Looking to buy a Bayliner Capri and have a few questions

[Montezumasdaddy]

I'm going next weekend to look at a couple of late 80's Bayliner Capri's. From the pics they look to be in decent shape and the price fits my budget. I've been doing some reading about them today and have come across the rot problem in the floor, stringers and transom that seems common in some of these boats, so I'm a little nervous that I'm not going to be able to detect any of these issues if they exist. The floor I think I can just look for some soft spots but what about the other areas? What are some things I should do to check for rot in any of these areas? Will it be fairly easy to detect? My biggest concern is the transom. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[bruceb58]

I had a late 80's Bayliner Capri that I purchased with less than 100 hours on it.

I would not buy another especially now so many years later.

 

[ondarvr]

You are almost guaranteed to have rotten wood in any 1980's Bayliner. Any 1980's boat of this type will probably need a complete rebuild to replace the rotten stringers, floor and transom.

 

[NYBo]

This was the low point in Bayliner's quality. Wood was often unsealed, especially at the edges like the ski locker opening. Proceed with caution!

 

[jkust]

My folks still have their 84 Bayliner Capri that they bought at the 84 boat show. For them it was simple to keep the interior looking 95% of showroom as it still sits today (the original carpet in the rear shows a little bit of wear from pulling the gas tanks out). Those little steps that you needed to take to keep a boat looking nice just weren't taken by your average Bayliner buyer. Always keep the sun off of it when not in use, no shoes ever in the boat and store it bow up with tarps that the heavy snow can't tear through. Oh and my dad would remove as much of the interior as could easily be removed each winter and put the pieces into a shed. Super easy to keep it looking nice and solid but the quality is really incomparable to any modern boat as they were so cheaply made. This many years along, one of those old bayliners has most certainly had a lazy owner who allowed water intrusion or sun damage.
I cannot imagine there are more than a handful of original condition boats left that aren't rotted and likely pretty obviously rotted.

 

[bruceb58]

84 was actually fairly decent build quality. Starting in 86 was when it started going down hill fast until the early 90s.

Doesn't take much for water intrusion to take it's toll on these. Just bringing in water skiers into the boat caused areas around the motor cover on mine to rot out. I had to rebuild those areas in my boat.

 

[cptrick3]

The problem with a lot of older, open boats is that for years their primary duty is to catch rain.

 

[jkust]

84 was actually fairly decent build quality. Starting in 86 was when it started going down hill fast until the early 90s.

Doesn't take much for water intrusion to take it's toll on these. Just bringing in water skiers into the boat caused areas around the motor cover on mine to rot out. I had to rebuild those areas in my boat.

But those late 80's Bayliner Cobras had so much style compared to the Capri's. The hull on the 84 is translucent it is so thinly built. The vinyl on the seats is really thin as well and I can see how the sun was so quick to beat it up.

 

[Montezumasdaddy]

Thanks for the input everyone, based on comments here and elsewhere I'm leaning towards not getting one of these. I don't really have the time to be rebuilding a boat. How about 1996, were they any better by that time? I found a 17' 1996 Bayliner 1700 LS BR for $4600 that I'm thinking about taking a look at.

 

[NYBo]

Yes, much better. But still inspect it carefully. It is, after all, 19 years old, and a lot can happen in 19 years.

 

[UncleWillie]

You can tell a lot about the boat by looking at the property it is sitting on and the cosmetic condition of the boat.
If he doesn't take good care of his house, he likely takes less care of the boat.

If the boat is for sale, is should be in the best condition it has been in for a while.
Waxed hull, Clean Windows, Clean and Dry Bilge and completely covered or in a garage.
If it sitting uncovered, outside, with any water anywhere under the flooring and dirt and leaves in the bilge .... Walk away!

He knew you were coming to look at it. If he didn't care enough to make it look extra pretty; What does that say!

I own a Bayliner 185BR, and just like JKUST's parents did; I Strip the boat over the winter.
The outdrive is removed and stored in the garage.
I even remove the nylon strap from the winch to keep it out of the weather for the 8 months of the year it goes unused.
The spray water in the bilge is sponged dry after every outing within hours of arriving home. Not the next day.
And the ski Locker Hatch is kept open to allow the innards to dry completely. It goes on....
I may be a little crazy, but the next owner will start with something that is still sound.

 

[batman99]

Hi Montezumasdaddy

I currently have "1996 Bayliner 1700 LS BR" (example seen in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_JoYnQpo7E ) . Had it for 3 years and pumped lots of money into its factory Force 120 engine. This month, I'm replacing its broken Force 120 engine (which is a 90 HP at prop) with a 1996 Johnson 115 engine. Blow the Force 120 head gasket 2 times last season. Mostly likely from under sized engine for our water sports / tubing adventures.

During my ownership, I'd recommend:
- Remove its sloppy tilt steering shaft and replace with solid steering shaft re: Telflex Rack & Pinion NFB / 15 ft.
- Dump its Force engine and go with different engine - with higher HP and higher reliability (like Yamaha or Johnson brands)
- Keep boat off the water when not being used. re: On a trailer or on a boat lift.
- Keep boat covered (to keep rain out of it). We "double tarp" our boat - even during summer months.
- install Water / Fuel Separator - to keep its fuel clean.
- Install Tabs on its rear lower transom area - to lift its rear (to get on plane much faster).
- If into water sports, get 4-blade x 17' aluminum prop. If into cruising, get 3 blade 19' aluminum prop.
- dump its factory square driver's seat and install a captain's swivel chair seat.
- Install keel guard / rubber strip (for frontal beach landings)
- Install guides on its trailer.
- Install spare tire on its trailer.
- If needed, install brakes (full electric brakes) on its trailer. Especially if your Tow Vehicle has weak factory brakes.

Bayliner is considered entry level (which means lower quality build). If doing some "around the lake" touring, some fishing and tubing with 6 or less people, the 17 ft model is good. Especially when little kids can sit in the front bow area.

I like our 17ft Bayliner so much, we decided to install better engine. re: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMG_0001.jpg

Would I buy again for 6-12 times "around the lake" each year? Sure. But... I would buy an 4-stroke V6 inboard for long distance touring and/or heavy water sports. And for larger size lakes, I'd go with 19 ft + size - which has a smoother ride and higher people capacity as well. My next boat (after our 1996 Bayliner needs replacing) will be 19+ feet with V6 4.3 engine.

Hope this helps.

 

[bruceb58]

Hi Montezumasdaddy

I currently have "1996 Bayliner 1700 LS BR".

A 1996 Bayliner is likely way better construction than a 1988. At some point in time Bayliner started getting their act together because people were having too many issues.

I was meticulous with my Bayliner and I still got rot problems. Unsealed edges of plywood will do that.

 

[jkust]

A 1996 Bayliner is likely way better construction than a 1988. At some point in time Bayliner started getting their act together because people were having too many issues.

I was meticulous with my Bayliner and I still got rot problems. Unsealed edges of plywood will do that.

The ski locker door (the original that came on it) on my folks' 84 Bayliner is a piece of painted plywood with the cheapest carpet ever produced covering it. To say that they cut some corners is definitely an understatement. It's almost like they were disposable.