Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

[EPcaptain]

I've heard that Bayliner is making higher quality boats now than they use to. Someone told me in a certain year or two (1996-97?), they made a concerted effort to improve their quality (while still focusing on being the "Chevy".... lower price point; not a Cadilac- but better quality than they use to be).<br /><br />Does anyone know if this is true and if so what year did they make the shift to improving their quality?<br /><br />THANKS

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Oh-oooh. Bayliner quality discussions normally raise a storm...<br /><br />However, they have (had to) improve their quality along the way. A little here, a little there. At one time one model, at another time other models.<br /><br />I think it is safe to say, that 2000 and later are significantly better than the older boats that represents the majority of problems, often referred to.<br /><br />Still, it is Brunswick's entry level make & model range. The goal is to meet the customers' expectations so if Bayliner does, it's a good value boat (to that particular owner).

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

I think the mid ninties was when the quality started to get a bit better. Other manufactures were offering a superior product at fairly comparable prices. Much the same as what happened to the auto industry during the same time frame. The American cars in the eighties were junk compared to the imports, so the big three had no choice but to improve quality to regain sales that were going to imports. Look at Dodge/Chrysler<br />as an example: In the late eighties, the Mopar brands were about bankrupt due to a horrible product, but look at them now, Quality improvement brought them back into competition.

 

[Bayrider]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

My first Bayliner was a (94) 17ft capri bowrider with a force 70hp outboard.It was very unstable,much like floating in a bath tub.I could not wait to get shot of it,even the kids hated the tub.Then I got hold of a (99)1750 capri with a 3.0L 135hp alpha one. Now this is how a boat of this size should handle.It was like stepping out of a VW Beetle and into a Rolls Royce.The difference was amazing,well at least I think so.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

I thought it was a joke “Bayliner Quality” but I see you are serious so I will stay out of it.

 

[EPcaptain]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Thanks for the replies. <br /><br />I've boated my whole my life and use to be a lake policeman (drove a boat 8 hrs a day for work) and then for fun after work on my own. Currently, I have a '99 20.5 Capri. I've had it for one season and so far am happy with it. When I bought it, I really wanted a used 19' sea ray but just couldn't find one with back to back seating. I eventually settled for the Bayliner to get on back on the water and so far have been happy.<br /><br />I have a buddy who is ready to buy his 1st boat and likes mine. I've been filling him on the reputations and advantages/disadvantages of different brands and wanted to get him some specifics on the Bayliner quality issue since I know the hub bub on that and telling him to look 1st for a Sea Ray. He's running into the same problem I had locating the "perfect used boat." A Bayliner a lot like mine is avail...and may be the one he goes with.<br /><br />Thanks, Jeff

 

[EPcaptain]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

"f_inscreenname"<br />I found your reply humurous....but if you have some factual info. (especially about Capri/ski boat type of Bayliners), please don't "stay out of it." Please, do share.

 

[Bayrider]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Come on f_inscreenname give us humble Bayliners your comments.At the end of the day if the boat floats,performs well,has as much comfort as any car and gets you from A to B and back again then what more can you ask for.

 

[Link]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Hey Jeff<br />Welcome aboard. <br />I've heard in this forum (iboats)that in the mid 90's they made some improvements.<br />You might want to do a google search<br /><br /> http://www.google.com/ and type in bayliner forums<br />The pro's for doing this esp if you have a model and year is that people are pretty open about problems they have had and what they did to correct or improve it.<br />IE: Some of the late 80's capri IOs if you stepped into the boat using the jump seats in the back there was a 50/50 chance you would take a fall as the engine cowling would flex and the seat would fall out. A quick fix was to screw or fiberglass in a 6 inch piece of 2X2 to the floor just inside the cowling on each side and the problem was solved.<br /><br />Just a thought

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

First of all I am not in the habit of knocking any boat (especially if the owner can here me) but when it comes to Bayliner’s past well.. <br /> Grew up on the water and have never been without a boat so I have known many Bayliner owners (my brother is one) over the years. <br />These are the conclusions I have come to; the first is that they are mostly bought by first time buyers (entry level boats) or by boaters that leave it in there backyard more then on the water (not serious boaters). second; I have never seen a “work boat” Bayliner (lobster, crabber or fishing etc) That says a lot to me. To these guys there boat is there life and there boats are not Bayliners. Third; Like said before, my brother owns one (1986 24’) and what piece of junk it is. In any sea over 3 feet it pounds like a drum. Most of the time something in the cabin ends up breaking off or a hatch will jam shut. That to me says there is way to much flex in the hull and you can feel it. Forth; at anchor in a foot or two swell my 19’ Allmand is like standing on my living room floor. My brothers boat always seem to turn itself sideways to the waves and rolls back and forth like a barrel. Talk about a abs machine. After a couple hours fishing on the back of his boat and I hurt for a week. Then there was the time he mounted a fishing chair to the back deck. He did it right with a backing plate under the deck and all. The first time out I was sitting in it while we were under way as we passed another boat. When we hit the other boats wake and I ended up hitting the floor. From my weight (155lbs) the mounting plate ripped through the deck like paper. Then there is the over all cheep appearance (not just his boat, others to) gages that don't work or leak water into them so you cant see them any way.. etc, always under powered (smaller motor and they can sell there boat for less then there peers that have the proper size motor) and then there the reputation about owning a Bayliner around here. When one is seen at the ramp or on the water most will keep well clear of them with the thought of “if they bought a bayliner they don't have clue about what they are doing (I am sure its undeserved but that is the rep. I would rather not have to live down). I remember a couple years back there was a Bayliner that came into the ramp a little fast couldn't get stopped in time and hit another boat doing a couple mph. Well the cops had to be called and the coast guard came and I was asked to hang around in case they needed a witness. While I was there I overheard one of the guys from the guard say to the owner of the struck boat “you can tell he hasn't be at this long he has a Bayliner”. <br /> I really don't know about the newer ones but I couldn't see them still being in business building them the way they used to. Maybe they have gotten better but I don't think you will see many around 30 years later like the boat I have now. It is 32 years old and baring a mishap I am sure I will be able to pass it on to my son 30 years from now. Can you say that about a Bayliner?<br /><br />ps To me boating is not just getting from point a to b but feeling safe that your boat can handle anything thrown at it getting there and back and that is something a Bayliner doesn't do for me. JMHO In bad weather I will put my 32 year boat against your new Bayliner any day.<br /><br />One last thing; Jeff your quote “As a past lake policeman, I've seen plenty of evidence that "It doesn't take brains to buy a boat... only money" and I am sure most of those folks buy those shinny new Bayliners.

 

[ncwest39]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

I dont know if its me or what but the mods close some topics because "THIS IS NOT A PLACE TO BASH PRODUCTS" as they say,while allowing the same product bashing to continue on other posts..Dont get me wrong I think hearing about products good and bad is good and base my purchases on such info and it is sometimes a good way to get things changed.I wasnt all that long ago that STINKY or what ever we called him bought a new boat that leaned to one side.We had over 240 post on that which was very one sided and was not shut down.I would have posted on this frustration of mine eariler but the mods have the last word and close it down.What my point is is lets get consistant on what is allowed.I think maybe I just need to get out on the water.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

What's the problem ncwest39?<br />You just need to know how to say it. Leave out the names and dont start the post with “this f_in peice of sh** so and so. Ask for opinions on the problem and after a couple posts then drop your rant. That way no one is liable. We don't want our “local news worthy” (check dockside chat) iboats shut down do we???

 

[ncwest39]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Message received and noted.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Just curious Jeff...<br /><br />What was the make of the boat you ran as a lake cop?

 

[Bayrider]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

jeff. f_inscreenname gave you his reasons for not liking Bayliners but at the end of the day what is it you want.Do you want a work horse,or a boat you can have some fun in.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Jeff, f-name is just reinforcing the answer to your question, that his brothers 86 b-liner is not so good while the newer models tend to get better reviews on this forum. BTW f-name, isn't Trophy made by bayliner? Also Jeff,I think a persons user ID tells alot about their personality.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Still, it IS a matter of meeting expectations. If your boat of brand xx does, then it is good - to you.<br /><br />Asking for others' oppinions is a different matter and if you're gathering info before making up your mind, the tendency is as clear as ever..<br /><br />Bayliner aims at a certain customer segment - if you fit into it, their products may be right for you - no matter how others feel about it.<br /><br />Don't say you did not get a warning should you some day regret...

 

[BillP]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Maybe 10-12 yrs ago I found a 19' Bayliner outboard abandoned in an off road area next to my house. The floors were rotten but otherwise totally intact. I took a chainsaw to it to see what the insides looked like. I was actually amazed at how much glass and structure the stringers and hull had. The stringers, hull thickness and transom looked like any other production boat you see out there. I've toured Wellcraft, Pursuit, SeaRay and a few other "no name" factories in Florida and using that as a benchmark. <br /><br />The bad parts on the boat were cheap hardware mounted without bedding and they were screwed, not thru bolted with backing plates. The carpet was set down with small staples and contact glue that evidently wasn't too waterproof. Same with the seating. I think they use the cheapest materials to fit the boat out but structurally it wasn't that bad.

 

[RatFish]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

You have to keep things in perspective. I have been boating since the late 70's. I now have a wife and four children. Needless to say, I don't have a lot of extra cash to spend. I have a 12' aluminum boat with a 9.9HP Evinrude but that does not cut it anymore. I didn't have the cash to buy a bigger boat, so I got a second job. I was looking for a "name brand" used boat since the fall of 2003. Every boat that I looked at and made an offer on was sold to someone else. I eventually bought a new 2004 Bayliner 205 (20', 5.0L, back-to-back seats) this past March for $20,995. I looked at a lot of boats and IMHO the Bayliner hull, deck and power plant is just as good as any boat out there. Yes, the hardware is cheap but what do you expect for bargain basement prices. Just replace the bogus hardware with the "good stuff" when it breaks. Most other boats I looked at in this size range were around $25,000 to $28,000. No, I won't crash into other boats or slam into the dock. I'm sorry other people will look down on me. I bought what I could afford. I'm sure my kids won't care when I'm pulling them in their tube and skis. Enough said.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Bayliner Quality - what year improved?

Good luck. I hope it turns out to be the best buy you ever made. I truly mean that. Some people don't like Ford/Chevey/Chrysler because they had a bad past experience. That's just me with Bayliners.