Bayliners?

eric-holmes · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 150 City: Searcy

What are peoples opinions on Bayliners? I find them on craigslist but sometimes I hear mixed reviews. Just needing some input. Maybe one like this one... http://fayar.craigslist.org/boa/1244105782.html

Suprahunter · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 486 City: Lowell

They are a entry level builder. They are not a bad boat for the money.
They dont use high quality hardware and interiors. They also have been known to use low horse power engines to save on price. Over all they dont sink and work good for what they are. You could do worse for a first boat on a budget.

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

My Opinion on Bayliners is, they suck.

They are a cheaply built boat with cheap features (if any), cheap materials, and cheap construction. They are very light and get bounced around in water like a beach ball.

However, they fill a role. They get people on the water cheaply. Gives them a chance to own a boat with out much dough and find out what it is they will want to spend the most time on the water doing and how often they will be out there so they can judge how much they want to invest when they upgrade.

Most people will upgrade pretty quickly.

That guy is smoking crack in that Ad. Book Value is more like $7000. Heck, you can get a new one in the low teens. A buddy f mine is selling his 07 with a 3.0 for around 10K.

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Jun 30, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

I grew up on an 87 bayliner open bow. For a boat to do watersports it treated our family well. Did it work wonders for wakeboarding? No. Did it pull you around just fine, sure.

We have a family get together once a year and that boat is great for fuel consumption. Very cost effective (smaller engine). We use it for everything except wakeboarding. For wakeboarding we use my boat.

If you are into wakeboarding, you may want to consider an older inboard. I got my 89 malibu sunsetter (it was a little beat up but not bad, runs great) for under 9k all setup. I had to do some work myself to get it where it is today, but hey who cares.

Summary: if you arent a wakeboard enthusiast and just like to do it once in a while, get the bayliner. Cheaper boat, cheaper gas. If you really like wakeboarding, get a more wakeboarding friendly boat.

You should also see what the towing limit is on your vehicle and ask yourself if you can handle heavier boats as well with your current tow vehicle.

good luck Cool

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

If you want to do anythign on the water, test out a Bayliner.. then go test out a Similar sized Sea Ray, Regal, or Four Winns.

I would never buy a Bayliner for as often as I am on the water. Wakeboarding or not. Just make sure your test drives include some rough patches of water.

pet575 · Posted: Jun 30, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

Bayliners acquired a well-earned reputation for the way they built boats in the 80's up to the mid-90's. Some of you would be surprised how much they have improved their boats as of late. While they are still most definitely entry level, and many of the complaints about the quality of ride, components, fit & finish, etc. are still valid, they are MUCH improved in the entry-level classification.

I know a few people who might boat 4-5 times a year that love their Bayliner because they aren't putting much demand on it. They hold up

Having said that, I repeat the sentiment that if it is a Bayliner or nothing then get it. Just know that you WILL be looking to upgrade in less than 10 years (who isn't? LOL) if you want to improve performance, riding, comfort, etc. in the boat you are using.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

I started with a Bayliner and I would agree with most everything everyone else has said. I kept mine for a few years and was about 1-2 away from upgrading to an older wakeboat when a young lady decided to total it for me on my way home from the lake, making my decision pretty easy.

It was definitely a "cheap" boat, but it served its purpose. We were on the water fishing, tubing, boarding and cruising...enjoying life. I agree with pet575, if it is a Bayliner or nothing, get one.

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

Why would it be Bayliner or nothing? There are all kinds of Bow Riders out there. You could buy a better built boat that is a few years older and be much happier.

eric-holmes · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 150 City: Searcy

kyle f, You said to go out and test some similar Sea Ray, Regal, or Four Winns. Are those brands you would see to be better? What about a Maxum or a Crownline?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

eric-holmes, Maxum is the next step up from Bayliner. Same company, just a but better build.

You will definitely notice the heavier feel of Sea Ray or Four Winns or Crownline. Bayliners are lighter boats no doubt, due in part to construction but also due in part to less amenities.

There are functional pros and cons - pro: less weight to move, better use of available power (better economy, generally faster, better maneuverability) - cons: less stable in chop, ride less compliant, nosier.

That said, my father has a Ciera cabin cruiser and it's great. Zero structural problems so far. He is having an outdrive issue, but that is a Mercruiser problem not a Bayliner problem. My brother had a 185 a few years ago. Great boat - fast as hell with the 4.3HO, with the right prop (High Five) it would be a real puller. Plus it did awesome on gas.

Just to throw it out there: another I/O boat brand I really like is Ebbtide. Very well made boats.

In the end, if you are trying to get on the water cheap, you could do a lot worse than a lightly used Babeliner.

jixxxer · Posted: Jul 01, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

Its a good boat "FOR THE MONEY". Remember is an entry level boat. My friends and I learned to wakeboard behind my old bayliner with the 3.0.

flyingcajun13 · Criminal Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 57 City: Lake Charles

hey man i got one for free in good shape. its a 97 and gets me and my buddies out on the water. grant it we are not professional by any means, but it gets the job done. o but im only 18 so i cant afford a real wakeboat. but when im out of collegge thats the first thing im going to buy with my money

_bruky · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 1201

I have a '94 16' Bayliner you can have if you remove it from my property.

I haven't driven it, but a friend of mine left it in one of the slips and forgot about it. I call him to pick it up, and he always has something better to do. Laughing

Crookcatchr · Newbie Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 43

I have a Maxum and I love it. It has a ton of room for the interior. My dad has a Bayliner and an uncle has a Bayliner and both have held up. Also look at a Tahoe. They are also entry level and I like them better than the Bayliner. When I bought my Maxum, I was seriously looking at the Tahoe's also.

LoudonTN · Posted: Jul 02, 2009 4:52 am Post subject:

flyingcajun13 · Criminal Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 57 City: Lake Charles

LoudonTN, well hopefully when i get my degree in mechanical engineering ill be making a good amount of money to buy a boat

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

eric-holmes · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 150 City: Searcy

Thanks for all the advice guys. What do you think of the 3.0 engines? I found a Larson with a 3.0. They seem to have some get up to them. And couldn't I change a prop if I needed more hole shot pull?

flyingcajun13 · Criminal Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 57 City: Lake Charles

kyle f, o definately i realize that. i wasnt talking about a brand spanking new one, just alot better boat than what i have. also what company do you work for

_bruky · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 1201

Your degree has nothing to do with your income. It may take you three months, may take three decades! Undoubtedly you're going to get tired of the Bayliner real quick.

eric-holmes · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 150 City: Searcy

I have found a few Tahoes that I like but the NADA book doesnt have that make even listed. They bank wont lend money on a boat they cant price.

Josh 154 · Criminal Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 78 City: Wall Lake

Instead of looking for an I/O look at some inboards. What is your price range under 10k?

DRAGON88 · Posted: Jul 04, 2009 8:22 am Post subject:

eric-holmes, Tahoe is listed on the NADA, they are listed under the parent company's name "Tracker Marine."

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-24-38-5692-0-0-0&l=1&w=24&p=38&f=5694&gc=mr&gtc=MR&m=1683&y=2004&ml=T

Hope that helps you out some.

eric-holmes · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 150 City: Searcy

DRAGON88, Awesome, Now I can price those out Smile

grip01 · Outlaw Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 120 City: altus

eric-holmes · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 150 City: Searcy

I am going to look at a 2000 Larson 186 LXI in the morning guys. It has a 4.3 V6. Its a clean kept boat. No tower but I will be adding that for sure.

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

LoudonTN · Posted: Jul 06, 2009 11:18 am Post subject:

kyle, sell me a sliver of happiness on Norris why don't ya! I hear land there is going pretty cheap right now.

And as a prior poster said, you degree means nothing if you can't find a job.

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

eric-holmes · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 150 City: Searcy

Thanks for driving my thread into the ground...

LoudonTN · Posted: Jul 07, 2009 6:29 am Post subject:

pet575 · Posted: Jul 07, 2009 7:48 am Post subject:

kyle f · Addict Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 835 City: Norris Lake

Well any boat is better than no boat, until you decide you want to upgrade. Then having a lower brand boat becomes a liability.