Boat up to 5k

[whitechief]

Afternoon all,

It's about time I got back on the water, having spent a large part of my youth with my trusty Dell Quay Dory, skiing and generally enjoying the River Blackwater(Essex) where I grew up.

I really am serious about getting a speedboat for this season, having talked about it for years. I missed a Glastron on ebay recently because I was overseas, would have been ideal, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GLASTRON-18FT-SPEEDBOAT-INBO...

Just come across this which I really wanted when I was about 17 but could obviously never afford http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F167825 Now, I know the reputation the old Bayliners have, are they really that bad? Would I seriously regret the day I went near it?

Any advice on best value/reputation make for 5k-6 Max would be much appreciated.

Edited by whitechief on Tuesday 22 January 16:31

[Firkin Dogbolter]

I have only ever come across one Bayliner many moons ago, cira early 1980's in Brighton marina. Belonged to a family in an adjacent birth, they seemed to have no problems with it but it had an inboard engine so altogether a diffent senario. Hope someone can help you

[whitechief]

Firkin Dogbolter said:

I have only ever come across one Bayliner many moons ago, cira early 1980's in Brighton marina. Belonged to a family in an adjacent birth, they seemed to have no problems with it but it had an inboard engine so altogether a diffent senario. Hope someone can help you

Thanks for the reply, I am looking at a few boats in the next couple of weeks so hopefully will find something.

[daytona600]

5-6k should get you a pretty good choice of older speedboats.

Sea Ray make very strong boats and would be a good place to start. Glastron are also good, though slightly lower quality. Old Bayliners languish near the bottom of the heap I'm afraid.

It also depends on what water you will be using. If it's Solent etc, then a deeper V hull with an inboard may be the way to go in terms of ride quality, but internal waterways and gravel pits will suit a more performance oriented set-up with a flatter hull and an outboard.

I'm certainly biased as I run a 1983 Sea Ray and she's not that fast and pretty thirsty, but just unbelievably strongly built with excellent sea-keeping qualities. Great looker too (IMO)!

[whitechief]

daytona600 said:

5-6k should get you a pretty good choice of older speedboats.

Sea Ray make very strong boats and would be a good place to start. Glastron are also good, though slightly lower quality. Old Bayliners languish near the bottom of the heap I'm afraid.

It also depends on what water you will be using. If it's Solent etc, then a deeper V hull with an inboard may be the way to go in terms of ride quality, but internal waterways and gravel pits will suit a more performance oriented set-up with a flatter hull and an outboard.

I'm certainly biased as I run a 1983 Sea Ray and she's not that fast and pretty thirsty, but just unbelievably strongly built with excellent sea-keeping qualities. Great looker too (IMO)!

Thanks for that, I just like the look of the old Bayliner Cobra, I don't think I will consider one seriously, found a couple of Maxum that I might look at, I'll try a search for Searay. I will be using it in the River Blackwater out of Mersea Island so something strong will be needed as the river is over a mile wide and it does get rough.

[richardxjr]

How about a RIB? More space, better in a bit of chop. Plenty around your budget in the 5m range, like this:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F170185

[whitechief]

Good boats, I know. The other half wouldn't like it though, she is not confident on the water and I think something more enclosed and comfortable is needed, otherwise I might be boating on my own.

[richardxjr]

Fair enough, back on topic I had a '94 Bayliner 1952 Capri cuddy which was nicely built actually. Full 'camper' canvas too, and a trailer. The 3.0 Mercruiser inboard was a nice little unit. Good boat for the £5k I sold it for a couple of years ago.

Like this one:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F158571

[whitechief]

That would be more the sort of thing, I just missed a SeaRay that would have been ideal.

[S2 Giles]

I had a 1990 Bayliner capri cuddy & actually the build quality wasnt that bad. They have a reputation but as with most things you get what you pay for.
If you like tinkering with it, then you'll enjoy improving it.

I have a Sea Ray now which is excellent but its bigger as i stay over on board for the weekends (when its not raining)

If buying a Binliner, i would go for 1988-1995 only, the mid 90's seemed to start the bad reputation build quality.

Also look at Fletcher, superb hulls with great handling & loads about. Also prices are stable for a good resale when your ready to move on. If i was spending 5k now & didnt need overnight, i would be looking for a 18ft Fletcher

Good luck