Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

[edu01jose]

I'm going to go see a 22' bayliner tomorrow.
It's from 1988, the person has to leave to USA and is selling all his rigs.

Has a 125HP Evinrude and trailer.
What should I look for? How do I find soft spot? What about the motor, what should I look at when he starts it?
Thanks!

 

[444]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

A 22' bayliner with a 125hp, wow that boat has to be a dog on the water! That's a lot of boat for only a 125, I hope you're happy with the idea of a 30mph top speed.

Motor should start up easy. A guy who owns his boat knows how to start it up. If he takes a lot of cranking to get it going, I'd be skeptical. It should shift into forward and reverse nicely. Take a look at the transom area, if it looks squished around where the bolts for the motor go through, that's an indication of transom not being in the best of shape. You will have to feel around on your hands and knees for soft spots on the floor and stick your head into the bilge area.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

You've posed a great question and a difficult one to answer. If the price tag is high I'd take someone with you as a second set of eyes. If the price tag is low, I'd think twice unless you're ready to become a permanent iBoater who learns quickly what the 4 letters in the word boat really stand for.

Here's my thoughts. If by rigs, you mean boats then this person has more than one and probably knows the value of them down to the last dime. They should be close to book if they're worth a darn. The person is leaving the USA so you won't have any recourse if you find out you've been ripped off. I'd find another boat, there are plenty of them out there, just be patient.

I think the odds are stacked against you on this one but you never know, you might have just come across a gem.

Kind of a wishy washy answer I know but it's really hard to buy the right boat without ever having torn one apart.

Marine loans are available now and a new boat can actually end up being a better decision for the non experienced.

 

[sstumpf]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

ya to me that is not enough motor for that boat. my 21' stratos fish and ski boat which is not as big and heavy as that boat has a 200hp motor on it.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

"I'd think twice unless you're ready to become a permanent iBoater who learns quickly what the 4 letters in the word boat really stand for."

He is referring to "Break Out Another Thousand" or you could also end up falling under the group of "Broke Old And Tired" or "Buy Old And Transform"

All 3 happen to people here on Iboats

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

Yeah, all that was said above and I'd also pay attention to the deck fittings (cleats, rails, rail fittings, etc...) Being a Bayliner, they are prolly made out of coated zinc and might be rotten, also make sure all the gages work. Personally I'd pass though, it's gonna be really underpowered. A boat that size should have atleast a 150 imo.

Art

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

As a former Bayliner owner of one made from the 80s, I would skip this Bayliner.

 

[jjacobs007]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

never buy a boat unless you see and run it in the water,unless its only like 200.00

 

[NYBo]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

Bayliner didn't make a 22-footer with an outboard. Their largest outboard model in '88 was 19', available in either bowrider or cuddy versions. Maximum HP on either is 125. So something is wrong here. Either it's not a 22' or it's been converted from I/O to outboard.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

Bayliner didn't make a 22-footer with an outboard.

Probably a Trophy. They made a 21' with outboard.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

what's the price the seller was looking to get for the boat?

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

well didn't go today to see it since there were thunderstorms and I want to test the boat before buying it of course.
So far things I'm going to look for are:
Paint
Water Lines
Rust
Soft Spots
Steering
Hatches
Smell
Handrails
Transom

Engine:
Propeller wobble
Belt wear
Oil level, smell and color
Transmission f/r shift


Questions:
How long has it been sitting?


Price he is asking: 4500 OBO

Only have 1 picture:

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

for 4500 get a marine inspector. for me any thing for 2k i would get a marine inspector

 

[mikel1291979]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

The OP is saying the current owner is leaving to go to the United States. He is in Puerto Rico. From what I have heard all boats are expensive there.
The boat will be underpowered, but no dangeriously so. Don't expect much performance, but if you don't care about that then it's a non issue. Walk every inch of the deck to check for soft spots. Any time you feel the floor sag or bend you have a soft spot. Bring a small mallet and lightly hit the outside of the boat and the transom. Listen for any hollow sounds. Of course if you make a big hole with the hammer you may be in some trouble so tread lightly.
When the boat is running shift the motor into gear and watch the motor. Some motor jump is ok, but if there is extreme movement the transom could be flexing. If that's the case you may end up replacing the transom soon. Good luck. Bayliners have bad reps, but my 86 bayliner never let me down.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

Thanks for the replies. This is why I like forums


Anyone can tell if it's a 21' trophy?


How was the handling on your 86 mikel?
Thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

This is from nadaguides.com

TOTAL PRICE $16,135 (retail) $2,690 (Average used retail) $2,980 (Average High retail)

If it passes all the scrutiny I would make my first offer $2000 and you can go up from there.

Based on what you intend to check....... you need to take another boater with you.

You stated

Paint (No paint but probably gel coated)
Water Lines (What water lines)
Rust
Soft Spots
Steering
Hatches
Smell
Handrails
Transom (Needs careful checking!)

Engine:
Propeller wobble
Belt wear (WHAT BELT??)
Oil level, smell and color (WHAT OIL???)
Transmission f/r shift

125 is the Max HP on that boat.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

This is from nadaguides.com

TOTAL PRICE $16,135 (retail) $2,690 (Average used retail) $2,980 (Average High retail)

If it passes all the scrutiny I would make my first offer $2000 and you can go up from there.

Based on what you intend to check....... you need to take another boater with you.

You stated

Paint (No paint but probably gel coated)
Water Lines (What water lines)
Rust
Soft Spots
Steering
Hatches
Smell
Handrails
Transom (Needs careful checking!)

Engine:
Propeller wobble
Belt wear (WHAT BELT??)
Oil level, smell and color (WHAT OIL???)
Transmission f/r shift

125 is the Max HP on that boat.

Thanks for the reply:

Water lines- The lines indicates that water has been stuck there and could lead to it getting into the wood which is no good at all.

Remove the oil stick from the engine to check the oil

Drive belt is what I mean

I'll offer the 2000 you say, he may just close the door on my face but it's worth to offer and we can negotiate from there.

I'll take your advice

BTW: here's the link to nada:
http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/198...iberglass-8-1-125-Gasoline/Standard-Equipment

I see they also made a version with 2 125 HP engines. Would be a lot better with those

 

[NYBo]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

No dipstick in a 2-stroke outboard, nor a drivebelt.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

No dipstick in a 2-stroke outboard, nor a drivebelt.

Was thinking of car motors lol.
Thanks. Guess those are out of the list.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Gonna see a boat tomorrow, what to look for?

Probably a Trophy. They made a 21' with outboard.

Yep, certainly could be. Forgot about those; '88 was well before the Trophy brand was sold off. :redface:

Bayliner hulls of that era, for all their other faults, were lighter than others in their size class. A 125 would probably top out around 40 MPH with the right prop. This is assuming the boat is a Trophy 21' and not some butchered 22' Ciera.