Why Do Brokers Bash Bayliner?

[jacks88]

Why do all the brokers I talk to advise me to avoid Bayliner and Meridian boats?

[O C Diver]

Cause that's not what they have in their brokerage at the moment? Bet they would be pushing them if they had one to sell.

Ted

[ksanders]

Originally Posted by O C Diver

Cause that's not what they have in their brokerage at the moment? Bet they would be pushing them if they had one to sell.

Ted

Yep!

[Marin]

Originally Posted by jacks88

Why do all the brokers I talk to advise me to avoid Bayliner and Meridian boats?

1. What OC said.
2. They want to move you into a more expensive boat.
3. Not knowing any better, they have bought into the false stereotype that Bayliner/Meridian boats are low quality boats.
4. They are simply repeating what they hear other unknowing people say and are unwilling to research the reality of the brand themselves.

[Scary]

Bayliners usually survey well. Brokers seldom lose a sale over a bad survey. I honestly think they, brokers, feel they would foolish promoting a Bayliner because popular opion bad mouths them so much. Having owned two and having 60 years of boating and working on boats Bayliner builds a well engineered boat for their design purpose. They don't always have the snob apeal but they usually get the job done.

[MYTraveler]

I am not sure if the older bayliners are comparable, but the newish Meridians are very nice.

[dhays]

What about the 4550, 4588's ? Saturation problems with the flybridge deck and arch?

[CPseudonym]

Originally Posted by dhays

What about the 4550, 4588's ? Saturation problems with the flybridge deck and arch?

That's news to me.

[ksanders]

Originally Posted by dhays

What about the 4550, 4588's ? Saturation problems with the flybridge deck and arch?

The 45' Bayliners had a wood core to the decks, just like any other boat of the era. Their decks have no more and probably no less than other boats of the era, which are more previous owner induced than any other thing.

With the 4788 starting in 1994 the decks were synthetic, and like any improvement in manufacturing processes any associated faults disapered.

[BruceK]

There is a 4588 on our marina, one of 3 US imports (the others a Luhrs and a Riviera) on a 28 or so boat marina. It looks a big tough no nonsense boat, I can`t see a reason to denigrate the make. No idea what engines it has but the exhaust note alone excites me.
Did the wood cored decks have teak screwed to them? If not, water damage is much less likely.

[ksanders]

Originally Posted by BruceK

There is a 4588 on our marina, one of 3 US imports (the others a Luhrs and a Riviera) on a 28 or so boat marina. It looks a big tough no nonsense boat, I can`t see a reason to denigrate the make. No idea what engines it has but the exhaust note alone excites me.
Did the wood cored decks have teak screwed to them? If not, water damage is much less likely.

No teak decks, but the 45's had considerable exterior teak and a all teak iinterior.

THe 47's after 1995 did away with the teak exterior, and "lightened up" the interior by using more white. Not as nice as the older ones in my opinion but I think they were trying to get away from dark interiors.

[dhays]

My question really was a question and not an accusation. There are a number of 4588s around and the prices are very good. While the design doesn't appeal to me as much as some others, they check almost all the boxes at an amazingly affordable price.

I owned a 1984 sailboat with cored decks that ended up with saturation. It makes me a bit leery of that problem.

Dave

[CPseudonym]

I believe my answer was non accusatory and honest.

There are no "solid fiberglass decks" that I'm aware of that are completely devoid of any core. Exceptions being antique 1960's vintage boats such as mine. Majority of 30-60' boats will have some sort of "core" for decks and roofs.

[Robster_in_edmonds]

The 4588s had wood cored decks as noted earlier. The engines are Hinos, Toyota's diesel brand. Their big advantage is that they are individually sleeved so they can be rebuilt without removing them from the boat. Or so I have heard.

Smaller Bayliners built in the 1980s hurt the brand. The yachts built in WA have always been a great value. Great owner support on www.baylinerownersclub.org. We love our 4788.

[BruceK]

Whether a cored deck is likely to be a problem depends partly on the core. Foam is preferable to wood, imo.

[dhays]

Yeah, the 4788s are pretty nice. The extra 2 feet and $100k is a problem for me however. They still seem like an amazing value however.

Thank you all for the info.

Dave

[FF]

"Smaller Bayliners built in the 1980s hurt the brand."

Precisely right , the smaller boats were built to price in a very tough market.

[jacks88]

We had one of the smaller Bayliners back in the early 80s and my father cursed that boat more than he seemed to enjoy it (Volvo/Penta is still forbidden in our family). That, combined with what I hear from brokers, has me avoiding them. As pointed out above, the seem to be everything we are looking for and at a very good price compared to traditionally recommended trawlers. I think I'll find some nearby and have a look.

[Jimbo2015]

Well can someone explain how they fit the trawler profile?

here's link to the 45 & 47 comparison.


& this one Bayliner 4588

[dimer2]

Originally Posted by jacks88

. I think I'll find some nearby and have a look.

A bit of a drive but we are in Kemah until the end of the month. You are welcome to come look at our 4788.