1993 Bayliner capri 1750 vs 1998 Larson 186sei

[MotorMan101]

I am new to boats and looking at two really good looking boats a bayliner for 1500 and a larson for 2000. Which one would you guys go with I have heard bad things about bayliners but not sure on larsons. The bayliner is a inboard 3.0 Mercuiser and Larson is a outboard Johnson 225hp.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I wouldn't go with either.

A first boat should be aluminum and outboard

Both the Bayliner and Larson most likely need significant work

 

[KD4UPL]

I started with an '89 Bayliner in 2002 and moved to a '97 Larson in 2005. The Larson was significantly better than the Bayliner in every way.
However, both of the boats you are looking I would consider project boats to be restored, tinkered with, and modified as you like.
If you want to buy something you can take the family or friends out on and have a good time on the weekends you should probably be looking at something newer.
My current boat is a 2004 Rinker. It was in excellent shape when I bought it in 2018. Even so, I currently need to fix the volt meter, replace the bow light, and see why the bilge pump float sticks. It also needs a thorough cleaning.

 

[Buster53]

A couple things…the terminology for the Bayliner engine is inboard/outboard. Are you sure about that 225 on the Lawson? That’s massive power for an 18 footer. I’m guessing it’s actually 125.
Between the two, the Lawson would definitely be the better buy. It’s newer and better built.

 

[MotorMan101]

A couple things…the terminology for the Bayliner engine is inboard/outboard. Are you sure about that 225 on the Lawson? That’s massive power for an 18 footer. I’m guessing it’s actually 125.
Between the two, the Lawson would definitely be the better buy. It’s newer and better built.

1998 Larson 186sei
1988 Johnson 225hp- Rebuilt 2014 with Paperwork.

Is what its listed with and it does have 225 on engine. Must be after market as its older than the boat...All have to double check it is not over the rated horse power.

 

[Buster53]

Unless there is something special about that Lawson, I’m guessing the max rated HP for that boat would probably be in the 130-140 range. Running that boat wide open with 225 HP would be dangerous.
Since you are new to boating, you would have a hard time getting insurance. Have you, or are you going to take a safe boating class?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I have a 1997 Larson 186 SEI. Mine is an I/O, and it also was repowered (before I got it) with a 350 Mag. I had no problem getting insurance and the boat is quite stable at WOT. It had a slight tendency to chine-walk at top speed, but a set of SmartTabs completely cured that. It’s a solid boat.

Starting in ‘96 or ‘97, Larson began building boats with engineered stringers made without wood. This alone, in my book, would put it head and shoulders above the 93 Bayliner, which would’ve been built with a wooden substructure and, at the time, very shoddy construction practices. The Larson does have a wood core in the transom and a fiberglass covered wood deck. If you look through the restoration thread (linked to in my signature) you will see a lot of the below deck construction of the Larson.

I think the 97 and 98 models were very similar, so if you have any questions as you look at the boat further, I would be happy to help.