Looking at a new (to me) boat, let me know your thoughts 08 bayliner 185

[davidwjacob]

Hello All,

Been a while since i been on here. Im looking for a new, to me, boat. Im currently looking at a 2008 bayliner 185 with mercruiser 3.0.

It was traded into a dealership and they told me they need to replace the exhaust manifold, that they know. but it has not been in the shop yet and they are not sure. he said it should go for less than 10k. Im in PA.

The interior is immaculate and look like its brand new practically.

is there anything with these boats that is a "known" problem i should look out for?
is 10k or under a good price for this?

hours on motor are unknown due to no hour meter.

Thanks All,
Dave

 

[southkogs]

At that age, it's all about condition. Bayliner will never be a boat of exceptional fit and finish, but they're not bad boats.

Price wise, you wouldn't be stealing it. But the price seems to be in the right range.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if it needs an exhaust manifold, it was run in salt water....... or it was damaged from improper winterization

at 12 years, that manifold should have been replaced already if its rust related to salt water. if its a winterization issue, the block also cracked.

 

[CaptainSteveo]

Hello All,

Been a while since i been on here. Im looking for a new, to me, boat. Im currently looking at a 2008 bayliner 185 with mercruiser 3.0.

It was traded into a dealership and they told me they need to replace the exhaust manifold, that they know. but it has not been in the shop yet and they are not sure. he said it should go for less than 10k. Im in PA.

The interior is immaculate and look like its brand new practically.

is there anything with these boats that is a "known" problem i should look out for?
is 10k or under a good price for this?

hours on motor are unknown due to no hour meter.

Thanks All,
Dave

A 2008 Bayliner is not high end, is decent cheap boat. Looks like it was maintained well and the price would be about right if it's in good running condition.

Are you planning on fresh water use, or saltwater. I would recommend an outboard for saltwater or you will likely be changing manifolds and such frequently.

 

[davidwjacob]

A 2008 Bayliner is not high end, is decent cheap boat. Looks like it was maintained well and the price would be about right if it's in good running condition.

Are you planning on fresh water use, or saltwater. I would recommend an outboard for saltwater or you will likely be changing manifolds and such frequently.

ill be running freshwater only

 

[davidwjacob]

if it needs an exhaust manifold, it was run in salt water....... or it was damaged from improper winterization

at 12 years, that manifold should have been replaced already if its rust related to salt water. if its a winterization issue, the block also cracked.

Ill make sure there is some kind of guarantee , ill be buying from a dealership that is gonna run the boat through its service to get it checked out. im going to go check it out again saturday.

ill check into that. thanks

 

[JASinIL2006]

I assume they will fix it completely, then sell it? I absolutely would not buy it as-is - even for a discounted price - and then hope the engine only needs the manifold replaced. Make sure the engine is 100% before buying it. (Don't assume that just because you're buying from a dealership that they will fix it completely or correctly.) I personally would think of having an independent mechanic look at it after they've finished their repairs.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Regardless of what they do, If I was buying the boat, I would want to know what happened, and what they did to fix it.

doesnt matter if you will be running it in fresh water. what caused the manifold to need replacing?

if it was salt water, and the manifold went too long, then there is salt water in the bores and in the oil. this can be fixed by a complete rebuild of the motor, it should be fixed with a new bob-tail

if the manifold has a crack in it from improper winterization, it should be fixed with a new bob-tail.


never assume a dealership will do any more than the minimum. to slap something out the door. and what ever warranty they give you, read it over with a fine-toothed comb.

 

[JimS123]

IMHO, I would never buy anything if I already knew it was broken.

 

[Tassie 1]

My brother has the ' same ' boat...l think his is a little older ( we live in different Oz States, never seen it myself, other than pics/ videos )

Because it's a BR l would lift as many of those nice looking cushions etc etc and look up and down all through the boat, specially the stringers and transom areas,

My brother has had his boat around 8-10 yrs, he has never used it in saltwater,
uses it for wakeboarding/tubes etc etc

The 3 lt motor was fine when his boys were skinny teens, now they are a little heavier THEY would like HIM to replace the motor with.with.a 4.3 or V8 etc etc

He is not so keen on that idea.
Naturally.

 

[kpg7121]

It's a nice looking boat but chrome won't get you home. Once they get it running insist on a test drive & not a quick 10 minute run to get your money & you out the door. Look in the engine compartment after it's run for a few minutes to check for any leaks. Check the temp gauge for an overheat condition & pull the dipstick & look for milky oil. Any sign of either head for the ramp tell 'em thanks but no thanks & look elsewhere.

 

[davidwjacob]

Thank you all for your suggestions. i wound up not getting this boat and getting my deposit returned. I purchased a 2004 nauticstar deck boat with yamaha outboard . very happy with my purchase. thank you all again.

Dave

 

[QBhoy]

Cancel that idea and look for a 4.3l. Most everyone I know that has or had a 3.0 in a 18ft generic bowrider....soon wishes they went for a 4.3.
great engines the 3.0. Don’t get me wrong...but offensive on the ears and very harsh in refinement compared to a 4.3. Ive often known a 4.3 to use the same or less fuel too, when comparing to a similar boat with a 3.0. Less work required for the same cruising speed and all that.