Opinions on a 91 21FT Bayliner Hardtop

[Newbie@boats]

I am looking to get back into boating this season, and I am narrowing my search down to a cuddy cabin but stumbled upon this hardtop which I was immediately attracted to. I have been talking to the owner for a few days now thru email and he seems like a very straight forward guy.....I am looking for a nice boat I can go out with with 4-5 people and my dog and enjoy the day fishing and hanging out, but my BIGGEST concern is the 4 Cylinder engine.....With a full tank of gas 4-5 people + gear am I going to be looking at a boat that will have a hard time getting to plain? Let me know what you guys think , I attached the link for you as well....https://burlington.craigslist.org/boa/5448061327.html

 

[NYBo]

I think your concerns about the size of the motor are well founded.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

She looks to be undersized at 130HP. I agree it may be of concern down the road. Heck my 19 foot aluminum has 115.

 

[bwraven]

Bayliner Trophy's of that era and style are notoriously underpowered. As is this one. In my opinion, a vessel of that length and weight needs at least a 200hp powerplant to run properly, loaded as you wish to load it.

A friend used to own one, and I liked the layout for a 21' boat, but we had a hell of a time getting it on a plane with just the two of us and fuel/gear in the boat.

 

[fishin98]

The Bayliner Trophy is a nice boat, looking at the ad the price is not bad at all. The Trophy's were built better than your run of the mill Bayliner.The outdrive may be geared and propped to give some performance. Remember these were built as Sport Fishing Boats...It would be worth your time to go look at it if you don't live far away. I know of a site that can give the exact information your looking for. If you would like I'll send you a Private Message on the name of the site.
Trophy's that are in good shape and priced right are not for sale very long.

 

[ondarvr]

When looking boats in that age range rot is a major concern, and Bayliners tend to be more prone to it.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

It's up on plain in the photo... Curious to know how much weight was on it there. Ya get more RPM out of a 4 cylinder, and I'm guessing you'll be fine. You won't be able to pull a skier up with a loaded boat, and you won't be the fastest rig on the lake! The good? Great fuel economy, and a pretty sweet boat at a fair price! Make sure and check all the usual rot spots before ya make the buy! (deck, transom, stringers)

 

[mr 88]

If you had the exact same outdrive and total weight then the fuel economy would be the same as any V6 -V8. It takes x amount of fuel to produce y amount of hp to move your hull through the water at the same speed. The big difference is your cruise speeds will be different and that's where the fuel economy myth comes in . The 4 banger will cruise at maybe 18-20 mph with a SMALL load vs the 6-8 cylinder at 25-30 mph, fully loaded ,which would be the top speed with the 4 banger. 4-5 people ,dog and a full load of gear and beer,it wont get out of its own way. Maybe if she had trim tabs you could get it up on a plane after about 30 seconds of having it floored and listening to the engine struggle.I know the water is still hard where your at but I would wait until you could take it for a sea trial with your intended load and then make up your mind. It isn't going anywhere at this time of the year as far as him selling it before you take it for a run.

 

[southkogs]

I'm not exactly sure of the weight on that boat - couldn't find it specifically - the the other Trophys I found of similar size weighed in about the same as my 1950 Capri. With the 130HP on the 1950, it gets up and goes just fine. I usually have 5 people and a couple dogs on board, and we'll get up fast enough.

By your signature, you've owned Bayliners, so you know what comes in that "box." I'd see if you can get it out on the water, for your own comfort level with buying it.

 

[Newbie@boats]

Thanks for the info fellas! I think doing a sea trial would be my best bet but that won't be for another month or so. I wish the boat came with a 6 or 8 cylinder which would definitely help with my buying decision. So I either suck it up and deal with the 4 cylinder or wait until I find another with a bigger motor. I feel like 18-20mph loaded down is a bit slow and I feel like that 4 cylinder would be screaming to keep up

 

[mr 88]

I'm not exactly sure of the weight on that boat - couldn't find it specifically - the the other Trophys I found of similar size weighed in about the same as my 1950 Capri. With the 130HP on the 1950, it gets up and goes just fine. I usually have 5 people and a couple dogs on board, and we'll get up fast enough.

By your signature, you've owned Bayliners, so you know what comes in that "box." I'd see if you can get it out on the water, for your own comfort level with buying it.

Google it.. I came up with the specs on a 1950 Capri as 18'8'' x 7'6''-1925lbs , Trophy comes in at 21' x 8' x 3450 lbs [ this was from nada ] it also showed it with 175hp. So if these specs are correct there is a huge difference and don't expect anywhere near the same performance numbers. The Trophy is sitting on a double axle trailer for a reason. Waterline difference in beam and length creates a lot more drag and the weight speaks for itself,almost double and add the wind resistance of the hardtop and height of hull .

 

[Newbie@boats]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151990756133?forcerRptr=true&item=151990756133&viewitem=

Here is another one that just got posted on eBay also its much closer to me......But I don't know JACK about OMC motors....Are they any good? I know my way around a Merc some what but I am going into looking at a OMC pretty much blind

 

[southkogs]

OMC's been outta' biz a long time. I don't know much about the COBRAs, but I'd pass on an OMC if you're not used to 'em.

 

[Newbie@boats]

I posted up in the OMC part of this forum and I have more then enough responses to steer me away from that one I posted the link from eBay to.....

I am still really liking that one with the 4 Cylinder, It does have trim tabs, and I just sent him an email about prop upgrades to help it out, now would there be anything additional I could do if I did buy that boat to help performance wise? My first bayliner had a 85HP Force motor and it was a dog getting to plain but once there it wasnt horrible, I would also plan on taking this boat out on the sound for fishing

 

[ondarvr]

Bayliner put that motor in several boats in that size range and a little longer, people liked the boats, but being so under powered was a hassle.

What will help performance....a bigger engine.

 

[Newbie@boats]

Bayliner put that motor in several boats in that size range and a little longer, people liked the boats, but being so under powered was a hassle.

What will help performance....a bigger engine.

I wish the stars would align properly for once LOL......I know once it starts getting a little nicer out the prices will go up and unfortunately with just recently purchasing my first house I am on a budget

 

[Newbie@boats]

Just got an email back from the owner he said the prop has not been upgraded, but with 3 guys fishing gear etc boat will cruise @ 26mph according to GPS

 

[zell66]

I had a 19' bayliner Capri with that same engine. No hard top. open bow style. My boat was very under-powered. It looks nice but IMO you will hate yourself for buying a under-powered boat.

 

[redneck joe]

Just got an email back from the owner he said the prop has not been upgraded, but with 3 guys fishing gear etc boat will cruise @ 26mph according to GPS

At what rpms?

 

[roffey]

I had a 25 foot Welcraft with a 5.7 260 hp and it was a dog. took for ever to plane and top speed was 32 mph so I would question the "cruise @ 26mph". I bet that's top speed. These boats are not meant for speed but some times its nice to get to shore or dock in bad conditions.