First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

On Friday, September 25, 1998 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, Marysella wrote:
I just drove 8 hours to get my very first boat, mentioned above, with a 305
Chevy Cobra , just 20 hours on the rebuilt motor, Cuddy, fridge . . Hull,
carpet, dashboard in great shape, needs some reupholstery work. Paid $ 3,300.00
for it, $ 700.00 for tandem axle trailer. I plan to leave it at the marina most
of the time, except to wash the hull periodically. I think I got a great deal,
what do you experts think? and how do I find out its the blue book value? Any
tips, info, advice etc. would be appreciated.

Also, small problem : after a downpour in the middle of the lake, the step down
between the cuddy and the fridge filled ankle deep with water, with no place to
run off. Did some genius recarpet over the drains? There are some suspicious
rivets.

Thanks for any help. I thought Bayliners were top of the line for the average
income person.Everybody has seemed impressed that I got such a lot of boat for
so little money. All I want it to do is take me on the water in relative
comfort, mostly alone ,or party with friends and ski the kids . For me it is a
dream come true, a passion fulfilled, a ready made escape from the overfilled
days. ...Oh blessed idleness, the quieting of the mind, the communion with
nature....

Thanks Bayliner, no matter how many boats I get in the future, I will never
forget the thrill of my first..

Maryse in Texas

Have a Bayliner '87 and have owned it for years, doing literally everything from coasting to watersports. Now, it's seen so much wear we use it primarily for a fishing boat - it has oodles of room for that task, can carry more supplies in the hull than our old Grady (and more supplies for the fishermen) and has a reasonable draft for exploring the unknown parts of Georgian Bay.

That said, seemingly everything on this boat has broke once, except maybe the electronics... no, they've broke or needed rewiring. We have broken more skags and props to count, obliterated the original Force 80 motor by hitting rocks at plane, put fractures into the hull by hitting rocks and/or grounding the boat, put fractures in the motor well for hitting all this crap, nearly sank the boat at dock by a mechanic error of not putting the hull plug back in, nearly sank the boat by leaving the safety clamps on the trailer... yadda yadda

Our modifications we A 90HP engine to replace with power lift (Unbelievably handy. No more back breaking at the dock, it can still propel above hull depth in shallow water, and it's a trim tab of sorts for a few more mph at full speed). An industrial strength rubber strip glued down the keel (sealed the leaks, reinforced the hull, and makes rock hits at trolling speed more like bumper cars than wallet damage). A better Hummingbird sonar/GPS combo (We lost the original, so get 21st century). A 4HP silent trolling motor + mount running off the fuel line, as a backup engine too. Mounts abreast for downriggers - they work as just holders for regular trolling.

And that's it. All dials, electrics, lights, doors, fold'y chairs work perfect. One back has battery, the other has Ze Coolah! And the glorious bilge pump has never failed.

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

On Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:01:58 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Friday, September 25, 1998 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, Marysella wrote:
I just drove 8 hours to get my very first boat, mentioned above, with a 305
Chevy Cobra , just 20 hours on the rebuilt motor, Cuddy, fridge . . Hull,
carpet, dashboard in great shape, needs some reupholstery work. Paid $ 3,300.00
for it, $ 700.00 for tandem axle trailer. I plan to leave it at the marina most
of the time, except to wash the hull periodically. I think I got a great deal,
what do you experts think? and how do I find out its the blue book value? Any
tips, info, advice etc. would be appreciated.

Also, small problem : after a downpour in the middle of the lake, the step down
between the cuddy and the fridge filled ankle deep with water, with no place to
run off. Did some genius recarpet over the drains? There are some suspicious
rivets.

Thanks for any help. I thought Bayliners were top of the line for the average
income person.Everybody has seemed impressed that I got such a lot of boat for
so little money. All I want it to do is take me on the water in relative
comfort, mostly alone ,or party with friends and ski the kids . For me it is a
dream come true, a passion fulfilled, a ready made escape from the overfilled
days. ...Oh blessed idleness, the quieting of the mind, the communion with
nature....

Thanks Bayliner, no matter how many boats I get in the future, I will never
forget the thrill of my first..

Maryse in Texas

Have a Bayliner '87 and have owned it for years, doing literally everything from coasting to watersports. Now, it's seen so much wear we use it primarily for a fishing boat - it has oodles of room for that task, can carry more supplies in the hull than our old Grady (and more supplies for the fishermen) and has a reasonable draft for exploring the unknown parts of Georgian Bay.

That said, seemingly everything on this boat has broke once, except maybe the electronics... no, they've broke or needed rewiring. We have broken more skags and props to count, obliterated the original Force 80 motor by hitting rocks at plane, put fractures into the hull by hitting rocks and/or grounding the boat, put fractures in the motor well for hitting all this crap, nearly sank the boat at dock by a mechanic error of not putting the hull plug back in, nearly sank the boat by leaving the safety clamps on the trailer... yadda yadda

Our modifications we A 90HP engine to replace with power lift (Unbelievably handy. No more back breaking at the dock, it can still propel above hull depth in shallow water, and it's a trim tab of sorts for a few more mph at full speed). An industrial strength rubber strip glued down the keel (sealed the leaks, reinforced the hull, and makes rock hits at trolling speed more like bumper cars than wallet damage). A better Hummingbird sonar/GPS combo (We lost the original, so get 21st century). A 4HP silent trolling motor + mount running off the fuel line, as a backup engine too. Mounts abreast for downriggers - they work as just holders for regular trolling.

And that's it. All dials, electrics, lights, doors, fold'y chairs work perfect. One back has battery, the other has Ze Coolah! And the glorious bilge pump has never failed.

Sounds like it's doing the job quite well!

Enjoy it.

Are you speaking of the Georgian Bay north of Toronto? How's the fishing up there?
--

Guns don't cause problems.
Gun owner behavior causes problems.

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

John H. wrote:
On Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:01:58 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Friday, September 25, 1998 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, Marysella wrote:
I just drove 8 hours to get my very first boat, mentioned above, with a 305
Chevy Cobra , just 20 hours on the rebuilt motor, Cuddy, fridge . . Hull,
carpet, dashboard in great shape, needs some reupholstery work. Paid $ 3,300.00
for it, $ 700.00 for tandem axle trailer. I plan to leave it at the marina most
of the time, except to wash the hull periodically. I think I got a great deal,
what do you experts think? and how do I find out its the blue book value? Any
tips, info, advice etc. would be appreciated.

Also, small problem : after a downpour in the middle of the lake, the step down
between the cuddy and the fridge filled ankle deep with water, with no place to
run off. Did some genius recarpet over the drains? There are some suspicious
rivets.

Thanks for any help. I thought Bayliners were top of the line for the average
income person.Everybody has seemed impressed that I got such a lot of boat for
so little money. All I want it to do is take me on the water in relative
comfort, mostly alone ,or party with friends and ski the kids . For me it is a
dream come true, a passion fulfilled, a ready made escape from the overfilled
days. ...Oh blessed idleness, the quieting of the mind, the communion with
nature....

Thanks Bayliner, no matter how many boats I get in the future, I will never
forget the thrill of my first..

Maryse in Texas
Have a Bayliner '87 and have owned it for years, doing literally everything from coasting to watersports. Now, it's seen so much wear we use it primarily for a fishing boat - it has oodles of room for that task, can carry more supplies in the hull than our old Grady (and more supplies for the fishermen) and has a reasonable draft for exploring the unknown parts of Georgian Bay.

That said, seemingly everything on this boat has broke once, except maybe the electronics... no, they've broke or needed rewiring. We have broken more skags and props to count, obliterated the original Force 80 motor by hitting rocks at plane, put fractures into the hull by hitting rocks and/or grounding the boat, put fractures in the motor well for hitting all this crap, nearly sank the boat at dock by a mechanic error of not putting the hull plug back in, nearly sank the boat by leaving the safety clamps on the trailer... yadda yadda

Our modifications we A 90HP engine to replace with power lift (Unbelievably handy. No more back breaking at the dock, it can still propel above hull depth in shallow water, and it's a trim tab of sorts for a few more mph at full speed). An industrial strength rubber strip glued down the keel (sealed the leaks, reinforced the hull, and makes rock hits at trolling speed more like bumper cars than wallet damage). A better Hummingbird sonar/GPS combo (We lost the original, so get 21st century). A 4HP silent trolling motor + mount running off the fuel line, as a backup engine too. Mounts abreast for downriggers - they work as just holders for regular trolling.

And that's it. All dials, electrics, lights, doors, fold'y chairs work perfect. One back has battery, the other has Ze Coolah! And the glorious bilge pump has never failed.
Sounds like it's doing the job quite well!

Enjoy it.

Are you speaking of the Georgian Bay north of Toronto? How's the fishing up there?


That post was from 1998...

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

On Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:22:17 -0400, Alex wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:01:58 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Friday, September 25, 1998 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, Marysella wrote:
I just drove 8 hours to get my very first boat, mentioned above, with a 305
Chevy Cobra , just 20 hours on the rebuilt motor, Cuddy, fridge . . Hull,
carpet, dashboard in great shape, needs some reupholstery work. Paid $ 3,300.00
for it, $ 700.00 for tandem axle trailer. I plan to leave it at the marina most
of the time, except to wash the hull periodically. I think I got a great deal,
what do you experts think? and how do I find out its the blue book value? Any
tips, info, advice etc. would be appreciated.

Also, small problem : after a downpour in the middle of the lake, the step down
between the cuddy and the fridge filled ankle deep with water, with no place to
run off. Did some genius recarpet over the drains? There are some suspicious
rivets.

Thanks for any help. I thought Bayliners were top of the line for the average
income person.Everybody has seemed impressed that I got such a lot of boat for
so little money. All I want it to do is take me on the water in relative
comfort, mostly alone ,or party with friends and ski the kids . For me it is a
dream come true, a passion fulfilled, a ready made escape from the overfilled
days. ...Oh blessed idleness, the quieting of the mind, the communion with
nature....

Thanks Bayliner, no matter how many boats I get in the future, I will never
forget the thrill of my first..

Maryse in Texas
Have a Bayliner '87 and have owned it for years, doing literally everything from coasting to watersports. Now, it's seen so much wear we use it primarily for a fishing boat - it has oodles of room for that task, can carry more supplies in the hull than our old Grady (and more supplies for the fishermen) and has a reasonable draft for exploring the unknown parts of Georgian Bay.

That said, seemingly everything on this boat has broke once, except maybe the electronics... no, they've broke or needed rewiring. We have broken more skags and props to count, obliterated the original Force 80 motor by hitting rocks at plane, put fractures into the hull by hitting rocks and/or grounding the boat, put fractures in the motor well for hitting all this crap, nearly sank the boat at dock by a mechanic error of not putting the hull plug back in, nearly sank the boat by leaving the safety clamps on the trailer... yadda yadda

Our modifications we A 90HP engine to replace with power lift (Unbelievably handy. No more back breaking at the dock, it can still propel above hull depth in shallow water, and it's a trim tab of sorts for a few more mph at full speed). An industrial strength rubber strip glued down the keel (sealed the leaks, reinforced the hull, and makes rock hits at trolling speed more like bumper cars than wallet damage). A better Hummingbird sonar/GPS combo (We lost the original, so get 21st century). A 4HP silent trolling motor + mount running off the fuel line, as a backup engine too. Mounts abreast for downriggers - they work as just holders for regular trolling.

And that's it. All dials, electrics, lights, doors, fold'y chairs work perfect. One back has battery, the other has Ze Coolah! And the glorious bilge pump has never failed.
Sounds like it's doing the job quite well!

Enjoy it.

Are you speaking of the Georgian Bay north of Toronto? How's the fishing up there?


That post was from 1998...


ewww weeee ewww.
--

Guns don't cause problems.
Gun owner behavior causes problems.

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

Yes Alex, it is an old post but refreshing to see it amongst endless political muck...

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

On 7/21/15 9:43 AM, Tim wrote:
Yes Alex, it is an old post but refreshing to see it amongst endless political muck...



The poster or the boat or both probably are dead by now.

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

But it's good reading a boating post. A lot can be learned from reviving old posts.

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

On 7/21/15 10:36 AM, Tim wrote:
But it's good reading a boating post. A lot can be learned from reviving old posts.


Indeed. I learned "never to buy" a 1987 Bayliner Capri. :)

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an '83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

On 7/21/15 10:40 AM, Tim wrote:
I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an '83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!


Different strokes...three to five years, and I'm itchy for a new boat. :)

A smaller boat I was on recently seemed really nice to us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YokmT8Kft8

Boats, was Capri
 

wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:40:53 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an
'83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at
the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!

Mere pups. My Harris is from 1974.
I am looking at having a new one built but the guy I want to build it
is in Ohio and getting it here is a trick. I have a buddy in Ohio and
I may incorporate this into a road trip.
I rebuilt this boat in 1990 and I still do not see any production
boats that are built as well. Fire and Marine in Ohio builds
commercial stuff and they will build me anything I want.
In the end, it's cheaper than getting a Bennington or some other
premium brand. I am not really interested in all of that furniture and
they will not give you much of a discount if you delete it.

Have it lashed atop a freighter coming down the Ohio river to New Orleans.
Acquaintance did that when he bought a 32' aluminum Cat in Australia. Tied
to the top of a container ship going to San Pedro.

Boats, was Capri
 

Greg what's wrong with your Harris? I thought you were a 'if it works, don't fix it' kinda guy?

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 10:57:11 -0400, Keyser Söze
wrote:

On 7/21/15 10:40 AM, Tim wrote:
I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an '83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!


Different strokes...three to five years, and I'm itchy for a new boat. :)

A smaller boat I was on recently seemed really nice to us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YokmT8Kft8

===

Let us know when the IRS gives you approval to buy. BTW, it's a flat
water, short range boat.

Boats, was Capri
 

Now I understand, Greg. Would it be worth installing a third, single tube in the center? "Tri-toon?" style instead of going with a whole different rig?

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

Tim wrote:
Yes Alex, it is an old post but refreshing to see it amongst endless political muck...

No argument there!

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

Keyser Söze wrote:
On 7/21/15 9:43 AM, Tim wrote:
Yes Alex, it is an old post but refreshing to see it amongst endless
political muck...



The poster or the boat or both probably are dead by now.


Fantastic punctuation, writer!

First Boat, 1987 Bayliner Capri 2150
 

Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 10:57:11 -0400, Keyser Söze
wrote:

On 7/21/15 10:40 AM, Tim wrote:
I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an '83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!

Different strokes...three to five years, and I'm itchy for a new boat. :)

A smaller boat I was on recently seemed really nice to us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YokmT8Kft8
===

Let us know when the IRS gives you approval to buy. BTW, it's a flat
water, short range boat.


And a floating RV. There is no style to that barge.

Boats, was Capri
 

On Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 1:52:04 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:09:21 -0500, Califbill billnews wrote:

wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:40:53 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an
'83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at
the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!

Mere pups. My Harris is from 1974.
I am looking at having a new one built but the guy I want to build it
is in Ohio and getting it here is a trick. I have a buddy in Ohio and
I may incorporate this into a road trip.
I rebuilt this boat in 1990 and I still do not see any production
boats that are built as well. Fire and Marine in Ohio builds
commercial stuff and they will build me anything I want.
In the end, it's cheaper than getting a Bennington or some other
premium brand. I am not really interested in all of that furniture and
they will not give you much of a discount if you delete it.

Have it lashed atop a freighter coming down the Ohio river to New Orleans.
Acquaintance did that when he bought a 32' aluminum Cat in Australia. Tied
to the top of a container ship going to San Pedro.

They want about $1800 to trailer it down here and I figure it will
cost about a third to half that to drive up and get it by the time I
buy food and a couple of hotels. If I spin it that I am just going up
to visit my buddy that is not bad at all. I figure I would drop the
trailer at the boat guy, go visit for a few days and pick it up on the
way back.

I might consider a Bennington S class if I could get one cheap enough.
I have a friend at the dealer watching for one that was sitting in
someone's yard rotting for a several years since I don't want any of
the topside stuff anyway. Then the question might be, what to do with
the motor if it came with one. I guess I would decide after I saw it.
My motor is 3 1/2 years old with over 800 hours on it. I still might
prefer that to a pig in a poke.,

There's a 25ft 2008 Premier Castaway with the PTX center toon close by for sale. It was left out to pretty much rot for several years. Needs new carpet and furniture. Two fishing seats in both the front and rear, live wells at each end, too. 150 four stroke Yamaha with 150 hours. Probably could be bought for $15k or maybe less.

Boats, was Capri
 

wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:20:41 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 1:52:04 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:09:21 -0500, Califbill billnews wrote:

wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:40:53 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an
'83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at
the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!

Mere pups. My Harris is from 1974.
I am looking at having a new one built but the guy I want to build it
is in Ohio and getting it here is a trick. I have a buddy in Ohio and
I may incorporate this into a road trip.
I rebuilt this boat in 1990 and I still do not see any production
boats that are built as well. Fire and Marine in Ohio builds
commercial stuff and they will build me anything I want.
In the end, it's cheaper than getting a Bennington or some other
premium brand. I am not really interested in all of that furniture and
they will not give you much of a discount if you delete it.

Have it lashed atop a freighter coming down the Ohio river to New Orleans.
Acquaintance did that when he bought a 32' aluminum Cat in Australia. Tied
to the top of a container ship going to San Pedro.

They want about $1800 to trailer it down here and I figure it will
cost about a third to half that to drive up and get it by the time I
buy food and a couple of hotels. If I spin it that I am just going up
to visit my buddy that is not bad at all. I figure I would drop the
trailer at the boat guy, go visit for a few days and pick it up on the
way back.

I might consider a Bennington S class if I could get one cheap enough.
I have a friend at the dealer watching for one that was sitting in
someone's yard rotting for a several years since I don't want any of
the topside stuff anyway. Then the question might be, what to do with
the motor if it came with one. I guess I would decide after I saw it.
My motor is 3 1/2 years old with over 800 hours on it. I still might
prefer that to a pig in a poke.,

There's a 25ft 2008 Premier Castaway with the PTX center toon close by
for sale. It was left out to pretty much rot for several years. Needs
new carpet and furniture. Two fishing seats in both the front and rear,
live wells at each end, too. 150 four stroke Yamaha with 150 hours.
Probably could be bought for $15k or maybe less.

That is more boat than I want and Premier is not really that good a
boat. anyway. To put this in perspective, all of the aluminum on the
one I was going to have built comes in at around $12k
I really want to stay in the 20-21' range because that is about all
that will fit on my lift and if it gets too big, it won't go a lot of
places where we go. I have an 18' Tracker I might be able to get for
free but I would kick back whatever I could sell the ~2008 50 Merc 2
stroke for. I am just not looking for an 18 either.

The good Bennington looks OK (that may be the G not the S) but it
really comes down to how they are built. I am tough on them.
That is why that commercial grade boat looks so good to me.

Maybe buy the toons and buy an aluminum welder and weld up a deck frame.
Add enough supports to use a composite deck.

Boats, was Capri
 

On Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 1:45:03 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:20:41 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 1:52:04 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:09:21 -0500, Califbill billnews wrote:

wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:40:53 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

I don't know but I wouldn't say they're dead...yet, my Chris craft is an
'83 and the marquis is a '77. I'm redoing the interior on the Marquis at
the moment, but the Chris just got a good workout this past weekend.

Viva!

Mere pups. My Harris is from 1974.
I am looking at having a new one built but the guy I want to build it
is in Ohio and getting it here is a trick. I have a buddy in Ohio and
I may incorporate this into a road trip.
I rebuilt this boat in 1990 and I still do not see any production
boats that are built as well. Fire and Marine in Ohio builds
commercial stuff and they will build me anything I want.
In the end, it's cheaper than getting a Bennington or some other
premium brand. I am not really interested in all of that furniture and
they will not give you much of a discount if you delete it.

Have it lashed atop a freighter coming down the Ohio river to New Orleans.
Acquaintance did that when he bought a 32' aluminum Cat in Australia. Tied
to the top of a container ship going to San Pedro.

They want about $1800 to trailer it down here and I figure it will
cost about a third to half that to drive up and get it by the time I
buy food and a couple of hotels. If I spin it that I am just going up
to visit my buddy that is not bad at all. I figure I would drop the
trailer at the boat guy, go visit for a few days and pick it up on the
way back.

I might consider a Bennington S class if I could get one cheap enough.
I have a friend at the dealer watching for one that was sitting in
someone's yard rotting for a several years since I don't want any of
the topside stuff anyway. Then the question might be, what to do with
the motor if it came with one. I guess I would decide after I saw it.
My motor is 3 1/2 years old with over 800 hours on it. I still might
prefer that to a pig in a poke.,

There's a 25ft 2008 Premier Castaway with the PTX center toon close by for sale. It was left out to pretty much rot for several years. Needs new carpet and furniture. Two fishing seats in both the front and rear, live wells at each end, too. 150 four stroke Yamaha with 150 hours. Probably could be bought for $15k or maybe less.

That is more boat than I want and Premier is not really that good a
boat. anyway. To put this in perspective, all of the aluminum on the
one I was going to have built comes in at around $12k
I really want to stay in the 20-21' range because that is about all
that will fit on my lift and if it gets too big, it won't go a lot of
places where we go. I have an 18' Tracker I might be able to get for
free but I would kick back whatever I could sell the ~2008 50 Merc 2
stroke for. I am just not looking for an 18 either.

The good Bennington looks OK (that may be the G not the S) but it
really comes down to how they are built. I am tough on them.
That is why that commercial grade boat looks so good to me.

For your use the commercial built boat is probably the way to go. The Premier is built as good as the Bennington for a lake boat, but the Ben has a little better fit and finish in the interior furniture and helm (which you don't seem to care about). The Premier PTX has the edge in performance and handling (again, which you don't seem to care about).

How much would you have in the commercial boat after you finish outfitting it with "furniture" and running gear?

Boats, was Capri
 

On Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 2:59:53 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:48:19 -0500, Califbill billnews wrote:

wrote:

The good Bennington looks OK (that may be the G not the S) but it
really comes down to how they are built. I am tough on them.
That is why that commercial grade boat looks so good to me.

Maybe buy the toons and buy an aluminum welder and weld up a deck frame.
Add enough supports to use a composite deck.

The deck frame is usually bolted to the toons but you need to get the
tubes that have good supports. That is the biggest flaw in the cheap
ones. My boat has 2x2 square tube for the stringers instead of the "Z"
or "C" channel most boats use and everything is through bolted with
3/8" 316 SS hardware.

It seems you are just poking around in the mangroves. The square tubing gives you slightly better dimension stability for fast running over rough stuff. Why does that matter?

Composites are really pretty heavy. Plywood seems to be the best deck.
It gives you a whole lot of dimensional stability and if you get the
right grade, it lasts a long time. Mine is 25 years old (MDO) and
still doing well.
The trick is sealing the edges and all penetrations well.
There are boats with aluminum decking bit they tend to be noisy.

And the aluminum decked boats are "flexy". You can see them twisting at speed in the rough. I have to say my Premier is rock solid even when the lake gets very rough, and I've been in Charleston Harbor when it was fairly nasty with no ill effects.