I’m looking at buying a saltwater boat for fishing on weekend long trips. The bayliner 2556 has everything I’m looking for in a boat, with room to fish on the deck, fly bridge and comfy cabin space. Is the bayliner boat reliable and an all around sea worthy boat that doesn’t break down over the years?
I’ve heard a lot of people say they’re junk. What can you tell me about the bayliner 2556? good and/or bad
WOW… I think you have come up with another great oxymoron…
I mean we have all heard of "military - intelligence" and jumbo - shrimp" but you have just added "saltwater - Bayliner". Now that’s a good one.
Bayliner absolutely does not make a blue water or saltwater boat. A true blue water vessel (or saltwater as you call it) the same size and shape with the exact same amenities as that Bayliner you are looking at will be 2 to 3 times heaver - and thus, much more solid, and safer, and last much much longer - not to mention the fact that it will be much more comfortable.
And yes! To most any long time experienced boater that knows boats - they are junk! Bayliners are the very first to break down, the very first to fall apart, and the brand new ones are the very first to look 10 years older then they really are. Their windows, doors, latches, hatches, rails, paint, upholstery and all their plastic and vinyl is the cheapest money can buy - and it just doesn’t hold up in fresh water, much less salt.
Still, If you told me all you wanted to do was putt around on an inland lake, and only on those weekends that God made specifically for boaters… and you told me you needed a really cheap entry level boat - to get started - and you didn’t really care how long it lasted, and you promised you would never take anyone your loved or really cared about out with you in the boat… I could understand buying a Bayliner.
Buying used (especially in today’s market) is very-very smart of you… And I know the cheap prices of even new Bayliners is very tempting to first time boat buyers… as that is exactly their market and market strategy… and they are good at it. But you need to remember that Bayliner Boats is a subsidiary of Brunswick. Do you really want a boat built by people that are famous for building bowling balls?
You need a "real" boat.
I strongly suggest you look for a true blue water and or coastal off shore vessel - if that is what you are going to use the boat for. Not only will you be much safer, you will be an awful lot less seasick, and in the long run, you will have made a much better financial decision.
Capt. John
By Captain Jack on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
My best advice is to hire a marine surveyor to look it over and tell you its condition and what needs replacing. This is a normal thing we all do before we buy a used boat.
Bayliners are a mass produced boat. Over the years many of them have had major problems. Quality control had been issue over the years. You can google search forums about the issues people have had with them. Do your homework!
As for breaking down, yes that’s very true. Many models are built with cheap parts. What’s worse is many times the former owners replace the parts with even cheaper parts or do jerry rigging ideas that just don’t work. Some owners have taken good care of their boats and made good improvements increasing reliability and safety.
I would really consult a marine surveyor to get you the scoop. They do cost and you (not the owner) will have to front the cost. Sounds like a lot of money to spend on a boat you might not buy, but it’s cheaper than paying big bucks only to find out it’s a lemon. If your lucky the owner might have a previous insurance survey that can shed some light. If it looks good I would still have someone look at it for things change over the years.
Hope that helps. =)
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By Derrick S on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
Personally I would not buy a Bayliner for ocean fishing. The hull has a flatter deadrise than most ocean boats. This translates to a rough ride in choppy waters. The hull is thinner than I’d care to have. The cabin is pretty basic and not very comfortable. If you’re fishing lakes and inshore waters for a week, it’ll be OK. But for ocean, no way. Bayliners are basic entry level boats to start with. You can do much better shopping around these days with boat prices way down. What engine/outdrive is on there? Hopefully it’s a Mercruiser and not OMC. Engine a 454? BIG gas drinker! As far as reliable, they usually are, if the previous owner took good care of the boat ANNUALLY. Ask to see all of the service records. If there aren’t any, or many missing, walk away from it and look elsewhere. This really isn’t a good fishing boat. If you want a fishing boat and have to have a Bayliner, look at the "Trophy" series of Bayliner. Those are made for ocean and rough water use and built for fishing. Look at the "Walk Around" models. I ocean fish with friends that own "Trophy" series and those are good boats. I’d never go out on one like you’re looking at.
References :
Sea Ray 47 Sedan Bridge Owner
By Capt. John on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
WOW… I think you have come up with another great oxymoron…
I mean we have all heard of "military - intelligence" and jumbo - shrimp" but you have just added "saltwater - Bayliner". Now that’s a good one.
Bayliner absolutely does not make a blue water or saltwater boat. A true blue water vessel (or saltwater as you call it) the same size and shape with the exact same amenities as that Bayliner you are looking at will be 2 to 3 times heaver - and thus, much more solid, and safer, and last much much longer - not to mention the fact that it will be much more comfortable.
And yes! To most any long time experienced boater that knows boats - they are junk! Bayliners are the very first to break down, the very first to fall apart, and the brand new ones are the very first to look 10 years older then they really are. Their windows, doors, latches, hatches, rails, paint, upholstery and all their plastic and vinyl is the cheapest money can buy - and it just doesn’t hold up in fresh water, much less salt.
Still, If you told me all you wanted to do was putt around on an inland lake, and only on those weekends that God made specifically for boaters… and you told me you needed a really cheap entry level boat - to get started - and you didn’t really care how long it lasted, and you promised you would never take anyone your loved or really cared about out with you in the boat… I could understand buying a Bayliner.
Buying used (especially in today’s market) is very-very smart of you… And I know the cheap prices of even new Bayliners is very tempting to first time boat buyers… as that is exactly their market and market strategy… and they are good at it. But you need to remember that Bayliner Boats is a subsidiary of Brunswick. Do you really want a boat built by people that are famous for building bowling balls?
You need a "real" boat.
I strongly suggest you look for a true blue water and or coastal off shore vessel - if that is what you are going to use the boat for. Not only will you be much safer, you will be an awful lot less seasick, and in the long run, you will have made a much better financial decision.
Capt. John
References :
http://captainjohn.org
By clawless on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
capt john said it best.
pass on it. they are junk and not saltwater seaworthy, their quality is very poor and depending if it has an OMC drive, you’ll be lucky to find parts.
look into a sea ray sedan bridge from the mid to late 80’s. its a VERY solid boat, i have a 25′ model, has a 10′ beam, more stable and much better built.
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By John on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
I would not buy a Bayliner anything. They look good but that’s where it ends.
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By marc d on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
Bayliners, Sea ray’s and Hatteras are all built by Brunswick, and a lot more out there, but that was to name a few, do some home work instead or specifically listening to " Sea ray " whiners, ooups, I meant owners !!
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Bowling ball specialist
By Gary on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
WTF. Ok I amit it I have owned Bayliners In The Past ,,but Never again”Enough said….
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