1985 bayliner (need help)

[marioc]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

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.

OK... To clarify, yes we are talking about "sofa" boats. Not Aluminum, and not Boston Whalers...
The category of boats is in the bow-rider types, and not crab boats, etc...

And yes, my boating experience is limited. I'm not an expert in the field.I did grow up near the sea with fishing type boats which are not meant to be covered, etc... We are talking about Bayliners, right?

But, I have quite a bit of experience in what I have mentioned(in terms of the "sofa-type" boats;fiberglass covered wood floors, etc...). Boats that are not for fishing purposes only...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

But, I have quite a bit of experience in what I have mentioned(in terms of the "sofa-type" boats;fiberglass covered wood floors, etc...). Boats that are not for fishing purposes only...

Seems to me that the people that get bent out of shape when we advise people to stay away from

1) Bayliners(mid 80s early 90s)
2) Merc 470
3) OMC stringers
4) OMC Cobras

are the same ones that recently bought these very same boats.

Am I right in this assessment?

I have owned 3 out of the 4, but years ago, and I owned them when they were new and in still in business in the case of the OMCs. I saw the problems when they were 0 through 15 years old....sure wouldn't want to be trying them when they are 27 years old and will advise new potential buyers to stay away from them.

 

[riptorn]

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.

Very well said.
I guess our OP is lost at sea.

 

[marioc]

Re: 1985 bayliner (need help)

Seems to me that the people that get bent out of shape when we advise people to stay away from

1) Bayliners(mid 80s early 90s)
2) Merc 470
3) OMC stringers
4) OMC Cobras

are the same ones that recently bought these very same boats.

Am I right in this assessment?

I have owned 3 out of the 4, but years ago, and I owned them when they were new and in still in business in the case of the OMCs. I saw the problems when they were 0 through 15 years old....sure wouldn't want to be trying them when they are 27 years old and will advise new potential buyers to stay away from them.

You are right... !
All I have to say is everyone has to start somewhere(depending on our boat budget)!

Thank God I stopped at No.2 on your list...LOL!!!

Lessons learned...