What do you guys think of this one?

[Lodger]

This was the add:

1996 Bayliner 1850 Capri, Open-bow, 3.0 Mercruiser I/O, colors are blue and white, galvanized trailer. Stored under cover. No trades. $5800 obo.

I contacted the seller with a few questions and this was his response:

Bayliner did not put in an hour meter on the 4 cylinder engines. I am the second owner and the original owner estimated about 100 hours and I estimate about the same. The engine ran great last summer - it's been stored since September. I have a new tach which needs to be installed - I purchased it last summer and just have not put it in. The boat is in good condition. The drivers seat needs to be redone or have a seat cover. All the other seats are fine. The body is great, but could use a good cleaning and wax - I usually clean it in the spring after it sits all winter.

Is this worth pursuing as a starter boat?

 

[blouderback]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

Fair starter boat, but you won't be happy with a 3.0L, and I think the price is a little high for a 12 year old Bayliner. It's a buyers market, keep looking.

 

[gcboat]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

Agree with blouderback. The little 3.0 will be fine just to putt around a lake but guaranteed you'll want more engine in the long run. The 4.3 is a perfect match in that boat. Again - keep looking. My $.02

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

What do you want to use the boat for primarily?....cruising?
How many people do you generally anticipate taking out? 3-4? family?
Do you water ski? or wakeboard?
This will have a bearing on the 3.0/4cyl. issue. More power is great, but its not necessary....depending on what you are trying to do. If you are considering pulling adults constantly out of the water on slalom then you want the 4.3. If you are just going to cruise around 90% of the time with a couple of people the 3.0 is reasonable power.
The other part of it is your budget. The same boat with bigger power is...well, more money and of course more popular.
Consider your anticipated usage vs. your budget first. What about an outboard?
My two bits.
BP

 

[Lodger]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to be using it for wakeboarding and tubing some. We could have 5-7 people occassionally, but often more like 4. I am happy to go up to 10k if it's the right boat. Initially, wanted to stay closer to 5, but I'm begining to realize that I might not get a decent boat for that price.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

I d not know what you are basing your opinion of the 3.0 LX engine on because I have a 3.0 in a 1996 1950 and I can do 42 MPH (on a calm lake). It is reliable and economical. He is looking at a smaller 1850

I also ski, pull tubes, go on long cruises, etc with no issues.

I cannot comment on the price of the boat as it I only paid $7500 Canadian 5 summers ago but I see it says best offer. As Bob said, it's a buyers market. Offer $4500 and do a compression check on the engine.

Also is it in a area that freezes? Then you have to make sure that it was winterized properly.

Send me a P.M and I will give you a list of questions to ask the current owner. This will give you bargaining position.

 

[Mark42]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

I think that with the price of gas lately, and the forcast for continued high gas prices, that the more economical 3.0 4 cylinder would be preferable. But there are reasons that you would still want the 4.3L, like higher speeds or operating near or at max load capacity all the time.

 

[tonyg11780]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

I have to agree with BillBayliner, the 3.0 doesnt get the recognition it deserves. I have owned several of them. They arent the fastest and have never been the smoothest running engine, but they are very reliable. I had one in a 1970 Galaxy trihull that was all original, and had never been in to. It was the most dependable boat I had ever owned. And they all ran great, with plenty of power for pulling a tube or one skier. Most people these days just have the strange idea to spend as much money as possible...

Tony

 

[cbavier]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

I d not know what you are basing your opinion of the 3.0 LX engine on because I have a 3.0 in a 1996 1950 and I can do 42 MPH (on a calm lake). It is reliable and economical. He is looking at a smaller 1850

I also ski, pull tubes, go on long cruises, etc with no issues.

I cannot comment on the price of the boat as it I only paid $7500 Canadian 5 summers ago but I see it says best offer. As Bob said, it's a buyers market. Offer $4500 and do a compression check on the engine.

Also is it in a area that freezes? Then you have to make sure that it was winterized properly.

Send me a P.M and I will give you a list of questions to ask the current owner. This will give you bargaining position.

What kind of Boat do you have. I have a Four Winns Horizon 190 (18.5 ft) with a 4.3 Ltr 185 HP and it will only do 42 MPH with two people in it and 23 gal of Gas. Anymore than two and the speed drops to about 38. I'm running a 14 1/2 x 21 prop.

I find it hard to believe a 3.0 can even do 42 mph anytime.

 

[tonyg11780]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

Chuck, the 23 gallons of gas is what is weighing you down. The fastest your boat will ever be is with one person in it, and just about to run out of gas. And Im assuming you know how to use trim...but with a 4.3 you should be getting a little more out of it at full trim...

Tony

 

[billbayliner]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

Tony is absolutely correct..................

1 gallon of gas weighs 10 lbs...........

As for my boat as mentioned, I have a Capri 1950 BR........

One person, calm glassy lake 42 MPH on GPS.............

I use a 21 X 14.25 prop, and yes WOT is perfect.........

BILL

 

[Rusty Boater]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

I paid $4500 for my 1999 Capri 1750. 3.0L We love it. I would keep shoping for a lil better price.

 

[borz170]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

What kind of Boat do you have. I have a Four Winns Horizon 190 (18.5 ft) with a 4.3 Ltr 185 HP and it will only do 42 MPH with two people in it and 23 gal of Gas. Anymore than two and the speed drops to about 38. I'm running a 14 1/2 x 21 prop.

I find it hard to believe a 3.0 can even do 42 mph anytime.

I have a '07 Larson 180 sport with a 3.0 Volvo. I can get 45 mph with a 21 pitch prop, 2 people and a full gas tank. My uncle has the same boat with a mercruiser and it is very comparable. Plenty of power to pull a wake board unless you have more than 4 people. Tubed all day this past weekend over about 30 miles of water at 30 mph-3600 rpm. Had 5 poeple, 2 dogs, a full gas tank and a cooler full of beer. 10.2 gallons. I don't know how much fuel is in your neck of the woods but I just saw a sign for $3.56 for 87 octane.

The 3.0 has been used in boats since the '60's. What else can you think of that is still in use that was new technology in the '60's? Very reliable, easy to work on if needed, lots of room and few components.

As for the price, check e-bay's auctions to figure what rock botom pricees should be. I'm not saying to buy a boat on e-bay, just use it for another resource. I saw a 2005 18' Glastron with the 3.0 penta go for just over 9k. Another one that was not as clean went for 6k ish. You can get newer for less. Keep shopping

As for the 4.3's, unless you like buying gas, stay away. I was skeptical ablut the 3.0 until this past weekend.

Good luck...

 

[Mark42]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

Tony is absolutely correct..................

1 gallon of gas weighs 10 lbs...........

As for my boat as mentioned, I have a Capri 1950 BR........

One person, calm glassy lake 42 MPH on GPS.............

I use a 21 X 14.25 prop, and yes WOT is perfect.........

BILL

You are a bit off on your gasoline weight. One US gallon of regular gasoline weighs about 6.2 lbs. Compare (just for reference) to one gallon of water, which weighs about 8.3 gallons.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: What do you guys think of this one?

You are a bit off on your gasoline weight. One US gallon of regular gasoline weighs about 6.2 lbs.

Noted..... BUT......... Was refering to the Imperial (Canadian) gallon (5 liters) by force of habit. Not quite 10 lbs still but I use it as a quick round number to calculate.