1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy - UPDATED PICTURES 7/27/2012

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
ok, so rather then posting 500 different questions in all the different areas of the forum i decided to just make my own thread and hopefully you all can help me along the way...here's the story:

My boat life started with a sweet sears gamefisher 12ft aluminum boat, with a little 5hp kicker motor on it - it was the first boat i ever owned and no amount of mother nature would keep me from using that thing. There was a few times when "normal" captains would have anchored ship and waited till the weather passed, but I would always press on...like an idiot, however I learned how to drive a boat really well and maneuvered that thing all over the local lakes and Puget sound. Needless to say it was a great first boat, solid, no leaks, no problems, and my (3yr at the time) kiddo loved it. Nearing the end of its life i had this great idea to pack the thing FULL of camping gear, convince the Ms, to come "boat camping" with me. Somehow we made it across the lake in 4ft whitecaps to a cozy spot and proceed to unload 300lbs of wet camp gear, blankets and sleeping bags included - not a wise choice for for camping or the relationship...Loved that boat, but the going from a single guy fishing to a couple camping - needs changed and I needed a larger boat...Here's a pic - Loved the reaction of driving this thing around...

GameFisher#1.jpg
GamFisher#2.jpg




So I ended up trading that little guy for an older Ford Bronco, that I sold for cash. The next day I stumbled across this little Jem - a 1979 Chrysler Tri-Hull Stripper with a 691cc Motor. When i showed up to inspect it, i was laughing out loud. This thing was puke orange, and filthy, with no seats. but i could not pass on the price. $300 for boat and trailer. Motor ran like a top. Boat smelled like a litter box. But, it was in my price range and deffinatly a step up. I get that thing home and the Ms. about killed me. Again...not a wise choice, however in her supportive way we used the hell out of that thing also. I scrubbed, and polished and waxed, and scrubbed, and scrubbed..but it was just ugly to the bone. It worked perfect great for fishing, stable flat and easy to get fish with in shallow water. I did what i could to pretty it up, installed used seats, fresh indoor/outdoor carpet. But never really made it into a swan. Here's a pic again, loved driving this thing around....I can't tell you how many times folks would say "i didn't even know Chrysler made boats" -

Chrysler Boat#1.jpg
ChryslerBoat#2.jpg


Now don't get me wrong, I loved that Chrysler, and it worked fine..for my needs...I was just getting the feeling it was time to either dump money into it soon or get rid of it sooner...Sooo while coasting the barter section of craigslist back in January i ran across this little add - a 1984 Bayliner Cuddy for trade "needs work" open to anything. I shoot the guy an email asking if he wants to trade boats, not thinking i would ever have a shot. Fires right back and said come get it. So off I go on this little adventure...drive the 45 miles south and take a look at the boat. This is what the guy knows -
1) "I think the motor works, but it stopped running last summer don't know why" - ok.. that's bad
2) "I pulled out the old floor because i fell through it, but its new plywood laid on top" - doesn't sound good either
3) "I'm sure it'll float" - Haven't owned boats for long but I think that's important.
4) "The cuddy's in good shape, just a hole in a couple of the cushions where a light caught fire" - of course there would be...duh

So the i can fix anything devil on my shoulder talked me into the trade and i signed over my old Chrysler, handed him my title and a bill of sale - he handed me his wadded up, oil stained title that was not ever registered and sent me on my way. The way i figured it, i could at least get the money back for this thing in parts,

And here is it - the way home...after i filled the tires up to the correct pressure and noticed that the trailer lights don't work. And so it begins -

IMAG1043.jpg
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Initial inspection of the trailer - tires are in BAD shape and will need to be replaced ASAP. overall the trailer is pretty good. Its a galvanized escort trailer. Needs new lights, and I'm wondering about the registration a bit...might have some hoops to jump through to get this thing in my name... Also noticed that the driver side, wheel has a slight wobble...maybe bearings or a bent rim...I'll remove it tonight when I get home.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
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May 19, 2001
Messages
26,019
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Good luck.

Inspect that boat with care. It was the worst year of bayliner made with the poorest construction.

Do not be surprised if it needs stringers and transom............. I would not trust that plywood deck repair.
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Good luck.

Inspect that boat with care. It was the worst year of bayliner made with the poorest construction.

Do not be surprised if it needs stringers and transom............. I would not trust that plywood deck repair.

Worst year compared to what others? Rumor was all the bayliners in the 80 were poor?
The plywood deck is literally just sittin on the floor...i'll shoot a picture tonight...its not a "deck", im standing on a plywood floor mat. Haaahaa...
 

Bob_VT

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Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Yes the 84 - 88 were the worst..........

Please inspect below that plywood repair. I would also drill some bore holes inside the transom.

You might have lucked out and we will keep our finger's crossed.
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Good news is the trailer is in good shape, however the driver side wheel that was wobbling has a bent rim. off to the tire store. Needed new tires anyways, but didn't plan on a new rim. Ohh well, at least I'll have a spare in an emergency...
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

so, im playing some catch up here. I already changed the stator, but wanted to get all the pictures into the same thread - so here they are...mind you...the stator in this motor was a complete pain in the ***** to get out. using the "correct" tool, i stripped the threads, drilled, retapped larger 5/16 bolts in then procced to strip those...finally got some of the larger 3-jaw type flywheel pullers and did it in this order -
applied tension, smacked the top of the puller, tapped around the flywheel, tightened the bolt 1000th/inch, then repeated that for about an hour. Finally i tapped the flywheel once and it popped loose - Success!

Fly.jpg
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

And using the info from this site i managed to change the impeller - all by my self! I think it would be important to mention at this point that I have no previous knowledge of working on a boat...but i have never been afraid to try and know how to turn a wrench - so all of this work is surely amateur...and probably takes me hours longer then others...
Anyways - changeing the impeller was not difficult, and if someone else had not already posted great directions i would have not been able to do it. Thanks again!
here's the 85hp spitting water! (short video)

 

jkust

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Aug 2, 2008
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4,942
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Well further to the above, I've got an 84 Bayliner and is probably the nicest original 84 left on the planet unless Bayliner saved one. Have had no issues with quality or build or anything since it was new. My over the top point is that Bayliners weren't the problem but their owners were. I'd be as leary about an 80's Bayliner as any other small runabout of the same era. If I were to buy what is probably a boat with multiple previous owners, I'd only do it because I really liked spending time grinding and glassing but don't care much for floating in the near term. This particular example sounds like it fits right in with the Bayliner Common Sense.
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Yea, its clear that the previous owners did not take care of this thing...i enjoy getting my hands dirty, and take pride in the things I own...I also am a DIY kind of guy and get a thrill in learning (sometimes the hard way). Any boat is worth restoring if it fits the captains needs...and for the money this was the right fit. I got it for next to nothing, invest $1500-$2000 over the course of months and i should have a sea worthy small boat that works perfect for my small family.
 

Bob_VT

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Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Well..... You will have all the support and guidance we can lend here. If/when you rip off that plywood covering the deck........ that will tell the direction and how handy you will need to be.

In the mean time....... is it sea-worthy enough to run around a bit?

You will become very intimate with the boat and we have many bayliner restorations here.

jkust hit the bulls-eye with the statement "
This particular example sounds like it fits right in with the Bayliner Common Sense."

Go have fun!
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Well..... You will have all the support and guidance we can lend here. If/when you rip off that plywood covering the deck........ that will tell the direction and how handy you will need to be.

In the mean time....... is it sea-worthy enough to run around a bit?

You will become very intimate with the boat and we have many bayliner restorations here.

jkust hit the bulls-eye with the statement "
This particular example sounds like it fits right in with the Bayliner Common Sense."

Go have fun!


Well, the motor runs fantastic...in neutral - it cold starts better then my 2005 Ford. Fires up first rotation. I have inspected the hell out of the hull and can not seem to find any nicks or holes. The transom at visual inspection does not have any stress cracks and appears to support the motor well. Does not flex or move when i yank on the motor. I am going to wire up a bilge pump this week and drop her in the lake and see if she floats and run the motor. I'll know in about 4 days!
I have already gotten tons of info from this site! Thanks Guys!
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

I should probably list some "GOALS" for this boat, not in order -
1) Do all repair work myself including -
Fiberglass (No previous work experience)
Motor (auto minor work, zero marine)
Interior (have zero design work, but can run a saw and hammer)
Electrical (can wire up stuff pretty good, but still use the lick the fingers and touch the wire to see if its live method)
Paint (Zero Experience)
2) Purchase as much of the stuff I get off Craigs L or Ebay to save money - Go used when possible with out compromising structure or quality.
3) Redo the floor and redesign the deck to provide more usable space
4) Redo the transom
5) Replace the carpet with paint on the interior deck and sidewalls
6) Rewire the entire boat (add stereo also)
7) New (used) gauges
8) New Foam
9) Add decent lighting to cuddy and deck
10) Have fun and learn some new cool stuff
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

And a few more pictures of the boat...she BARELY fits into the garage...
IMAG1041.jpg
IMAG1033.jpg
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

IMAG1076.jpg

Goodies arrived today from Ebay...a almost brand spanking new two way battery switch... shipped for 31$ bucks..pretty good.
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

IMAG1071.jpgIMAG1072.jpg

Also got my shipped from china led light strips. I gotta say i am quite impressed with these. They are super small, come in bands of 3, and incredibly bright. I think about 6-9 in the cuddy would light that thing up brighter then my office at work. I should have plenty to locate around the boat to help see at night and light up storage areas also. Total cost $8.50 shipped.
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

ok, so here is a good question for you guys, I still have a little while before I get to this point but I was doing some design layout yesterday and think I confused myself

my new three way switch has three posts on the back, bat1, bat2 and both. Now when I wire up my bilge pump, everywhere i have read, it is recommended that the bilge is wired direct to the battery. So000 - do I wire the bilge to the battery2 (sense that's the secondary backup battery) , or to the both outlet on the switch?

of course my worst fear is that I am camping in the boat and the battery dies from burning the radio or anchor lights and next thing i know i'm knee deep in the cuddy because the bilge didn't switch on. and ideas here?
 

afarrens

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
104
Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

Re: 1984 Bayliner 1600 Cuddy

So, while I was tinkering around in the boat yesterday thinking about my wiring scheme...ahem...waiting for an answer to my bilge question above ^ i figured I'd take a bit of time and wire up some cuddy lights. I am not sure if the cuddy has ever had lights, i can't seem to find any place they were previously mounted. I had just recived my led strips from China so I figured i'd give it a run...here is before and after -
IMAG1077.jpgIMAG1078.jpgIMAG1079.jpg
Still have a little bit of work to spray glue the headliner in in a few places where I could not run the wires hidden, but overall i'm pretty happy with it. Only used 7 of 30 led strips..so have lots left over for the inside around the deck!
 
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