Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

[Northern Lights]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

We bought our 1st Bayliner in 2000 a 1989 2455. It was a great boat, plenty of room in the cabin for overnights on the lake. In 2005 we bought a 3270 another great boat, more room for our Daughter, son inlaw & grandson. A real galley with a refrigerator & stove with oven. Bayliner does a excellent job of utilizing space. Both boats have a lot of storage, the 3270 is the only boat I know of in it's size class that has a king size bed in the master berth. The 2455 is still slipped at the same marina, the present owner is very pleased with it. We have enjoyed our Bayliners so much that we are in the process of buying a 3870 with diesel power, we wouldn't be doing that if there were any problems in the design or manufacturing of Bayliner boats.

 

[um0RION]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my first boat, a 1990 Bayliner capri 1800 just a couple months ago. I was browsing the boats/for sale section on craigslist, and came across exactly what I was looking for, at a fantastic price. The boat was gorgeous with great curves, the hull was in good condition, floor didnt feel spongy or anything like that. It came with a 1991 120hp Evinrude, and the trailer. Definitely needed TLC, as the owner had snapped the prop shaft. He originally wanted $800 for the whole setup, but then offered it to me for $600. I couldnt resist I found a lower unit on ebay for $105 + Shipping, and the rest is easy stuff. My mech checked it out, and it was in great shape. On schedule to go into the water this summer!

 

[df909]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I've been around boats since I was a kid and have wanted one of my own for many, many years. After several years my wife finally gave the thumbs up to getting one. I looked and looked on Craigslist for something in our price range (about $4000). We looked at a few junkers then saw a 20' Capri w/ the 4.3L. The boat was in really pretty good condition. It needed a new bildge pump and the transducer replaced. The interior was in great shape and the motor looked and sounded very good.

We've had the boat less than one month and have had it out 7 or 8 times already. We'll hopefully have it out tomorrow too. My kids and dog love the boat & my wife likes it. It looks great and runs great- so I'm very happy with it.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I was gifted my 1990 Capri Cuddy , motor and trailer(pic in my signature) I was asked if I wanted a boat for free...I asked what it was , my buddy , who is not a boater,said "hell if I know, come take a look at it..." he had been asked to tow it off of a property by someone he knew...I took one look at her and fell in LOVE with her sexy hull....interior restoration and deck replacement is on hold till better weather...

 

[jkust]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

My folks bought ours new at the boat show in 1984. They bought it because it was in their price range. We were moving up from a 1962 something I can't recall with a 60hp Gale engine. Back in those days Bayliner hadn't developed any negative reputation yet. When we pulled up at a boat ramp or state park or where ever with the BL in tow it was like pulling up in a rare ferrari or at least that's how I felt as a little kid. That 84 BL was pretty contemporary and I think a step forward in the boating world. It was a hot boat in those days and it's still decent today considering it's ancient but hasn't gotten much use in the last few years. Funny how 85 hp was considered a decent amount of power back then. I don't believe I am in the Bayliner target market so likely wouldn't consider buying one these days.

 

[Impactg]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I've owned 3:

1999 2352 Cuddy
2002 2655 Cruiser
2008 320 Cruiser (Just purchased this Sept.)

The first two never gave me a lick of trouble other than the typical mainenance issues, but then again, I take care of my stuff. If the new 320 treats me as well as the first two, I'll be thrilled.

Also, having owned Bays over the last 10 years, I've noticed dramatic improvements in the build quality. They've always been ahead of the curve in usage of space, but things like structural soundness, electrical engineering and power options has improved notably. Sure, they don't use solid wood cabinetry, but the wiring is all organized and labeled, the hardware and fittings all stainless and the hull is built using the same methods as their Sea Rays. My new Bayliner also has quality carpets, stain resistant, heavy vinyls, solid surface countertops, sunbrella enclosure with heavy-weight eisenglas and is powered by SeaCore Mag 350's.

After 3, I'm a loyal owner. But then again, I drive Chevy's and not Caddy's... never had an issue with any of my trucks either.

 

[HANGEYE]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

1988 1710 Trophy Center Counsil. Bought it new after 6 months of looking at all the boats I could find. Still have it. Find me a better boat for the price and I will buy it. I have taken very good care of this rig and it still looks like it is only 5 years old. Replaced the seat cushions and a couple bilge pumps and thats it. I would buy a new one.........but why?

 

[fishin98]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Bought my 2000 Capri cuddy O/B, 90hp Merc, 3 years ago, great boat, price was right, layout was just what I wanted. It was well taken care off, not a scratch on it. Since then I added a Merc 5hp 4str long shaft kicker, flush mount rod holders, exrta battery and on board charging system. I mainly use it for trolling for walleyes in TN,(Dale Hollow, Center Hill lakes). the boat rides good,the motors are EZ on fuel, the boat is EZ to work on and maintain. I pull it with a 2005 Jeep Laredo 4.7 v8, 14mpg at 70 mph, pulls it out of the water with no problems.

 

[fishin98]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I should have mentioned in my last post, My boat is a 2000 Capri 1802 cuddy

 

[steve201]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

well...trying to make a long story short...we had a maxum 2700scr that was great...we'd been everywhere and the boat was really reliable and comfortable...we'd decided we needed a larger boat...so..started looking and the downturn in the economy became good luck for us....our local dealer crashed and thier inventory was auctioned off to other dealers...from there a good friend of ours who is a salesman for searay called and said...I know your looking for a larger boat..we have a really good boat..340 that is loaded that i can get a pretty good deal on it for you....turns out to be an understatement of the yr....after all the numbers were crunched...and we looked at the boat....we got it for half the optioned out value for a 1 yr old boat with 1.5 hrs on each engine...with a 6 yr warranty...couldn't let that one get away so we mortgaged ourselves up the wazzu to get it....

it's worth it...the boat is drop dead gorgeous and fast....roomy...awesome...

Steve

 

[wan2live]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I bought my Bayliner because


I was driving around and decided to stop at a yard sale, while checking out some items I noticed a boat in the back yard, I really did not know what model it was or what year. I was joking with the guy selling stuff and asked if the boat was for sale, he said it may be but did not know for how much.

Long story short I bought my 87 Bayliner 1900 /w trailer and force 125 for $500.00, I had to replace the head gasket and I have redone the interior vinyl, I have the camper top, convertible top and bow cover, 2 sets of skii's and a Slalom Ski and a wake board.

All in all I think I found a diamond in the rough, my co workers just bought me a boat warming present a $140.00 2 person towable.

 

[dls322]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I just bought my bayliner at the begining of the summer. I had sold my old Maxum at the end of last season. We love bowriders and my girlfriend loves the open front. I saw a 1990 18' capri once before at the lake and was blown away by the design, the sleek lines and the commanding side scoops! My old boat was 17' and it was ok but just not big enough. Plus my girlfiend hated the smoke and noise of the 2 stroke outboard.
I found the 2250 on craigslist. I was the first guy to respond.....the advantage of having internet at work . He had it posted as a 22' bayliner...i assumed it was a cuddy but contacted him anyway. Turns out to be a bowrider....i had no idea they made a 22' capri bowrider!!...boat needed alot of TLC, but the amenities are awesome....came with a cd player, marine radio and antenna, and all the goodies, plus 2 new batteries with a switch. The dash is like a car dash with back lit gauges and the layout is perfect with the smooth switches....love this boat. The design of the back of the boat is awesome with the built in swim platform. It even has a little sink and area to prep food. Plus the storage is ingenious.....storage doors open under the drivers and passengers seats. Plus storage under all the bow seats. I didn't even notice that the back of the bow seats under the windshield swing open to provide even more storage and easy access to the stereo and the sink.....sooo cool!!!
I think the style of this boat tops allot of newer boats out there...It was truely ahead of it's time!

 

[dpoelstra]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Ok, this is as good as any for my first post. I have been out of boating for about 12 years, and went with an RV. Enjoy the RV, but my passion is on the watter.

I have had 6 boats. A 23 foot sailboat, a 19 foot Bayliner Capri Classic new in the 90's, a 30 foot Bayliner Bucaneer Sailboat from the late 70s, a '79 Bayliner Saratoga (24 ft) my dad bought new and i bought from him, a 35 foot old wood cruiser, and just last week my "new" '85 2850 CD.

The only thing wrong with Baylienr, is that the name is visibile (for those whyo are vain). for me, Bayliner has the best layouts, the best lines, and the best value of any boat out there. All the hardware and mechanics are the same as other brands, but because they had fewer options and were more "cookie cutter" to keep costs down, people look down their crooked nose at them, but my Baylienr will run with your expensive custom cruiser all day.

I plan to remove some of the striping that is the only thing I nvever cared for. Other than that, this boat is so far, the best of the 4 Bayliners that I have owned.

 

[bshattuck87]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

I HATED the looks of Bayliner when my buddy first bought his '89 17' bowrider. But he took me out in his for the first time and I fell in love with the floor plan. So I bought one, but I wanted a cuddy. I've had it almost a year and love mine!

Brenton

 

[Island Seeker]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Bought my 26' bayliner rendezvous because I love the layout and size. The price was right because it needs cosmetics...new seat cushions. Only paid 1k for it. No bank payments.

 

[Walker3901]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Oh yeah... bash my boat

I was never aware of any Bayliner bashing either. In fact I knew virtually nothing about boats until I started seriously looking for one early in 2011. My main motivation was that I like to fish. Used to go a lot, on charters or wherever I could fish from shore but hadn?t had much time. Went a couple of times and was shocked at how crowded all the old spots are now and how many of those who fish there ignore all etiquette. Gave myself a crash course on boating by frequenting as many boating forums as I could cram in and asking advice. I had owned a Thompson nearly 20 years ago, a project boat and I didn?t have time for the project so I meant to get one this time that was ready to go. Picked up quite a lot of pointers and actually knew more about some of the boats I saw than their sellers did. One thing that hit me hard was that all the boats in my area with decent prices in my area turned out to have some issues and those without issues had high asking prices. Finally found a broker in Hopewell who had several that looked promising with decent prices. The day before I was to go to look at them another dealer in Baltimore called me about a Bayliner Trophy that I liked. Talking to him, I found that he had several boats that seemed interesting. I went there with my wife and checked out several, either of which I would have bought for the asking price. I liked the one I ended up getting, though I wasn?t the one who chose it. The wife, who at first was so much against my idea to buy a boat that she threatened to stop paying her share of the bills if I got one selected our 99 Bayliner Capri 1952. It was the 3rd boat from the gate where we entered the dealer?s lot and she never took another step past it. I had to check out each one that looked good to me, but agreed that this was ours. ?Gojis1? aced the mechanic?s inspection and the sea trial, now she is forcing me to question one of the main pieces of advice I received about the 2 happiest days of owning a boat. This is because she was well cared for by the previous owner.

 

[rjinga]

Re: Why Did You Buy Your Bayliner

Why did I buy my Bayliner? Because it was free... kinda. Actually I traded a 1985 4wd K5 Blazer (retired M1009 CUCV) for a 1988 1710 Trophy CC three days ago. I didn't need the Blazer anymore, I wasn't getting too many bites on selling it, I was interested in a trade for a boat (my oldest son REALLY wanted one), so voila!