How much work is REALLY involved???

[Sarabi]

Ok....My husband and I are planning on buying our first boat. It's going to be a new 18' open bow runabout (2001- 1950 Bayliner Capri). How much work is involved in the up keep and maintenence of a boat? Both moneywise and time. Are their fees for launching the boat on lakes and rivers? (We wont be using it on the ocean.) <br />your help is much appreciated! I am so glad I found this forum. Especially the posts about the launching ettiquette. I really dont want to **** anyone off with our inexperience once we get to the water! <br /><br />Thanks! <br /><br />Sarabi

 

[G DANE]

Re: How much work is REALLY involved???

Welcome to the forum.<br /><br />If you plan to have your boat on a trailer, and not to use it in salt water, time and money used for maintenance will be very little. From my experience from my brother in laws Maxum, between 1/2 - 1 hrs after each use, taking the boat on trailer, cleaning it ( do you have kids ! ), flushing a bit and bringing it home. Once every year, i would spend around 1/2 a day, changing oil, impeller and doing maintenance. Thats it. Remember, much of this is pleasure time too. Some places its free to launch it others arnt.<br /><br />Happy boating.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: How much work is REALLY involved???

My last boat was one similar in size you what you are getting. Upkeep was never very much, of course you can spend money like a demon if that is what floats your boat. Keep after the little things. Change the water pump impeller every other year, use quality oil, don't let it sit out in the weather uncovered. Keep it drained with transom plug removed and bow elevated.<br />Don't store wet ski ropes, towell, etc inside the boat. If you don't go throught the gas fast enought put some Sta-Bil in you fuel. A boat this size with two willing people to take care of it will be nothing but pleasure for many years. Don't sweat the little dings you will get, just think of them as reminders of happy times. <br />Don't forget to keep the trailer wheel bearings greased and the lights working. Unplug the lights when you back it into the water. Find a big empty parking lot and practice backing the rig all over the place.

 

[ajp]

Re: How much work is REALLY involved???

A definition<br /><br />"BOAT" - A hole in the water that you pour money into.

 

[Baylinercapriclassic]

Re: How much work is REALLY involved???

Wow, a 1950 Bayliner, this might be an expensive one,LOL, I think this was a misprint....<br /> anyway, I just bought a '93 capri, actually it's a classic, I cant find capri anywhere on it. 1500.00 is what i paid, it cleaned up great and needed a major repair, the previous owner hit some rocks. I am not far from buffing it out and putting on the stripes.There shouldn't be any fees for launching,I never heard of any in Maine, maybe parking for the day. Good luck on the boating adventure! Ross

 

[DJ]

Re: How much work is REALLY involved???

Sarabi,<br /><br />The condition of your boat at resale time is ENTIRELY up to you.<br /><br />I frequently "recondition" boats and make many $$$ on the resale simply because many owners do not make the time to treat them right to begin with. The same holds true for automobiles.<br /><br />I have a passion for boats, and I've only owned two new ones. Both of those sold for their original price, or close to it, because of my care.<br /><br />The boats that I sell are many times, better than new, because I have gone through them and made absolutely sure that everything works and improved, in many instances.<br /><br />Your Bayliner suffers from two maladies.<br /><br />1. The BL is considered to be an "entry level" boat. <br /><br />2. Thus, not many second hand buyers expect much when they buy them. Maintenance is a bad word amongst many new owners.<br /><br />If you keep your Bayliner "CLEAN" and well maintained, you will get a top price.<br /><br />I'm EXTREMELY fussy, I never put a boat to bed without being clean.<br /><br />All in all, you decide, do you like this boating biz? If you do, you'll treat the boat as a treasured asset. If not, you'll neglect it like most folks do with cars and trucks.<br /><br />Some tips.<br /><br />1. Keep meticulous records. Save ALL copies of repairs/maintenance with outside sources.<br /><br />2. Keep the boat covered.<br /><br />3. Keep the boat dry.<br /><br />4. Keep it CLEAN!!!<br /><br />Enjoy!

 

[sho305]

Re: How much work is REALLY involved???

Pay particular attention to the "keep it dry" part. I have a 1985 17' Bayliner here with a rotten transom and floor. I had to strap the motor up for fear of it falling off to get it home! Yes, it will find a home in the landfill unfortunately-after I strip it down. Anyone in looking for a 85hp Force? Runs good...<br /><br />Like they said: keep it clean, dry, and maintained and it will be no worse than any other RV. Boats do tend to keep value much better if above is done however.

 

[Sarabi]

Re: How much work is REALLY involved???

thanks for the responses guys! You dont know how much us newbies appreciate your advice!