1985 bayliner (need help)

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

One this I learned from recently buying a 25 year old boat is to check EVERYTHING on the back of the boat! engine mounts depth finder transducers speedometers ect! make darn sure that this stuff is sealed properly and doesn't look like scab work! Also something that saved my but was put your finger into the plug whole and scrap your finger on the bottom of the hull, if you can reach it. If there is black or green mold on it then run because there has been sitting water in it. Also grab ahold of the outboard and shake it up and down a little bit. look at the transom and engine mount while you do this and make sure things aren't moving too much, also listen if you hear something that sounds like wood cracking just say NO! That being said I looked at several bayliners with force motors and found nothing wrong with some in in fact I think they are nice boats with decent deck space... others were frankly scary. ANY boat weather it is a bayliner or a whaler when they are 25+ years old things can start to go seriously wrong if not properly cared for. Do what I did, read the he** out of this forum and do your homework so you can go into every test drive with an idea of what you are listening and looking for.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Bayliner pioneered the "package" concept. Boat, motor, trailer, etc. all in one from the factory. They made zillions of boats in several factories for a few years across the country. I'm remembering like 50,000 boats a year or something crazy like that. In the late 80's early 90's I had an oppourtunity to visit one of those plants as part of an FFA (fiberglass fabricators association, not called that anymore, now CFA) meeting. My company sent me there not so much for the meeting as to see how the heck Bayliner could build and sell boats so cheaply and we couldn't. What I saw in the glass shop, made me at least never want to buy a boat from them. However, what they did do was allow many thousands of regular old people to get into the wonderfull world of boating. Lot's of those people without Bayliner would not have been able to afford the going prices of "quality" boats, if you will. For that, since my whole life and supporting my family revolved around building and selling boats, I thank them.

Heed the advice above, it's all good.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Some people say its bad and some say its good. I may buy this boat if the transom is not rotted out.

There is a 98% chance it is a pile of crap and a 2% chance it isn't. <---- mathematically, I am being extremely generous.

No one said it is good here. They said it could be good. They say that because the whole fargin' message board will jump on anyone who says anything that isn't 100% absolutely confirmed to be true.

You, wanting a boat, WILL NOW IGNORE EVERY GOOD PIECE OF ADVICE.

I, my friend, am not afraid to say it loudly: IT IS ALMOST WITH 100% CERTAINTY THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING PURCHASING A HUGE PILE OF CARP THAT MAY VERY LIKELY REQUIRE 5000 BUCKS IN WORK AND UNTOLD STRESS.

Unless the pile of carp was kept indoors by some lunatic who obsessed over it, it's a pile of carp and worth 100 bucks as junk.

Move on.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Two things to take away when you start looking at other boats:

1. If the motor doesn't run well, buy it as if it has no motor at all and you are ready to repower. Or, if you get the "all you have to do is..." line--the oldest trick in the book and also the honest but uninformed advice of some sellers--and you otherwise really really like the boat, tell the guy to fix it and add the $50-$150 to the price of the boat--which you would spend anyway. If it solves the problem, buy it; if not, walk.

2. Despite what others say, in the used boat market, there is no "sea trial" and there is no "survey" for a $900 16' boat. Why would the seller waste his time? That goes for boats even up to a few thousand. Your best options are to bring a mechanic/knowledgeable person with you (would you pay someone $150 to look at a $900 boat? no.) or talk the guy into giving you a 2 day sea trial warranty--some sellers will do it, but you have the risk since he has your money. That gives you time either to run it yourself or take it to a shop (warning--a good shop won't look at it the day you bring it in--make arrangements)

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

As stated above IF the boat is in good shape I.E. no rot and solid really well taken care of then proceed to think of it as your buying just the boat n trailer no motor. Then you offer the guy 500 dollars to take it off his hands. Tell the owner that with out the engine running its only worth the boat and trailer. The thing about boats is the value is based on the motor i.e. motor=80% boat 15% trailer 5%if no motor or poorly running motor then its only worth about 20% of the 1400 nada value in my area of town thats a 300 dollar boat.

And yes the motor May run on muffs but if you only have 2cyl of 3cyl firing it will give you less power then a normal 2cyl engine and will never really run right. it very well could be he ran the engine to lean and burnt a hole in the piston and could be burning the other ones out.

so offer him 500 if he dosent except find another one.

just my .02

 

[riptorn]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

There is a 98% chance it is a pile of crap and a 2% chance it isn't. <---- mathematically, I am being extremely generous.

No one said it is good here. They said it could be good. They say that because the whole fargin' message board will jump on anyone who says anything that isn't 100% absolutely confirmed to be true.

You, wanting a boat, WILL NOW IGNORE EVERY GOOD PIECE OF ADVICE.

I, my friend, am not afraid to say it loudly: IT IS ALMOST WITH 100% CERTAINTY THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING PURCHASING A HUGE PILE OF CARP THAT MAY VERY LIKELY REQUIRE 5000 BUCKS IN WORK AND UNTOLD STRESS.

Unless the pile of carp was kept indoors by some lunatic who obsessed over it, it's a pile of carp and worth 100 bucks as junk.

Move on.

Hope your not referring to Bayliner here!
Have you owned one?

 

[Philster]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Pay attention: It's a 37 year old bow rider with a Force engine. Based on the sheer odds, it's a pass.

Did you see what the OP showed up with in terms of info and overall knowledge? You got that -- right?

For the love of Og, man, there is nothing wrong with laying it on the line. How many of those barges survive til today with a Force AND can be called a 'good boat'? 2% being a guess is extreeeeeeeeemmmmmmmmmmly generous.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Pay attention: It's a 37 year old bow rider with a Force engine. Based on the sheer odds, it's a pass.

Did you see what the OP showed up with in terms of info and overall knowledge? You got that -- right?

For the love of Og, man, there is nothing wrong with laying it on the line. How many of those barges survive til today with a Force AND can be called a 'good boat'? 2% being a guess is extreeeeeeeeemmmmmmmmmmly generous.

Phil..... never mind

 

[riptorn]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Ya I agree Philster. I use to build boats years ago. Don't take care of it, no mater what brand you have it won't last.
Sure do have a way with words though.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Yeah, I'm chock full o' tact.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Hope your not referring to Bayliner here!
Have you owned one?

I agree with Philster and not only have I owned 1, I have owned 2.

 

[riptorn]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

I agree with Philster and not only have I owned 1, I have owned 2.

Look after the one you have now. lesson learned x 2?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Look after the one you have now. lesson learned x 2?

I had my last one(1987) since it was almost brand new. I sold it when it was 15 years old. The quality is just not there. Even though I took exceptional care of it, the boat had a lot of quality issues with rot. I had to replace a lot of the wood around the engine compartment and replace sections of the floor. In a wetter climate than So Cal, this boat would be a real mess.

Everything is cheap on the boat from the dash, the vinyl they use, the cabin door/trim, the railings. Was an ok starter boat but once they get a few years on them they really show their age. My current boat is a Wellcraft...what a night and day difference in quality!

 

[marioc]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

I have an 1987 Bayliner I bought from the second owner. He had it ten years. Stored under roof, etc... No rotten floors, torn seats...
The 85 HP Force motor is a good motor, if it doesn't sit around. Not much generally goes wrong with them. Usually fuel issues(from sitting).

The owner did let me take it for a lake test(with him) before buying it.
Just remember, it is a $900 boat! You can generally expect to put $$ to get it going...
Also, keep in mind, boat owners are the worst at telling you the truth when selling their boat(s)...

I'm not really a Bayliner fan, but bought this boat to run around the lake for a season or two. As for the quality, keep in mind the 1980's... even the cars in the 80's were made out of questionable materials... It is a $900 boat!!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Its also a 27 year old boat! I don't care if its free...its a potential money suck.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

I hope you folks understand this cultural divide that usually happens in these sort of threads.

I'm harsh, blunt and honest, because it's considered rude and inconsiderate to sugar coat things where I am from, especially when, in my gut, I know the odds are stacked against someone and they could ruin their crack at boating and/or dive into something financially unwise.

Look, you can no more recommend someone take all their investment money and show up at Harrah's and tell them they can grow their money on the slots just because you did it. These are the odds, folks. This is how ridiculous it is.

The safest thing here is to be blunt, and hopefully steer this guy into looking at more and more boats, and get him looking into ones with better odds. It is possible.

So, if he approaches this boat knowing up front he faces staggering odds, he is much better off. From my experience, you've practically got to slap someone to get them to think straight over such matters.

So, get it out of your heads that syrupy niceness is good for all. It's rude and inconsiderate, IMHO, and within my culture (of which there are thousands upon thousands 'round the world), it's rude as well. It's also disingenuous to not lay the odds out.

 

[taggy]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

"You may pay $900 for this boat, but it will cost you more then $900 before its ever in the water. " I can tell you that this is a true statement. Lat year my wife surprised me with a 1987 14 Bayliner with a 50hp Force that she paid $600 for from a friend (?). I stopped counting at around $2000 in engine repair alone. It now sits dead in my back yard. The good news is I got a great pontoon boat instead. Look for something else.

 

[marioc]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Its also a 27 year old boat! I don't care if its free...its a potential money suck.

Any boat = MONEY SUCK....

 

[marioc]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

This is my experience:

$300-1000 boat; this means something bad wrong with the boat and an additional $1000 min. to get it afloat...
$1500-3000 boat; mechanically ok(potentially), but the interior is shot! Throw another $2000-3000 to make it look nice...
$3000-6000 boat; probably an ok boat, but will require some work $1000-2000...
$6000-12,000 boat will be nice, depending on brand and owner...
$12,000 + nice used boat you can have for years to come(generally)...

Any boat that's well taken care of will hold its value(I don't care how old or what type of motor), any boat left uncovered and in weather will be worth nothing...

My 0.02....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

This is my experience:

$300-1000 boat; this means something bad wrong with the boat and an additional $1000 min. to get it afloat...
$1500-3000 boat; mechanically ok(potentially), but the interior is shot! Throw another $2000-3000 to make it look nice...
$3000-6000 boat; probably an ok boat, but will require some work $1000-2000...
$6000-12,000 boat will be nice, depending on brand and owner...
$12,000 + nice used boat you can have for years to come(generally)...

Any boat that's well taken care of will hold its value(I don't care how old or what type of motor), any boat left uncovered and in weather will be worth nothing...

My 0.02....

someone, maybe you, has posted this before and it is absurd. I can get a perfectly fine 14' jon with a 20 hp and trailer for $1000 and never put a nickle in it, or a 12' with a 9.9 for $700. I can get a 16' open boat like a carolina skiff with a good motor for <$3000. I can get a 25' cabin cruiser that is not worth salvage for $12,000. I can spend $6000 on a rotted out sofa boat with an underpowered motor and leaking bellows.
They also make boats made for outdoor use that can be left uncovered for 20 years and be just fine. I'm not seeing a lot of Boston Whalers around that are "worth nothing."

Sounds like you r boating experience is so limited that everyone drivers the same kind of boat (let me guess--I/O bowrider sofaboats?) and your advice should be equally limited.