Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

[antmay]

Hi,
I have narrow down to 2 boats that's within my budget and would like some advice as
to which one to get.

I am choosing between the 1994 bayliner 2855 and Regal Ventura 27.5 SC

Please provide some advice and insight on my first boat. The boat is to be used in lake erie.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Almost 20 year old boat - all depends on the condition

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Especially because you want to be on big water, it depends on which is in better shape.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Regal is the brand held in higher regard by many, but as the others have said, the condition of those particular boats is what matters.

I hope your will be having a marine surveyor inspect the boat as a condition of the purchase.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Consider having the Regal surveyed and a technician go over the motors. If you want to pick between two-- find a replacement for the Bayliner.

 

[captain_ron]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Honestly get them both inspected on a personal side id go with the regal but then again not much of a regal fan

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

I would skip the Bayliner.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Regal Regal Regal

 

[Air Traffic]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Like many have said, condition is the key. In like condition you are comparing something like a Ford to a Mercury, with the Regal being the Merc. However after 18-20 it's not so much the original build as the upkeep on each boat. Bayliners developed a very poor reputation for a few years but IMHO have come back with a descent boat in thier price level. My marina has plenty of old Bayliners that are in better shape than similiar model year SeaRays, Regals, Chaperals, etc and vice versa. Have someone in the know look them over, especially the items that would be high cost fixes and then decide.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Survey!!!!! Get a survey!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Bayliners developed a very poor reputation for a few years but IMHO have come back with a descent boat in thier price level.

And early 90s was in those poor years.

 

[antmay]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Thanks everyone for their input. The regal is in good shape but motor has about 700 hours on it. The bayliner motor was replaced new a season ago with only 25 hours on it. The upholstery was also replaced, so I am leaning towards the bayliner for now. I am going to see it this Saturday and will get a surveyer if I like what I see.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

with those two to choose from I'd find a wellcraft.... just sayin

While it's FAR from conclusive, replaced upholstery is a warning sign of a boat that has been left exposed to the elements... think rotten floors, stringers, transom

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Thanks everyone for their input. The regal is in good shape but motor has about 700 hours on it. The bayliner motor was replaced new a season ago with only 25 hours on it. The upholstery was also replaced, so I am leaning towards the bayliner for now. I am going to see it this Saturday and will get a surveyer if I like what I see.

You ever hear the expression "polishing a turd"?
Not saying the boat is one (I never met it), but you can make a boat look awful pretty that's a basket case below decks. The structure of the boat needs to be thoroughly inspected before you pull the trigger. Wouldn't want to see you end up in the resto section after finding out her guts are rotten a few months down the line.

 

[jkust]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

You need to report on condition of each before we can then go to the next level and advise you the difference between budget and non-budget boats. If it was still 1994, and money wasn't an issue, of course Regal would be the 'nicer' boat.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Thanks everyone for their input. The regal is in good shape but motor has about 700 hours on it. The bayliner motor was replaced new a season ago with only 25 hours on it. The upholstery was also replaced, so I am leaning towards the bayliner for now. I am going to see it this Saturday and will get a surveyer if I like what I see.

So what engine/drive is on the Bayliner?

Bayliners are notorious for under powering their boats to keep the price down.

 

[antmay]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

I am driving 2 hours tomorrow evening to see it. The bayliner has a alpha drive with a new Mercury MerCruiser 5.7L

Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

I hope you take it out for a test drive. That thing is going to be a slug. Carb'd engine right?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Had a marina neighbor with a 2855 B-liner. Windows constantly needed to be re-caulked at least twice per season. It was a turtle with the single 5.7L engine and alpha drive. His upholstery needed replacing also after just 8 years. It was generally reliable, but not a good boat on Lake Michigan .

 

[antmay]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

It's carburetor . Hmm... I don't want to be the slowest boat in lake erie I will often have up to 6 adults on board.

The other boat the Regal 8.3m SC Ventura has the Volvo Duo Pro 7.4L (310hp) with 589 hours, freshwater cooled Chevrolet 454 engine.