Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

[steele55]

I'm new to boating and thinking of buying a used 89 Bayliner 2152 Capri cuddy. It has OMC Cobra 5.8 and OMC outdrive. A trailer is included in the deal. It has not been in the water this season but was in last year. The interior is showing age but no major damage. There are some soft spots on the floor.

Any response good, bad, or indifferent would be apperciated.

Thanks

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Stay away from OMC outdrive. Service and Parts hard to find.
Soft Spots could equal to major rottage.

 

[relocyo]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Id say skip it, with those soft spots chances are the whole deck,stringers,and transom are rotten, those bayliners are notorious for rot, I would think youd be pretty p.o'd if you bought it,then had to spend $3-5k to replace that stuff, and thats if you do the work yourself, not to mention 200+ man hours doing it... Theres a ton of boats for sale these days, keep looking im sure you can find something in better condition in your price range...

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Id say skip it, with those soft spots chances are the whole deck,stringers,and transom are rotten, those bayliners are notorious for rot, I would think youd be pretty p.o'd if you bought it,then had to spend $3-5k to replace that stuff, and thats if you do the work yourself, not to mention 200+ man hours doing it... Theres a ton of boats for sale these days, keep looking im sure you can find something in better condition in your price range...

I own a Bayliner - and my boat is great. With that being said, I would NOT buy the boat if I were you....."soft spots" is a HUGE issue....and OMC is not something worth messing with for reasons already posted.

 

[relocyo]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

I own a Bayliner - and my boat is great. With that being said, I would NOT buy the boat if I were you....."soft spots" is a HUGE issue....and OMC is not something worth messing with for reasons already posted.

I never said they werent great boats, just pointing out their reputation for rotting, the reason for this, as it was explained to me, err I guess its more of a theory, is that bayliners tend to be "beginer" boats, or first time boat owners boats, and presumably these people arent as aware of the upkeep involved with boat ownership... Once again, this is a theory that someone ELSE came up with, makes sense to me though... Bayliners with proper up-keep are wonderful boats...

 

[cr2k]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

There are still parts available for cobras but he hulls tended to be real thin in those days.

check oil before and after running on muffs. Run for at least 15 to warm up fully. Any noise in the transom area probably gimbal bearing needing replacement and or u-joints. Was the boat PROPERLY (notice the capitol letters there) Winterized? If not could have cracked block and or manifolds.

Lots of freeze damaged boats on the market cheap these days.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

I never said they werent great boats, just pointing out their reputation for rotting, the reason for this, as it was explained to me, err I guess its more of a theory, is that bayliners tend to be "beginer" boats, or first time boat owners boats, and presumably these people arent as aware of the upkeep involved with boat ownership... Once again, this is a theory that someone ELSE came up with, makes sense to me though... Bayliners with proper up-keep are wonderful boats...

I agree completely! I think you misunderstood my original post.

 

[steele55]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Thanks to all, I think I will keep looking for something else.

 

[fngboater]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

not to mention it will still run with a cracked block

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

:facepalm:run away-flee as fast as possible.

 

[spudshaft]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Could this be a troll thread?

 

[lprizman]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

keep thinkin grasshopper

 

[silveraire]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

I would run, not one of bayliner's best years.

chad

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Bayliners with proper up-keep are wonderful boats...

I had that exact same boat except mine was an 87. I bought it when it was nearly new and it too started getting soft spots even though I took very good care of it. There is absolutely NO way I would recommend someone buy one now.

 

[WaveJumpingMaxum]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Ohh let the hating on bayliners begin. I have a Maxum pretty much same thing as bayliner. My floor and stringers were shot when i bought it but my transom was solid like a rock its actually one of the reasons why i bought the boat.The floor wasnt anything big because I worked as a carpenter for a couple years nd my father worked as one for over 25. Its got a outboard and I beat on that boat like it stole my wallet! I mean jumping a good 5 ft out of the water smashing 3-4ft wakes going wot trying to see how solid it was. I thought Bayliners quality control issues were in the EARLY 80s. Maybe Maxum just got lucky. However i wouldnt buy the boat simply cause of the outdrive. 4.3 v6s will easily do 50-55mph lighter and better on gas i presume. If your looking to save money by buying something that needs a little work play into your skill set, if your good at engines dont be afraid of some engine tinkering or adjusting, if your experienced at wood working a floor is nothing.

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

Turn around and walk away....don't look back. There are plenty of other used boats available in better condition. Soft spots on the floor is a huge red flag.

 

[airshot]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

For the reasons mentioned and being your first boat you might consider an aluminium boat. The small amount of wood on these are normally easily replaced should dry rot occur, rivets are relatively easy to fix and they use less fuel due to lighter weight as well as easier to tow. Been involved in boats for 50 years, had one fiberglass and all the rest have been aluminium.

Airshot

 

[oops!]

Re: Thinking of buying a used Bayliner...

havent read this thread.......dont have to......

all i can say is.....good luck with that.....