Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

[sierrak9s]

GO!

Hi again! For my first boat, I think I have decided on a 2005 Bayliner 185 with a 3.0L Mercruiser. $6K. It is absolutely by FAR the newest boat I could find in that price range, by about ten years. NADA calls it between $5200 and $6800.
The AM/FM radio doesn't work. Neither does the tachometer. I don't really intend to use either one, so I'm not terribly concerned about those.

Sea trial tomorrow afternoon. If all goes well, I am going to buy this boat on Monday.

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/boa/1694922326.html

I know Bayliner doesn't have the very best rep. But it's a boat, it's in my price range, it's NEW (ish), it's super comfy, and I WANT IT.

So. Am I making a huge mistake?

 

[solar7647]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Dont want to burst your bubble there but the tach is about the most important gauge on the dash in a boat....it does alot for trouble shooting not to mention to prop the boat right and to make sure it is running in the proper Wide open Trottle range....so if you buy..replace asap

Good luck with trials! Looks like a nice boat

 

[badbird]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Nice looking boat. Bayliner is a good all around boat, I mean who really needs the BEST. I would just look it all over and try to talk him down 5-700 due to economy and repairs needed

Good Luck
Ron

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Dont want to burst your bubble there but the tach is about the most important gauge on the dash in a boat....it does alot for trouble shooting not to mention to prop the boat right and to make sure it is running in the proper Wide open Trottle range....so if you buy..replace asap

Good luck with trials! Looks like a nice boat

Okay, that's tremendously useful. I didn't know that.
But since it's an inboard, and I don't plan to ski or go terribly fast, is it still so important for teh WOT issue?

 

[onthelake2010]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Okay, that's tremendously useful. I didn't know that.
But since it's an inboard, and I don't plan to ski or go terribly fast, is it still so important for teh WOT issue?

I would also agree with having the tach. It tells you allot about the engine along with sound that you hear.

good luck with the purchase.

 

[DJ]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

That looks like a nice boat. The cleanliness says a lot about its care.

 

[solar7647]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Okay, that's tremendously useful. I didn't know that.
But since it's an inboard, and I don't plan to ski or go terribly fast, is it still so important for teh WOT issue?

Yes...you want a tach beleive me... if its just the gauge its less the $20 to fix. You always want to know your RPM...it will be the one of the first things your asked about if you have any issues with the motor and post asking questions.

Oh and every boat owner gets asked or talked into pulling something behind there boat so dont count that out!

Hey and every one likes to go fast in a boat

 

[tractoman]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

The condition of the boat is the most important thing about it assuming you like it. Sea trial for sure since there seems to be a glut of cracked blocks this year. I'd try to get them to take off 300-400 for the tach and the stereo whether you care about them or not. For sure get the tach working. Looks nice though.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Even though it looks clean, the radio and tach have been neglected. So what else mechanical may have been neglected? The current owner may be a neat freak and keep it clean, but maybe he knows nada about mechanicals. He may not even know something else needs attention.

Do a through sea trial. Maybe take to a mechanic for an evaluation.
check the oil before and after you go out. Both the engine and the drive oil.
Any milky shows up drive=problems, engine=big problems.

BTW you will need a tach. and compare RPM to MPH this is how you tell when problems start to appear.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Absolutely not! I am not going to talk you out of it. That is a newer Bayliner with better hull construction

Just like any other boat sale..... get a water test and go over everything..... bring along another boater for extra eyes.

You do realize we have a Bayliner forum too http://forums.iboats.com/Bayliner_Boats take a few minutes and read the reviews....... iboats and Bayliner have a great relationship!

 

[Philster]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Bayliner? That is fine.

The engine/drive are Mercruiser.

New Bayliner boats often wind up in the hands of people who have no clue what it is like to take care of a boat. The Bayliner brand is priced right and marketed with the idea that some folks are going to get boat fever at a show or showroom and even with a modest job and credit will be able to afford it.

Out of the showroom, everything is new, and -- properly care for -- will last and last.

But, Bayliners often suffer from a double whammy: They are built just 'ok', and they might skimp here and there, but I still feel the overall enemy of a Bayliner's longevity is the type of owner who winds up with all the new Bayliners. These owners are usually not boaters, and usually have no idea of the dedication involved. I am not saying "all of them", but far too often Bayliners fall into the hands of some guy who just wanted a boat and could afford one new at a boat show... and a disproporionate number of these owners just neglect them.

Engine and drive are sound? Compression? Good input from surveyor and/or sea trial? Go for it. And get a tach!

Just the fact that you mentioned you don't need a tach is a telltale sign of someone who is going to develop bad habits. What would a real boater do? They wouldn't ignore the tach, and neither should YOU!

.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

my problem with it, is the 3.0 is not enough motor. needs the 4.3.

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Just the fact that you mentioned you don't need a tach is a telltale sign of someone who is going to develop bad habits. What would a real boater do? They wouldn't ignore the tach, and neither should YOU!

Ooooo. Excellent point. I am justly accused.

And I think your overall point about Bayliner owners is an insightful one. Thank you!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Nice looking boat, nice price. You need the tach in my opinion. I agree it is underpowered. Maybe not to begin with for you but soon after you get used to it you will yearn for more power to ski and tube etc.
My 2 cents on the subject.

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Nice looking boat, nice price. You need the tach in my opinion. I agree it is underpowered. Maybe not to begin with for you but soon after you get used to it you will yearn for more power to ski and tube etc.
My 2 cents on the subject.

Probably. Mi esposa and I are middle-aged, but there is a 25-year-old daughter and her hubby to consider, after all. THEY might enjoy a little skiing. Not me, no, too old and mature for that. But I must think of the children!

 

[jkust]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

I think you will be wanting for more power as well but 6k is pocket change for a newer boat. I suppose everyone needs to start out boating in something and for many it isn't the most powerful or fastest. I have a much older Bayliner as well as my sig boat with only an 85hp outboard engine. Back in the 1980's when we bought it new, we almost never wanted for more power and 85hp was a decent sized motor in those days. We did every water sport imaginable with it and few inland lake boats could top its speed. Of course now it is practically a kicker. My thought is if it passes inspection and sea trial, get a bit off the price and go boating. I think you will be hard pressed to find a BL that new with a 4.3.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

GO!

I have decided on a 2005 Bayliner 185 with a 3.0L Mercruiser.

My opinion NO, I own the exact boat, purchased in 2008 and put close to 150 hours on her. I keep her maintained and have not had a bit of trouble. My only big expense so far was replacing the factory shipped trailer tires and they were only $140. for the pair. In my opinion with owning the model you are looking at I can say it's well worth the money. I paid $9,500 for mine in 2008, boat and trailer.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

My opinion NO, I own the exact boat, purchased in 2008 and put close to 150 hours on her. I keep her maintained and have not had a bit of trouble. My only big expense so far was replacing the factory shipped trailer tires and they were only $140. for the pair. In my opinion with owning the model you are looking at I can say it's well worth the money. I paid $9,500 for mine in 2008, boat and trailer.

Good luck, keep us posted.

THANK YOU! Nothing like personal experience!
He's putting a brand-new battery on it too, which is nice. And I WILL replace the tach, and I'm already looking at a replacement radio with an Ipod dock...

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

Back from sea trial, and...

MY BOAT! MINE MINE MINE!!! GIMME!!!

Ahem. It will do, I suppose.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Talk me out of it in 5...4...3...2...1...

The two happiest days in a boat owner's life.....

The day they buy......

The day they sell