looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

[tantriim]

Can anyone tell me what they might know about the Jazz by Bayliner. I am looking at purchasing one for some cheap fun with my two boys to pull on a tube or some skies. They are small (7 & 8) so not much weight... We have had many boats, my current one is a large Chris-Craft so daily activities that young boys are interested in doing are not able to be met. I went and looked at a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat yesterday it was in a barn owned by a farmer that has a machine shop as well he is geting rid of it as his boys are grown and it has not been used for some time. It has been stored inside, was extremly clean & comes with a trailer ($1200). The one thing that I did not look closely was the engine size. After looking into this boat online it looks as of there is two engine types 90hp & 120hp. I have never owned a jet boat. Is there anything I should know about them. Any feed back would be aprecaited as I am looking at making a drive tomorrow to make the purchase!

 

[rogerwa]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

I would think a 90 would be underpowered. Jets are not as efficient as prop. I would ensure you can get parts before taking the leap.

 

[roscoe]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

They used the Force powerhead, don't know about the jet manufacturer.

So, you are buying a Force. THen you take a 33% cut in power for the jet.

So if it is a 90, you actually have 60, or less.

If it has a 120, you have an 80, or less.

IF you can get a sea trial, loaded with 3 people in it, and it performs well, it might be worth a grand.

Good luck finding someone to service it.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

Not sure you will be happy with how it performs for what you want it to do. We have a jet on a 16' V hull in the PA mtns to run the river. With 2 adults it is no speed demon with a 115 Johnson. Works for my brother and I as it is only used to get over the shallows and rocks to fishing spots and duck blinds.

 

[riptide09]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

My friend has an old FourWinns jet boat. It is around 16' and has an OMC 115HP. The boat is really a dog if you throw more than 2 or 3 people in it. He has complained about the lack of top end speed and performance since the day he bought it. I sometimes think people believe that because it is a "jet" boat that it will automatically have the desired speed and performance.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

I've owned 3 of the sugar sand versions of that boat. (IIRC, sugar sand actually made the bayliner hull, its identical to a sugar sand heat)

Anyway, there are actually 3 engines, 90,95, and 120. (95 is identical to 90 with minor carb changes) The engine is badged merc, and it does have SOME merc parts, but its mostly Force. Nothing wrong with it, its a solid platform.

The 90 in that boat is a dog without smart tabs on it, as in you need to get weight up front if you have 2 people in it. With smarttabs, its a fun little boat and runs fairly cheaply even.

The thing that worries me is that it isn't hasn't been run for quite some time. Overuse doesn't destroy boats, lack of use does! At a minimum, you are probably going to have to rebuild the carbs and drain the fuel tank. I highly suspect you might also need new shift and steering cables.

If it were me, I'd take a very close look at it and see if its in usable condition as-is. (running, cables work) If it is, you can always sell it later, you are getting it cheap enough. Otherwise, I'd hold out for something with the 120 engine it. (I had a sugar sand heat with that merc 120, that boat was overpowered with that engine! It would do mid 50's and would literally jump out of the water when you pinned it.)

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

... but its mostly Force. Nothing wrong with it, its a solid platform...

Great info in your post, but I have NEVER seen THAT statement before!? Every post I have ever seen about a Force says something to the effect of "Run Away, Run Away!"

 

[H20Rat]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

Great info in your post, but I have NEVER seen THAT statement before!? Every post I have ever seen about a Force says something to the effect of "Run Away, Run Away!"

There actually are some guys that like force engines! They are easy to work on, and very simple designs. (aka, old) The drawback is that, well, they are old. Their power-weight ratio is low, and I"m wondering if that engine even put out 90 from the factory.

Newer merc outboards are a maze of hoses and electrical wire, whereas a force is a block, flywheel, carbs, and 1 fuel line.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

Jet boats are a different kind of boat, and they don't suit everyone IMO. In rough water they are really not so good, remember they only have power when the boat is in the water. We got all jerked around when it was used in over 1 foot waves, and my neck was sore for a while from the jerky ride.
Force motors are no longer in business, and they tend to be a more cost effective way to get on the water. My only experience with them wasn't very good (it broke), I wont own one ever! Maybe the jet boats are different, I never rode in one powered by a force motor. If resale is of any concern, just remember you will be trying to sell that thing eventually, and many boaters already know how Force can affect a boats value. I would never knowingly go out and consider buying one, but then I wouldn't go buy a jet boat either.

 

[DAN M VAGOS]

Re: looking @ purchasing a 1995 Bayliner Jet Boat...any thoughts???

$1200 barn find tell me where lol and who cares on the hp its a samll boat and will still be fun and its $1200