searay vs bayliner

[mayoh]

G'day all, <br /><br />I need some help in selecting a near new second hand bowrider. I have narrowed my selection to a Bayliner capri 195 or a Sea ray 200 sport, its main use will be wakeboarding / skiing and cruising in Sydneys middle harbour which can get fairly choppy. <br /><br />Another issue i need resolved before purchasing is do i go with a V6 or V8 <br /><br />Any advice, hints, tips, horror stories etc would be appreciated.

 

[youmansjason]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Without a doubt, go with the Sea Ray. Sea Ray boats are far superior in quality to Bayliner. Sea Ray would be like a Lexus and Bayliner is like a Hyundai. <br /><br />The Bayliner could get away with a V6, since it is a lighter weight boat. The Sea Ray, especially a 20', would have better performance with the V8. The Sea Ray is going to be a heavier boat, thus giving you a smoother ride in rough water.

 

[Darren Smith]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Opening a can of worms here with this one. A few questions before you can get a straight answer. First, near new, is that one year old or more? Second, wich boat has what engine? either will be plenty fast with a V8, but a 4.3 V6 should power both boats reasonably well. Generally, a Sea Ray will be twice as much money as a Bayliner, and that adds up to a lot of extra fuel for the Bayliner. Best bet is to look both boats over real well, including sticking your head in the bilge with a flashlight and check out the complete construction, not just "it looks shiny". Above all, get a feel for both boats and decide wich one will fit your lifestyle the best. Good luck and let everyone know which you get, and pictures!!

 

[Darren Smith]

Re: searay vs bayliner

I forgot to add, both Sea Ray and Bayliner are owned by Brunswick Corporation.

 

[sailsmanship]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Ditto on the Searay with a V-8. Hardly hear anyone saying they wish they would of gone with a V-6 unless its a gas issue, but I have heard alot of people who have wished they had more power. Also, Toyota owns Lexus but I wouldn't say the quality is similar, but they both are good cars. Just as Searay and Bayliner have the same parent but they are targeted to different market segments. You are definitley going to pay more for the Searay though.

 

[Twidget]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Be right back, gotta get some popcorn and a soda before the show starts.

 

[Triton II]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Twidget:<br /><br />

Be right back, gotta get some popcorn and a soda before the show starts.

Gotta spare seat on the sofa?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: searay vs bayliner

"searay vs bayliner"<br /><br />definately not a question that gets asked often!

 

[Realgun]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Don't really know Bayliners, the New ones are built a lot better than the older ones. However the older ones are real inxpensive and can be fixed up. <br /><br />SeaRay is a good boat pretty much from the start but you still need to be sure it was taken care of and such.<br /><br />Get whatever you feel comfortable with. <br />V6 = Less performance, better milage<br />V8 = More performace more money spent at the pump.

 

[tommays]

Re: searay vs bayliner

<br />Here's the problem. The bottom of the fuel tank is clearly visible and it is corroding.<br /><br /><br /> http://www.docksidereports.com/boatreviews/searay_250_sundancer.htm <br /><br />if you want to go by reality read here searay works very hard to make you think its a much better boat and it is a good boat but there is still a lot of stuff you cant see that is not done right <br /><br />which bites you down the road<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[ufm82]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Mayoh- at the risk of being gut-hooked by a pretty simple troll, I'll make it short and sweet. You can buy a Sea Ray, run it, enjoy it, repair it and then sell it. Or you can buy the Bayliner, run it, repair it and then sell it. Bottom line- it's a boat. I've seen all makes go for years with no real issues and I've seen all makes have major issues that have cost the owners thousands of dollars. The fact is that all markets have their basic line and their premium line. I have found that in many cases, the differences between basic and premium are pretty minor. <br /><br /> A Ford Escort and a Lincoln Town Car will both do the same thing- they'll get you where you are going. The only question you need to ask yourself is which one would you rather drive. I've been in Sea Rays that I thought were very poorly laid out and designed boats and I've been in Bayliners that I really found to be nice. It's all in what YOU like, not what everyone else says. <br /><br /> If you can sea trial each one, do it. See how they run at cruise and at WOT. You'll spend the vast majority of your time cruising but you'll want speed sometimes. That's why sports cars sell. See how each boat handles around the marina and on the open water. Imagine spending a day on the boat and see how the lay-out works for you. Then go with your own thoughts. There's plenty of thoughts here but they're not buying your boat. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[nightstalker]

Re: searay vs bayliner

If you were comparing a Sea Fox to the B-Liner and the Ray as well, this post may set the all time record for responses.<br />Stalker

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: searay vs bayliner

No Strato yet? Grand Pubah where are you! I say buy either one, then come back and ask what type of oil to use. LOL

 

[mayoh]

Re: searay vs bayliner

All,<br /><br />Thanks for your responses i will keep you all posted on a decision, leaning towards the sea ray 200 not sure about V6 or V8 need to do some further research and tesing

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: searay vs bayliner

He'll buy the boat he likes best, and presents the best value for him. That may end up being either one. I have nothing against SeaRays, they are very nice boats. But, people tend to exaggerate about what they perceive to be the truth, and the truth is NOT <br />

Sea Ray boats are far superior in quality to Bayliner. Sea Ray would be like a Lexus and Bayliner is like a Hyundai. <br />

SeaRays are definitely superior in bling-bling, but they are most definitely not "far superior in quality" to Bayliner, implying better-built.<br /><br />I'd say the truth is closer to: A SeaRay is like a Buick and a Bayliner is like a Chevy.

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: searay vs bayliner

searay all the way to the bay ,

 

[swist]

Re: searay vs bayliner

I wouldn't buy either one - they are a lot closer than they want you to think. Read about the SeaRay hull layup problems in Powerboat reports. There are many better brands.....

 

[sid the squid]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Bayliners Rock, but since a bayliner is the first and only boat I've ever owned, three weeks now, my opinion probably doesn't mean too much.

 

[BrettNC]

Re: searay vs bayliner

I think they are both fine boats. I beleive that all boats produced today are built to a decent standard. <br /><br />I think the structural qualities and the building processes are a close margin between the two. <br /><br />Large quantities of both of these brands are produced every year, so the manufacturing processes are very mechanized and automated - which is good. That will produce a more reliable product.<br /><br />What you will get with the Searay are more aesthetic and convenience appointments than you will get with a Bayliner. You need to determine if the price difference is worth it.<br /><br />Test drive both of them if possible.<br /><br />For the record I own an '03 Ebbtide 200.

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: searay vs bayliner

Very well said, BrettNC. You have distilled multitudes of posts into a single concise statement.