I want a Bayliner!!!

[dmcb]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

I am new here, first post, but this thread caught my eye.
It is nice to see a discussion on the good and bad of Bayliners without the uninformed bashing that seems to go on other places.
I have been boating for over 50 years and have owned more boats than I can easily remember. From a flat bottom row boat with twin screws (3.5 and 5 hp outboards) to a 46' Chris with about everything in between.
Here is my Bayliner experience.
1989 2755 purchased new. Had it for 14 or 15 years.
There was a recall on the shift cable but I had nothing but one outdrive seal that was replaced after about 12 years.
It never had a warranty problem. Boat was used in fresh water both in Michigan and later Florida. Never in salt.
1994 2655. Puchased in Florida but not used in salt.
The only warranty problem was one dash switch that didn't work. Not sure how long I had that one. About 7 or so years. No breakdowns of anything.
1985 2850. Twin Volvos. Purchased in 2000. I did extensive upgrading with new frig cushions and so on.
Basic boat was and still is very good. Engines and outdrives still going with no issues in the 7 years I have owned it. Bought it in Michigan and took it to Florida when I upgraded in Mich. Still have it. It looks good and runs good.
1987 3870 Motoryacht. Bought it 2 year ago. I have two seasons on it here in Michigan. I did some upgrading like new frig (old one was still working), new cabin lights, new electronics, and so on.
The mechanical equipment has been perfect with no problems at all.
The hull cleaned up like new. A surveyor with no connection to me just happened to see it and remarked how nice the hull looked. Nice to hear on a 20 year old boat.
There was one leak on a window and I found the track to be plugged and when cleaned, no leak.
As an aside I ran at trawler speeds this summer on mostly one engine. 401 miles on 95.4 gal. of diesel.
Not bad for a 38' boat.
So my conclusion is a Bayliner is a very good purchase.
The faucets and things like that may not be in a class with some but you are not paying for it either.
These things can be upgraded but you didn't pay a huge sum for a name that has no value except perhaps clubhouse value.
I can tell you the hull is solid, lots of glass, and not cored from what I have seen.
The drive and engine is the same as many boats so that is not an issue.
I believe I read Bayliner now has a lifetime hull warranty.
It isn't the only boat and a smart buyer will explore all options. But paying for a name will not get you a better value for your money.
Just my opinion.
On edit, I might mention I do all my own maintenance and my boats do get maintained.
Doug

 

[crabby_bob]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

QC doesn't work for, or paid by, iboats or Bayliner. He was chosen to independently review the new offerings.

If you've read any of QC's posts you'd know that he tells it like it is.

I don't know if this was in response to my post but it wasn't directed toward QC.

 

[tmh]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

Interesting thread, as was the previous Bayliner test drive by Tash. My only observation is that I think you need to compare other brands at the same time like at a boat show to get a better "feel" for quality of materials, etc. Any new boat will look and feel pretty good. Also, you just can't tell if materials like fabric and seat cushions will last until they age. Bayliners of old had poor quality vinyl and seat cushions that wore out fast. Do they still (compared to other brands)? ??????

However. I do put some value on the reviews by these two. Unlike boat mags that always write puff pieces on ALL the boats (advertisers) they "test", these guys have no horse in the race so no reason to be anything but honest.

If i were in the market right now I'd give the Bayliners a look.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

to clear things up, i have never owned a Bayliner. i was chosen by the manufacturer, to go test the boats. there was a post on the forum, for people to submit their qualifications, an blind ad. shortly after i submitted mine one of the mods ( i wasn't a mod at that time) pulled the post. when i was contacted to go, i was very supicious, i contacted the iboats admin, to see if this was real. iboats did not choose me to go, but when contacted by the Bayliner marketing director, admin recommended i go.

my observations are truely my own opinion on the boats. Bayliner or iboats,
did not or could not, put words in my mouth.

i still say they are the boat to beat in the future, for quality and price.

9 of us picked those boats apart, and gave them hell on the water. i have never abused a boat like i did that day, and have never seen one abuse the way the 9 of us abused them.

you never know you maybe the next one chosen, to go, and express your opinion.

by the way, i was a bilgeliner basher before.

 

[QC]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

I think you need to compare other brands at the same time like at a boat show to get a better "feel" for quality of materials, etc.

This is a valid comment, but I have a response. In this case we were evaluating them based on our experiences with our own boats and especially with fit and finish and features. Also, we were kinda comparing Maxums and Bayliners to each other as there were four of each. I came out favoring the Bayliners slightly . . .

Any new boat will look and feel pretty good. Also, you just can't tell if materials like fabric and seat cushions will last until they age. Bayliners of old had poor quality vinyl and seat cushions that wore out fast. Do they still (compared to other brands)? ??????

They made a point to mention that their vinyl was now all "Heavy-Duty Marine-Grade Vinyls-Expanded Back 30 Ounces/Linear Yard & 42 Gauge". It felt very durable to me.

If i were in the market right now I'd give the Bayliners a look.

Then they got what they wanted. Cool

 

[gss036]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

Since Bayliner and Maxium are built by the same company, is that a fair comparison? I have looked at the newer Bayliners as I walk by their sales lot here a couple times a week. I personally feel the quality has improved in the hull construction and trim, but still it is hard to get a wood/metal crew to hold to fiberglass,eventuall you have to scilacone(SP ?) them in or they loosen. I know I did mine and it is not a Bayliner.
I have several friends who have Bayliners and they are pleased w/them. It is like buying a Ford or Chevy, they run forever but are high maintence, most boats are.
I know when I bought my SeaCraft, my wife's first question was why didn't I buy the Grady White we had looked at? Kinda obvious, $$$$. That is why people buy BayLiners.

 

[QC]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

I only mentioned the Bayliner/Maxum thing as a response to tmh. The deal was: "tell us what you think of these boats". So we did . . .

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

sound like the marketing dept has their work cut out for them to get over the "old bayliner" stigma

 

[tommays]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

Ya but just like BOAT test nobody is telling me if the motor is so cramed in i gotta have it pulled to change a starter




I was looking at a Trophy I/O and the front of the motor was so close to a bulkhead the matiance looked FUBAR






Tommays

 

[QC]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

I actually did check that out Tommays. On the cruisers, there is plenty of room, and on the smaller boats, as good (or bad) as anybody. Here's a pic of the Maxum 2700 SE's 350 Mag.

 

[tmh]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

Also, we were kinda comparing Maxums and Bayliners to each other as there were four of each. I came out favoring the Bayliners slightly . . .

QC, interesting comparison. I know Brunswick owns many different brands, so the "they're all made by the same company so the quality is the same" arguement holds no water (Bayliner vs. Searay for example - two totally different boats with their own design). But haven't Bayliner and Maxum been the same company for many years and generally are similar with the Maxum being basically a very similar boat with higher quality materials such as upholstery, fittings/fixures?

If so, how could Bayliners be a better boat quality-wise than Maxum as the same company makes them and prices the Maxum in a higher range?

Now, I know you only said YOU slightly preferred the Bayliner, but I'm curious as to what could be better on the bayliner vs. it's Maxum "cousin"? Not questioning your judgement as this is very much subjective. I'm just curious where the two brands differ.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: I want a Bayliner!!!

A few months ago I went shopping for a used but late-model pocket cruiser, something in the range of 24-26 foot. I shopped pretty much all brands except Bayliner. I knew I wanted a good solid boat with nice amenities, and the Bayliner surely isn't all that good, right? The Sea Ray 240 DA was looking very attractive to us, but the only one local to us was way over-priced.

After looking at a LOT of boats, meaning at least 20 and probably more like 30, we were pretty disillusioned. Even six year old boats were falling apart and in poor condition. I know the owner plays a huge part in this too, but it also speaks to original quality. After looking at yet another trashed Chapparal 25' (for some reason we have lots of those here), we happened across a Bayliner 2455 for sale in the same marina.

We were impressed by the condition of the boat first, and then by the amenities and great seating layout. On further inspection we really liked the fit and finish all around, and I noticed it had some very good seaworthiness features (for example, the 240DA has no bow roller or even a place to put one, the 2455 does).

We bought it. I've since discovered things like through-bolted cleats and even antenna mounts, while other boats used self-tapping screws. We are very happy with the overall quality of our boat. It doesn't have a Corian countertop like the Sea Ray, but it does have many useful seaworthy features, like the anchor roller.