[CDN_Falcon]

Hello everyone,

Well I'm looking at moving up from a 16' Aluminum fishing boat into a more family fun/cruising orientated fiberglass boat. The problem is... I don't know much about fiberglass boats or what to look for.

Went down to one of the local boat dealers and looked through his inventory. My absolute max price is around $7500 (and I'm in Canada so that's Canadian dollars There were two Bayliners in that range. The much cleaner one that has capacity for 6 persons is a 1989 Capri 1750 with a 1989 Force 85hp. There is no cracking of the seats, floor is solid as far as walking around on it, all original tops that look as if they were never used. (asking $7200 taxes in.) View here: http://www.canadatrader.com/result/d...6&pgno=3&srt=1

I would have posted this in the Bayliner section of the forums but I wanted opinions from more than just the Bayliner owners. I encourage anyone to talk about the negatives of owning a Bayliner as well as the positive so that I get good perspective.

Also here's a few questions I'd like to know:

What should I watch out for when buying any fiberglass boat?

Is there any way to tell if the hull was damaged/repaired?

What kind of materials would have been used on a 1989 Bayliner Capri?

Anything to watch out for specifically for Bayliner boats?

Also see my thread for questions on Force motors: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=205492

[CATransplant]

That boat's almost 20 years old! And it has a Force outboard on it.

For the amount being asked, I'd walk away and keep looking. Seriously.

That's just me, but I think you could do a lot better for your money. Firstly, I wouldn't buy anything right now with a Force outboard of any size. Parts are getting scarce, and the situation's not going to get any better. Stick with an outboard made by a company that's still in business.

Secondly, I'd look for something a little later, but still in good condition. After 18 years, as with the one you're talking about, lots of things can be wrong with a boat that aren't visible, especially to an inexperienced buyer.

Others may give you different opinions.

[gcboat]

I'm with CATransplant - lot of money for that year boat - I don't care what the exterior looks like. As far as the engine is concerned plan on spending another few grand for a reliable one. My $.02

[tashasdaddy]

transferred from your other post:
that vintage Bayliner was notorious for floors rotting, and transoms rotting. the force was a motor made by several different companies. at 7200 the guy is crazy. i might be interested if it were $1000.

there are a lot better and newer boats out there for $7200.

[ondarvr]

Run away fast!

[CATransplant]

Just for your education, go to the US version of Ebay and search for Bayliner. Look at completed sales.

What I saw there was that good clean Bayliner Capris (most with I/O power) in the price range you're talking about were late 1990's models, even into 2000.

It'll be alarming to you when you see what they're actually selling for.

Ones with Force outboards weren't selling at all, but were going unsold, another clue.

If you really like the one you saw, go to the dealer selling it and make a real lowball offer. It sounds to me like the dealer's just hoping you haven't a clue.

I'd still not buy a boat with a Force on it for more than $2500, but that's just me.

[CATransplant]

In what part of Canada do you live? Boats really vary in prices, depending on location.

[tashasdaddy]

i don't care where you live, more than a $1000 is too much for that combo. i would take the boat to the landfill, part out the motor, and use the trailer.

[rndn]

Run away and don't look back.

[CDN_Falcon]

I live in central Canada, Winnipeg Manitoba to be exact.

Boats of that age/class are generally going for at least $5000-$8000 around this area. But might be worth a trip stateside and the import fees for a newer boat for cheaper. Especially with the way the Canadian/American dollar is too.

Like I said I'm really out of the water so to speak with boats and don't claim to be knowledgeable at all. Another question I had was Outboard vs. I/O. I've heard I/O's tend to break in the lower end and have huge repair bills/upkeep vs similar outboards. Any truth to that?

[steelespike]

Stay away, far away the only advantage there is to that boat usually is price and that one doesn't have that.Just check Force parts here and then Evinrude/Johnson.
Outboards are a lot easier to take care than an I/O especially if you do it yourself.
In my opinion the main advantage of an I/O is the availablity of brute horsepower at a relatively reasonable price.

[CATransplant]

Originally Posted by CDN_Falcon

I live in central Canada, Winnipeg Manitoba to be exact.

Boats of that age/class are generally going for at least $5000-$8000 around this area. But might be worth a trip stateside and the import fees for a newer boat for cheaper. Especially with the way the Canadian/American dollar is too.

Like I said I'm really out of the water so to speak with boats and don't claim to be knowledgeable at all. Another question I had was Outboard vs. I/O. I've heard I/O's tend to break in the lower end and have huge repair bills/upkeep vs similar outboards. Any truth to that?

You may be right. You can get down to Minnesota, easily enough. Up in Northern Minnesota, prices are lower than they are in the Twin Cities, too. I don't know what the import duties would be, but a boat like the one you mentioned would run around $3000-3500 in that kind of condition, and it'd have a Johnson or Evinrude on it.

Try looking at Craigs List for Minneapolis for a couple of weeks. It will open your eyes about boat prices in the northern tier of states in the US.

[CDN_Falcon]

Ok then new questions...

Their is an issue between myself and my dad (who is my partner in this boat buying hunt) on getting Aluminum vs Fiberglass. My dad is the old fisherman type who's in love with his 1987 Aroliner 16' straight up aluminum fishing boat without even a livewell. I'm more inclined to the cruising around towing a skiier bowrider types.

Uses for the boat would be for him primarily fishing, and for me fish/ski.

Can someone help out on this dilemna? Know of a boat that matches both? My dad is looking at Legend boats which are aluminum but kinda fit the cruising package.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Aluminum vs Fiberglass?

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[drwgblanks]

If you come to NC, I've got a 1997 17.5 with a 140hp mercruiser. It needs new vinyl but the tops are in good condition. Gas gauge, and trim gauge don't work. Runs beautifully though. I put a wakeboard tower on it too. I'll take $5000. That's a long haul though.

[rndn]

My boat with details in the signature of this post has both. It has a convertable bow so you can go from an open bow to a flat fishing platform and it even has a livewell in the front. I just bought mine a couple of months ago. It accomplishes both needs without any sacrifice. I know Crestliner made this model for several yeasr and in two additonal sizes which are smaller than my 21 foot. I'm sure there may be other brands that offer this but I personally do not know of any. Maybe someone else on this site knows of some.

[jddenham]

I just bought a 1989 Bayliner capri 17' with no motor yesterday for $700. It has a nice galvanized escort trailer. The seats are trashed, but the floor and transom are solid.

[rndn]

Looks like you got your work cut out for you.

[ezmobee]

CDN_Falcon, in regards to your post about your disagreement with your dad over fiberglass vs. aluminum, there are definitely boats out there that meet both needs. I think there are some really awesome aluminum fish and ski combos out there right now. Here's link to a Starcraft model I was in love with last year http://www.starcraftmarine.com/index...tails&boatid=5 I think Sylvan and G3 had similar models. I love the removable bow cushions and flip up rear seats which make it both a great crusing boat and fishing platform. I know if I had the $ that's what I would be getting. Instead I'm stuck with my current closed bow boat which is great for neither

[CATransplant]

I'd second that on the aluminum idea. All the major makers of aluminum boats offer some sort of fish and ski package. Sort of the best of both worlds, in my opinion.

Tradeoffs. Aluminum boats are generally lighter in weight overall than glass boats. That translates both to easier trailering and to a little less stability in the water.

Aluminum doesn't lend itself well to the complex lines used in fiberglass boats, either, so designs are a little simpler. That translates to a little less smoother ride, in my experience.

On the other side, the aluminum boats seem to stand up to time better than most of the fiberglass boats I've seen. They're easily repainted and you don't have the same concerns about water intrusion rotting the wood in the boat, although lots of fiberglass boats have dispensed with the wood these days.

Since you're talking about only using your boat in fresh water, you don't have any corrosions concerns to deal with.

If it were me, I'd try to find an aluminum boat that could be used for both fishing and cruising, in about a 19' length or so. Deep...wide...welded construction. Definitely with a modern outboard made by a company that is still in business.

I hope you find what you need.