Do Bayliner Boats Suck? The unbiased TRUTH!

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This information is provided for entertainment you are responsible for applying in a safe & practical manner for your specific situation!

Your friend in boating,
Captain Matt

[flumpy]

I've owned a 2005 Bayliner 195 Classic since 2006. It's my first boat and has been very reliable in the 16 years I've owned it. All in, it was an affordable way for my family to get on the water and it sips gas (3.0L). I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase and experience. Oh and I own 2 Mercedes and 2 Audis....but ZERO Kias. 🙂 For something that gets limited use in comparison to a automobile, cost, safety and reliability are more important to my view. Snicker all you want at me....the Bayliner has ticked all three boxes and left me laughing all the way to the bank.

[nelsonfernandez]

I bought a small Bayliner when I was a 19 year young man, i use to go to Elliott key every other day from Sundays on the bay in miami, and 34 year's later 90 percent of my stories have to do with things I use to do on that boat, I barely speak about things I do now on my bigger more expensive boats I've owned, best memories, most fun , i had more fun then than now, it shaped me to be a good captain today, thank you my Bayliner friend

[SaltyC]

2019 Bayliner Element F16. Great starter boat so far. I’ve taken it a few miles off shore. It gets it done on a budget. $50 bucks in gas can get me 2 weekends on the water.

[Mesamaverick]

I've had numerous Bayliners in my 61 years and I've never had a major issue with any of them. My last Bayliner was a 1985 16 ft Trophy bass boat with an 85 hp Force. I owned it for 7 years and the only issues other than normal maintenance was a fuel pump diaphragm and one plug stripped out so I installed a helicoil. I landed many a fish from that boat over the years and it always treated me well. Sold it for $700.00 more than I paid 7 years earlier.
I currently own a 1995 Spectrum with a Merc Force engine and I'm very happy with it. Very reliable.
I'd have no regrets owning another Bayliner or Force.

[MrBe]

I bought a 2006 Bayliner 195 in 2021 for my first boat. The material quality isn’t the best, but it seems to be a solid boat. I’m in my second season. Good starter boat and I don’t get to worried about it. Boat is good for what I need it to do, beer drinking on sandbars in NJ bays 🤷‍♂️

[billmcpheeters]

I have been a boater for over 42 years and currently have my 11th boat - all of them used. 3 of them were I/O's and the rest outboard. One of the I/O's was a 1999 Bayliner 1954 with a 3.0L Mercruiser which I found to be very comfortable, excellent handling, smooth riding and well worth what I paid for it.
I find everything you said in your video to be accurate. The flooring on my Bayliner was not as thick as it should be and the interior components (carpet, vinyl, etc...) were cheap quality. But the previous owner kept in good condition - and I am meticulous - so it was a fine boat. A Bayliner is fine as long as it is well kept and maintained - as with any boat.

[vvwdvml]

Owned multiple Bayliners and they are all outstanding.

[Jam]

I bought my Bayliner 185 in 2007 and I have never had an issue with it. Other than replacing a battery or an oil change. It runs great and was worth every penny paid.

[cheap_pilot]

Bought my 1998 Bayliner Capri new. Mercruiser 135, Escort trailer, total $11, 000. Mostly stored inside garage. Used on Lake Superior for 20 years. Currently covered on lift in my Florida back yard. DIY oil changes, lower unit lube, installed new prop in 2020.

Yes, it’s a cheap boat. But 23 years of boating with maybe $1000 in DIY maintenance total. A good value for a casual family boater.

[jorgmuller]

Hi Captain Math - I am writing from Germany. Tks for your videos. Also in Germany the Bayliner boats are well sold. And they are easily beeing found in the I-net as used ones. I just bought a Bayliner 2052 Capri from 1993. So a 30 years old oldtimer. The condition is still excellent - the pre-owner mantained it very very well. Engine is a 3 Ltr. with compression 9, 8 / 9, 9/ 10, 0 / 10, 0. Not bad for this age.The boat was used in saltwater only for 3 weeks in Adriatic see (Croatia). After owning a 23 ft Searay 10 years ago, I was looking for an affordable used boat with a windshield wich can be opened in the middle to enter the front for handling the lines while docking. You can feel the thickness of the hull is less strong than on a Bayliner compared with the Sea Ray - but for me this is not so important. I can easily trailer it behind my RV. (allowed on my car is max. 2000kg with trailer), handling in the water is excellent, power of the enginge is absolutely OK for me. For more performance I use High Five propeller. So - I can recommend this brand for beginners (ore retired persons like me). It depends on your budget - you are absolutely right. Take car - Jörg from Bavaria

[valkyrie]

I have a 1996 Bayliner Capri 1600 LS with a 1995 Mariner 75 hp motor on it and is sitting on an escort trailer, I bought it all brand new, have had very little problems with it, it stays covered and under a carport when not in use, It’s still a good boat and running strong!

[hdecoster]

I own a 2017 VR6 that I bought new in the beginning of 17' with a 250 I/O Merc from the Detroit boat show. I grew up boating with my dad and wanted my kids to enjoy what my father introduced me too. I'm a regular middle class joe smoe Firefighter/ medic. I have not had 1 issue during the 4 years I've owned it and I recommend it to people if they want to start to get into boating. I get a lot of compliments from people when they see my boat. Bayliner did have a bad wrap years ago which I don't disagree with, but I can vouch that they have stepped their game up.

[genebeley]

We owned a 28.5’ Bayliner Contessa Flybridge for the California Delta. It was the most enjoyable boat I owned out of 7 boats in my life. It was like the little tugboat that wanted to be a speedboat. I could have up to 10 passengers and it would quickly get up on plane and go up to 30 miles per hour. The interior was perfectly designed. It had a couch on the left side that made into a queen size bed. On the right side it had another couch that made into bunk beds that was good to throw our gear and a bed for our granddaughter. The V berth’s king size bed was the perfect, very comfortable bed for even a live aboard. We did add a microwave to perfect the galley. I acquired this boat when I took it as a trade-in on our 38’Hatteras tri-cabin that I really never enjoyed because It was just too big and too costly to maintain. Wish I had found the Bayliner when I first moved to the California Delta. The only negative was, since the Bayliner was only 6, 000 lbs, it was not good in really rough water like when we went east past Pittsburg towards San Francisco.
I learned weight matters!

[MrRowdy]

We bought a 2016 Bayliner F-18 new. We upgraded the motor to a Mercury 115. It was purchased mostly for fishing. We do a lot of inshore fishing along the North and South Carolina coasts. We added the swim platform for the kids for when we pull the towables. We have never had a moment’s trouble out of the motor. Serviced annually. We have found that Bayliner used some hardware that rusted after the first year. The seat they mounted on the front rusted badly and we had to replace it. Not too expensive. We love the center console. There is plenty of room for 3 fishermen to walk around. We also added the T-top which is great. Overall, after 5 years we still love this boat.

[MegaSling]

I've been boating for 50 years now. I've had Bayliner, Renken, Ocean Pro and Proline and now I'm back into one of the new 22' Trophy's. I've never had issues with any of these boats. All the issues that have cost me real money has been that thing hanging off the back of the boat. That engine costs $17, 000 or $30, 000 if your looking in the 21 to 23 foot range of boats. Keep up that oil in the engine and lower unit and keep it on a trailer, not in the water and you'll have fewer problems. Boats don't ruin boating, engines do 99 percent of the time. Finally, the worse thing for the actual boat is leaving it out in the open. Sun ruins fiberglass, decks and cushions. Not rain, not snow, not cold or even heat. Keep a boat on a trailer and under some form of enclosure where it keeps the sun off and you'll extent the life of the boat for years.

[gm]

Well, I put it to you like this. I went shopping for a boat in 2009 and looked at a brand new Bayliner. I nearly bought it. Then I looked at a sea ray, which is made by the same company. I never looked back. A Bayliner will save you lots of money potentially but there’s no comparison in quality and craftsmanship to a Sea ray. You get what you pay for.

[mikelyda]

I’ve owned multiple bay liners over the years . All were I/o and I’ve never been stranded on the water or had any major issues. Not to mention with 3 kids into water sports we could spend a whole weekend on the lake and still have fuel in the tank when we leave.
We don’t really care what boat snobs say about a bay liner! Lol

[thisisyourcaptainspeaking]

Bayliner doesn't deserve a bad rap, they really stepped up their game later on. Don't buy a 20 year old boat if you don't know where and what to look for.

[johnriise]

Yes ! My wife and I bought our 1986 Bayliner 19' Capri with a 125 Force We love our Boat. We have always kept it inside, and covered. We are 77 years young, We have a lot of wonderful times in our Bayliner. Our Bayliner will not be sold, it will stay in our family. !

[juanacuna]

I have a 18’ Bowrider Bayliner for more than 20 years and I did total rebuild it. Remove the Forcé engine and replaced whit a four cycles Honda,
Did the upholstered, install the hydraulic system, GPS, autopilot, Bluetooth stereo system and I just love it and had enjoyed for many years. Great small boat!