"Jim Rojas" wrote in message . ..
Bayliner makes the worst boats in the world. They are the "YUGO" of boat
builders. They use the cheapest materials, have very thin hulls...real
garbage.


This is just ridiculous nonsense. When you see a post like this, take
it with a large grain of salt; people who make these sweeping comments
"the worst boats in the world" usually have an agenda, an inferiority
complex, or both.

I own a 96 Bayliner Capri which I bought 2 years old. It's been in
salt water every season since. I maintain it fastidiously. It has
been wonderful. My family and I have enjoyed it every summer for the
past six years.

It is an entry-level boat. Fittings and furnishings are by no means
deluxe, but nothing is falling apart or wearing any differently than
it would on any other boat. The upholstery, windscreen, hardware, etc
are all fine. The "pieces" that are attached to the hull, including
the power plant, the outdrive, the steering system, the bilge pump,
are all made by reputable manufacturers, and they all work as well as
they do on other boats to which they are fitted. I have been told
that the hull uses a cheaper construction methods than some other
boats, but you know what? I don't care! My boat has held up fine.
It has a limited lifetime warranty on the hull, and I've seen no signs
of cracks, no blistering, no rot, no problems. I'm not saying it's
because they are great boats, they are entry-level, cheap boats, but
if well maintained they will perform at least adequately.

I paid $8,000.00 for it six years ago. I consider it the best
$8,000.00 I ever spent. I have gotten so much joy and pleasure from
it. Luckily, when I bought it, I was blissfully unaware of all the
bull**** and the raging arguments about Bayliners. From what I've
learned, Bayliners did have quality problems particularly in the 80's.
All I can tell you is that I haven't seen evidence of it. My boat
seems reasonably well-made (again, without many of the nice extras
that more expensive boats may have, as you would expect). I suspect I
could easily get $4-5,000 for it now, though I have no reason to sell
it and I really have no idea what it's worth.

I really think that there are some people who just repeat this stuff
without any particular first-hand knowledge, or to make themselves
feel better about their more expensive boats. I have nothing against
more expensive boats and I guess I'd like to own one some day. But
there is nothing wrong with a Bayliner.