Lets talk about Bayliners...

[nitsuj]

Bayliners are a funny thing. To hear people talk about them, you'd think they were total junk, ready to sink at any moment. I've even heard people who don't really know boats or own them talk about how bad they are. They're the butt of every boaters jokes. Yet, theres a ton of them out there. Why do so many people buy a boat with such a questionable reputation.

Heres why I ask: I've never owned one. But being in the used boat market, I'm forced to notice theres a lot of Bayliners on the market. So whats the deal with Bayliners? What exactly about them is so bad? I can't believe it's the motors, some of them use the same drive lines as other boats with a good rep. Is it the hull? Do they cut corners somewhere? And most inportantly, are there years and models that don't deserve the bad reputation, and are safe to consider buying?

 

[rentalguy1]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

I wondered the same thing when I was looking for my boat. I was told (by a Stingray dealer) that on the <20' models, the hulls are very thin, prone to problems, and are built in Mexico. I think what it really boils down to is $$$. That's why there are so many of them out there, and why a lot of people don't like them. Kind of like the Kia. Everybody talks smack about them, but there sure are a lot of them on the road.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

Well they did have a bad reputation. They built some marginal products for several years from everything I gather.
The net result is they are continuing to try to live down that bad reputation...just like Chrysler, Gm & Ford based on what they built in the late 70's, 80's and early 90's (aka 'junk'). Like the Big three...its going to take quite a while to get it back and meanwhile the imports are enjoying the quality rap they built. It was a good strategy....nothing like momentum. (Personally I think Detroit stuff is a great value right now)
Regardless, read QC's reviews on the Bayliners they are very interesting and eye opening.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

search bayliner here on iboats.... many a thread on this subject...here's one...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=52746&highlight=bayliner

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

Like any boat...its who owned it and if they took care of it...30 year old 24 Saratoga..350 VP280 OD..same OD, new repower in 96. Not left outside (barned by first owner)..taken care of...like new in my book. As my 20 foot Capri Cuddy 125 Force..1988...few stuff needed an upgrade..runs fine...and this is in salt. Let others complain...he who holds the wrench and owns the boats knows more...(and a great boat for us retired people that love to tinker..)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

Bayliner, was an entry priced level boat for many years. many people who had no idea how to care for a boat, bought them, left them uncovered, lack of maintainance. there are quite a few older well maintained Bayliners still around. the 2000 and newer Bayliners are a completely different boat than the old ones. the 2008 205, 225 Bayliners are completely new design boat, and in my opinion, is going to be a hard boat to beat, in the future. they are all powered by Mercruisers, as they are owned by Brunswick.

 

[Road Guy]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

we have rented a low end bayliner in the past, very light, we got beat up pretty bad on the chop at Lake Lanier, other than that they all ran fine, but they seem to offer a low frills/extras (or used to) to allow people to get on the water in a new boat cheaper.

I think its like Sea-Doo, the buily some crap in the early 90's and although they still dominate the sales market, they still get a lot of grief over previous actions that they have since corrected

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

sea don't hasn't corrected theirs, and horrible service here.

 

[hal2814]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

It depends on how used you're talking about. If you're talking 10 years or so, Bayliner makes a fine boat when cared for properly. If you're talking late-80's to early 90's you have to worry about now-defunct OMC outdrives (but many boats of that vintage have them) and the infamous L-Drive. You stay away from those and Bayliner is just as good as any other boat of that vintage. Just like scatty said above: "its who owned it and if they took care of it"

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

now-defunct OMC outdrives (but many boats of that vintage have them) and the infamous L-Drive. You stay away from those"

YEP! Far FAR away....

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

I would not buy one new because until the rep sufficiently changes, the resale is pitiful. I cannot tell you how many one year old Bayliners that were on our local used boat market, with lines like (payed 18,999, will sacrifice and take 14,000).

On the other hand, their used value is probably great because of this high depreciation, as there are deals out there.

Maybe with quasi-marketing threads like the one here a couple of days ago, their image will change and you won't take such a beating -- In my humble opinion!

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

Wait, this is a new one on me. So OMC outdrives are also taboo? I hadn't heard that. All of them? So say a Ford 5.0 liter engine with a the OMC outdrive should be avoided? So, who do we like for outdrives?

 

[QC]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

Maybe with quasi-marketing threads like the one here a couple of days ago, their image will change and you won't take such a beating -- In my humble opinion!

Quasimoto here . . . That's what they hope for, but maybe a better way to put it is: by word of mouth, and type, from independent sources (like me), Bayliner hopes that their improved quality will lead to a reputation that is equal to the level of quality they are now delivering.

The previous message was paid for by the salary I get for posting on iboats . . . uhhhh . . . wait . . . I don't get nuttin' for posting on iboats, so why would I post nice things about Bayliner? Hmmmmmmm . . . maybe 'cause I have seen something better first hand . . . yeah, that must be it

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

QC, for the record, I didn't think your Bayliner post came off as marketing. But, your findings, no matter how valid, were about new boats. And I'm not in the market for one. I'm looking at used boats, so the input about older Bayliners are what is most important to me.

 

[QC]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

I understand nitsuj. Just trying to keep the record straight, although sickwilly was pretty close to the mark. It is this type of thread that has Bayliner motivated to do whatever it can. I agree that late model Bayliner's are a bargain for this same reason.

Yes, OMC drives, especially "stringers", should be avoided. Tough to get parts and they had some weird quirks. I owned one once and it is still running today 23 years later, but parts are a problem and it needs them regularly . . .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

i have also seen the new bayliners, in person, got to test drive several of the first ones off the liner.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

I considered a couple of Bayliners, just not a new one. If the right price, options, and situation came along, then I would have pulled the trigger.

I hoped "quasi" would indicate that I knew the thread was not direct marketing.

Sorry.

 

[RGrew176]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

As someone posted above, Bayliners do not hold their value well. I give one example and you can decide what is what.

I purchased my first Bayliner new in 1987, a 2450 Ciera. The price out the door was just over 21K. Near the end of the 1990 boating season here in Michigan I sold the boat for $17K.

I look at it this way, I got 4 seasons of usage from that boat and sold it for 4K less than the new price so it cost me or I lost 1K per season of usage. I wish I did that well on my cars when I resell them after I am finished with them.

Bayliners are junk they say. Well, I had great results from my 1st one the 87 and have since purchased 4 more. I am currently on my 5th Bayliner and would probably remain loyal to the brand once again if I should move up. The only reason I would not purchase another one is if I move up beyond a 34 footer as the 340 is the largest Bayliner currently being offered.

But that is just one mans opinion, many others will see it differently.

 

[QC]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

I hoped "quasi" would indicate that I knew the thread was not direct marketing.

No, I got it, just thought it was time to chime in . . .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lets talk about Bayliners...

RGrew176 is obviously a boater that maintains his boat, this is a prime example, of proper maintainance. where can you get the recreation, pleasure and fun, for a $1,000 a year. thats cheap entertainment for the whole family.. a trip to Disney will cost you more than that.