Conference vicki::boats

    look back thru the files i think there is a note and loads of replies
    on bayliners,probabbly in the spring
     Q

    i checked,see #268
    
                         Q

    My friend owns one and is very satisfied with it. Out here in Seattle
    Bayliners hold their value better than most boats because there
    are so many around. He also had twin Volvos in a 28 Bayliner Bounty
    and they stand up to salt water much better than Mercruiser for
    example. I had twin Merc 470 I/Os in the same marina and I had lots
    of electrolysis problems like rusting out power trim cylinders from
    the outside.
    
    I can't help but respond to all the Bayliner Bashing with a simple
    statement: If they are so so bad , how is it that Bayliner is the
    LARGEST boat builder in the world and there are so so many faithful
    Bayliner customers that keep trading up????
    

    From Upstate New York--- Up here Bayliners are sold as "price" boats
    in the under 20' category. There are tons of them in the "For Sale"
    adds every weekend. The only known problems seem to be in the smaller
    boats (<20'). For example, one recently hit a small log at full
    speed (40 mph?) and split the hull from stem to stern. A guy I know
    repaired it (also works on my boat) and said the fiberglass cloth
    overlaid the keel from the port side but not from the starboard.
    Right where the "Butt Joint" was is where it split!!!
    
    We have not seen consistant problems with larger Bayliners (26',
    28', etc). However, they suffer resale value loss from the reputation
    of the smaller boats. Net-Net, you can get a good larger boat for
    a smaller cost, but with a much lower resale value as well.
    
    How is the resale value in your area??? It should be pretty close
    to the original list for a two year old boat (new list will be higher).
    The rule of thumb here is move up two feet every two years at no
    additional cost (monthly payment). Can you do that with the larger
    Bayliners?
    
    Bottom line, The boat should be sound, but will you take a financial
    "Bath" simply because its a Bayliner?
    
    Good luck,
    Don

    I have owned two Bayliner boats.  My first was a 21' 1984 Ciera
    and now I currently own a 2850, 1988 Ciera.  I had a Volvo (125)
    engine in the 1984 and never had a single problem with it in four
    years.  Enjoyed the boat and sold it for $6,000 less than I purchased
    it for in 1985 ($17,000).  Had no problem selling it in the Boston
    area.  I bought my 1988 Bayliner from the original owner who had
    only used it for fifteen hours.  Saved about $8,000 of the dealer's
    price for the same boat that he had in stock.  In addition, the
    original owner added a power winch, an extra battery and all the
    Coast Guard gear.  Have had no problems this season with the 1988
    boat.
    
    My experience with Bayliner boats has been good.  There are at least
    a dozen Bayliner boats in the marina that I am at ranging from 38'
    to 20'.  They all appear satisfied for buying a larger boat for
    the money they spent.  For recreational cruising Bayliner has to
    be one of the best buys in the marine industry.  If you intend to
    take it out and abuse it, run into logs, etc., I would suggest that
    you buy something stronger, like a steel hull with a paddle wheel
    on the back.  Also read the other Bayliner notes in this file.

    RE .3:
    >                   -< Cheers for Bayliner, Be happy >-
    >I can't help but respond to all the Bayliner Bashing with a simple
    >statement: If they are so so bad , how is it that Bayliner is the
    >LARGEST boat builder in the world and there are so so many faithful
    >Bayliner customers that keep trading up????
    
    I can't help but to agree with this comment.  I am still having my
    honeymoon with my 1989 2155 Ciera, and as a DEC employee earning a
    modest income, it's all my budget had room for... but I couldn't be
    happier.  Anyway, owning an investment would only make me feel guilty
    about not buying a house (my next goal).
    
    "Bayliner bashing" seems to be an emotional issue, sort of like people
    comparing a Mercedes or some other "fine European road car" to the Ford
    Taurus.
    
    My boat has a good Ford (modified Cobra by OMC) 351 v8 Engine in it,
    and everything else certainly checks out seaworthy to me.  This is not
    the first boat I have owned.
    
    By the way, another good way to get a feeling of how popular Bayliners
    are is to spend an hour at the Ballard Locks in Seattle (any day of the
    week, but Friday and Sunday are particularly interesting) and take your
    own count.

         Another Bayliner note -- Read it.
    
    This weekend I launched my 1984 Capri with it's 85HP Force (color
    coordinated I might add) engine.  It shined from stem to stern as
    though it just came out of the showroom.
    
    As my friend backed it down the ramp, I could only think about the
    negative comments that I'd read in these notes about Bayliner/Force
    combination.  This is in spite of all the great memories I had of the
    previous summer.
    
    As I turned the key I held my breath -- after a couple of coughs and
    spits the engine ROARED.
    
    I spent the rest of the day enjoying my not-so-well built boat with
    it't poorly engineered motor.
    
    My point is this:  a well maintained boat, motor or any vehicle
    *SHOULD* give you many years of good service and a great deal of
    pleasure.
    
    Thanks for listening (er, reading)
    
           Steve Pantano
    
    P.S. To you Evenruder's with VRO:  that shadow at the bottom of your
         (semi-transparent) oil reservoir could be water, it was in mine.
         I'd be glad to talk about it.
    

	I guess I was under the mistaken impression that Force motors
weren't available with oil injection. Is oil injection an option on 
Force motors?

Rick Can't_tell_that_mine's_an_inboard_huh?    

    Sorry, my P.S. was'nt very clear.
    
    My previous motor was a 1985, 50HP Evinrude with VRO.
    A crack formed on the cap of the reservoir that went undetected.
    Water got inside and as they say "the rest is history" and so was
    the motor.
    I spoke with several dealers and they said this is not uncommon.