Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

[timfromfc]

Since we are all Bayliner owners, and hopefully happy ones, I thought it would be appropriate to say why we bought them to begin with.<br /><br />I bought my Bayliner because it was so much less expensive. The "bad rap" they seem to have means I was able to save thousands vs. the "better" boats. It was 10 years old when I bought it, but it has been very reliable so far (knock on wood). I use the money saved to spend even more time on the lake!

 

[jastacey]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I've have/had 2 Bayliners, one was an 18 year old 17' Capri with an 85 Force outboard, that really never gave me any problems, sold it just recently, and of all things, the only thing in my price range was a 23 year old Bayliner CX225, with a Volvo set-up, I've always viewed old Bayliner boats as project boats, when your done you'll have a boat much better than before, with-out the boat note that goes along with the other brand names!

 

[msd58]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Well to be honest with you all I never knew anything about Bayliners at all when I bought my first one a 2155 1988. (Prior to that I had a Boston Whaler, a Thompson and a MFG) I noticed I saw many of them out on the water and many for sale. I loved the boat so I boat a bigger one a 2655 1995. Again, I felt it was and is great boat. True I noticed that some of the materials were not as fancy as more expensive boats but the boats are fine. They all have either Mercruisers or some of the older ones had Volvos or OMC's. Same all other boats out there. I think some of the bad rap comes from the fact that these boats are often first boats for many people and often times they reflect that in terms of poor mantenace, neglect or abuse. One thing anyone will tell you is you get more boat for your money than any other boat out there. Just go to boat show and you'll see. Better boats out there? For sure.<br /><br />One more thing. Every every season I see more boats being towed IN by Bayliners than any other boat.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Agree with msd58. I bought my 23 ft Rendezvous deck boat without regard to manufacturer. Only deck boat I found on the market that was well taken care of.Boils down to maintenance and care.IMO

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I sea trialed 6 different boats of 5 different brands. The Bayliner ( a 1988 ) was in the best shape, especially for what they were asking for it. I sold that boat 7 years later, the survey by the potential buyer was perfect, and it's still floating to this day.<br /><br />I bought a 30 foot 305 new in 2004, and it has been a dream boat. That's me sitting aboard, enjoying a beer, just to the left.<br /><br />I have been in every crack and crevice of both boats, and what some will tell you about lack of quality, "inferior materials" or "the illusion of a quality boat" is pure unadulterated BS.<br /><br />Contrary to what many would say about Bayliner being a laughingstock, the only place they are routinely bashed is on the eastern seaboard, especially Florida. It's pretty much unheard of in the NW, and there are hundreds of Bayliners (mostly 2452s and 2859s) that do daily fishing duty in the Gulf Of Alaska.<br /><br />Bayliner is a solid, respectable low-frills boat, and that's why I'm a repeat customer.

 

[ewenm]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my 1993 2255 Ciera 5 years ago fantastic little boat for my wife and i <br /><br />we have repowered it with a VP 4.3 gxi and duo prop it flys and is economical to run we fitted a pressurised fresh water system and transom shower and 4speaker cd/am/fm radio <br /><br />this month we are redoing the cockpit upholestry and bimini and clears we use this boat year round in australia and think that the bayliner bashers are full of s##t.

 

[hannibalmichael]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

This summer I bought my first boat...<br />1992 capri 18' with 3.0 i/o and after fixing little things it runs great. Didn't come with original covers so I may have to do my own. Any suggestions ?

 

[magster65]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my 17' Bayliner because it was a good deal. It was a great boat that I enjoyed for the summer, then I sold it because I had two boats. I would certainly buy another. I spent an afternoon on a 4788 model... a 1998 I recall... I think of that beauty when someone bashes a Bayliner. They have no idea what they're talking about.

 

[tony_56]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

ive also always heard bad things about bay liner but none of it really proved just bad owners haha, but as ive seen so far with my new 1987 bayliner capri, i love it. it was just not taken care of, but im slowly giving it some tlc. lol

 

[wgander]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought Bayliner becausse it was thousands of dollars less than anything else I saw and the others didn't offer anything worth the extra money.<br />I didn't know about Bayliner bashers at the time.<br />When I pretty much decided on my 1950CL, I went to a couple of local boat ramps and asked people with similar boats if they'd buy the same boat again. They all said yes, except one who said he'd buy a bigger one to take all the friends that always wanted to go with him.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

My 1977 2755 Victoria has now been part of my family since March 2001. It sure had seen better days. It sat in a scrap yard for 4 years before the owner would take my offer. Upon transfer of the trailer/boat title, I found out that he took a big hit on loosing money on both. <br /><br />Why did I buy it? After having several boats, I wanted something that would be an all weather boat. For its length, it has lots of room inside the cabin.<br /><br />The name Bayliner on it made me cautious on the purchase since I was aware of the bayliner bashing. Having the ability and knowledge on how to do the major repairs made the purchase easier for me. I've had it in the water for 4 seasons now and have had great times with it so far. There is still lots of work that needs to be done to prolong its life. I have been wanting to upgrade to a newer boat, but I have been unable to find anything that compares to its size and room in the cabin. This will be the last big boat that I will own. Fun to use, but a bear to tow from lake to lake.

 

[rosco_59]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I purchased my Bayliner because it was in my price range and it was in very good condition. I had to put nothing into it other then gas and oil. The capri ran like a champ all summer and fall. interior is in very good shape, with a solid floor and carpet was nice yet. Right now you could not get it off me. Great boat

 

[Branch Office]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my 2000 Ford taurus because it was reasonable in quality & price. I did not buy a Mercedes, it was too costly but either of these cars will get me where I want to go in relatively the same amount of time and I don't know just how much difference there is in the ride, but I feel fine after riding 600 miles a day in my Taurus. Suppose I would feel about the same after a 600 mile ride in a Mercedes. <br /> Now, to the Bayliners I have owned. 1988 2455 Sunbridge. It's still on the water and is well maintained by the people I sold it to. My 1996 Cierra Express 2859 is everything I want in a boat. I believe I can go anywhere any other boat that is approx. the same lenght x width x engine size as my 2859.<br /> There will always be people who have everything that is bigger, better & more expensive then me. Don't worry, be happy.

 

[dpfundst]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought a 1988 Bayliner Capri Bowrider 1950 with a 125hp Force Outboard in February 1989, new. I had it until this past fall. The neighborhood families and ours learned how to water ski and kneeboard on that boat. We used it mainly in a lake for the first 10 years. The last 6 years in the ocean bays. Since it was paid off way back in 1993, it was a great value. I regularly maintained the boat engine, always flushed out after salt use, and the boat was washed and waxed, and covered. My boating habits have changed and I now a have a different brand of boat that I use for salt water fishing, but we had a huge amunt of fun on that boat, in fact the name of the boat was "Pfun Times" a play on the spellng of my last name

 

[mikcro]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

hi fellas well i just bought a 91 2855 subject to survey, sea trial, and mechanical inspection.can anyone give me any advice and what to look at check etc on the sea trial im not a new boater just sold my 26' chriscraft but it is the first time i have ever done a sea trial with a boat broker any advice appreciated

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

The only advice I would have, is DO NOT take the broker's recommendation for anything to do with a survey or mechanical inspection. The broker is working for the seller, period. Get your own surveyor and mechanic. One who's working for the buyer...you.

 

[minion]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Bought our 1998 1850LS Capri in 2000.<br />Never looked back. Never have had 5 seconds problems with her.<br />She still looks like new.<br />We run Lake Michigan with her(waves permitting)<br />Can hold our own amongst all the others.<br /><br />Looking for a 2355 right now.<br />Hope to find one soon.<br />My Daughter might be getting the Capri . <br />Cannot see selling such a great little boat.

 

[John_S]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Purchased mine with little regard to brand. Was looking for a used 19-20 footer bowrider, with a V8. For whatever reason, there wasn't allot of them for sale, in our area, when I was looking. The few others I looked at, newer and older, were obvously not as maintained as well. There was one Four Winns that was in good shape, but price was very significantly higher. <br /><br />Purchased a '97 Capri 2050CL w/5.7L 210hp. I actually prefered the old school design of the CL to the more prevailent integrated swim platform euro style bowriders. One big benefit is it is much easier to access to the engine. Anyway, I have been happy with it, and plan to have it around for many years to come.<br /><br />BTW, people in our area do not seem to have such a negative view on Bayliner, as I've seen on forums, and some coastal areas I have visited.

 

[510man]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I have mine because it and the trailer were FREE!!!

 

[minion]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Sounds like my daughter in a year or so !