[Mscanon99]

Hi,

I am considering either a 1999/Force 120 or a 2000/Mercury 125.

First, any feedback on the Bayliners of these years would be great. Both are Capri 1802's with a cuddy cabin. I want to use the boat in the bays/inlets of NJ/DE in the spring/fall and the lakes/rivers during the summer. I have heard that early Bayliners were cheap, but that with Brunswick the quality improved over the 90s and that the 99/2000 units I am looking at were much better.

Second, the Force on the 99 is an issue. I am considering this boat over the 2000 with the Merc becuase its about 3000.00 less. Is this difference worth it? I have read allot about Force Motors, parts/quality/technology and so forth, so I would rather the Merc, but the $$$ are significant.

Is a 1999 Force better than earlier ones since it was the last year? Will the power/performance/reliablity and resale value of the Merc make up for the differnce in cost?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Mark42]

Originally Posted by Mscanon99

Hi,

I am considering either a 1999/Force 120 or a 2000/Mercury 125.

First, any feedback on the Bayliners of these years would be great. Both are Capri 1802's with a cuddy cabin. I want to use the boat in the bays/inlets of NJ/DE in the spring/fall and the lakes/rivers during the summer. I have heard that early Bayliners were cheap, but that with Brunswick the quality improved over the 90s and that the 99/2000 units I am looking at were much better.

Second, the Force on the 99 is an issue. I am considering this boat over the 2000 with the Merc becuase its about 3000.00 less. Is this difference worth it? I have read allot about Force Motors, parts/quality/technology and so forth, so I would rather the Merc, but the $$$ are significant.

Is a 1999 Force better than earlier ones since it was the last year? Will the power/performance/reliablity and resale value of the Merc make up for the differnce in cost?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Everything I read indicates that the late model Force motors have more problems than older Force motors.

In this case, I would pay the extra to get the Mercury simply because Mercury will support that motor for many, many years. Force is no longer in existence, and although parts are available, they will eventually become hard to find and obsolete.

Also, are the boats in comparable condition? Does the 2000 show less wear, does the motor have fewer hours, etc to make the difference in price more explainable? How about extras, like fenders, PDF's, new battery (s) Bimini top? Stereo? Condition of the trailers? (tires, bearings, lights)

Don't be afraid to negotiate.

[Bigprairie1]

Yeah, I'd agree with that....based somewhat on what RRitt and Frank C. have put forth about the newer Force stuff.

[Mscanon99]

Thanks for your comments...

The boats are pretty much identical, both have fish/depth finders, however the newer 2000/merc has a full camper enclosure, which I might want.

The 2000 is from a dealer on consignment and has bottom paint, however the guy at the dealer said from his perspective, it was never left in the water.

The 1999 with the Force is private, he had it since 2001 and is including ski's, torpedo float, ropes, etc. This boat is clean, never been bottom painted.

I think its all about the motor for me. I have no reason to think that Bayliners of this year are bad boats.

Interesting comments about the later Force motors being worse than the earlier models. Can anyone point me to the threads on this info?

Thanks again

[Mark42]

If that camper enclosure is in good condition, it is worth some big bucks. If its worn and ratty, discolored windows, etc it is fairly worthless because it needs to be replaced.

Regarding the quality of various year Force motors, do some research on the Chrysler/Force forum and post your question there. From what I read, later year Force outboards were made by Mercury and they made a number of upgrades that were very poor designs, like stators, regulators and ignition that have high failure rates on top of costing 5x as much as the same parts on old force motors. Old Force motors are really a 1960's design. Solid and dependable, but not as fuel efficient as newer motors or even other brands of the same years. My 1985 Force is on of the "good years" and I like the way its built, simple and easy to work on. But it was already dated when it was made.

[Mscanon99]

Hi again,

One more option, a 1995 Sunbird 190 Cuddy with an 115 Evinrude, about the same cost as the 98 Bayliner with 120 Force. Boat needs minor floor repair back by the engine where the floor meets the fiberglass engine tub section. Looks like an easy repair, there is a section of the floor that comes up to access the tank and the area of wood to be replaced looks like it about 6 inches by 24 inches.

Any thoughts on this option?

My focus is on the motor for the most part, the floor issue is there, but does not look like a difficult fix and the dealer offered to do it themselves for a few hundred.

Thanks again,

[Mark42]

Originally Posted by Mscanon99

Hi again,

One more option, a 1995 Sunbird 190 Cuddy with an 115 Evinrude, about the same cost as the 98 Bayliner with 120 Force. Boat needs minor floor repair back by the engine where the floor meets the fiberglass engine tub section. Looks like an easy repair, there is a section of the floor that comes up to access the tank and the area of wood to be replaced looks like it about 6 inches by 24 inches.

Any thoughts on this option?

My focus is on the motor for the most part, the floor issue is there, but does not look like a difficult fix and the dealer offered to do it themselves for a few hundred.

Thanks again,

Chances are the whole floor is rotten, the stringers are rotten and the transom is rotten. I would run away from any boat that "just needs a minor floor repair".