Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

[Lyle29464]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

no!

 

[hartjoh]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

whoever said forces are good never owned any other type of OB,my father owned two,neither of them were very dependable.I would suggest for the money you have to spend try to find something with a different motor even if means having to buy something a little older,its no fun having to be towed in.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Here's my take on this coming from someone who owns a 1984 Bayliner Capri purchased brand new with a Force engine and someone who likes boating not rebuilding. I'd shy away from something needing work if for no other reason, you spend time rebuilding instead of time boating. Then it's always more work than you anticipated and these boats are notorious for quickly sucumbing to bad owners. I guess I'm saying don't take a small soft spot lightly. I like our Bayliner but we've treated it like it was made of gold since day one as we do with everything we buy. It is relatively sub standard in many ways but has lasted.............Bingo.......... That means about $6.00 of maintainance since 1984 plus annual winterizing and the insane amount of gas the old school two strokes suck down. It was made in the leaded gas era and we have continued to add lead additive every tank since leaded gas was discontinued. The quality and reliability of things sometime is a function of bad ownership not necessarily to be blamed on the brand itself. By the logic I read my Bayliner should have rotted up and the force should have exploded years ago.

Why would you add a lead additive to a two stroke engine ? The reason they came out with the additive was for the valve guide and seals in four strokes. Had nothing to do with the piston and rings which are lubricated by the oil in the gas.COMPLETE waste of money and not doing a lot for the enviroment.
My answer to the OP is NO.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Are you sure the boat is a 1750? In 1989, from all the information I've been able to find, the 1750 is an I/O boat, standard with a 3.0L 4-cyl. engine.

The 1700, on the other hand, came with the 85 hp Force engine, just like pictured.

I think that's been addressed already.

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

I'd recommend against it unless you know what you are getting into. The problem with a soft spot on the floor is the waterlogged foam underneath as much as anything else. I like the lines too (pretty much have one) but I had to do what some would consider a partial rebuild of the floor and as cheap as I am it was still a good bit of work.

I'd say for your area keep looking. Unfortunately prices are a little higher in the spring, but there will be more boats out there. And I tell you last year there were some great deals after July 4th!

Hard to wait I know, and not saying absolutely don't do it. The boat looks pretty decent interior wise. If the motor and compressions check out, runs good on a sea trial (not too slow doesn't list to one side (waterlogged foam), they give it some thought.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

I'd pass on the turd. . I've owned 3 of them before. :facepalm:

 

[dorelse]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

Well, I've owned 3 Force outboards. An '86 85HP, a '90 90HP and a '92 90HP. All were rock solid outboards, easy to work on (routine maintenance only), and never let me down. I've had 2 Bayliner Capri's both were excellent boats...great for the smaller lakes we go out on.

I rebuilt this '86 Capri 1600 2 years ago, and absolutely reget having sold it:

Neither of mine had soft spots though...but its not a horrible job either. I think they're great boats...but you have to find one that hasn't been abused.

 

[javsam]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

whoever said forces are good never owned any other type of OB,my father owned two,neither of them were very dependable.I would suggest for the money you have to spend try to find something with a different motor even if means having to buy something a little older,its no fun having to be towed in.

That would be me hartjoh, and I currently own 9 outboards,(3 Evinrudes,3 Johnsons,2 Mercurys and 1 Force) and I also I have been a mechanic long before you were even born.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

Lord no... Maybe if it had a Yamaha on it, but then again you would have to deal with that Blue, teal, Pink:facepalm:.. If those are your colors, then a boat dealer should have no problem with you taking out for a run on the lake..

 

[jonesg]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

You said the transom is solid, you don't know that by banging on it, bouncing up and down on the skeg or listening to what anyone says.
You will know if you drill into it and examine the chips.

Soft spot on deck = rot underneath, they don't rot from the deck down.
Anyone with experience knows this, the seller knows.

BAyliner have their own website, its a great bunch of guys and thats a consideration but realize you're most likely getting into a project boat no matter how pretty it looks from the outside.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

I will say this...and agree with everyone else...a soft spot in the floor likely means rot underneath.

 

[jkust]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Why would you add a lead additive to a two stroke engine ? The reason they came out with the additive was for the valve guide and seals in four strokes. Had nothing to do with the piston and rings which are lubricated by the oil in the gas.COMPLETE waste of money and not doing a lot for the enviroment.
My answer to the OP is NO.

mr 88, quite honestly, the Force manual said it requires leaded gas, then leaded gas went away and we bought and continued to use the lead additive. The additive lasts forever since you add so little of it and it isn't that expensive. What I can say is I have an original Force that has performed flawless since 1984 so either I am the luckiest Force owner on earth, or something I did is working. Maybe it is possible that following the guidelines has been beneficial. Just imagine a scenario where you are actually, possibly incorrect.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

I cannot imagine a "scenario" in this case where I am incorrect. You were the one that stated you were spending or should I say wasting money on a lead additive for a two stroke engine.Run a mid or high grade gas and be done with adding lead to the enviroment.Do you know the difference between a 4 and 2 stroke engine ? How many valves,guides and seals are in a 2 stroke? Those specfic parts are why they came out with the lead additive.No other reason. As far as Force requiring leaded gas, thats when they were selling both, not now.Maybe you could talk to a engine/machine shop and get back to me.
I have a 1957 Evinrude and have never had a problem because of unleaded gas.Heck the manual does not even mention leaded gas, I wonder why? LOL. Speaking of by the book, my gas can still tells me to add 1 quart of 30 wt oil to 6 gallons of gas and yet I use a 50-1 mix with no problems..I must be the second luckiest person in the world

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

I have a 1957 Evinrude and have never had a problem because of unleaded gas.Heck the manual does not even mention leaded gas, I wonder why? LOL. I must be the second luckiest person in the world

Nah ran unleaded fuel mix in my old evinrude and my ol Johnson.. No problems...Maybe we should go buy some lotto tickets...

 

[egleas84]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

All; thanks for all your replies. Some other guy got to the boat and offered them more than i did (sucker) anyway. I'm currently persuing an '83 stingray that looks promising, thus far.

 

[egleas84]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

Well, I've owned 3 Force outboards. An '86 85HP, a '90 90HP and a '92 90HP. All were rock solid outboards, easy to work on (routine maintenance only), and never let me down. I've had 2 Bayliner Capri's both were excellent boats...great for the smaller lakes we go out on.

I rebuilt this '86 Capri 1600 2 years ago, and absolutely reget having sold it:

Neither of mine had soft spots though...but its not a horrible job either. I think they're great boats...but you have to find one that hasn't been abused.

Damn thats a beautiful boat!

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

I can only speak for myself & my '85 Bayliner w/ 85hp Force, I love the boat, It's my first & it gave me a perfect 1st season. Mine too had a soft spot/hole in the floor near the ski locker, but I just did a quick cover over with 3/4 ply & covered that with cheap boat carpet just to get use out of it. Planned on replacing floor over winter but lost garage. I'll be doing floor 1st thing in the spring. I know many hate & totally bash Bayliner, but for me it's been great. Mine looks exactly like the one in that pic "dorelse" posted. I get complements on it everywhere I take it.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

Thanks. I miss it. Its for sale again here locally, and I may just have to get it back. I'm always happy to show off how my restore came out on it:

I basically took out the rear facing part of the back-to-back seats, and made 2 captains chairs & a rear bench with a sundeck. I spent a grand total of $500 (I think) to do it.

Before:

After:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCT5gR9EQ9Q


My point being for the OP, is that they can be redone economically and with pretty good results if you think smart, use some imagination and a lot of elbow grease. You need to have a good foundation to start with...this one had rotted out at the seat bases, and I got very lucky that that was the extent of the damage.

My longer term plans were to put a slightly larger outboard on it for improved take off, and finish up the front upholstery.

I'm a big believer of the philosophy that its not who made the boat when its comes to 80's boats...but how they were taken care of over their life.

 

[jkust]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1750 w/85hp Force OB??

I cannot imagine a "scenario" in this case where I am incorrect. You were the one that stated you were spending or should I say wasting money on a lead additive for a two stroke engine.Run a mid or high grade gas and be done with adding lead to the enviroment.Do you know the difference between a 4 and 2 stroke engine ? How many valves,guides and seals are in a 2 stroke? Those specfic parts are why they came out with the lead additive.No other reason. As far as Force requiring leaded gas, thats when they were selling both, not now.Maybe you could talk to a engine/machine shop and get back to me.
I have a 1957 Evinrude and have never had a problem because of unleaded gas.Heck the manual does not even mention leaded gas, I wonder why? LOL. Speaking of by the book, my gas can still tells me to add 1 quart of 30 wt oil to 6 gallons of gas and yet I use a 50-1 mix with no problems..I must be the second luckiest person in the world

All very good points. I have several other older ob engines as well that I never added the lead additive to either with mixed results. I suppose my point is we went by the book with the boat in all respects and its worked well. An engine that by most accounts should have been a dud has instead been my baseline for reliability and longevity. My point to the luck comment isn't so much referring utilizing a lead additive as the basis for my experience but really just that a Force engine isn't as bad as people say depending on the ownership history.

 

[USMCMatt]

Re: Should I buy a '89 Bayliner Capri 1700 w/85hp Force OB??

I have one setup like that and love it... don't pay more then $1600 for it though