looking to buy a boat need suggestion

[offshorebob]

hey everyone i am new at this email pages. I am looking to buying at a 1997 bayliner 20ft wacc with outrigers,downriggers, all the tech and it has an 1997 120 o/b force by mercury engine with approx 87 hrs for $10500obo. But i heard stories about the force engines but since this is made by mercury i though it be good. i will appreciated any the feedback thanks

 

[SouthernmanSC]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

I wish I could give you some info about the Bayliner,,but dont know alot about them,,but I can tell you about the Force Motor...When I was living in the Carolina's my Brother inlaw had one on a Wellcrart 17...120 hp..Excellent motor,,,only probs. he has was hit a oyster bed and messed lower unit up,,and then next time didnt tighten oil cap good and water got into the oil injection,,so you can imagine what salt water did...Had good insurance,and bought another Force after he got his head outta his butt and ran the hell outta it for alot of years now...Good Maint. and upkeep it would last along time to come...Oh,,I'm a hardcore OMC fan,,but I was really impressed with the Force Motor...Good luck..And hope you find the gem you want....

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

If you would like specific Bayliner questions answered Bayliner Owners Club Forum is the place to go.<br />Great boats.

 

[Bondo]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

IMHO,I Only see Two Things Wrong with It.....<br />1) It's a Bayliner...<br />2) It's got a Force Hung on the Transom....<br />Make that 3) $10500. Is Alot of Money, for a 6 year old POS...

 

[93bronco]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

trophy's are good riding boats, force motors arent bad either. rite now i have an 1802 with a pos johnson on it. and wished i gotten the 120 force i was set to buy. atleast i wouldnt have been let down.<br /> if the boat is in good shape, and compression on motor is good. than your are getting extras- hey the only person you need to please is your self.<br />i looked at an older hydrasport w/a it had stress cracks faded gel coat, scratches on bottom for 18,500 yea rite! it finally sold after a year of sitting.<br />you can check the price at nadaguides.com ,i just did a price on my 94 1802 with all the amenities and it came close to 11,500.<br />if it was taken care of and not abused, youll be happy.

 

[DJ]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

bob,<br /><br />People will say what they will about Bayliner/Trophy and Force engines.<br /><br />I'll take it on.<br /><br />1. Force engines were entry level engines. They require religious maintenance. Particularly decarbing. Many of them got a bad rep. because of first time boat owners that didn't maintain them.<br /><br />The 120 Force was at the lower edge of 120 hp.<br /><br />With that said, 120 hp., in my opinion, is on thew light side for a 20 ft. boat of that type. You may be constantly overworking it.

 

[sundancer270]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

Bayliner ? Does'nt that mean Liners the Bay ? There the low-end Boat. Thats to much for a bay liner. LOOK at the Sea Swril Striper. This Boat is built like a TANK

 

[Stinger]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

Bob,<br /><br />If I were you, I'd spend some time researching other makes of boats. Look into a Sea Ray, Chaparral, Four Winns, Cobalt etc. I have 3 or 4 friends who have all owned Bayliners and were disappointed with them. A common problem on all of their boats was screws constantly working themselves loose. Invest in a power screwdriver if you don't already have one. If not, your wrists and forearms will be bigger than Arnold Schwarzenager's from the extended workouts. I've also heard that Bayliner has had problems with their transoms on O/B models. As for Force engines, just look for smoke clouds on the river. Where there's smoke, there's a Force engine not too far behind. I mean no disrespect to Bayliner and Force owners, these are just my experiences with these products.

 

[snohomishbaddawg]

Re: looking to buy a boat need suggestion

the best day I have ever had with a boat was the day I got home from a trip and found that someone had stolen the POS force from the back of my boat. That thing was nothing but trouble from the begining. I am no rookie at boat and outboard maintainace and this thing would not stay tuned, you have to decarb all the time, and be sure you check your lower unit seals MONTHLY to be sure they haven't leaked all the gear oil out and the water in. The best use for a force on a boat is for an anchor (and if you are smart you will cut the anchor line and leave it on the bottom!)