Bayliner Searay

is SEARAY owned by US BOAT

Sea Ray is owned by the Brunswick Corporation

2010-05-05 15:41:02 by wildlyslow

A walk through of Wilson Marine's 2009 Bayliner 300 Cruiser. Only available at www.wilsonboats.com or 800-875-2620 *thanks for looking this ...

I've heard two lines of thought when it comes to 1st time boat purchasers - whether to buy a brand new boat (from a dealer) or whether to buy a late model used boat w/ a transferrable warranty (from a private party).

The reasoning behind a brand new boat is of course, peace of mind. I'm going into this hobby at 38 yrs old and I have no misconceptions that this can be an extremely expensive hobby.

My budget is around $18,000 (for lic., ins., dealer fees [if applicable], and misc. other fees).

Also, I am familiar with Bayliner and Searay, and most recently, Four Winns (these are nice boats!). We are a familiy of 5; with my sister and her kids (we each have 3 - all of them are now at the watersports age) a mile away. I've done exhaustive technical research but I've not done any of the most important research - the public.

What is good first boat? I'm looking for a bowrider, i/o (about 175 hp), 18' or bigger.

Thanks to all in advance.

I sold boats for years and owned a few. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME ADVISE! FIRST and important, do you have a proper vehicle with 5 people pulling a boat? V-6 may not "cut" it, i.e., burning motor up, transmission not heavy enough, etc., due to weight. Brochures for boats indicate BOAT WEIGHT ONLY, gas per gallon 7 lbs each, trailer 700 to 1000 lbs., I used 300 for gear, coolers, etc. SECOND CONSIDERATION, 5 people on an 18' boat you DO NOT want this small boat on a BUSY lake, YOUR family will not be happy and dangerous. THIRDLY, have professionally installed trailer "hitch". When you go to have installed you will need to know approximate weight being "pulled".

FIRST TIME, Buy used!!! Why? New boat owners will sell within 2 to 3 years average. Most buy TOO small, as you will find out quickly buying 18', or the anticipated use was NOT as expected, average in America is 50 hours per season. As you look at boats consider useage, i.e., skiing, tubing, cruising, etc. If skiing you need a "Larger Engine", not a 4 cylinder or small outboard.

Where to buy? Go, FIRST, to Marinas that "house" boats for clients. Usually they have large buildings where they "fork lift" boats "one row" at a time. If an owner is doing this they more than likely care about the boat by keeping out of weather. These facilities also offer regular maintenance and service. You will find from the "operators" of these facilities boat owners selling.

Boat dealers do sell used but, from my personal experience working at dealers, finding boats traded in are usually not in great shape and sold "as is". You will find boats on "consignment" where owners that could not sell have dealers put on their lots, these are usually over priced because the owner has a minimum they will take, plus the dealer wants a share as well.

There is an abundance of boat owners selling. When you are "prospecting" REMEMBER, the year of the boat is LAST TWO digits of VIN. NOW you know how to tell. If VIN is "scraped" or "missing", DO NOT BUY, it is easy to "steal" boats and one indicator is NO VIN, located on right rear.

Boat dealers use NADA for trade values or resale. As you are shopping review or "get" one of these. Bayliner can be great first boats, they are "cheapest" and as you ride in other makes you will understand why. "Things" start happening with Bayliner after a couple of years.

With only $18,000 you are more than likely looking at a 2 to 3 year old or earlier. More than likely someone "just" ready to get "rid of because they "bought too small" and ready to upgrade.

Hope this helps. DO NOT become boat poor. ANY USED BOAT PAY A QUALIFIED TECH TO INSPECT, APPROX. $150 TO $200, regardless of what you are told. AGAIN, have a proper VEHICLE!

Good Luck, Boating is a Great Family Activity.

2008-04-24 18:36:55 by Alan H

Price: $89.99 $85.99

We have been looking at some different boats and prices of them and are having a little trouble narrowing it down to which one to get. Basically we have found some early and mid 90s model SeaRay boats that seem like nice boats at about $5k, just a little outdated as far as looks go. Then for around $7k - $8k we have found some Tahoes, Bayliners and a Glastron. they are newer, 2000 models, and look a lot nicer, perhaps more comfortable, but I was wondering about the quality because I have heard bayliner is not a good boat, that Tahoes are relatively new and havent really heard much on glastrons.

We just want a decent starter boat, that we can ski with, carry 7 or 8 ppl on and enjoy a day at the lake.

Any suggestions? Why?

Bayliners are like the model t to the auto industry, build em cheap so everyone can aford one. Most marine insurance companies wont insure them or if they do it's at high rates. Glas ply has been around for 50 some od years and they to have had some bad years. you'd have to do some checking. I dont know where you plan on doing your running around but every area of boating presents different situations. I live in the Pacific North West and the weather here can get stormy right quick and that will present a lot of problems to lets say some one who is going to be running around on some lake in Arizona. Sea Ray is a boat designed for off shore running in the gulf and they are a well designed boat and hold thier resale value. The boats length and bottom design has a lot to do on how fast they are going to go and to carry 7 to 8 people, you better do some checking for it's going to take even more horse power to get a boat up on a plane carrying that many people.
My advise ios to visit the local marinas and dealerships and bend some ears so to speak and get some local knowledge which is invaluable. Dont be in any hurry to buy a boat for to many people make big mistakes by being in a hury for something they know little about. Fiberglass boats are the cheapest to insure ifg it's less than 10 years old some older ones are like wooden boats, unable to insure, Checking with your auto or homeowners insurance company can offer some hints to on the type of boat for in your area and what you want to do with it. High performance boats, hight rates.
Hope it gives you some helpful advise. I been on the water for over 50 years and knock on wood havn't had a accident yet.
Capt'n Bruce

2009-07-08 17:27:12 by Rachel C