From: alan@km4ba.uucp (Alan Barrow)
Newsgroups: rec.boats
Subject: Re: Bayliner myths: a challenge
Date: 3 Sep 92 06:24:02 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: km4ba's packet radio gateway

In <1837vkINN1bf@gilligan.East.Sun.COM> mike@gilligan.East.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori) writes:

>In article <1992Sep2.183921.17894@cbfsb.cb.att.com> heon@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (garry.j.heon) writes:
>>In article <1992Sep2.170615.24931@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>, swist@doodly.mcc.dec.com (Jim Swist) writes:
>>> 
>>> One of the biggest myths is that there is a perception
>>> of a huge amount of difference among the big selling
>>> mass-produced recreational boats (Bayliner, SeaRay,
>>> FourWinns, etc).  Their fundamental construction techniques,

The three boats mentioned here are all in different price
classes, and (at least locally and in Fla) usually have
differing levels of dealer quality.

There are many good "mass marketed" boats available. 
The shame is when a mfg dresses up a cheaply made boat
and sells it for more than the boat is worth. (Thus the quick
depreciation to it's natural value) I personally feel
bayliner (and many others) do this with snazzy paint jobs, lots of gizmos
yet gloss issue that are more important for boat longevity. (like wood
decks and stringers, accessable gas tanks, and basic usability)

I at least put Bayliner dealers over the local Bass-o-matic
crowd selling boats bought through a wholesaler. (IE: they do
not "represent" a factory line.) Usually the better boat mfg's
will only sell to 1-2 dealers in an area, and if there are problems
the mfg will stop selling the line to the dealer.

>>> including use of chopper guns and general low-tech materials
>>> in the layup are very close.  I would be *very* surprised
>>> if Baja indeed didn't own a chopper gun, as suggested by
>>> an earlier post.  We are talking big bucks to get a 
>>> fundamentally better hull quality (Boston Whaler et al).

I disagree. Whalers *are* very expensive. But in the fishing arena 
the difference between a sloppy chopped, wood deck rig and a better made
hull is usually only $2-3k. Given what the whole rig can cost ($4-6k motor, 
$1000 trailer, accy's, etc) it is false economy to cost save in that area.

IE: a $16k cheap boat is not a better value than an $18k new rig. (considering
that most boats in this class are financed, a boat that quickly depreciates
usually is not worth the remaining payments)

I am not opposed to the chop process as much as the poor fit and finish
that usually goes with it. 

But wood decks and stringers *will* rot, even if encapsulated in glass.
(flex = hairline cracks.) Then your non 100% bailing cheap craft is building
it's own problems. (I believe this was a bayliner issue.)

Replace the vinyl and carpet once, and you have recovered the difference
of a better boat. (This is another Bayliner complaint heard here.) I know
a friend's Ebbtide has had hatch hinges break, vinyl tear, light fixtures 
break, etc. A Perko stainless light fixture is abt $40-50. You are wasting
your time putting another potmetal fixture on there.

About 5 yrs later, your deck gets spongey. ( this happens even to some
older "quality" boats.) Lots of fun then, and more than your local dealer
can usually do.

Fast boat stuff deleted.....

So, to answer the challenge, a boat does not have to dissolve to be a
non-value. But paying 80-90% of a quality rig for one that has
built in problems is false economy.

If you got one for a good deal, then fine... Most do not, and are unable 
to get out from under them if they decide to upgrade.

Again.... not targeted at bayliners explicitly, but at cheap "flash, but
no substance" brands in general.

Alan "Elitist used 4yr old custom boat owner" Barrow