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Bayliner Capri - Piece of crap or value for money?

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    Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 2:56pm
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Hi guys,

Looking for some considered advice from some experts...

I'm in the market for a boat as I've recently moved and can no longer borrow the family launch whenever the mood strikes me, and as much as I'd like, I can't borrow a Coastguard RHIB to take the girlfriend for a picnic or take the lads for a bit of a ski. :)

My budget is maximum $25k but I'd prefer to spend $20k or less and make some minor improvements, purchase some electronics, safety gear and maybe some toys like skis etc.

I'm looking for something in the 5-6m range and need to be able to tow it behind a late-model Nissan X-Trail (compact SUV) without too much hassle.

I want a pleasure boat (not a fishing boat) for a bit of summer fun. Day trips in the Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, and Coromandel areas, and water sports etc.

I have a load of experience on displacement launches and high-speed RHIBs, but a runabout in the 5-6m class is fairly new territory (ie I've driven them, but never owned).

Late '90s Bayliner Capris represent great value for money on the face of it, but I've been warned away from them by everyone I've talked to (except the salesman at the boat yard :) but no-one can really tell me why. Are they rubbish, or are they just at the cheaper end of the spectrum and value for money due to high production numbers? What does a trailered one weigh exactly?

Any feedback greatly appreciated.


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tagit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 3:34pm
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RV - I have a 1995 Maxum (like the Capri bowrider but 18'). We traded it for one of our Dreamboats Memberships. The boat is really tidy and the engine/leg have both been serviced ready to go for the summer. The boat owes me $12,900 and that is what I am selling it for as we want to move it quickly. It is the cheapest one on the market in this type of condition. If you are looking for this type of boat, it is worth looking at.

As for the boats themselves, they are well featured for boats in their price range, and they are set up well as a day boat. They are not ideal fishing platforms, and are not a boat that I would be heading off on trips to Gt Barrier in etc etc. The biggest downside to these boats is the low deadrise (lack of 'V'). This makes them relatively quick and economical to push, but they ride more harshly than boats with more deadrise. If you are a 'calm day boatie', they are fine, but if you are a person who is out on more windy days you will find that you can't travel too fast without loosening a few fillings. This is why they are often referred to as 'lake boats' by NZ boaties. This is the main issue that has Kiwi boaties rubbishing them. As for general quality, they are a mass production boat, but when I look at the one we have you couldn't say that it is wearing any worse than most other boats of that age would be. They aren't a Tristram, Rayglass or similar, but for a 15 year old boat I don't think that anyone would have much to complain about in relation to build quality.

If you are interested in this boat, please let me know asap. We already have one sea-trial planned for sometime this week with a prospective buyer, so I can't guarantee that the boat will be on the market for very long.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote RV_Skip Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 3:44pm
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Cheers mate - PM sent.

Ideally I'm after a boat with a cuddy cabin but I have been seriously looking at a couple of bow riders.

I guess I need to sea trial a Bayliner. I'm used to capable sea boats and while I intend on only really going when it's nice as it is a day boat after al, I appreciate a good handling sea boat. The proof may be in the driving...
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote lance@driveline.co.nz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 4:51pm
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Go te Bowrider ! !! Really good for flicking softbaits around and rooting apparently ! Big smile
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tagit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 4:57pm
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Originally posted by BlackBill BlackBill wrote:

] Go te Bowrider ! !! Really good for flicking softbaits around and rooting apparently ! Big smile

I was wondering about those changes you were making to the boat. Don't call her 'El Donkey' for nothing aye WinkLOL
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote lance@driveline.co.nz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 5:04pm
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Lol,  A slip of the tongue the rooting part... No pun untended ! ! !    The galley mods were simply to entice them in Dave !!!!!!!!! in particularly the Macro bench Top :)
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tagit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 5:24pm
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Originally posted by BlackBill BlackBill wrote:

] Lol,  A slip of the tongue the rooting part... No pun untended ! ! !    The galley mods were simply to entice them in Dave !!!!!!!!! in particularly the Macro bench Top :)

A good bit of wood will do that WinkLOLLOL
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Raging Bull Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 5:52pm
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Have a look at this, it is mint as, have been out in it a couple of times and reckon it could do what your after.

http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/6m-steadecraft-cabin-boat-1999-blardy-tidy_topic71873_post1024141.html?KW=#1024141

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote nodamboat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 6:31pm
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Hey dude, I'm the owner of the boat Bull posted above, I brought this after owning a Bayliner Capri 1950 bow rider.
To be honest I haven't looked back. I emjoy my boating much more these days.
IMO, any sterndrive around that 10 year mark is looking to have some serious money to be spent on it, risers. manifolds, bellows, and gimbal bearing. The 3.0 has the starter in the bottom of the bilge and plenty of other bits which like to corrode/plastic deteriorate which I've replaced.
I personally like the hulls, and were fairly cheap to put gas in, but I definately wouldn't buy another one. unless it was a lake boat from new, under 5 years old, and I was keeping it on the lake. (Only because of maintainence issues)
 
Have a look at mine, whether or not your after a craft like mine, it all adds to your knowledge, and if it's midweek, can get out for a fish too.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote nodamboat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 6:35pm
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http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=425728424&ed=true
 
The toilet belongs to Bull on a short / long term borrow!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Wiski23 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Nov 2011 at 11:00pm
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My old boat was a Bayliner 175 2004 paid 27k thrashed it for 4 years,loaded up with fat sacks for wakeboarding 3 times a week & recently sold it for 28k. Was a great boat,never broke down once. The only issue I had was the trailor lights needed replacing.
Apart from that Magic!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote RV_Skip Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Nov 2011 at 1:59pm
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Many thanks to Dave (Tagit) for your time today letting me loose on the Maxum.

Solid boat, nothing wrong with it, but Dave's comments about the ride are spot on. No swell, maybe around half a metre of chop in 10-15kts of westerly near the harbour bridge. Tide was on the make (so you were right Dave - wind against tide). Handling was fine with correct trim, but ride was harsh - very.

I would normally have put a boat through some serious paces, but it would've just been uncomfortable so after a couple of turns up and downwind decided to head back in.

Great boat for skiing as you wouldn't ski in these conditions, but not very good for day tripping out to the islands, etc for the run back with afternoon sea breeze.

Once again Dave, thanks. Has helped alot.
Dial *500 for coastguard from your mobile | The charity Saving Lives at Sea | 71 units, 2,268 volunteer professionals, 350,000 volunteer hours and 6,560 people assisted annually
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