Am I getting a good deal?

[tdodge1988]

Good morning all, first time poster here. I've owned various PWC's over the years but am now looking at a boat for the family to go out and enjoy on the water 1-2 times a month. I've read the sticky about buyers checklist but I just want to hear other opinions. I am going to look at a 1990 Bayliner Capri 1850 BR today. The engine is the Mercury 3.0 and only has about 280 hours on it. Cosmetically it appears to be in great shape for its age. The seller is including 6 life vests, a full snap on cover, a trailer, 2 anchors, bumpers, dock ropes, and flush kit attachment. He is asking $8,500 for it all. To me, that seems a little high, even if the boat is in pristine condition. The seller says he has all of the maintenance records for it and that the carb was just rebuilt and steering tuned recently also. He replaced the impeller, bilge pump, and battery this year. It also has new Bluetooth radio with 4 speakers. He says the only issue is that the prop is dinged.

I appreciate all the feedback and help and am willing to answer any questions. I just want a good deal for me and my kids and wife. I am leaving in about 4 hours to go see this boat, sorry for the last minute post. Thank you in advance!

 

[Chris1956]

I also think the price is high. Also, since you are new to the boating world, I would advise you get something newer.

A 3.0 MerCruiser is marginal for that boat, but will get you 32-35MPH with a normal load, I would think. Bayliners were bare bones boats. That motor is also entry level, but reliable.

The most important thing is the condition of the hull and then the motor. Luckily, aftermarket outdrives are available for $2K or so, if that one is bad.

Check the floor for softspots carefully. Look over the cushions, as most vinyl from that era would be bad, unless garage-kept.

I would presume that this is a fresh water boat? If not the engine exhaust riser and manifold, would have needed replacement a couple of times.

best of luck

 

[Chris51280]

Way to high. The boat is 30 years old and from what I can tell, the wood deteriorates due to moisture and water intrusion. It is a boat. Bayliners are known to be build with less fiberglass and encapsulation.
If you look around, you will find at least a 10 year younger boat for this price. Boat is maybe worth 2000-3000 since the mechanicals seem to be ok. Now, if you need to rebuild the deck and stringers and transom, add another 2000-3000 and you have a decent boat.

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

Holy cow . . . $8500 for a 30 year old Bayliner :facepalm: :faint2:

Value is based on comparison . . . so what have you compared this boat to?

NADA comes up at about $3,100 for that boat . . . call it $4,000 in very good condition.

The engine hours don't make sense, or indicate very little use. (9 hours per year? :noidea: )

While demand for used boats has been high the past couple of years, and particularly high with the COVID pandemic, that pricing is way out of whack, it seems. I suggest you do some more research about boats and the boat market.

 

[tdodge1988]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

Holy cow . . . $8500 for a 30 year old Bayliner :facepalm: :faint2:

Value is based on comparison . . . so what have you compared this boat to?

NADA comes up at about $3,100 for that boat . . . call it $4,000 in very good condition.

The engine hours don't make sense, or indicate very little use. (9 hours per year? :noidea: )

While demand for used boats has been high the past couple of years, and particularly high with the COVID pandemic, that pricing is way out of whack, it seems. I suggest you do some more research about boats and the boat market.

That's why I am hear man, LOL!

I already know the price is high. What do you think all of that is worth? Should I offer him 50% of what hes asking? I don't want to **** him off but I cant get screwed either. Yes the ad says it was in storage for several years but is now "100% water ready".

 

[tpenfield]

I would call the guy up and tell him you have an ear ache (or something) and won't be able to make it today.

If you do go, then just be a tire kicker and come home and find some more boats to LOOK at. Not worth haggling over an asking price that is 2X the boat's value.

How many boats have you looked at prior to this one?

 

[jebby]

hes easily double what he should be (likely more) if its not rotten (old bayliners are known for it). if its rotting its worth 1000 bucks foir the motor, drive and trailer.

to give you a heads up, the boat in my sig (1992 chaparral 2050) has the 4.3 and was just bought for less than that in Canadian funds this spring...... with purchase, paying shop rate to have a mechanic go through everything AND changing the gimble bearing, throttle cable and bellows, im still in it for less than that.



dont buy anything without a water test.......... trust me i just finished shopping for old, affortable boats. i looked at A LOT. only 3 made it as far as a water test. several took me all of 20 seconds to walk away from.

 

[H20Rat]

WAAAAY too expensive for that boat.

Any pictures of it you can post on here or a link to the ad?

 

[Carl1783]

Way too much. $4-5k tops. Post pics or the ad on here.

 

[ZacUSNYR]

I feel like you can find 10 year old 18' Bayliners for that around here.

 

[briangcc]

That was probably close to sticker price in the 90's. I'd say dreamer and offer less.

As for the motor, it may be perfectly fine in that boat. Specs I can find say 18' length 7' beam. This isn't a large boat so unless you're a speed demon it may be a very good first boat. Condition would be key here.


**Pretty sure my '99 1800LS stickered at 10k so that's what I'm basing my comments off..

 

[Scott Danforth]

I already know the price is high. What do you think all of that is worth?

a 1990 bayliner with a 3.0 that has sat for a long time...... offer him $500 because you can sell the stereo for $80, the trailer for $200 and the motor and drive for $300 after you spend $80 to scrap the hull.

that is a 31 year old bayliner that was made right in the middle of the years when these things were rotting on the dealer floors......

the reason it sat is the stringers and transom are most likely rotten (we have never seen a mid 80's to 90's bayliner in the forums that didnt have rot)

 

[Leardriver]

My neighbors just bought a decent 1997 Sea Ray 210 Signature with a 5.7 EFI for $7500.
There's a saying that you can't give away a boat after the Fourth of July. Boats are going to sell for 30% less starting soon.

 

[southkogs]

Dad bought the Bayliner that I'm running in 2003 brand new for somewhere around $10k. That one is definitely high. Do some more lookin' in your area. And the guys are right ... next week, boat prices should start shifting some.

 

[tpenfield]

Yes, according to NADA, the original MSRP was about $9,500. I wish I could sell my boat for close to what it cost new

We have not gotten word back from tdodge1988 Just wondering if he went to see the boat after all our words of encouragement

 

[CaptainSteveo]

Good morning all, first time poster here. I've owned various PWC's over the years but am now looking at a boat for the family to go out and enjoy on the water 1-2 times a month. I've read the sticky about buyers checklist but I just want to hear other opinions. I am going to look at a 1990 Bayliner Capri 1850 BR today. The engine is the Mercury 3.0 and only has about 280 hours on it. Cosmetically it appears to be in great shape for its age. The seller is including 6 life vests, a full snap on cover, a trailer, 2 anchors, bumpers, dock ropes, and flush kit attachment. He is asking $8,500 for it all. To me, that seems a little high, even if the boat is in pristine condition. The seller says he has all of the maintenance records for it and that the carb was just rebuilt and steering tuned recently also. He replaced the impeller, bilge pump, and battery this year. It also has new Bluetooth radio with 4 speakers. He says the only issue is that the prop is dinged.

I appreciate all the feedback and help and am willing to answer any questions. I just want a good deal for me and my kids and wife. I am leaving in about 4 hours to go see this boat, sorry for the last minute post. Thank you in advance!

O.O

Wow, that seems very high for a 30 year old boat. You should be able to find something 15 to 20 years old in that price range.

Trouble with a 30 year old Bayliner is deck, stringers and transome are all wood. Would be likely some of it has started rotting. Another red flag is a boat that old with so few hours. Not good for a boat to sit unused.

I had a bayliner that old and found in great condition they are typically a $2000 boat.

 

[Tassie 1]

My brother has the same boat/ motor although l " think " his is a later year, maybe late 90's early 2000's

Had it around 8-10 yrs
Been kept undercover for all that time,
he has only ever used it in freshwater,

PO used it in salt,
( my brother really, really wanted THIS boat, drove across three states to get it...l love him but that is weird )

Hasn't had any major thing go wrong,
only really been used in the OZ summer,

Uses it for wakeboarding/ water ski-skiing,

has very low hours on it, apparently...
he seemed happy with it but it is apparently going to be sold, in a settlement...otherwise

 

[tdodge1988]

Thanks for all the replies! I told the guy between research, reading the forums, and comparisons to what the boat is selling for other places, I could not give him 8500. I asked him his rock bottom price and was told 7250. I was going to offer him 5k at the most only because everything (by the pictures) was in pristine condition. It appears he put a decent amount of money into it recently. So needless to say I am still looking.

 

[jebby]

holy cow, hes crazy. good on you. lots out there.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Thanks for all the replies! I told the guy between research, reading the forums, and comparisons to what the boat is selling for other places, I could not give him 8500. I asked him his rock bottom price and was told 7250. I was going to offer him 5k at the most only because everything (by the pictures) was in pristine condition. It appears he put a decent amount of money into it recently. So needless to say I am still looking.

find a different boat. that boat isnt worth $7250

its not worth $2075

its worth less than $2 if its perfect, however I guarantee that unless it has been restored, it will need a restoration.