ecommboatguy
Recruit
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2021
- Messages
- 3
Hi guys,
First rodeo here buying a boat. I have read the thread about first time buyer buying a new boat so thank you for that. I have been interested in buying a boat for 2 years now and am finally in a position to do so. I am buying a boat in Florida that I can stay on from time to time (2-3 weeks at a time). I'm looking at a Bayliner 265. I know Bayliner doesn't have the best reputation however it is in my budget and the two I am looking at appear to be in good shape. It seems to be a good boat for a first timer at an entry level price point for me. At this point - I'm quite set on one of these two boats as I want a cruiser that has a nice cabin with room for me to have a guest or two onboard. Both have Mercruiser engines - the 2002 being a 5.7L and the 2003 being a 5.0L. Anyone have any thoughts as to which would be the more ideal engine?
The 2002 - $25k:
Link: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2002-bayliner-2655-ciera-sunbridge-8097234/
The owner has barely used the boat. Has very low hours and has been in freshwater (GA) for the large duration of its life. Currently dry stored at a marina in FL. Owner always used a captain. There is no hour reading but the dealer stated that the boat has very few hours and the engine did look like new. The hull looks to be in fair shape however there was a bit of a crack on the upper section of the hull on the starboard side (well above the water line). See attached. The thread about buying a new boat mentioned to look at the hull first and for spidering. As you can see - there is some around this little crack - however the boat did not have much spidering aside from this section. The dealer said we could have this fixed quite easily in terms of the crack - do you guys think it is a huge issue? This is the only crack. I think at this price point - I have to accept that the boat will not be perfect. No boat is for that matter so I get that.
I really like this boat. It is in good shape as you can see from the listing. The listing has a ton of pictures and a video which I felt was helpful. I then drove down to Tampa last night to look at the boat and really liked it. Next step would be getting a thorough inspection by a mechanic next week, getting the boat in the water and firing it up to see how it runs. The storage situation seems good as it is only about $400 to store the boat at the marina and can have it put in the water for me whenever I want. I was thinking I could leave it at the current marina for next 2-3 months just while I learn the ropes. I'm quite mobile so I'm flexible in terms of my location.
Dealer wanted me to see boat before putting deposit just to make sure I was comfortable with it.
The 2003 - $15k:
Link: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2003-bayliner-265-ciera-8073206/
Same boat - just a 2003. It is a Mercruiser 5.0 engine. The boat looks to be a bit more used than the above boat. The pictures in the listing are quite limited. I am set to go see it today over on the Atlantic side of FL. I am really committed right now so have been driving around the state making sure I explore my options and make an informed decision.
The upholstery appears to be a bit more worn but the dealer did Facetime me yesterday and it appeared to be in better shape than I thought. The cockpit paneling is cracked and the steering wheel are clearly more used than the 2002. This boat has been in salt water the duration of its life (whereas the 2002 has been in freshwater and I think it shows).
The boat is on stacks right now but if I were to buy - they want the boat off the lot within days so there is more pressure to find a place to put the boat with this situation. They are willing to rent me a wet slip for $930 per month which I feel is a bit high. I almost feel the $400 per month is a better situation as I can have the boat in the water when I want and have it stacked when I am not using it - even just for the next few months. With the $930 wet slip I just feel it's more of a commitment and a higher price - although it is month to month. I just think the $400/month dry storage situation fits better for the next few months while I figure out a more permanent slip location here in FL.
The dealer has been wanting me to put a deposit on it before seeing the boat just to secure it. I have not done so as I felt I was going to go see it in the next day or two anyways.
Price: I will likely be able to get the 2002 for about $20k (it is listed for $25k). I will likely have to pay the list price for the 2003 at $15k.
I'm trying to decide which boat is better given this situation. I know both boats will require some loving. I feel like the 2002 is just in a bit better condition on the outside - however I dont like that crack and I dont love how it doesnt have an engine hour reading - although visually you can tell the engine looks to be used very minimally.
Any ideas or suggestions? Again - I'm set on one of these two boats and this is something I've been wanting to do for a few years now - so buying a boat is happening for me - just a matter of which one and trying to make the best decision now that I am committed to the idea.
Thank you very much for your time.
First rodeo here buying a boat. I have read the thread about first time buyer buying a new boat so thank you for that. I have been interested in buying a boat for 2 years now and am finally in a position to do so. I am buying a boat in Florida that I can stay on from time to time (2-3 weeks at a time). I'm looking at a Bayliner 265. I know Bayliner doesn't have the best reputation however it is in my budget and the two I am looking at appear to be in good shape. It seems to be a good boat for a first timer at an entry level price point for me. At this point - I'm quite set on one of these two boats as I want a cruiser that has a nice cabin with room for me to have a guest or two onboard. Both have Mercruiser engines - the 2002 being a 5.7L and the 2003 being a 5.0L. Anyone have any thoughts as to which would be the more ideal engine?
The 2002 - $25k:
Link: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2002-bayliner-2655-ciera-sunbridge-8097234/
The owner has barely used the boat. Has very low hours and has been in freshwater (GA) for the large duration of its life. Currently dry stored at a marina in FL. Owner always used a captain. There is no hour reading but the dealer stated that the boat has very few hours and the engine did look like new. The hull looks to be in fair shape however there was a bit of a crack on the upper section of the hull on the starboard side (well above the water line). See attached. The thread about buying a new boat mentioned to look at the hull first and for spidering. As you can see - there is some around this little crack - however the boat did not have much spidering aside from this section. The dealer said we could have this fixed quite easily in terms of the crack - do you guys think it is a huge issue? This is the only crack. I think at this price point - I have to accept that the boat will not be perfect. No boat is for that matter so I get that.
I really like this boat. It is in good shape as you can see from the listing. The listing has a ton of pictures and a video which I felt was helpful. I then drove down to Tampa last night to look at the boat and really liked it. Next step would be getting a thorough inspection by a mechanic next week, getting the boat in the water and firing it up to see how it runs. The storage situation seems good as it is only about $400 to store the boat at the marina and can have it put in the water for me whenever I want. I was thinking I could leave it at the current marina for next 2-3 months just while I learn the ropes. I'm quite mobile so I'm flexible in terms of my location.
Dealer wanted me to see boat before putting deposit just to make sure I was comfortable with it.
The 2003 - $15k:
Link: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2003-bayliner-265-ciera-8073206/
Same boat - just a 2003. It is a Mercruiser 5.0 engine. The boat looks to be a bit more used than the above boat. The pictures in the listing are quite limited. I am set to go see it today over on the Atlantic side of FL. I am really committed right now so have been driving around the state making sure I explore my options and make an informed decision.
The upholstery appears to be a bit more worn but the dealer did Facetime me yesterday and it appeared to be in better shape than I thought. The cockpit paneling is cracked and the steering wheel are clearly more used than the 2002. This boat has been in salt water the duration of its life (whereas the 2002 has been in freshwater and I think it shows).
The boat is on stacks right now but if I were to buy - they want the boat off the lot within days so there is more pressure to find a place to put the boat with this situation. They are willing to rent me a wet slip for $930 per month which I feel is a bit high. I almost feel the $400 per month is a better situation as I can have the boat in the water when I want and have it stacked when I am not using it - even just for the next few months. With the $930 wet slip I just feel it's more of a commitment and a higher price - although it is month to month. I just think the $400/month dry storage situation fits better for the next few months while I figure out a more permanent slip location here in FL.
The dealer has been wanting me to put a deposit on it before seeing the boat just to secure it. I have not done so as I felt I was going to go see it in the next day or two anyways.
Price: I will likely be able to get the 2002 for about $20k (it is listed for $25k). I will likely have to pay the list price for the 2003 at $15k.
I'm trying to decide which boat is better given this situation. I know both boats will require some loving. I feel like the 2002 is just in a bit better condition on the outside - however I dont like that crack and I dont love how it doesnt have an engine hour reading - although visually you can tell the engine looks to be used very minimally.
Any ideas or suggestions? Again - I'm set on one of these two boats and this is something I've been wanting to do for a few years now - so buying a boat is happening for me - just a matter of which one and trying to make the best decision now that I am committed to the idea.
Thank you very much for your time.
