Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250hrs

[ciscokidd]

Hello,

I am looking into purchasing a used 24ft pleasure cruiser for future weekend use here in the Pacific Northwest. I have recently come across some decent deals locally as well as a yacht broker out of Bellingham WA which may find me exactly what I want but forces me to wait longer and go through a few hoops to transport home to Vancouver BC area.

Main use will be for my family of 3, wife and 11yr old. I am sure occasionally we will invite another family of 3 or I will go out with couple of buddies. so I have been doing my research and have decided upon 1 of 3 boats of 2003-2005 year. I have a max budget of 30K CA after tax but would feel alot better staying closer to the 22Kmark with some of the extra costs such as year round slip cost/insurance/initial winter maintenance.

I do not plan to trailer the boat once purchased it will go into the salt year round but the area it will be moored in has lots of fresh water.

2005 Bayliner 245 Ciera w Merc 5.0 Alpha 1 (local deal just reduced low hours 250 approx, will be finding more out tomorrow on this boat) transferrable slip 15 minutes from home which is huge bonus, I plan to use this same Marina for whatever boat I do buy

2003 Maxum 2400SE

2003 Chaparral 240 Signature Series

The last 2 boats are obviously more cash , I am seeing them around 7-9K more than the Bayliner which I am looking at at $21,900. Being this will be our first 24ft boat is it just more sensible to save the cash, I like the way the bayliner looks and realize I would liken it to a Chevy vs the other 2 , more as Buicks, the Chaparral, damn thats a nice boat.

I also know that the std Merc 5.0 w 220hp Alpha 1 is a little light and carbed , as much as I would like to go efi, the savings of $7-9k over the other 2 options is just swaying me alot. I can't imagine not being happy with the Bayliner especially if it checks out and is solid all around which I expect it will be

Feedback , I have a list of what I want to confirm but would love to hear from others what I want to focus questions on.

Cheers

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

Chaparral is the better boat of the bunch that you are considering. The Bayliner will hold you inside your budget. Probably not a ton of difference between the Bayliner and the Maxum . . . The actual condition of the boats is a big factor as well.

Keep in mind that Bayliner is an economy boat, so there won't be anything top-shelf in terms of its components, etc. As long as it is all in working condition, then you should be fine.

I would get barrier coat on the hull if you are going to keep it in the water.

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

All nice boats. My concern is the stern drive and the saltwater in which you intend to use it. I suggest you look for a boat with an inboard drive or outboards.

I have owned stern drives for 30+ years , but operate exclusive in fresh water (Lake Erie).

Just my .02

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[Solittle]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

Don't plan on overnighting on a 245 with six on board - would be O.K. for just your family if you pack light.

 

[ciscokidd]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

Don't plan on overnighting on a 245 with six on board - would be O.K. for just your family if you pack light.

Lol for sure. Overnights will be the 3 of us and occasionally 2 adults w 2 young boys. I am sure that can be done looking at it overall. Put an offer in today. If we accept the counter next will be mechanical inspection and marine survey. 1 owner boat 230 hours on it. Has Merc 5.0 220hp same as my buddies 04 Maxum 2400 SE, transom shower, macerator, gps and vhf. Captains seat replaces w a swivel and ride height adjustable unit. Overall clean unit i would give a 7.5-8. Will know more after inspection. For our first larger boat i think it will be suitable and most imp come in under budget allowing us to pay off in 7 mths.

 

[americanmcss]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

I also know that the std Merc 5.0 w 220hp Alpha 1 is a little light and carbed , as much as I would like to go efi, the savings of $7-9k over the other 2 options is just swaying me alot.

If you are concerned about the capabilities of the engine, you may want to take some of that savings and upgrade. Since the boat is going to live its life in the salt, it may be a good idea to start with a fresh engine block anyway. I know first hand what salt does to a merc 5.0 as I just tore mine down. If its cast iron it will rust like you cant believe. You can upgrade to a Merc 5.7 for probably around $3k and its a direct replacement. Depending on how the engine is built and cammed, you could easily see a 50hp+ gain. You could even add EFI to it while its torn down, however, it is not something I have looked into or know realative costs of.

But before you decide to spend the money, take that thing for a test drive. Who knows? It may just suprise you.
My 2 pennies

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

Have you sea trialed the boat with your anticipated load aboard? That's the ONLY way you'll know if 220hp is enough.

As stated above, slipping stern drives in saltwater is NOT the most desirable thing to do. You MUST make sure the Mercathode is working and keep your anodes clean. Also, epoxy barrier coat before your anti-fouling bottom paint is a MUST.

 

[ciscokidd]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

Have you sea trialed the boat with your anticipated load aboard? That's the ONLY way you'll know if 220hp is enough.

As stated above, slipping stern drives in saltwater is NOT the most desirable thing to do. You MUST make sure the Mercathode is working and keep your anodes clean. Also, epoxy barrier coat before your anti-fouling bottom paint is a MUST.

Thanks for the feedback. I have put an offer in an am awaiting sellers reply. Following that will be a sea trial w anticipated max load I may ever carry. Speaking w my friend who has an 04 Maxum 2400SE and been into and owned boats all his life he feels the std 5.0 motor will be enough for me in my first boat as he uses the identical in his. Yes he has had some times when getting on plane has taken longer due to load but he has done it. For the few times times this happened he does not feel/think I would fee I should have gone bigger motor.

On another note I will epoxy barrier coat the bottom before anti fouling bottom paint is done, I imagine it had not had the epoxy done in past. As long as the inspection report and marine survey come back solid i will proceed with buying the boat. I believe I can get in for 20k after inspection costs and survey. Asking price was 21900 and i offered 18500. Seller is getting out of it and what is a huge benefit to me is transfe of the slip at the marina, 15 minutes from my home. Since this will be our first boat I feel its the right direction for my intended usage and it really fits the budget. Gives me opportunity to get in relatively cheap (of course this is all based on reports coming back solid and everything addressed that has to be) and see how much I use it.

I have been torn with a couple other boats , mainly a Doral 250SE from the fresh, mint shape with 5.7 Penta yr 2000 425hrs but the challenge is the additional transportation cost from 6.5 hrs away, required FWC added, bottom painting, and access to a slip which at this time is not available locally and I have to go on a waiting list. Difference in the end if I go the Doral route would be an extra 8k-9k, yes I am getting alot more boat as far as quality/fit and finish and a more powerful motor at a higher cost which I question is it needed for my first boat. However if I know I could get a slip I would possibly stretch for the Doral for sure! Gotta be happy with what works

UPDATE: Got sellers reply today, countered 20900 to my 18500 however a dual axel galvanized trailer in excellent shape is included which I can sell to offset his higher than I expected counter offer

 

[ciscokidd]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

I have purchased a 2000 Doral 250SE over what I was originally looking at, its a much nicer boat. 440 hrs freshwater use approx 5 mths year . I have it marine surveyed and mechanically inspected, all is good for a few things. I am collecting all parts and paints, to ready it for use in saltwater.

I would like to find out what the magnesium zincs part number are for my 2000 250SE Volvo Penta 5.7GS motor, anyone know where I can obtain these part numbers, are there Volvo specific zincs?

 

[rbh]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

Hi there-
Congrats on the purchase, just remember even though you are in the lower mainland it does get cold and freezes every year.
Did the motor have a closed cooling system-antifreze instead of ocean/lake water??

It does not take long at minus 1c to make ice in you engine block or manifolds.

 

[ciscokidd]

Re: Purchase of 24ft pleasure cruiser looking for some feedback Bayliner 245 2005 250

Hi there-
Congrats on the purchase, just remember even though you are in the lower mainland it does get cold and freezes every year.
Did the motor have a closed cooling system-antifreze instead of ocean/lake water??

It does not take long at minus 1c to make ice in you engine block or manifolds.

Here is link to other thread i started http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=579780&highlight=doral , all the stuff is ordered that I will be adding to the boat , San Juan 1/2 FWC and Neutra Salt system to be both added. Picking up the FWC from Brad owner of San Juan in Birch Bay next Saturday, saved good money ordering out of michiganmotorz.com and picking up close to home and just pay some hst at border. My buddy has his Maxxum 2400 at Red point year round for last 7 yrs and has had no issues, small heater in engine compartment and fan and heater in cabin and he takes it out weekly over the winter or at least starts it and brings to operating temps.

I have my slip and will be more than likely putting boat in permanently there as I do not have ability to trailer or store unless we choose to dry store over winter, we will see!

Thanks for the advice!