Post by j***@gmail.comI am looking to get a used boat. It seems that Bayliners are more
expensive which would lead me to believe they are better quality. I am
also looking at a Wellcraft. Both are comprable in size.
Any information would be appreciated!
JP
Bayliners are the affordable, mass-produced, volume sellers in the
boating industry.
Bayliner is to boating somewhat like Chevrolet is to the auto industry.
Millions of people buy them, love them, get adequate or better service
from them and have a wonderful time on the water as a result. None of
those are bad things. Few people buying a Bayliner would claim that
they just purchased the world's finest boat available from anybody at
any price. Most people don't own the "best" of anything in life, and
get along just fine anyway. For most recreational boating purposes, an
appropriately sized and equipped Bayliner can be
a very workable choice and in most situations will prove to be as
adequately safe and about as reliable as anything else available. These
are family boats, not bluewater battlewagons, (and if you are planning
to go well offshore during possibly miserable weather conditions you
might want to consider something built to a $touter $tandard), but
otherwise an intelligently selected Bayliner is a decent option for a
lot of people. About 20 years ago they built some genuinely bad boats,
but unless you're looking at boats from the 1980's you can be assured
that Bayliner has done as much as anybody and more than most (for
reasons that have been apparent) to improve the product since. As I
said, think Chevrolet. Don't let anybody convince you that really need
to think Yugo, and don't expect it to outshine a Lexus or a Mercedes.
There isn't any general reason that used Bayliners should be more
expensive than other boats. Perhaps the specific boats you're comparing
are slightly larger, a couple of years newer, have extra equipment and
options, extremely low engine hours and are exceptionally well
maintained?