Looking at a 1993 Bayliner

[Bayou Dave]

I know. Bayliners don't have the best reputation. But, any make of boat depends on condition, condition and condition. That is why I am considering this one. 1993 Bayliner Capri 1800 Bowrider. 2002 Yahama 115TLRA motor. Asking price is $7,000. The engine is worth almost have that price. Boat looks like it is immaculate. Of course I need to check compression and every other part of the boat. Were the 93's part of the bad stretch that Bayliner went through? Any comments welcome!

 

[Bayou Dave]

This is what his ad says:GPS
Radio
Brand New Spare Tire
Paddle/Ropes/Anchor
Heavy Duty Ski Pylon
2 Person Tube
Hydro Slide
Life Jackets
Boat was always covered
When it was not in use it was parked inside garage or barn
Serviced every year & cleaned after each use
GREAT Shape & Well Maintained

 

[Newbie@boats]

$7000 seems a bit steep for a 1993 IMO, but condition condition condition and I am sure you will read and others will say, check for ROT, on the transom, floors etc....would be a good idea to do a compression test etc on the motor

 

[southkogs]

I read that ad, and see those pictures and see what might be a very well maintained boat. The price is high, for sure. But it looks like he's trying to make up ground on that outboard. I still think it's high, but i would look at it.

 

[SkaterRace]

Price seems a bit high for my area, but that motor is newer so that does make up some the difference I would say it is a $5500 boat not a $7000 one. Condition looks good but check for rot and engine test as well.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Checked NADA for my zip code. I reduced the options down to a 3hp motor as it didn't list the value of a motor seperatly and got a value of $3045. The motor on it is worth $3195, according to NADA, for a total of 6240. I have no idea how much value to add for the condition, assuming that there is no rot and the motor has good compression readings. My intiial thought was to offer $6,000 to $6,500. A year ago he was asking $9,000, which he apparently learned was way off and reduced it this year to $7,000.

 

[SkaterRace]

Checked NADA for my zip code. I reduced the options down to a 3hp motor as it didn't list the value of a motor seperatly and got a value of $3045. The motor on it is worth $3195, according to NADA, for a total of 6240. I have no idea how much value to add for the condition, assuming that there is no rot and the motor has good compression readings. My intiial thought was to offer $6,000 to $6,500. A year ago he was asking $9,000, which he apparently learned was way off and reduced it this year to $7,000.

I would go in at 6000 and expect to pay 6500 then due to condition. Still if everything is in good condition might be worth it to pay asking if he is firm. Guess area really does play into price more than I thought.

 

[Augoose]

It looks very well maintained but his asking price is WAY too high IMO. I wouldn't offer initially more than $4,500.

 

[Bayou Dave]

It looks very well maintained but his asking price is WAY too high IMO. I wouldn't offer initially more than $4,500.

He'd probably smack me if I only offered $4500.:watermelon:

 

[JASinIL2006]

Price really depends on where you're located. Looking on Craigslist or similar listings for your area gives you an idea of what people are asking, at least. I see people comment on boat being overpriced, but in our area, where the selection is less plentiful, those higher prices often seem in line with what people around here pay.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Price really depends on where you're located. Looking on Craigslist or similar listings for your area gives you an idea of what people are asking, at least. I see people comment on boat being overpriced, but in our area, where the selection is less plentiful, those higher prices often seem in line with what people around here pay.

I have looked for similar Bayliners on CL within about 150 miles and don't find a lot in the 18' to 20' and 1990 to 1995 range. Some are priced 4500 and some are 7500. Almost all have an I/O and I want an outboard. None have the detailed photos or description that this one has. I don't mind paying a little more for great condition and being within 25 miles from me, like this one. Been trying to see this one for almost a week, but the owner has been down with the flu.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Were the 93's part of the bad stretch that Bayliner went through?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Were the 93's part of the bad stretch that Bayliner went through?

I'm not entirely sure, but when I was looking for my boat, I looked at a lot of early '90s vintage boats, and every single Bayliner was in rough shape... I think that because they are priced as entry level boats they aren't often cared for that well. Even as a relatively clueless first time buyer, I could tell these were boats to avoid.

I think, unless you can lay eyes and hands on the boat, it will be hard to know if this boat was well cared for or not.

 

[JoLin]

Brunswick bought the Bayliner brand in the mid-late 1980's, and by most accounts quality went up after that. As JASin noted, however, one always needs to remember that BaylIner is an entry level brand and have it checked out accordingly. You also might want to ask the seller, just when those pictures were taken. I've gone to look at boats that looked perfect in the ad. Once I got there, it was obvious that the pictures had been taken long before, probably right after the current owner bought it and cleaned it up.

My .02

 

[Leardriver]

$7000 will get you a 1998 Four Winns 190 Horizon. That boat that you are looking at would struggle to bring $4500 if it was floating right next to you and you were drowning.

Bayliner make a boat at a​ price that families can afford. They bought the Caulkins trailer company and the Chrysler outboard company, renamed the motors Force, and offered a boat, motor, and trailer package that got a lot of people on the water. That made a lot of dealers anxious as they lost market share, and a little badmouthing that was undeserved went on. It's not like they sink, they just aren't as beefy, or as expensive, as a Sea Ray.

 

[thumpar]

The boat looks clean but I think the price is high. You should be able to get into a late 90's early 2000's for that. Don't look over an I/O, especial if it is a family boat.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Thanks for all the good comments and info. I am glad that Bayliner has better quality starting in the late 80's versus late 90's. At this point I need to look at it and see if it is in as good a shape as the photos indicate. Hopefully he has service records. Will report back after I see it. Thanks!!

 

[R055]

In my area you can get a decent early 2000's 19-20ft i/o for that money.

Outboards are hard to find though.

 

[fishin98]

Nice clean boat for a 23 YEAR OLD BOAT and a 14 YEAR OLD MOTOR. It a $5000 boat at best. Inspect it VERY closely. I formally owned a 2000 Capri Cuddy, for 10 years and like the brand.

 

[ondarvr]

The quality didn't improve much until much later, those boats were built to be cheap, not long lasting, although if it was lightly used and always stored indoors it would age much better than the normal Bayliner that's left to sit in the side yard under a tree for a decade or so. The price is still very high even for a boat in great condition being that old.