Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

It's carburetor . Hmm... I don't want to be the slowest boat in lake erie I will often have up to 6 adults on board.

The other boat the Regal 8.3m SC Ventura has the Volvo Duo Pro 7.4L (310hp) with 589 hours, freshwater cooled Chevrolet 454 engine.

That makes the regal 100 times more desirable in my book. Should make it more desirable in your book too.

I tried to take a similar vintage/size Bayliner out into the ocean and I had to turn around, it was scary how fragile it felt, the whole deck felt like it was swaying independently of the hull (and it probably was). The boat just wasn't seaworthy, let alone ocean worthy. Just a thought if you plan on being safe in bad weather.

 

[hostage]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Regal is considered one of the top shelves of boats, while Bayliner is on the other end of the spectrum. Some pictures would help and your location as well so we can help you on price. As many have said boats for that age can all depend on how well people have taken care of them, but more often than not chances are the Regal will be better as it is built better, while Bayliner is more for entry level. Entry level is okay, though people who are new to boating, generally aren't as good on upkeep as an experienced boater. If you are paying a lot for the boat, then go w/ a surveyor.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

It's carburetor . Hmm... I don't want to be the slowest boat in lake erie I will often have up to 6 adults on board.

The other boat the Regal 8.3m SC Ventura has the Volvo Duo Pro 7.4L (310hp) with 589 hours, freshwater cooled Chevrolet 454 engine.

Not even close to be much of a choice. 7.4L and a duo-prop! I wouldn't own another boat with a single prop let alone one that size.

And closed cooling!!!!

And not a Bayliner!!!!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Not knocking the Bayliner for anything but its powertrain. Don't do it. Even the Regal is borderline when you talk about carrying six passengers. The only times I've wished I had more power (I have 410 total) is when I have more than 4-5 adults aboard. It isn't about top speed, but about flexibility. With that kind of load I need to keep the speed up to a sometimes uncomfortable level. If I don't, she'll 'bog' and I don't have enough torque to keep her on plane without constantly massaging the throttle.

Be very sure you do a sea trial and try to have a few passengers, a decent load of fuel and a full water tank aboard when you do. May be tough to do, I know.

My .02

 

[antmay]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Thanks all. It really shows how much I know about boat. But I have to start somewhere.

My interest for the Regal has grown ten folds. Just got off the phone with the Regal owner and going to see the boat in an hour. I will report back later.

Thanks

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Glad to see you narrowed it down.

 

[antmay]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Ok, just came back from the Regal Ventura. The engine looks very clean, prop also looks good. All seats in fair condition. But the biggest thing for me is that the cabin is too small.

Well I am going to keep looking.
Once again thanks you all for the advice.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

My cabin is SMALL but it is only used for storage and a place for the ladies (porta-potti). My grandsons play down there too. It gives me much more open deck-- 66 sq ft-- for fishing. The deck is big enough the girls can put 2 lounges out in order to tan.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

funny I have twin 260's for 520 hp and I OFTEN think I'd rather have 4.3's... lighter... plane at lower speed lower top speed means I don't need as much self control to save fuel and honestly, who needs to go 48 mph in a cruiser?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

funny I have twin 260's for 520 hp and I OFTEN think I'd rather have 4.3's... lighter... plane at lower speed lower top speed means I don't need as much self control to save fuel and honestly, who needs to go 48 mph in a cruiser?

Don't get me wrong. My injected 4.3's are very good motors, and work great with my usual load- Linda and I, 75 gallons of fuel and 30 or so gallons of water. I don't think, however, that I'm seeing much if any economy advantage over a pair of V-8's. For comparison purposes...

It's a typical express cruiser low deadrise hull (17 deg at the transom) with a 9.5' beam.
With my usual load I weigh in at app. 8500 lbs.
My top speed is 36-38 mph depending on conditions.
Cruise speed at 3200 rpm is 25-26 mph.
Fuel consumption at cruise is 15-16 gph.
Minimum planing speed in smooth water is 19-20 mph. That's the kicker when the water's choppy (1-2 feet), and those are the usual conditions in my area. I have to keep the speed up around 22 or every 2+ footer will try to knock me off plane. With a half dozen passengers I need 25 mph or better, and THAT can be danged uncomfortable. Luckily that only happens a couple times a season. More torque would be welcome.

 

[antmay]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

1 more question. I know that Bayliner might be on the lower end of the scale and Regal on the higher end. I want to know about other makes so I can know the general feel of reliability. Please rank the following brands/makes.

Regal, Maxum, Rinker, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Chris Craft and lastly Crownline.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

hmm... mine will plane at 15-16 but getting up just takes more throttle than I'd like it to and I have to use a lot of tab and full down trim to hold it.... she is stern heavy IMHO.... where some other boats slowly rise to plane as throttle is increased mine will point at the stars till she is ready to level out on plane.... makes for a good show but isn't as pleasant to just cruise easy..... eventually I plan to get longer tabs in the same width and see what they do ... mine has a 10'3" beam and maybe just a little more deadrise... probably 9500 lbs .... cruise at 3200 is 32-35 mph and top speed is 48 mph

honestly if I had em laying around I'd love to see what it would do with a pair of those old junk 470's...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Maxum=Bayliner. Maxum is the same pig with a little more lipstick on it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Please rank the following brands/makes.

Regal, Maxum, Rinker, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Chris Craft and lastly Crownline.

Thanks,
Anthony

IMHO . . . actual condition of the boat will vary . . . 3 groups . . .

Chris-Craft

Sea Ray
Regal
Crownline

Maxum
Bayliner
Rinker

 

[antmay]

Re: Bayliner or Regal for my first boat

Maxum=Bayliner. Maxum is the same pig with a little more lipstick on it.

Thanks! I like the pig analogy