Should I or shouldn't I?

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Drodriguez

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Oct 17, 2012
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Looking to buy a 1980 bayliner Capri 5.0 omc I/O. It's kinda a project boat. It's only $500 with the trailer good hull needs carpet both have title. Engine has a blown head gasket. What am I looking at in engine costs? Any help with making this decision? Let me add I've never owned a boat but I know a lot about engines.
 
A

Another retired guy

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Hi. That's quite the project! First problem is that OMC engine - they're no longer in business, so parts are harder to find. If the head gasket is blown, chances are lots of other things are blown too:(
You may be looking at a replacement engine.
 
86 century

86 century

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

The eng its self isn't really a problem its either a Chevy 305 or ford 302 parts for the eng are easy to come up with.
The problems start with everything else Obsolete Marine Corp has been gone for a wile.

I would stay away from this one unless you like digging for used parts.
 
DBreskin

DBreskin

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Drodriguez said:
Looking to buy a 1980 bayliner Capri 5.0 omc I/O. It's kinda a project boat. It's only $500 with the trailer good hull needs carpet both have title. Engine has a blown head gasket. What am I looking at in engine costs? Any help with making this decision? Let me add I've never owned a boat but I know a lot about engines.
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If you've never owned a boat, how do you know it has a good hull?
If it does have a good hull and trailer then $500 is OK. You will end up replacing the entire drive package since resurrecting the OMC drive is not easy or cheap.
Boat hulls can have hidden damage, the most likely being a waterlogged and rotten transom. If you don't know what to look for or how to assess potential hidden damage I suggest you find someone who does. I can't imagine a 32 year old Bayliner that doesn't have a rotten transom.
 
southkogs

southkogs

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Sounds like a "no" to me as well, however there is a "but" in there too.

"Needs new carpet" suggests to me that the floor is bad or has been replaced (suggesting that the stringers might be questionable). And it's an OMC (outta' business for years and you'll have to be your own mechanic). If it were me, I'd take the money I'd spend making it a lake ready boat, add it to the $500 price and go find a nicer boat with a Merc in it.

On the flip side: If the trailer is in good shape, you can possibly part out the drive and sell the trailer and make back most (if not all) of your $500. So if you want to take the chance it's not a crazy risk.

My 2?. Welcome aboard :)
 
H

Home Cookin'

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

do you want a boat you can use or do you want to spend your free time to sell pieces for about $4 an hour?

do you want to keep a trailer and junk a boat?

do you really think the "head gasket" diagnosis is all there is wrong with it?

Do you want to spend your free time buying a $1000 dollars in parts to get your $500 boat up to a $700 boat?

in other words, unless you are in the boat junk business, you have no business buying boat junk.
 
D

Drodriguez

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

So it's mostly no due to the engine expense...I'm glad I joined this group cause I was suppose to go look at it this weekend! Thanks!

Ok so I've been looking on Craigslist and seen plenty of boats with rebuilt OMC engines for under $3000. They look great and they state that they're lake ready, should I stay away from them also?
Just trying to find something affordable for weekends with the family.
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Its a NO due to....

Possibly HUGE engine expenses.

Very problematic obsolete non supported drive system.

Its a boat with a very strong reputation of having rotten stringers and rotten transoms.

You could easily drop $4000-$6000 into that boat, and hundreds of hours of sweat and tears, then still have a boat that is worth less than $2000.


Lots of sellers say their boat or motor is water ready. DON'T believe them if they won't put it in the lake for an hour test drive.


THere are lots of ugly, but actually water ready boats out there for under 2 grand.
 
D

Drodriguez

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

So can anyone recommend a different brand of boat and engine to look into...I really wanna get something this winter.
 
matt167

matt167

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Anything with an outboard, or just about any boat with a Mercruiser Outdrive. If your looking at a project, an aluminum boat will be the easiest to deal with. No stringers to replace. Only wood is in the transom, and some use wood for floor supports..

Volvo outdrives are ok also, but keep in mind they cost more to repair, especially if you buy a boat with a Volvo motor
 
H

Home Cookin'

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

matt167 said:
Anything with an outboard, or just about any boat with a Mercruiser Outdrive. If your looking at a project, an aluminum boat will be the easiest to deal with. No stringers to replace. Only wood is in the transom, and some use wood for floor supports..

Volvo outdrives are ok also, but keep in mind they cost more to repair, especially if you buy a boat with a Volvo motor
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good advice. especially the outboard part.

don't start your boating career with a project. It's OK to start with a cheap beater, but replace it after a season or two when you get the hang of what suits your needs best. Also don't get anything without its titles in shape for transfer. Titles, not bill of sale.

Best bet is to buy from someone you know and can trust who is experienced. Second best is buy from someone you think you can trust, and who has his stuff squared away. If the guy's yard or garage looks like a trash heap, the boat will likely be trash, too.
 
A

Another retired guy

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Drodriguez said:
So can anyone recommend a different brand of boat and engine to look into...I really wanna get something this winter.
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Depends on what you intend to do with the boat - fishing? cruising? skiing etc etc.
First decide on what type of boat you want, then go looking for one that has been well maintained. Doesn't matter what manufacturer or how old - only thing that counts is condition! ( and a Merc drive train, of course ;) )
 
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Drodriguez

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

I really don't like bass boats. I like style of the bayliner and I like that it sits 7, So something almost like that. I'd use it for pulling tubes fishing cruising just hanging out. Any suggestions?
 
matt167

matt167

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Starcraft Super Sport. They were made in an I/O configuration and an outboard configuration, in a few different lengths. 18' is pretty common. They will sit 7 people, or whatever the max weight rating is, tow a tube just fine, and because of the simple design , it makes them very roomy for fishing. The I/O version would most likely have a 120/140 mercruiser which is very reliable and common to get parts for. Aluminum hull makes for a light boat, easy to work on.

Keep in mind, any boat you look at for seating capacity figures each passanger weighs 150 lbs, so if you know your passangers weigh more, you need to go by the weight limit.

i forgot to add. Stay away from Mercruiser 3.7L/ 465/470/485/488 engines. Good idea, bad design and lots of problems. Starcraft I don't think used them, but I know Searay and Imperial did. Not sure which other manufactures did
 
lexer440

lexer440

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

Another way to consider this is, if you put $2000 into a $500 dollar boat you get a $500 boat. There is no profit to be made.
 
carribbean soul

carribbean soul

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

another thing you said you want a boat that seats 7. is that seven seats or you want to take out seven people. if its seven people then you need to look at boats 30+ feet. 4 people on a 19 ft Bayliner is a crowd.
 
southkogs

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

carribbean soul said:
another thing you said you want a boat that seats 7. is that seven seats or you want to take out seven people. if its seven people then you need to look at boats 30+ feet. 4 people on a 19 ft Bayliner is a crowd.
Click to expand...
That's probably a bit steep - I wouldn't suggest a 30'er to a newbie (IMHO). It's a lot of boat to learn on.

Drodriguez: it's buyin' time (this time of year), but not an emergency "get it done now" deal. Set a budget number, figure out what you can tow and store, and start looking around. Don't waste people's time, but start looking. See what you like in terms of size, layout and style. If an 18'(ish) bow rider seems to be the plan - go around to a couple of dealers and climb into a few. Get a vibe of what you like, don't worry too much about brand (you're buying used) and start lookin'.

Post some CL ads up and we'll all chime in. Tell us what area you're in and we may even look and post some suggestions (hint, hint :))
 
H

H20Rat

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

carribbean soul said:
another thing you said you want a boat that seats 7. is that seven seats or you want to take out seven people. if its seven people then you need to look at boats 30+ feet. 4 people on a 19 ft Bayliner is a crowd.
Click to expand...

LOTS of boats that are well under 30 that seat 7 well. Especially if the OP would consider a deckboat.
 
A

Another retired guy

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Re: Should I or shouldn't I?

carribbean soul said:
another thing you said you want a boat that seats 7. is that seven seats or you want to take out seven people. if its seven people then you need to look at boats 30+ feet. 4 people on a 19 ft Bayliner is a crowd.
Click to expand...

LOL but I'm going to disagree with you on that - my 20' Cuddy has seats for 7+ and I've had that many people on several trips. It's no problem as long as they stay seated and enjoy the ride:)
 
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