Bayliner speedboat

[lightning]

I didn't dare post this in the RIB section, but we hired a speed boat while on holiday in Kefalonia and my wife said "why don't we look at buying something like this"

My intention is to keep my SIB for the canal etc but possibly buy a speed boat for places where there are no speed limits, or for the sea where a larger boat would be more stable.

I've looked around and the Bayliner 175s seems to be popular, plus it has a "Bimini Top" (a canopy) that can be fitted/raised if it rains.

The boat we hired had one of these and it was useful for keeping the sun off (useful in Greece, maybe not so much here) but it would be a good option if we went out for the day on it, in case it rained.

I know nothing about speed boats. Can you launch one easily by yourself?

Does anybody have experience with this particular model of boat. Is it a good choice, well as good as any? It has an inboard engine (which I'd prefer) and offers 175bhp which I'm sure will be enough for us.

New they cost just over twenty but there are plenty secondhand on the market.

Here's the boat we hired.

[lightning]

Anybody at all?

[kerny]

Originally Posted by lightning

or for the sea where a larger boat would be more stable.

That's what Ribs are for

[thomas]

You're probably asking the wrong group of people, try Motor Boat Forum - Yachting and Boating World Forums

I hate to break it to you but that's not a Bayliner, I know as I've rented one of those and pottered round Sami.

Bayliners have a reputation for being quite tinny US lake boats and all seem to have thirsty petrol engines as over there Gas is cheap - having said that they are quite popular, just lack the build quality of european boats, similar to cars.

[Nick Hearne]

I have not used a Binliner sorry Bayliner but have used a Glastron 175 MX which is very similar this was back in 07 when I was lent one wile my boat was being fixed, light easy to handle & go like stink, great if you only want to blast around on a sunny day with calm conditions. Heavy on fuel with big petrol inboards, back in 07 with good exchange rate these where

New 2007 Glastron 175 MX with 3.0 Mercruiser / Snipe trailer and covers. Due to the Dollar rate only £12,450 inc VAT.

So very good value at 20k I would not consider one personally recon for that much dosh you could buy much better rib for example with a nice 4st outboard which you can afford to blast around!

[clydeoutboards]

Hi

I have been out in a few and first of all osmosis springs to mind so be v careful if its an older boat. There is lots of info if you google this. I also dont like the handling compared to other makes or how the seem to age v quickly.

if handling is your top priority have a look at a searay boat as i find they are more fun and dont seem to age as quickly.

Top of my list though for looks , performance, handling an build quality would be a regal for a boat around 20-25 feet. I have been in quite a few and all have been great.

Oh but dont buy any with the mercruiser 1.7 td engine as the turbo's have major problems and cost circa 2.5k to fix.

good luck

[Dry Run]

If you're looking for one I have a very nice example available. Check out Bayliner 175 For Sale

Apparently, they are the biggest selling boat ever produced - so can't be that bad!!!

Regards

[Pikey Dave]

Begone, and take that abomination with you

[Landlockedpirate]

Good advice to ask over on YBY.com mobo forum.

Bayliners are good value, decently spec'd boats with a loyal following and even more loyal anti-following (Binliners !?!). They are very nice good weather boats, but have a shallow V hull. They are fine for sheltered waters but I wouldnt want to be out in any decent waves in one, they can ship a lot of water over the bow and dont have self draining cockpits.

I presume you are looking at a bowrider ? They have good social space, much more than an equivelant length rib, nice fittings and as you noted a bimini or even better camper covers to give some weather protection.

They all come with either the 3.0L/4 pot ,5.0l or 5.7l V8 mercruiser and usually Alpha drive with single prop. Expect 40-55kts flat out depending on load and engine. Fuel economy is 8-10gph at cruise to 20gph at WOT.

They are very popular starter boats and if you buy and decent one at the right price they are very easy to sell. Launching is a doddle with the right car, slip and trailer, they are just drive off/drive on.

The advice about other makes is sound, but all the American manufactures build 17ft bowriders as entry to the brand boats and in truth,they are all very similar.

If you can stretch your budget (And towing vehicle) to a 21ft cuddy you are in a whole different world, with them capable of crossing to France or the Channel Islands

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by lightning

I've looked around and the Bayliner 175s seems to be popular

Bayliners (or rather their owners) have a horrible reputation here in the States. They (the boats) are popular because they are relatively inexpensive to buy.

Don't really know about build quality (though I'd assume they're typical of any mass-produced consumer commodity), but they're numerous enough that a perusal of just about any boating forum should yield a wealth of info (though I can't say whether it will be good or bad.)

Here are a couple to start with:

The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum
BoatUS Club House Messageboards
Bayliner Boats


Luck;

jky

[Searider]

I've surveyed a few Bayliners - and even worked at a Bayliner dealer on the Thames in the summer of 1988!

Unfairly maligned I feel.

Built to a budget - but adequate quality.

Relatively shallow V as some have said - but if this suits your needs then that's OK.

Great value. Because they are cheap when new they often get bought by beginners who either don't know how to maintain them or don't bother.

Simple things like a leaking window or torn cover, if not dealt with, allow the boats to deteriorate.
This drags the used values down.

HOWEVER, a well looked after boat, of which there are some, probably won't cost much more than a neglected one.

The one that Dry Run has doesn't look bad at all. £7k - how much can you lose?

[Preston]

I have a nice 175 XT for sale


http://bayliner.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=4

[Preston]

Originally Posted by Preston

http://bayliner.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=4

I have one for sale

[thomas]

Look, see, someone else has speakers on they A frame!!!

[willk]

Originally Posted by lightning

Anybody at all?

Dude, I'm arranging a RIBnet Intervention. This is Bad Karma and you're a decent bloke. Get the beers in, we'll be around to talk sense to you later...

[roofer]

[QUOTE=clydeoutboards;471118]Hi



Top of my list though for looks , performance, handling an build quality would be a regal for a boat around 20-25 feet. I have been in quite a few and all have been great.

good luck[/QUOTE


I've got a 2002 Regal with Volvo 4.3 for sale it's done 67 hours from new and been maintained regardless of cost .

[Bigmuz7]

OMG .. this thread is getting out of hand .. somebody stop this hardbote crazyness

[Boats&Outboards]

We sell quite a lot of these bowriders. Mainly Bayliner, Maxum or Larson and they are all pretty good options if your looking for that kind of thing.

Yes you can getter better quality builds but they are great value for money. That one with Dry Run looks great (Steve I've still got to shift one first) and is very good value.

We've a nice Maxum 2 berth sports cruiser with Suzuki DF115 (2007 44 hours), very nice package if that's your thing. Beats a rib (of the same value) in my book!

Whoops, wrong forum. Ribs win, hands down seriously though, I'm not advertising it here (or trying to sell it) just saying that if your after a hard boat there's options out there. Just like Ribs you can buy nice looking ones or nice performing ones. They always re-sell well so why not give one a try!

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[willk]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

OMG .. this thread is getting out of hand .. somebody stop this hardbote crazyness

Yeah, but you see how many people want to OFFLOAD one. It's a Sign

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by willk

Yeah, but you see how many people want to OFFLOAD one. It's a Sign

yep...there's something being shouted very loudly when there's loads of low hours packages...