HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

[tazrig]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

I need to find someone locally that i can take along to come with me. Im the first in my family to own a boat so all the information i can get is appreciated..

This is a much better looking boat than the Capri for a number of reasons. Most importantly the seller says he has "records" meaning what work has been done to the boat. That is invaluable as it shows if the seller really did take care of it the way he was supposed to. Also it was kept in a dry heated garage and it shows. (much less chance of floor rot) You might want to check the local phone book or google a marine surveyor in the area and see what they would charge to go over the boat for you. For that size and type boat I can't imagine it costing you more than $100-200. Worth the price in gold as you don't know anyone you can bring along who really knows about boats and what to look for.

Originally Posted by jigngrub
4 year old gas and 2 stroke oil.

4 year old fuel filter needs replacing.

Gummed up carbs from sitting so long need to be rebuilt.

Fuel pump replacement.

I wouldn't trust the motor to take it very far from the dock until the carbs were rebuilt and the fuel pump was replaced.

Change lower unit fluid and check for a milky color and metal shavings.

Even if the boat is in exceptional shape, plan on having to do at least the above listed maintenance items and spending $300-400 to get it done.

 

[1FASTLASER]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

Just got through reading all the posts and GREAT information that several of the board members have given you bearsaliday. I normally dont bash anyones boat intentionally but when it comes to bayliners ESPECIALLY when its the older ones I try to put it as nicely as possible so I dont hurt anyones feelings but "PROCEED WITH CAUTION" when it comes to bayliners. They where mass produced and care was NOT taken when they where built. PLEASE take the advice of the board members that have given it to you. This being your first boat you really need to do your homework....research,research and did I say research before you drop that hard earned coin and buy something that you will regret.
The Glastron looks a helluva lot better....it is a better built boat....AND has an engine that is pretty straight forward and with a minumum of outboard skills can be made to run very well AND there is alot of parts available for the engine in the case it needs repair. That particular engine is a great engine and really is not known for any major repeat problems. Again I hope I havent stepped on anyones toes when I speak of Bayliners....the old ones where just not that good ....the newer ones are a different animal and Bayliner did in fact address several issues.
Have a compression check on the engine if you decide to further pursue this one. That will give you a good baseline on the condition of the engine and whether or not it is actually as good a buy as it looks. Jigngrub,Tazrig and JBcurt00 have given you VERY GOOD SOUND advice..they know what they are saying.

 

[aspeck]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

The Glastron looks sweet and well taken care of. However, you still need to look very closely. Make sure you find a friend with boat and mechanic knowledge to go look at the boat with you. Let them do the looking and talking initially. DO NOT FALL IN LOVE before checking her out closely and negotiating. IF the boat is everything it appears to be, you already have a list of things you will need to do to her ... clean out tank, rebuild carbs, new fuel pump, lower unit grease, etc. Use that as your negotiating tool to get a couple hundred off the price so you will be under $2K when you are ready to hit the water. And if you do buy her, don't forget the insurance ... accidents do happen on the water and insurance is cheap.

 

[mxcobra]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

that glastron looks nice if I lived their, it would already be home with me. but then again I do jump first then look
and yeah I pawned my motorcycle to get my boat!!! fell in love with a pic. ( i dont say bayliner any more) becouse the only thing bayliner about my boat now is the sticker i left on the window its now my boat...
When I found it to be rotted and unuasable it was crushing.!after going into dept to get her. So for the next 1.5 years I did nothing but work on her.. all weekend long and most nights.
Every week after feeding my family and paying bills I would take the 50 or 75 bucks that was left and buy parts...
During the procsess it was heart renching but when it was finally done joy o joy yes i spent every last doller I had and every last min. I had. BUT I LEARNED SO MUCH!!!!! more then just boat building learned stuff about myself and life....
wouldnt trade the experince for anything...

 

[tazrig]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

The Glastron looks sweet and well taken care of. However, you still need to look very closely. Make sure you find a friend with boat and mechanic knowledge to go look at the boat with you. Let them do the looking and talking initially. DO NOT FALL IN LOVE before checking her out closely and negotiating. IF the boat is everything it appears to be, you already have a list of things you will need to do to her ... clean out tank, rebuild carbs, new fuel pump, lower unit grease, etc. Use that as your negotiating tool to get a couple hundred off the price so you will be under $2K when you are ready to hit the water. And if you do buy her, don't forget the insurance ... accidents do happen on the water and insurance is cheap.

Great advice! Another thing to seriously consider (should be mandatory if you haven't all ready done so) is taking a good boating safety course. Navigating a boat is a lot different than driving a car. There are many things you need to know about ranging from safety to navigation, rules of the road, How to safely tow, launch and dock your boat, handle emergencies etc. Some courses are free online such as:


Boat Ed - Boating Safety Course and Exam - Official Boat License and Boater Safety Test


and some require attendance such as those put on by your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary:


http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boating_safety_courses_.aspx


However you do it, just make sure you do it. I've been boating for 40+ years and I still take an online course every so often just to brush up.

 

[bearsallday]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

I just found this one. Seems like a good boat. Check it out and let me know. This one is a bit closer to me
Galaxie Boat (Cary / Crystal Lake)

 

[tazrig]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

I think I like the Glastron better. It seems to be a more substantial boat and the seller has service records to go with it + it has always been garaged and 70 Evinrude will be cheaper and easier to service than the 115 Mercury. What was he asking for the Galaxy?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

Looks like the front deck between the seats has been double decked to cover a soft spot. You can see the difference in deck height at the bottom of the W/T conlsoles.

The new vinyl and carpet are probably just lip stick on a pig for a quick sale.

That deck isn't supposed to be like that

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

To add to Jig's concerns:

The center section of the W/S has been removed, a sign that it didn't align properly, and partially account for the mismatch heights of the consoles.

The 115 is likely, IMHO, overpowering that 16' hull, and I suspect that anyone that has metal mulisha, go skate & a Fox sticker plus a pylon on their overpowered 115Merc boat, likely ran the 115 & the boat hard, very hard...

May have taken care of it, but other signs make it seem maybe not.

Again, start going to see some boats. NOTHING you read or see online will wholly prep you to go look at 1 or 2 & buy 1 of them. In this respect it is much like buying a car. Until you sit in it, hear the motor, engage the transmission, and put your hands on it, it's almost impossible to make an informed decision w/out seeing some examples in person... Both good & bad.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

In case you're wondering what would a little soft spot in the deck hurt, you can read this thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/first-attempt-boat-repair-579280.html

It's not just the soft spot, but what the water that has gone through the soft has done to the boats below deck structure.

I agree with Taz that the Glasstron is probably the better/best boat you've come up with.

I also agree with JBC that the Galaxy has probably had the dog snot run out of it.

 

[bearsallday]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

I think I like the Glastron better. It seems to be a more substantial boat and the seller has service records to go with it + it has always been garaged and 70 Evinrude will be cheaper and easier to service than the 115 Mercury. What was he asking for the Galaxy?

Yeah definently is a better boat and for the galaxy he wants 2200
Said the boat and trailer are in very good condition

 

[bearsallday]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

You guys are awesome i will be taking a trip to go see both boats in the next month and will be keeping this thread updated as i go along. Thanks again fellas

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

I bought a boat for 2300 tbat needs complete rebuilding, basically because I fell in love with the shape and look of the boat, and the 4.3, power steering, and wake tower. I thought it was water ready and I liked it so much I overlooked a few things. Now I have to spend 1500 to get it safe and water ready, not counting the normal maintenance issues. Wasn't a great decision, don't do the same thing! That being said, I love the boat and what it will be, but could I have done better for less work and equal money? Yeah. Now I'm worried about having it ready for summer. If I had not recently sold a camper I'd be in a tough spot.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

I bought a boat for 2300 tbat needs complete rebuilding, basically because I fell in love with the shape and look of the boat, and the 4.3, power steering, and wake tower. I thought it was water ready and I liked it so much I overlooked a few things. Now I have to spend 1500 to get it safe and water ready, not counting the normal maintenance issues. Wasn't a great decision, don't do the same thing! That being said, I love the boat and what it will be, but could I have done better for less work and equal money? Yeah. Now I'm worried about having it ready for summer. If I had not recently sold a camper I'd be in a tough spot.

You forgot to mention that was the second one in a row in less than a year you bought like that... but we won't say anything about that.:laugh:

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

You forgot to mention that was the second one in a row in less than a year you bought like that... but we won't say anything about that.:laugh:

Thanks for that . The first one costed next to nothing though.

Be careful the floor can be patched in such a way it will seem to be good. Especially when carpeted.

 

[bearsallday]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

The boat is in a different state and im sure it was registered theee before is there anything different i have to do?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

You need to check w/ whatever dept handles boats, motors & trailers in Michigan. Some states use Fish & Wildlife for boats & motors, but DMV for trailers.

Michigan likely has different regs then Wisconsin (right?), so you need to KNOW what the current owner SHOULD have for paperwork, before you go to see the boat. Probably should confirm the paperwork is in order before you drive more then an hour each way.

Some states are more difficult then others.

EDIT: wrong state for the Glastron..........

 

[tazrig]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

You need to check w/ whatever dept handles boats, motors & trailers in Michigan. Some states use Fish & Wildlife for boats & motors, but DMV for trailers.

Indiana likely has different regs, Wisconsin (right?), so you need to KNOW what the current owner SHOULD have for paperwork, before you go to see the boat. Probably should confirm the paperwork is in order before you drive more then an hour each way.

Some states are more difficult then others.


Listen to Jbcurt! Make sure the seller has clean title to both the boat and trailer. Don't forget to find out about all the fees and taxes you'll be paying if you buy a boat and trailer and remember to budget for them such as sales tax for both, registration (the boat must be registered in the state in which it is being primarily used just like a car) for both and insurance on at least the boat. They can add up.

 

[bearsallday]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

Is it safe to tow that glastron with my 98 durango 5.9L slt?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: HELP! buying my fist 89 bayliner capri

Is it safe to tow that glastron with my 98 durango 5.9L slt?

Oh yeah.