Bayliner Boats?

Part of the problem with a question like "What do you think of XXX brand boat?" is that these boat opinions can represent huge variations in year of production, size and maintenance. Just like here where the OP asks about a specifc size range and year but we respond with what we 'remeber' is our opinion of the Bayliner(s) thet we knew or know.
Most folks which have had Bayliners like them but some really did not - for various reasons some of which may be very important to a potential buyer of that type of boat. Bayliners are far from perfect but to find out what problems if any might be prevalant you must find a good sample of owner hours and get their feedback. To get the best feedback ask the best specific questions that you want answers to such as "what has caused you to miss a day on the water?" "What would you like to change about your boat?" etc
For that reason I say go to the Baylinerownersclub(dot)org and ask for yourself your questions where thousands of participting owners will chime in on the subject and tell you what the good, the bad, and the ugly might be.
FWIW - my wife and I have made litterally 1,000's of posts over there with 95% of them being dedictaed to technical issues related to problems or upgrades. We really like the brand but there is no way that problems do not crop up but most of them are predicatble by make and model so they can be prevented or avoided altogether if you choose.
We have also had many other boats - Sea Ray, Mainship, Silverton, Whaler, and a host of others which we have helped to work on at various times. They all have different issues requiring attention and they all represent decision points along the way.
Because we have cruised the Hudson and LI sound at over 1,200 miles per year for the past 20+ years in larger Bayliners (38'+) many of you have likely seen us out there in "No Worries". We normally cruise with a larger array of boats and I must say that we have had a very small amount of issue in real use compared to our cruising 'fleet' of various brands.
There is one other fact that comes out every time that these discusion posts arise - there is always a small percentage of Bayliner haters which have never owned one but just chime for some unknown reason. So please try and find the owners of what you may be interested in and ask them for their bad experiences guidance and ignore the rest.
Believe me they will tell you the problems that exist if asked over at the Bayliner site - they are not shy about shortfalls at all. If it were one of the models that I had owned I would chime in with a list of things to look out for myself.

Hope this helps
 
Part of the problem with a question like "What do you think of XXX brand boat?" is that these boat opinions can represent huge variations in year of production, size and maintenance. Just like here where the OP asks about a specifc size range and year but we respond with what we 'remeber' is our opinion of the Bayliner(s) thet we knew or know.
Most folks which have had Bayliners like them but some really did not - for various reasons some of which may be very important to a potential buyer of that type of boat. Bayliners are far from perfect but to find out what problems if any might be prevalant you must find a good sample of owner hours and get their feedback. To get the best feedback ask the best specific questions that you want answers to such as "what has caused you to miss a day on the water?" "What would you like to change about your boat?" etc
For that reason I say go to the Baylinerownersclub(dot)org and ask for yourself your questions where thousands of participting owners will chime in on the subject and tell you what the good, the bad, and the ugly might be.
FWIW - my wife and I have made litterally 1,000's of posts over there with 95% of them being dedictaed to technical issues related to problems or upgrades. We really like the brand but there is no way that problems do not crop up but most of them are predicatble by make and model so they can be prevented or avoided altogether if you choose.
We have also had many other boats - Sea Ray, Mainship, Silverton, Whaler, and a host of others which we have helped to work on at various times. They all have different issues requiring attention and they all represent decision points along the way.
Because we have cruised the Hudson and LI sound at over 1,200 miles per year for the past 20+ years in larger Bayliners (38'+) many of you have likely seen us out there in "No Worries". We normally cruise with a larger array of boats and I must say that we have had a very small amount of issue in real use compared to our cruising 'fleet' of various brands.
There is one other fact that comes out every time that these discusion posts arise - there is always a small percentage of Bayliner haters which have never owned one but just chime for some unknown reason. So please try and find the owners of what you may be interested in and ask them for their bad experiences guidance and ignore the rest.
Believe me they will tell you the problems that exist if asked over at the Bayliner site - they are not shy about shortfalls at all. If it were one of the models that I had owned I would chime in with a list of things to look out for myself.

Hope this helps
 
mrknowitall.. where did you get that I was calling a SR (or any brand) a high quality boat? Exactly where in my post did you read that?
 
I'd buy a bay liner before I would buy any boat with a merc in it
 
I have owned 3 bayliners, 28, 32MY and 39MY
I have also owned a 28 Tiara, a 32 Chris Craft and a 38 Silverton.
The Tiara was the toughest and had the nicest interior.
The Chris and the Silverton had very little wood inside and had other issues.
Every Bayliner had nice wood and were the best thought out or use of space.
I have found their designs to be the most functional of all the boats I have owned.
Their drive trains and mechanicals are first class, the Silverton and Chris Craft did not have sea strainers or closed cooling.
among other things.
I always seem to go back to Bayliners
 
The first one owned was given to me for free in trade for the work of removing it from the owners dock. It's hull bottom split and the boat had sunk while being tie up. I gave it to my brother and he still ownes it 30 year later. He gave it a FRANKEN fiberglass repair; adding enough fiberglass and wood to build another boat. Having fished from his boat I can say it's really bad. The bow has the same deadrise as a shovel. It's wet and slaps the water... it's slab sided hull causes motion sickness. Yuck!

I will hold back from talking about my second bayliner, 1990's model, for now but I will say it could have been called the "MV-POS" as it did come with a five cyclinder engine from the factory.
 
quote:


I will hold back from talking about my second bayliner, 1990's model, for now but I will say it could have been called the "MV-POS" as it did come with a five cyclinder engine from the factory.

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The Force 150. Ranks right up there with the "L" drive. They have had a few stumbles, but you have to give them credit for trying new ideas. Sea Ray is about to give it a try with their new 37' express with twin outboards mounted forward of the transom.
 
I skipped to the end to add my two cents as we've all seen the "Bayliners Suck" threads. Bottom line, I had a 1993 2452 Classic. I've owned three boats since (currently 31 Carver EC). By far, it was the most utilitarian, easy to maintain and reliable boat I've ever owned. In fact, It showed up in my Marina three owners later (I was the second, I bought it in 1996). Obviously, there's a difference in manufacturing and standards, but to agree 100% with Pascal, they are a great boat for Bay/short Ocean runs and for the $$, you can't beat the bargain. Still my favorite boat I ever owned. I would always recommend them.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Britanic

I'd buy a bay liner before I would buy any boat with a merc in it

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Isn't merc all they come with given Brunswicks ownership of Mercury Marine and they try to only use products from divisions they own?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Britanic

I'd buy a bay liner before I would buy any boat with a merc in it

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That pretty much puts a severe limit on what is available to you.

What do you have against a merc?

George
 
Didn't mean to hijack thread, just have seen a lot of failures with them over crusader and Volvo. Yes with IO boats they are prevalent, but unless I had planed to repower soon, I would move to something with a different power plant.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Britanic

Didn't mean to hijack thread, just have seen a lot of failures with them over crusader and Volvo. Yes with IO boats they are prevalent, but unless I had planed to repower soon, I would move to something with a different power plant.

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When I was trailer boating, I chose Volvo. The argument for Merc was that parts were more readily available. The argument against Merc was that they were needed more often. :)
 
We have a quote here in Michigan: Once a Bayliner owner, always a Bayliner owner. Especially the older ones with the blue in the hull. Don't buy one.
 
We have had 2 Bayliners.A 1995 20 ft bowrider we kept 5 years,never a problem and sold it for what we paid.Now we have had a 02 28 ciera for 8 years and the only real issue we have had is with the Mercruiser Bravo 3 drive.We weekend on it for 6 months of the year on the Chesapeake Bay and have no problems what-so ever with Bayliner.(however mercruiser we have a major issue with which is not the subject of this post).We really love our Bayliner.Every weekend we are either anchored out or traveling to various marinas.We take a week every year and travel the bay.That is what it is all about isnt it? We completely understood when we wrote the check that we were not buying a Rolls Royce but were buying something we COULD AFFORD.We talk regularly to our dock friends and honestly we have NO MORE PROBLEMS with our Bayliner than any of our dock friends that own other brand boats.We would have no problem buying another Bayliner in the future as long as it didnt have Mercruiser drive corrosion issues.
 
quote:
Originally posted by t2626mb

We have a quote here in Michigan: Once a Bayliner owner, always a Bayliner owner. Especially the older ones with the blue in the hull. Don't buy one.

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????????

Did you leave out something?

George
 
I am from Michigan,

I can honestly say I have never heard that! LOL!
 
Hello t2626mb,

Please let us know which Bayliner model(s) and year you had and what problems you encountered.
Your insight and experiences may be quite helpfull to others on this site.
 
Personally I have never been a fan of Bayliner, doesnt matter if its the small runabout or a larger motor yacht. The "bayliner" brand just does not appeal to me so no I would never buy a buyliner. The non motor yachts seem to be light IMHO. To each his own I suppose...
 
There is one thing Bayliner excels at...Making the most use of the space. Very little, if any is wasted.
 
Bayliners and Sea Rays are the same boat with the same engines, drives (Mercruiser), instruments, controls, etc.

The difference is in the fit and finish. Cheaper appliances, carpet, upholstry, headliner, etc. As for the claim of being "underpowered", you get the choice of powerplant when you buy the boat. You can buy it "underpowered" or you can upgrade to a larger engine, your choice. Don't blame the manufacturer.

Think of a Toyota vs a Lexus. They both get you where you're going, it's just a matter of what level of luxury you expect and are willing to pay for.
 
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