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Not out to abuse bcohen - I would just like to make a call for quality to Brunswick.
Question: Any idea how many first time boat buyers buy an el-cheap-o Bayliner?
Answer: A bunch.
Question: Any idea how many of them are families who will have childeren out on the boat?
Answer: A bunch.
Figure it out, folks. If you don't care about quality, care about safety.
A half-baked Bayliner out it the deep stuff is no good for you or your family. And I won't even address the "default power" that comes with the Bayliner. How can one subject their family to either Bayliner product - and the hazards that surround them?
Is being stuck offshore for 4 hours until BoatUS rescues you - your idea of fun? If so, how about taking on water while you wait?
Boating is tough enough - why make it more difficult?
The only time I was stranded offshore was when my Parker had an electrical problem. My Bayliner Trophy has been 25 miles offshore without problems. I've had it in rough water without a problem. I'm not a first time boaterand I think nemo hit it right that the worst part is defending it to ignorant people. I have been boating for over 20 years and contrary to popular belief, there are plenty on seasoned boaters out there who own bayliners and have bought more than one. Not everyone wants a scout.
I don't think I can add to anything that hasn't already been said about Bayliner in this thread, or, any others past, or present.
One statement that keeps popping up from those who think that Bays are decent, acceptable, entry level, beginner's boat, good boat for the money, etc. is that people who don't own one should not criticize them since they don't know what they are talking about.
I don't have to own my neighbor's trash to know that it is trash...if it is in his trash can, it is trash, trust me! Ditto, if it says Bayliner on the side! I know what I am talking about, because if I didn't, I would own one too!
Going to a Bay dealer is like going to the travelling carny. You know that that hoop is not going to fit around the block of wood, but you waste your money anyway. Once in a while (when the carny decides to let you) he gives you the hoop that does fit and you win a cheap prize. Same with the Bays.. waste your money on most, get lucky once in a rare while. But lucky is still cheap.
On a positive note... here are my ten (10) best reasons to buy a Bay:
10. You own a lot of stock in a marine towing service.
9. You want to give the dedicated men and women in the USCG a sense of job security.
8. Your an environmentalist that wants to start their own artificial reef.
7. Bottom fishing is your passion but you want to "look before you hook".
6. You're suicidal, but don't have the guts to do it yourself.
5.You murdered your wife and need to prove you're insane.
4. Your great uncle was Teddy Roosevelt and you want to join the "Rough Riders".
3. Your an Elvis fan and want to be the next king of "Rock n' Roll".
2. You take the salute, "Bottom's Up" to heart.
1. Rough water means passing gas in the bath tub.
[This message has been edited by Big E (edited 05-15-2002).]
I sold my Scout and bought the new Trophy 2103. No regrets. No back-aches from getting the crap beat out of me and my passengers when it gets rough. THe Merc 200 EFI starts instantly. I liked the Scout and bought it before it had a good reputation. I bought the Scout over the much heralded and overpriced Mako 17 footer. The new Trophy's are an extremely good value and is rock solid. Nothing but compliments. Yes, I know all the good brands, but they are overpriced.
Jbatz,
When i bought my Scout, they were extremely good values, unfortunaely, the price is creeping up. I used the same philosophy in buying my new boat. The value of the Trophy culdn't be touched. Extremely good value. Cut Yamaha a break, they're excellent engines. Never had a problem. Being a Yamaha fan, I was pleasantly surprised by the Merc. I don't understand why people bash Bayliners for getting towed in, this is the engine's fault and the fool who bought the Force to power it.
Holy cow, Scouts vs bayliners. Now ain't that about as interesting as watching two mules fight over a turnip. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
I had a couple of Johnson OB's for years - never had any big problems. Had a couple of Mercs - no problems yet. I really don't care that strongly for one over the other. Outboards vs. I/o's - I've had both, and both have advantages over the other. I don't feel that strongly either way. Low production volume high-end boats vs. cheaper mass produced price point boats - I've had both, and again, each have their advantages. Bayliners aren't as bad as people will tell you, and Bertrams aren't as good as people will tell you, but even I know that a Bayliner isn't a Bertram! Bottom line - if it makes you happy and gets you out on the water, then life is good!
Yep Mad Dog, looks like Bob hit it right on the head. Those mouse ears must be pinching a bit.
I am very hapyy with my 95 Trophy 2002. No problems with it, everything works, and the price was very good for a used boat. Yep, you just go ahead and buy those high dollar boats and park it out front of the double wide, next to the big dish. I'll keep my cheaper good quality Bayliner and have the extra money to invest or play with.
I don't understand the vindictiveness in the responses over Bayliners. I have never owned one, probably never will, but will that doesn't mean it's not the right boat for someone else. If it gets you on the water where you otherwise wouldn't be, great. If the boats really are dangerous and sinking all the time, wouldn't we have heard it in the mainstream media by now? Not just in chatrooms on the web? Come on folks, let's get real here.
There's nothing wrong with a Bayliner. Mad Dog and Big E don't have a clue and just like to bash others boats and engines. It makes them feel better in their own little worlds that they weren't ripped off buying some overrated and overpriced boat.
Bayliner did not get their poor reputation by accident. They built cheap boats and are living with the consequences. While most boatbuilders start with a high quality product and then cheapen it, Bayliner tried the opposite.
It's not the Bayliner boat that's is universally disrespected, it's the Bayliner "brand" that represents the kiss of death.
Me, I'll stick with my Scout and the double-wide. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
You have the right attitude. There are alot of boat and engine snobs on the board. What ever floats your boat should make you happy. I doubt that Bayliners are as dangerous as everyone seemss to think they are. I am espeially amused by the "Boating Horror Story" post. This guy didn't even get the model right in his story.
I have a boat that I consider to be pretty damn bullet proof, but I've heard from at least one poster here that they had a similar boat from the same manufacturer that the transom cracked off of. He caveated that with the fact that he ran the boat hard, but damn.
My buddy has a Cierra, and I have to admit that I don't like it much. If you fish that boat, it's all over the ocean, when I went out with my buddy, I'd notice we were too and fro, tripping and surging, and guys running my boat brand were sipping beers and trolling along. Also, my 17 foot Cape Horn had more cockpit fishing space than his Cierra.
With that I can't say that his Cierra sucked ass. We never had a problem with it out on the water the couple of times I went with him. It had a berth and a head I believe. What I didn't like was the way it interacted with the water. It bucked and rolled, perhaps due to its deeper V hull than my boat. My boat was just a little more stable.
His boat had an I/O mercruiser, and I think it would do about 40, 45 MPH top end. Pretty impressive. My Cape Horn 17 with a Yamaha 90 will maybe hit 40 on a good day, just me with a tail wind and one or two alewifes in the baitwell. Put a third Alewife in there, 36 tops.
I've found some spider cracks in my gel-coat on my Cape Horn, oh yes. But no where on the hull, they are on my console, and there are only a couple of itty bitty ones where the glass makes a little corner.
I don't know, I've seen lots of Bayliners out there, I've seen people that have hot-gunned the decals off of their Bayliners so that people wouldn't notice.
I know I don't think I'd buy one, even if I were an entry level guy. You could spend a mere couple of thousand dollars more and get a boat that had a little more thought and detail put into the construction.
Even if there are perfect Bayliners out there right now pleasing their owners, there are many defective Bayliners causing apparent grief and anguish.
And even if that is heresay, the thought of trying to get that company to even consider upholding its side of the warranty contract is enough to make a person shudder.
It would be like taking your Kia that has a 100,000 mile warranty into the shop @ 98,900 miles and complaining about a squeaky sound.
I hate to find myself in a position of defending Bayliner, but...
A Cierra is not intended to be a fishing boat. It is a lake/river cruiser. To take one offshore fishing and expect it to perform properly is nuts. That's the equivalant of taking a Buick to the race track and complaining that it doesn't corner or accelerate like the other cars.
Keep the boat in waters it was designed for (designed well or not is another story) and it will be perfectly adequate.
The Bayliner Trophy is their fishing line. I was a little skeptical at first given the reputation of bays, but the more I looked at one, the more I liked it. there are a few of them at our marina. My boat came with a 10 year hull warranty, is a nice heavy boat, and has all of the amenities I want. Small express cruisers have even more goodies, but I didn't like the way they handled. The spartan accomodations of some pure fishing boats looked nice to me, but the admiral won't use a portapotty. Our boat fit the bill perfectly. We can stay overnight on it and watch DVD's, I can go diving from it, and it works for fishing too. As long as it makes you happy, that's all that matters.Can't we all just get along and go boating?
The problem with Bayliner Trophy boats is they cost as much as some higher quality boats. Bayliner sells a lot of boats on the Great Lakes, so I assume the Ciera boats were meant to see some big water.
jbtaz - Heard ya the first time. You didnt get any funnier the second time. You and bcohen related? Inspiring post for #16.
BIG E - You work for David Letterman? ROFLMAO on your Top 10 List. Kudos.
GetJiggy - Sorry about the bad news. Can I get you an asprin?
Capt. Dan - "Vindictiveness"? Nothing vindictive here by suggesting that folks should consider safety if they wont consider quality! Inshore or offshore the idea IS NOT to just get into something that floats. Thats why Travis Boating Center stays in business. The idea is to entertain yourself, your friends, and your family on the water without putting them at risk. Was that not a serious consideration when you made the wise purchase of a Scout?
Shag Waaaassssss Up? On the water this weekend? Whats the fish du-jour in NC during May? Kingfish are drying up here and the Snook are offseason (still fun to catch). Trout are still big may try some new holes and lures I ran across this week. Been working those DOAs quite a bit recently. Mules? Turnips? That some NC smack, isnt it?
Thanks for the offer Mad Dog. Don't need the aspirin anymore. My back and my passengers feel fine after a day out on my new Trophy 2103. I left my aspirin bottle in the glove compartment of my old Scout.The new owner will need them:P
