bobofthenorth wrote:
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We just bought a 30 year old 43 Defever so the search is fresh in my mind.* Along the way Peter Leech who used to be a partner in Grand Yachts in Coal Harbour recommended that we buy a Bayliner.* Having called their runabouts Baylurkers all my life we couldn't get our heads around the idea and frankly never took him seriously but he was dead serious.* His logic was good too and may be particularly applicable to the OP's budget.* In the mid 100k range he could move into a very current model boat and there is no doubt that the suite of features on a large run production boat like a Baylurker is impressive.* With so many of them out there the problems on a particular model are likely well known and there may be workarounds or solutions.* We couldn't bring ourselves to buy one but that doesn't make them wrong for everybody.
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The truth of the matter is that you simply cannot get more bang for your buck than the Bayliner 4588 or her newer sister, the 4788. *The 4588 was built circa 1985 to 1993. *The 4788 from 1994 til they became meridian...the meridian 490 is the exact same hull and layout as the 4788. *There are several differences between the 45 and the 47....45 has prop pockets, shafts a little beefier on the 47, 47 has 2' extra in the salon but cockpit and everything else same size, helm layout modernized on the 47, etc. *They are both nearly the same boat though. *While they are not "trawlers" they get nearly the same fuel economy, particularly the 4588. *The 45 is usually powered by twin 220hp hino diesels. *Rock solid engines, just not as many of them around, but very solid performers. *They will give you a combined fuel burn of 2.8 GPH hour for BOTH engines so 1,200 RPM, 7 knots, 2.8 GPH total. *Pretty darn good for a twin screw boat in the 45' range and probably better than those running twin cats, cummins, etc.
Personally, I prefer the 45 over the 47, or, actually, I much more prefer the 1994-1996 4788's. *Reason being is that the older models have more teak and I think a more classic look to the interior. *Up until 1996 and through 1996, they built the 45/47 with the aft bulkhead to the salon from the cockpit with teak and it looks nice but also protected from the elements pretty well. *From 1997 on they switched to no exterior teak at all and dumbed down the galley to white cabinet faces which I don't like as much. *The 1994-1996 models still had the teak but also had the extra 2' space and other 47' construction upgrades, as well as switching from hino diesels to cummins which are more well known engines no matter where you travel.
From a resale perspective, the 45/47's are extremely, extremely popular, sell well, retain their value well, and are well received and enjoy a good reputation, unlike some of the smaller bayliners. *The 38 sedan is a nice looking boat with a good layout as well but I much prefer the 45 or 47. *I have heard very, very few (if any??) stories of the windows having major leaks. *No doubt about it, our old trawlers are known to have a lot more leaks than the larger bayliners.
If a true pilothouse style cruising boat in the mid 45' range with good layout, good value, easier resale, good handling, and good fuel economy is what you want, you are going to be hard pressed to find more boat for your money than the bayliner 4588 or newer 4788. *I have crawled around all over the 45's and 47's and I find them to be excellent boats for the money and hold up very well. *We were actually actively shopping for a 45 or 47 bayliner when I stumbled upon our trawler which we subsequently fell in love with. *We were drawn to the 45/47 due to having 3 staterooms which was originally one of our stronger preferences since we have 2 kids and they could have had their own rooms but that was more of a want than a need for us at this point.
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Attached is a copy of the performance chart/fuel burn for the 220 Hinos. *Fuel burn is for both engines combined, not just one engine. *Several owners of the 45 with this power plant have confirmed the accuracy of the chart.
