Re: What is the problem with Bayliner?
Makofanatic-<br /><br /><br />The fact that the old president of Sea Ray is in charge of manufacturing at BL does not impress me. He may have the know-how, the experience and the ability to produce a better product. But he can only do that within the confines that the corporation (Brunswick) will allow. And let's face facts. The profit line controls what he is allowed to do. <br /><br />I have lived, fished and even worked in some of the busiest maritime areas on Long Island where recreational and commercial boating interests are vast. The general consensus about the Bayliner is forged from its past reputation up here, and so far not much has been done to show that anything is changed.<br /><br />I have a very close and dear friend who owns a 1968 42' Hatteras and is a part of close-knit group of Hatteras owners. A number of these owners have bought newer boats from the Brunswick line, and to a man, all have been disappointed. <br /><br />In my marina, I have seen and heard similar stories involving the new generation of SeaRays and Whalers. Owners of the older boats bought the newer versions and while they haven't said that they regret the move, I keep hearing "It's not the same as when I first got the old boat. This isn't what I thought, or I thought this would be better, the fit could have been better, this is now plastic, etc." All sure signs of a big business cutting corners to produce profit. Bayliner needs better PR and something solid to back that PR before Bayliners reputation will improve.<br /><br />I surf a lot of forums and I see the same complaints from different people in all areas of the US with the same complaints and opinions.<br /><br />Old or new, Bayliner or Trophy, the rep is not good. <br /><br />On another string on this site, I offered that JD POWERS (totally free of any advertising revenue bias) rates the TROPHY as only marginally better than BAYLINER, which has the lowest rankings of all boats they reviewed in all aspects considered.<br /><br />Individuals I know that are responsible for saving lives and boats at sea, have also expressed wonderment at how or why people buy Bayliner. <br /><br />As far as getting what you pay for, that's definitely true. The Bayliners are an easy boat to get into, money wise. And that appeals to the vast majority of boat owners. I concur that most of them can hardly afford a boat to begin with, Then when it comes to time and money for maintenance, which even the most expensive boats need, they don't perform it properly or often enough. That results in boats that break down, look terrible, rot, crack etc. And I believe that adds to the "bad boat " rap.<br /><br />And, yes, there are lots of Bayliners, old and new, that hold up well. But my opinion is that the owners of those boats are putting LOTS of time into preventive maintenance and upkeep. Or persevering through numerous and sometimes lengthy downtime incidents. And from knowing and talking to a decent number of those owners, they do a lot more on their Bays to prevent problems than the bare bones MINIMUM that owners of boats like SEASWIRL, GRADY, PURSUIT, WELLCRAFT, Pro-LINE, and HYDRAPORTS are doing. And the least cared for boats are on a par with the best maintained Bays.<br /><br />When I talk to Bay owners, more often than not, they consider NOT doing things with their boats that a lot of other boat owners don't even think about. There is a lot of consideration put into how far out, how hard is the wind blowing, what's the wave height, will it be a snotty ride back, how many people and how much gear are we bringing.<br /> Personally, I want to know what a boat can safely do, NOT what it probably can't.<br /><br />Lastly, resale value. No doubt about it, the rep out there is if you buy one you won't get a good trade in when youve had enough of it. The only place to get a somewhat better deal is by trading in for a new BAYLINER. And, yes, there are a lot of second and third Bayliner owners, too.<br /><br />And I don't have an any idea why someone would do that!
Makofanatic-<br /><br /><br />The fact that the old president of Sea Ray is in charge of manufacturing at BL does not impress me. He may have the know-how, the experience and the ability to produce a better product. But he can only do that within the confines that the corporation (Brunswick) will allow. And let's face facts. The profit line controls what he is allowed to do. <br /><br />I have lived, fished and even worked in some of the busiest maritime areas on Long Island where recreational and commercial boating interests are vast. The general consensus about the Bayliner is forged from its past reputation up here, and so far not much has been done to show that anything is changed.<br /><br />I have a very close and dear friend who owns a 1968 42' Hatteras and is a part of close-knit group of Hatteras owners. A number of these owners have bought newer boats from the Brunswick line, and to a man, all have been disappointed. <br /><br />In my marina, I have seen and heard similar stories involving the new generation of SeaRays and Whalers. Owners of the older boats bought the newer versions and while they haven't said that they regret the move, I keep hearing "It's not the same as when I first got the old boat. This isn't what I thought, or I thought this would be better, the fit could have been better, this is now plastic, etc." All sure signs of a big business cutting corners to produce profit. Bayliner needs better PR and something solid to back that PR before Bayliners reputation will improve.<br /><br />I surf a lot of forums and I see the same complaints from different people in all areas of the US with the same complaints and opinions.<br /><br />Old or new, Bayliner or Trophy, the rep is not good. <br /><br />On another string on this site, I offered that JD POWERS (totally free of any advertising revenue bias) rates the TROPHY as only marginally better than BAYLINER, which has the lowest rankings of all boats they reviewed in all aspects considered.<br /><br />Individuals I know that are responsible for saving lives and boats at sea, have also expressed wonderment at how or why people buy Bayliner. <br /><br />As far as getting what you pay for, that's definitely true. The Bayliners are an easy boat to get into, money wise. And that appeals to the vast majority of boat owners. I concur that most of them can hardly afford a boat to begin with, Then when it comes to time and money for maintenance, which even the most expensive boats need, they don't perform it properly or often enough. That results in boats that break down, look terrible, rot, crack etc. And I believe that adds to the "bad boat " rap.<br /><br />And, yes, there are lots of Bayliners, old and new, that hold up well. But my opinion is that the owners of those boats are putting LOTS of time into preventive maintenance and upkeep. Or persevering through numerous and sometimes lengthy downtime incidents. And from knowing and talking to a decent number of those owners, they do a lot more on their Bays to prevent problems than the bare bones MINIMUM that owners of boats like SEASWIRL, GRADY, PURSUIT, WELLCRAFT, Pro-LINE, and HYDRAPORTS are doing. And the least cared for boats are on a par with the best maintained Bays.<br /><br />When I talk to Bay owners, more often than not, they consider NOT doing things with their boats that a lot of other boat owners don't even think about. There is a lot of consideration put into how far out, how hard is the wind blowing, what's the wave height, will it be a snotty ride back, how many people and how much gear are we bringing.<br /> Personally, I want to know what a boat can safely do, NOT what it probably can't.<br /><br />Lastly, resale value. No doubt about it, the rep out there is if you buy one you won't get a good trade in when youve had enough of it. The only place to get a somewhat better deal is by trading in for a new BAYLINER. And, yes, there are a lot of second and third Bayliner owners, too.<br /><br />And I don't have an any idea why someone would do that!
