1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

[AKCoastie]

So I was window shopping today and came across this. I was going to go look at it today. From what the guy has told me, the engine runs but surges. Might need a tune up? Also, the lower unit is cracked and will need replacing. In the mean time I can put my 100hp engine on it. Won't be fast but should get it going for the rest of the fishing season. The side windows on the windshield needs to be fixed. Supposedly snow built up on the tarp and popped out the side windows. I asked about floor/transom rot. He said that there is a small spot by the entrance to the cuddy cabin that is soft, which kind of worries me.

1) So, judging purely by what is here, what are your thoughts on whether this is worth the money?
2) The soft spot on the floor worries me. Do these boats have anymore tendency than others to rot out under the floor quick?
3) What do I need to be checking for besides giving the floor and transom my close attention?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you ahead of time.

 

[AKCoastie]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

Also, do you know if this model takes a long or short shaft motor and what the measurement on the transom would be for each?

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

You could patch the floor, fix engine , use it, then sell it for double.

Or gut it and do it completely and sell it for $2K here.
But it could run $1K for supplies to do it correctly and a lot of hard work or TLC as they say.

If the prime motivation is price then go cheap,
but if you really like the boat then do it right to last and last.

But those little soft spots tend to be symptoms of the real problem underneath starting to come through the floor.

I'm a center console type, no stinkin furniture or carpets , its a boat not a car,... but if that style boat appealed to me I'd jump on it at that price unless the transom is shot, even then...the price is still right.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

the only thing of value there is the trailer, and it's not much.

 

[AKCoastie]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

the only thing of value there is the trailer, and it's not much.

That doesn't help much. Is that just opinion or is there something to back that up? I know Bayliners seem to have a bad wrap but are you saying that the condition of the boat is crap or what? Is the engine not known for being worthwhile?

 

[Off-Peak]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

hmmm... if you have the TIME, then you have a BOAT..!! Think about it...?? Not sure what the 100hp motor is sitting on right now, but if its a engine stand, buy this boat & trailer and start this project today.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

the only thing of value there is the trailer, and it's not much.

i will just about gaurentee you the floor and stringers are rot....b-liners of that vintage used foam for structure....the foam is also wet...all MUST be replaced.
count on 2 grand for the motor, drive repair....and another 2k for the rest....
and 400 man hours of your time...(diy).....u do the math.

u might be able to part some of it out....but thats time and money for advertising....plus a derilict vessel in your back yard

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

1988 was the beginning of the cutting corner years. It shows as soft floors and sagging transoms. They just didn't put glass/resin on the stringers or floors (or not much, most have bare wood exposed) and more often than not, have water logged foam.

The engine is probably a Force, and as such, not really worth a big investment to repair. Best to look for a late model motor used.

The windows you cannot replace, except for from salvage, ebay, or cut your own out of plastic.

My opinion would be to pass this one up, and take the money you would sink into it and spend it on a boat that although may be old, is in great shape. Look on Craigs list and the local paper. They are to be found, just go looking. Don't settle for a boat that will swallow up time and money when you could just spend the money and spend your time on the water.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

Looks like a neglected boat that's too expensive for the owner to repair and he's trying to unload it.

It's not like there is just 1 thing wrong with the boat, but a whole laundry list
- engine
- lower unit
- windshield
- deck
- (stringers, foam, transom?)
- etc.

I doubt a 100HP will work since it has a 200HP on there right now. Nothing worse than an under powered boat, you want to be able to get on plane quickly and haul *** if the weather turns nasty.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

That doesn't help much. Is that just opinion or is there something to back that up? I know Bayliners seem to have a bad wrap but are you saying that the condition of the boat is crap or what? Is the engine not known for being worthwhile?

tashasdaddy is one of the top restorers on this site...he probabally has done more restos than any of us.....the man know his stuff.....because hes a moderator....he doesnt have the time to type longer more detailed responces like the rest of us...


and btw....one of my boats is a 89 bayliner capri

cheers
oops

 

[AKCoastie]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

Thanks for the input guys. I haven't given up on it, still going to check it out. We will see though. I'm not looking for a big project but I don't mind doing some work. Big thing that will be a deal breaker is if I start poking my nose around and start finding some rot, which it looks like I can expect. Maybe I will get lucky.

 

[25-06]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

That boats in Juneau, Right? I saw it too, you probably should pass, unless you want a real $$ project.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

Looks like 200HP Yamaha that's on it. If it runs and the compression isn't bad you could surely sell that for a few hundred. Definitely a project though.

 

[Marcq]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

If you're equipped (garage, tools, knowledge) to tackle such project, go for it. Could be a fun project, I mean the hull looks like it's in good shape, nice bow rail, swim platform, the trailer's OK, if power head is good that's good too. You can't really loose money on something like that, only the money/time you invest in it

Marc..

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

That 200hp yam is way over power, it was built for the 120 force it came with. Guarantee it has rot in the floor/stringers.

Lots of work to clean that all up. Walk away and find a better bare hull to hang your 100hp on.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

That boat looks beat, other then the hull. I'd do a compression test on that motor, if it's good, buy it, take the boat to the salvage yard, and fix the carbs on the motor for a better project.


Ian

 

[AKCoastie]

Re: 1988 Capri Bayliner for $500. Worth it? Need advice.

Yeah the boat is in Juneau. Checked on it and you could not have paid me to but it. The soft spot on the floor was in fact the entire floor. Transom was cracked and rotting through. Green crap growing all over it. Not worth the effort. Thanks for the input.