Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

[rjsampson]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I saw mine sitting in a driveway and asked the owner if he would consider selling it. Long story short I paid $500 because his wife wanted it out of the driveway. New floor boards and some mechanical work and it's good as new. 1986 18ft Capri w/Volvo 2.1 I/O. I plan on trading up for a newer 20ftr next year.

 

[mikcro]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

well i bought my first bayliner 91 2855 ciera and i am pretty pumped shes a beauty surveyed excellent and the mechanical was also excellent.its definately the best bang for the buck and she cruises beautifully despite the ribbing from my boating chums calling it a gayliner bayleaker etc!all toungue in cheek of course were excited and ready for some good cruising this year.and strato caster thanks for the heads up with the surveyor cheers all

 

[CodyG]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Bought mine last summer..ran me about $3800 with all the extras I got from the dealership (stereo/speakers, vests, tube, skis, ropes) and it was easy to pay cash for. I like the look (its a 1989 Capri 195 I/O 120hp 3.0l) and am starting the interior and paint on it next month to get her ready for the summer with a new custom seat layout. I looked at bigger faster boats like Baja but besides being MANY thousands more..the cost of gas and upkeep was a big factor. I can tool around the whole weekend on 30 gallons of gas and that makes me happy..cheap to get out every week! Would like a bigger engine but who knows, maybe next winter I will come across one!

 

[ljshein]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my 1984 - 18 foot capri 2 seasons ago primarily on price. It was my family's first boat. It has treated us very well and it was an excellent choice for a first boat. It was very cheap and the styling was more modern than a lot of boats in the same price range. I'm currently re-doing the floor which for me is a big but fun project.<br /><br />I was at the Atlanta boat show this past weekend and stopped in to see the Bayliner dealer. I was actually a little disapointed. The materials used and the construction techniques haven't changed very much in 23 years. The backing on all the seats is still wood and not even painted at that. I'm sure my view is skewed because of the project I'm working on They also had Maxim there and it was a step up but not much. At least Maxim uses plastics for th eseat backs.<br /><br />Since I can't afford somehting newer right now, I will continue with my project knowing it will be better than new when done and keep the boat for another 4 or 5 years. When it's time to buy again, I don't think it will be a bayliner.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[Tomorrow Came]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

In Cape Coral, Florida, it is a boaters dream. 400 miles of man-made canals, 15 minutes from Sanibel & Captiva, 20 minutes to the Gulf of Mexico. After three years here, I kept telling my wife we need a boat! She kept saying "tomorrow"...for three years. A freind had a boat for sale, 1990 Bayliner 2651 Sunbridge. Very affordable because it was a mess. No seats anywhere, most of the electronics were not functioning, gel coat so dull a lighter next to it didn't produce a reflection. Honey, I bought a boat! After 2 1/2 years after that and many enjoyable hours, new everything including having the salon "L" lounge made to original specs, new wiring, gauges, motor, cuddy re-upholstered, etc. she's a new boat. RE-striped and re-glassed. I would by another Bayliner in a second. All you need is to take care of it better than the guy I bought it from and use it! Now if only I can get this gas tank out easily?!

 

[Preachers Pastime]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Always wanted a good boat.Never owned one but have been around them alot.I came close to buying a Grady White a long time ago.Wanted a Grady White for my first boat because of their "Unsinkable" reputation.I'm not rich however,just a poor preacher boy.The father of a friend of mine was selling a 86 2550 Cierra which was basically used as a floating camper,very rarely ever left the dock.Volvo powered and runs like new.Got a great deal for boat and trailer.What really sold me was the 9.5 foot beam.She's a great boat.Only got to take her out for 3 hours before season end.But she handles nice going forward.A lttle different story backing up.But hey,if I can learn to taxi jumbo jets,sooner or later I'll get the hang of this.Until then,I'll make sure I keep one guy on the boat hook.In October she stayed afloat during the worst flooding of the CT river in 10 years.River rose 10 feet in 24 hours.I was sure I was going to lose her that day.But she floated like duck while many boats that cost 10 times as much took a beating.Working on her and learning about boats is as much fun to me as sailing her....

 

[Darkhorse1201]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I have a 1988 Bayliner Capri 1950. I bought it long before I ever heard any of the bashin'. I bought it cuz it looked good, ran good, came with a bunch of items I would've needed anyways and I got it for a song cuz the owner was having back surgury and his doc told him - no more boating! It has served my family and me weel - mostly on lakes in Western Mass. tubing and kneeboarding. I did have to put new floors in it but she's a good ole' gal!!

 

[Realgun]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Well about 1988 I was looking a boats ,dreaming really, and was going to get married. We stopped into the Bayliner dealer, now long gone, and loved the middle runabout. that the 17 Ft model or Capri 1700. Together my new wife said one day you can have that boat. It took 15 years but I got the boat. I traveled 4000 miles round trip to get it. All of 995 dollars. Only things that worked was the engine and hull. <br /><br />If you want to know the rest of the story do a little search on my name.<br /><br />So far I have gutted the interior and replaced the floor. Replaced all the wiring. <br /><br />And the Kids love it.<br /><br />I am so pround of Real Paws.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my Bayliner against many peoples reccomendations. It is my first boat and not only was the price right, the boat was right. Yeah, they have a "history" of being or becoming junk... but really, any boat could turn out that way if it wasn't taken care of from new.<br /><br />Besides, I think my 1991 2050 Capri looks better than many of the newer boats on the water today.<br /><br />Sean

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

i got my 2850 by raising a sunken house boat the guy said " get rid of the house boat and this other boat is yours" i had to take him up on the offer ive stripped it to the hull, put in new subfloor, electrical, full mechanical rebuild, interior, workin on the wing now, and new windows. yep for about 5 grand ive got a brand new 30 ft boat. take it to the gulf and back all the time. i have to laugh at the bashers, i just ask them, "whats your payment a month?" thats when i laugh

 

[tjstrike]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my 85 capri because it was a great price, ($800.00) and all it needed was some flooring and interior work. Who cares about a fancy name, except the rich. We's all common folk here in TN !!

 

[CoveSeeker]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my 1996 2252 Cierra Express last summer. It is my first boat and I hadn't heard of Bayliner before. At the time i was window shopping at the local boat yards and they had mostly pontoons, bass boats, and bow riders for around $20K. Basically i bought this boat because it was big and with the cabin, hardtop, and high gunwales I wouldn't have to worry so much about the kids bouncing out of it--all for a lot less than $20k.

 

[grimpy]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my 93 Capri 1600 Classic because of the shape it was in... The thing was super clean... Always garaged... and did I mention super clean? Anyways... I paid a premium for this bad boy... $3600... :X didn't bother bargaining much as right when I saw it... I said to myself, if that outboard runs, I'm taking it home...

Anyways... My first boat was an oldie... 50's or so 14' Trailorboat... After selling it, I was itching to get back into another boat... However, my garage is not your typical standard sized garage... I had maximum measurements of 7'10" width and 19'10" length... It was tough finding a nice newer/larger boat that would fit in the garage... I looked at many 13' to 15' boats that were old and beat to snot... They were project boats in need of major cleaning...

My first boat, I spent over $1k getting it just to look decent enough for me... I wasn't going to buy another project boat...


Here are some pics of my bayliner when I picked her up...

Boat as she sits today... I added a motorguide wireless trolling motor, smart tabs, bimini top, rod holders, new fish finder, and replaced the stereo/speakers...

Don't mind the horrible bimini top... :X my buddy almost fell off reaching over for a marker bouy and grabbed onto the strap to hold himself up... Needless to say, he bent the bar... CHEAP POS... Got a new one coming soon though!

 

[laurido1992]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

When I we were looking for our first boat, we decided to go with a new one. My friend bought a used and was a nightmare. We looked and found a 99 Capri 175. We used it for 7 years with NO problems other than regular maintenance and a little neglicence on my part.(had to replace battery twice). The kids had a lot of fun. I recently sold it to "upgrade" to a bigger boat. I would definately reccomend Bayliner.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Bought mine as a good deal at the time and after almost 3 years of restoring, is an even better deal. So much so I bought another of the exact same year, model to restore again.

 

[Tim Ringle]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

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!

 

[Tim Ringle]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my first Bayliner-an 89 2855 simply based on price. Never owned a boat and wasn't sure if I would like it. Loved it! Then bought a 270 Rinker--owned one season, but wanted a larger boat. Went to a boat show looking for 30 foot range---of all the boats I looked at, the 3055 offered the most room--and I thought, the best look. The cockpit offers the most seating and social area of any boat on the market. Then--came upon a pair of 305's side by side--one was a 2001 at 90,000 plus, one was a 2000 at 65,000--both brand new---which one do you think I jumped on! Loved the room--loved the look. Now--at the dock, 90% of the time everyone is on the back of our boat. On the water--we are running out in the lake or down the river while the more expensive boats are sitting at the dock. The economy is great (18 GPH at 25 MPH) we have all the amenities--air, heat, galley, shower, head etc, and over the past 6 seasons we've used some of the money we've saved to upgrade the canvas, carpet, added electronics and put in flat screens,etc. I'll put my Bayliner up against any Searay and laugh all the way to the bank!

 

[rondi]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

On my block everyone has their toys. Some have project "muscle" cars, catamarans, jetskis, some have ATV's and campers / motorhomes. I got bored of sitting home during the summers with the family out at the pool and doing the yearly vacations to disneyland. I told the wife "Lets buy a boat"!
But which one? We don't have a ton of money and don't know a thing about boating. We decided to get a family type runabout in the 18-19 ft range but the prices were way out of our ballpark and used boats could be risky until you have confidence.
AHA! Then we found the 175 - w/ trailer package at under 10 grand
We've used her all summer long for the last two seasons and couldn't be happier with the purchase. After seeing what the other boats cost, we have been able to do some upgrades and still are under what the other guys charge. The kids love going out tubing and playing on the shore and last time out we got my 7 yr old up on water skis.
If it wasn't for this affordable family boat our family wouldn't own one.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

My wife and I were at a friends yearly cookout at Smith Mtn. Lake, Virginia. Our second year in a row going there. He took us for a ride on his boat late that evening as the sun was going down and I saw a smile on my wife's face that I havn't seen for a long time. She loved the ride. So that got me thinking, "why not find a used boat". I've never ridden in a boat but once or twice much less owned one. So I suprised her with a ride to a near by dealer, looked around but too expensive. Later that day I got a newspaper and found a possible purchase. Called owner and traveled to have a look the same day. Found an 89 Capri Cuddy 19', MINT condition, one owner, $3,700.00. Did I say MINT condition?!!
Runs and looks great!
The best thing I ever did for my wife. We love it? We love the Cuddy cabin!!

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

It seems like a good sturdy, well built boat. Plus the price was right

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j37/MarksJoy/100_0856.jpg