89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

[BuddhaM]

I am looking at two boats to possibly purchase. Been looking for a couple of months now and as options slip away i have narrowed down to these two. I'm drawn to the looks of he Regal but the negatives are the deep draft and the v6 on gas. My marina is only 6ft deep and my slip is next to the bank so in a drought condition i'm worried about trouble. Plus we want to fish a little and the Regal is higher off the water and the draft keeps you further out of coves. While the Bayliner has a more shallow draft and a 4 cyl. for gas it is after all a Bayliner.

1989 regal '18 6" boat. Interior is in great condition no tears or fading always keep inside
motor is a 4.3 litre v6 that was rebuilt 2 years ago (heard knocking and it had a bad piston)
new four barrel carb, intake, starter, alternator, distributer, wires and battery
lower unit has been gone through
trailor is matching shorelander with new winch and wheels and tires
boat comes with full moaring cover and bimini cover. 2 sets of skis nice o'brian tube and eight life vest
perfect boat for family, skiing, tubing, very nice for the money which is $4500


1995 Bayliner open bow. 135 horsepower 3.0L mercruiser engine. I think 18ft as well. Again after 2 years of use they had knocking as well and had the engine worked on and also replaced the starter. then used it for 6 more years after the repair. Also comes with full snap cover and bimini. Including skis, tube, ropes and life vests in purchase. trailor included as well for $5150 but the wife told me someone offered $4500 and her husband stood firm at $4750 so I can expect that price i would think.


Any insight into either one of these boats would be helpful.

thank you.
Rob

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: 89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

At the age of the boats the manufacturer rep is irrelevant. Condition is the only question- which, if either, is in acceptable condition. No one knows how they were maintained or stored. Take an experienced boater with you and inspect them both. Check for a soft floor, a weak transom, and that everything works. Choose and then have it surveyed.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: 89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

I vote the bigger engine! No replacement for displacement! The 4 banger won't be better on gas, if it has to struggle to pull the load.

 

[BuddhaM]

Re: 89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

Update...

I went to look at the 95 Bayliner. It was in pretty good condition. I couldn't find any spider cracks and the hull looked in good shape. There was a scrape along one of the hull ridges about 6 inches long that I would want to patch before it goes in the water and a chip in the bow. The decal stripes where pealing a bit but not anything I shouldn't expect. The interior was in real good shape with the only notables being the cushions where you climb in and out of the boat had a couple of small snags in them. The carpet could use a cleaning but that is about it. I had them fire up the engine. It started up on the first try pretty easily. However it had a bunch of rock tumbling sound to it. I looked closer at the out drive and it looked like the exhaust bellow was shredded and disconnected. Tilt motor seemed to be a bit loud as well compared to what i have heard in other boats but I don't know if that is a sign of anything. I like the boat but I will have to have someone look over it mechanically before I put money down.

I was suppose to see the Regal today but the owner called and said when he fired it up he wasn't getting water to the engine. He is going to replace the impeller and call me back to come out.

I also talked with an owner out of state that had the same Bayliner but it was a 97 instead of 95. He described a condition that was about the same but a couple of years ago he had the outdrive replaced with an aftermarket drive when he hit a log. I dont know what to think about that part. He is in the same price bracket. He is out of state by a 4 hour drive so i would really like to see the regal before going.

search continues...

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: 89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

Just picking up on your concerns re draft and the depth of water at your marina - even if the level went down to 4 ft, that would still be plenty! My dock is up a narrow and shallow channel - when moored I have about 12" of depth at the bow, and 24" at the stern. The channel is in the 36" to 48" depth range, and I have no problems navigating it, even with a full load on my 20' Cuddy.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: 89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

You put 4 adults in that Bayliner, and spend the day on the water, and it's about the same as sitting in a car and driving all day - only a rougher ride. I've done that, on Lake Powell, and that sold me on my pontoon.

 

[BuddhaM]

Re: 89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

You put 4 adults in that Bayliner, and spend the day on the water, and it's about the same as sitting in a car and driving all day - only a rougher ride. I've done that, on Lake Powell, and that sold me on my pontoon.

Not sure what you are saying? Are you saying the 19ft Bayliner is a rough ride or you just prefer chillin on a pontoon rather than skiing?

 

[greenbush future]

Re: 89 Regal Sebring vs 95 Bayliner for Purchase

I wouldn't touch either of them without going on a sea trail, followed by a compression check on the motors, inspect and test floors, stringers and transom for rot. Both look nice, but rot hides, and mechanical is difficult to determine "sea worthy" without strong mechanical skills. Take a mechanic and pay him for his opinion or get a professional inspection on Mechanical's if you lack the knowledge, you wont regret that. No impulse buys!!