and problably wont be using the 185 much but with the cruser in the shop I did take it out last weekend with 6 people and was impressed as hell at what it does with all these people and full ice chest.

1st off you problay would want to concider the 3.0 on the 17 footer and the 4.3 on anything larger. I had a WEBBCRAFT ( wellcrtaft clone ) 10 years ago with the 3.0 and after a few outings you will want more power. You may say you wont but trust me after a while the 3.0 isnt enough and you wont be happy with it.

My 185 has the 4.3 and I tell you what that motor has more then pleanty of power for a lot of people. Its really great on gas, even with 6 on board I only used 1/4 tank of gas and we were running WOT ( WIDE OPEN ) all day. Just blasting around the lake and doing 50 MPH. Pleanty of speed and power beleive me. I do have a performace prop on it and have added quite a few features to an already great boat. BAYLINERS are built well and a lot of fun and still you need to take care of the boat if you want it to last a long time. Any boat even a SEA RAY or something 3 and 4 X the price will be a junk pile if you dont take care of them so just make sure you look over something used really good and be satisfied with your findings.

I can only say my 185 is as good as the day I bought it because its only got around 20 hours on it. I dont think my selling proice is in your price range but you have to remember my boat has a few upgrades that god knows what a dealer would have charged to do.

I understand from what my dealer says that the 175's dont last at all when they get some in. They are hot sellers, Then the 185 is next.

Also the 185 is BAYLINERS FASTEST boat at this time! And with what I did to mine I have no doubt. I raced a cigerette a few weeks ago with dual engines and he had a hard time trying to pass me with my single 4.3. That was impressive and he was stunned to say the least!.

If your interested in what I have PM me and Ill send you a link to where my boat is listed on my private webssite.

Vic

 

[Lodger]

Re: Just joined and would love your opinions

Thanks for all of the responses so far, I appreciate the help. Based on the replies and what I have seen elsewhere, I'm going to stay away from the rentals. I'm sure I will have more questions later. Any other thoughts please add them.

Thanks

 

[tonyg11780]

Re: Just joined and would love your opinions

A 2005 is 3 years old, and it was only 14000 new...and they probably got a deal since they were buying rentals, or some sort of lease program. 12,500 sounds bit high