I bought a 19' Bayliner bowrider new in 1984. The package came with a Force 125hp (still Chrysler) and trailer. This boat stayed in salt water from April until October every year. We beat the crap out of that boat for 20 years. I think it was one of the best value for money spent I ever had.
Bayliner Boats?
- Thread starter rnbenton
- Start date
I have a 1990 3785 Avanti Bayliner and if anyone has been in one they will see quality inside and out. I have owned this boat for 10 years and have had zero problems. We do 120 to 140 hours a year but we are retired now so it be more. That said I think bayliner is a good boat for the PRICE and has got a bad rep. from people that never owned one. I would buy any brand if it fits the way we boat. I have owned 3 Bayliners all good boats but my 1988 2855 was under powered with a 5.7 so I stroked it to a 383 and it was fine then. I used it several years with no problems even with the original cobra drive. I no Bayliner isn't the best brand out there but most brands have some problems. A friend of mine has the same boat as I do and has had several problems (Bat.Charger,Stove,Head,Gen,AC,)not all bayliner falt.
Ken
Ken
Graeme2004
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
- RO Number
- 16100
- Messages
- 106
Merc I/O's... uh, seems to me any product using a GM small block as the base has got to be better than many other options out there... we are looking at Bayliner 2455 and the ones we have seen so far all have Merc engines and a couple of them are really high hour motors that still purr and pull like lions! As was stated before, maintenance by the previous owner is key regardless of motor or boat and up here in the north we get way more people saying run from Volvo... run!! Many people saying stay away from Alpha One LU but again some people are still running them after 14 years and even with the stronger 5.7L I/O We are hoping that buying a used boat is like buying a used car, if the thing is still strong after many, many years of running then it just might be one of the better ones to have made it this far! Graeme
Graeme2004
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
- RO Number
- 16100
- Messages
- 106
BAJA boat reference with motor troubles... does anyone know what engines Baja uses? I find Force in outboards and some jet boats and wow, do they need daily pampering!!
Graeme2004
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
- RO Number
- 16100
- Messages
- 106
Since we are talking cars now, anyone have any idea how fast this one might go? I think it was in Goodfellas... or at least one like it...
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Buick/Riviera/BELLEVILLE/Ontario/5_15131165_ON20071113112450397/?ursrc="hl"
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Buick/Riviera/BELLEVILLE/Ontario/5_15131165_ON20071113112450397/?ursrc="hl"
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2009
- RO Number
- 30972
- Messages
- 2,127
So Bob, since you started this post, where you at?
Being a regular member over at BOC, and a past Bayliner owner, the above observation, and most of the others, except mrknowitall's are correct. They are considered an entry level boat, most owners, and there are a lot of them, are happy and content with their vessels. The hulls and power are the same as SeaRay and Maxum. The base power options are generally a bit under powered, but higher power options are availalble. Furnishings and finishes may be somewhat lesser quality, though critical hardware is comparable, mostly Attwood, as they are a part of the Brunswick family.
So, when buying a used B'liner, as with any used boat is to get it surveyed. Yes, older 'liners were and are prone to stringer and transom rot, thought likely not more so than any number of other brands.
As with with most things in life, generally you are going to get what you pay for, though with a Bayliner, you are going to get more interior room for any given length than in almost any other make, and for less money though not much less overall quality.
James
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2009
- RO Number
- 31163
- Messages
- 2,834
Good question.
As I expected, the opinions were all over the board. But, the trend seemed to be more negative than positive. For now, my inclination would be to steer away from a Bayliner mostly because of difficulty in resale related to the opinion trend. The Bayliner name itself just seems to have a negative conotation.
I'm not saying a firm no, but, I will certainly have my eyes wide open should I find a cream puff.
Bob
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- RO Number
- 18797
- Messages
- 335
Bob, keep in mind that most people that bash Bayliners have never owned one. It's trendy and fashionable to say they are junk, just not accurate. pay more attention to the posts from people that have actually owned one and you'll find that most of them have nothing bad to say. My first boat was a 1996 Bayliner runabout (19' Capri 1954) that I bought new and it was a great boat. I upgraded to a bigger boat, not because there were any complaints about the Bayliner, just wanted a bigger boat with a hardtop.
Tim
Tim
Most people may no have owned a Bayliner, but many of us have been on a few to get an idea of whether it's a brand to consider. It would not be on my top list, but if the price was right for a used one I would take a better look at it.
