Bayliner Boats?

My buddy has a '88 32'. During survey, transom had rot and so did stringers. Surveyor said this is somewhat normal for what he has seen from Bayliners. Boat has spent its entire life in a boathouse. My buddy still bought the boat having said items fixed.

Now he has a problem opening cabin door because flybridge is beginning to sag. I believe the 45s have issue with radar arch sagging. The theme here is...watch out for rot-especially in stringers.
 
Owned a 2001 2452 Ciera Classic.
Alpha Outdrive, Merc motor. The boat was underpowered with a full load, fiberglass work was no different than any other boat I have owned. Interior upholstery was thin and cheap. Exterior upholstery was ok, peripheral hardware was not that like on a searay or more expensive boats, but was ok. Fit and finish seemed fine to my eye. Stupid things like not through bolting the head door and other items was annoying but easily fixed.
The bottom line is IMHO, Bayliners (of this year) offer a lot for the money. I got the most boat I could afford at that time and really enjoyed her. I would buy a bayliner again.
 
A buddy of mine had a a late 80`s 26. He had good luck with it but sold it because "it was like commuting on a moped...made perfect sense but you don`t really want anybody to see you"
 
I just remembered that a friend of mine has, I believe, a 42 foot. He had used it extensively and is happy with it.

George
 
I bought my '87 Capri 2152 cuddy back in 1997. I STILL HAVE IT. The hull has proven to be quite rugged and seaworthy. In fact, it sees frequent duty as a USCG Auxiliary vessel on patrol and occasionally tows.

Why do I mention this? Well, it's not really to brag, but to delve into some other features that don't get mentioned much. True, Bayliners are not "high-end" boats in the sense of exotic trims, finishes, features, and luxury. However, they do have solid bones.

For instance, all of the cleats and eyes are through-bolted with backing plates, key for strength in rough weather or when towing.

They also use components that have been found on Bayliner models for years, decades even. For example, the "Classic" models still use the same swim platform that my '80s model uses. Why is this a plus for me? Well, it means that you can still get parts in many cases and that those parts cost a bit less- economies of scale, you see.

In short, I don't see Bayliner as a BAD boat. It's more of a matter of expectations. Don't buy a Chevrolet expecting a Rolls Royce or Bentley. Oh, wait. I'm tickled pink with my Chevy Silverado, too. [:-eyebrows]

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All boats are comprimises. For what they are, bayliner builds the desired end product. Our 45 pilothouse and the newer 47 pilothouse bayliner made is honestly probably the best bang for the buck in that size class to be had anywhere. For what you get and what you pay, you just can't beat it. Tons of room, great lines, awesome pilothouse, 3 staterooms, twin diesels, nice sized cockpit, dinghy davit, big flybridge, etc. We have people asking us all the time what brand boat it is when they see it on the docks. Older boats are really less about brand name than they are about upkeep and care the owner(s) have lavished or deprived a boat of over the years. Bayliners are no different in that matter. many of the older classic "battlewagons" have more issues with soft decks, water leaks, etc. etc. than a bayliner may have...just depends on the individual boat.
 
In my opinion, Bayliners are one of the bottom line boats built by Brunswick; their market and goal was to sell boats at a much lower price point. It's not a rebranded SeaRay. In order to cost less to the consumer, Bayliner had to build them for less money which means lower quality construction and hardware. The other part of the equation to make them a less expensive boat is to have a lower markup. When the two are combined the savings over other brands is significant allowing dealers to sell boats to more people.
 
I've never had a problem with mine. The only issue I see is that there are lots of people out ther with theat attitude, "Whatever you do, don't buy a Bayliner", so you're limiting your resale audience, if anything.
 
This is how I think about it. When a buyers seek a bottle of wine, theyknow what they'll appreciate about it's production and therefore seek the only the finest quality regardless of price. Another kind of buyer looks for value... i.e. how much wine for how much money. The box of wine represents the best value and that buyer feels good about making a choice that reflect these values. Both are correct and most of us clearly know which buyer we are. IMO
 
Bob

If your friends are looking to buy new, they may be out of luck as Bayliner is exiting the cruiser market in the US. They have shifted their focus to runabouts, deck boats and a yet to be announced line of jet boats. Nothing bigger than 23' and all open bow.
 
I think the people who automatically classify Bayliners as "junk" are those who are new to boating, ignorant or uneducated.

It's funny, because all manufacturers had a few "bad" years. Look at Sea Ray, there were all those Balsa coring problems. The fit and finish is nice on the outside, but look at what you can't see. I grew up and learned a lot about boating on a Sea Ray center console. It looked fabulous on the outside, had nice lines, a good shine, just enough bright work, and I always kept it looking tip-top. However, there were stress cracks all over the place, soft spots in the deck, it was underpowered, wet, and would knock your fillings out in any kind of chop. Still, it didn't carry the same stigma that Bayliners do because it was a Sea Ray.

Pride of ownership goes a long way, too. Smaller Bayliners seem to have a reputation of being an entry-level boat, based on the MSRP and resale values. This may be a blanket generalization, but I would be willing to say that someone who doesn't spend much money on a boat may not take as much pride in ownership, which might lead to neglect and the conditions that are so common when people refer to Bayliners as junk. However, look at any other brand that has been neglected and you will find many of the same problems.

You get what you pay for, but you also get what you put into it in terms of labor and love. I don't particularly like the lines of older, smaller Bayliners. But I do really like the 38'+ range. If I remember correctly, there is an RO here who lives aboard a 38' Bayliner convertible, it has great lines and I have always admired that boat.

If you do buy a Bayliner, just peel off the manufacturer decals. Then the dock lovers and trash talkers won't make fun of you because they most likely won't even know the difference.
 
I have to disagree with a couple of statements made here. As I said before, Pete (psalzer)and I represented BE at the US Marine plant for their media event a few years back and we can attest that the Bayliner build (hull, deck, deck to hull joint, power, running gear, electrical, etc) are the same as was in the Maxums (no longer built but we saw them built in the same plant, same molds, etc). When I asked the specific question about the different brands and SR in partricular, the plant foreman who transferred there from one of the SR plants, explained that all the major processes and systems were identical across the three brands. As others have said, the difference is in the other materials like carpets, galley, seating, etc.
 
MikeeH
That assumes Sea Ray is a high quality boat.

We could talk about where they come in short in both quality of construction and design, but why bother. It's what works for each person and what they find acceptable. I look at SR and see an over priced Bayliner. IMO
 
quote:
Originally posted by mrknowitall

MikeeH
That assumes Sea Ray is a high quality boat.

We could talk about where they come in short in both quality of construction and design, but why bother. It's what works for each person and what they find acceptable. I look at SR and see an over priced Bayliner. IMO

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I don't want to get to side tracked here but I have heard the same negative connotations about the Tahoe boats. Yet the people I have met that own them really like them.
 
quote:
Originally posted by jmeirhofer

I don't want to get to side tracked here but I have heard the same negative connotations about the Tahoe boats. Yet the people I have met that own them really like them.

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I can vouch for the Tahoe and Hurricane deck boats. They have a lot of issues. The Hurricanes I know of are outboard and the Tahoe's are I/O's.
I have friends who bought them just cause of the cost. They are built with a lot less features, but also had a lot of hull and deck issues.
I also know a few Bayliner and a lot of Stingray boat owners who bought their boats because of the cost, and have had a whole lot less issues than the Tahoe and Hurricane owners.
Some of the most troublesome boats in the area that I boat in have been Baja boats. I see them being towed practically every time we go out. The boat is fine. What ever the power plant is in them does not stay running.
 
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