DavidBaustert Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Going friday to look at my first "real boat". I own a late 80s norris craft bass boat with a 200 merc outboard, but I'm looking to get into something a little more family friendly. Found a 1989 Bayliner Capri with a rebuilt 5.0L ford small block. Anything to look out for on these? I've done some research online, and saw some stuff about questionable hulls? Any advice? Things to look for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I have known a couple different people who bought 89 bayliners and the floors were rotted.. They werent worth fixing so they junked them.. Just something to look at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Just walk on it and check for soft spots? Does soft necessarily mean rotted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn1647545492 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Just walk on it and check for soft spots? Does soft necessarily mean rotted? That's a good indication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergwheel1647545492 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Just walk on it and check for soft spots? Does soft necessarily mean rotted? if you can, get down where the motor mounts to the main beams and see what that area looks like. That was the first indicator for us that mine was a rotted mess. I have also heard that Bayliner uses really small main beams in their boats so they are overall weaker structurally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbospec29 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I know a guy selling a 20 foot open bow 93 fourwinns in the 6kish range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 This guys asking price for this boat is in the 2k range. If its rotted, i may wait it out a bit until the cold season when prices drop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RelliK Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 What is your budget for a boat and what do you primarily see you using it for ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 What is your budget for a boat and what do you primarily see you using it for ? I don't really have a set budget, but ~$2000 for this one is appealing to me. Primarily, I'll be out on Indian Lake or St Marys or Ceasers Creek putting around, probably some tubing etc, but mostly relaxing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RelliK Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Cheapest part of owning a boat is the purchase price. Would look at the stringers and transom for rot. Would check the gimble housing and drive for for overall condition as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Cheapest part of owning a boat is the purchase price. Would look at the stringers and transom for rot. Would check the gimble housing and drive for for overall condition as well. I assume I'll only be able to see what structure is visible from the ski locker. Any suggestions on how to check the rest? How do you check the gimble bearing? Run the engine in gear and take it to extremes (full trim and full lock steering?)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 buy an inboard! then learn watersports and the options are endless!! my .02. Love getting out on the lake, was just at griggs last night wakeboarding and skiing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 buy an inboard! then learn watersports and the options are endless!! my .02. Love getting out on the lake, was just at griggs last night wakeboarding and skiing. This is an I/O 5.0 Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RelliK Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 You may be able to hear if the bearing is bad I when trimming up and down. I would up the budget a bit and wait till winter and find something a little newer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 So i almost fell through the floor of this thing when i started walking to the bow. Everything on the biggest was nice, except the rotted floor. Needless to say, i didn't buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FormulaMatt Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I saw you didn't buy it, but in general avoid those years of bayliners. More are rotten then not rotten...they were not made well. Also, avoid the OMC line of engines and drives. They closed up a while ago and parts are hard to come by and usually pretty expensive if you do find what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I saw you didn't buy it, but in general avoid those years of bayliners. More are rotten then not rotten...they were not made well. Also, avoid the OMC line of engines and drives. They closed up a while ago and parts are hard to come by and usually pretty expensive if you do find what you need. Good heads up. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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