Bob D. wrote:

I have yet to see anyone offer any significant
empirical data, even significant anectdotal evidence, that any boat of a
given brand name is clearly superior or inferior to another brand name,
when factoring in things like initial cost, and care.

Oh? Try going 30 miles offshore in a Bayliner and a boat of similar
sized designed for ocean use.

df--

While Catalina Island is only 26nm from the coast of California, I
suggest you look at the number of Bayliner's moored there.

I believe it's been "tried".