bayliner 2355 - good or bad....

M

mul

New Member
Joined
7 Aug 2007
Messages
14
Visit site
I would appreciate any and all advice on this boat. I am going to import from US.

anything I should know before I do!

Thanks..
 
There have been many a discussion regarding the importing of boats from the US and as far as i can see you have to be sure you are getting a CE marked boat or a real bargain. I have looked into it and IMHO it is worth it if you are spending on a bigger boat but I couldnt see a real advantage on smaller sports boats. I would suggest a search back through recent posts on the topic and see what you get.
 
CE marked means they have been adapted or manufactured to European specification. You can have it done here if it is not but allow a couple of grand. If its not CE marked it is technically illeagal in the UK, its certainly harder to insure and sell again. How old was the boat you were looking at?
 
looking at a couple, 97-98..
What differences are there between UK and UK/IRL boats?

Excuse my complete ignorance!
 
you know the CE mark.. the letters you see on the back of everything you buy from a tv onwards. Applies to boats too.
You have to pay shipping,meeting CE requirements and then CE approval, VAT and import tax. Thats likely to eat up much of the impression of a price difference- plus you might not get that much help from any dealer when you need parts etc.
It can be done, and a financial gain can be made...not what it first appears though.
As said, do a search,,, there are a few people who have done it with various tales to tell, some good, some unfortunate.
 
I dont think its worth importing a USA boat at the price, the downsides outweigh the small price advantage.

However the boat is a great value pocket cruiser. The year you are looking at Bayliners were mid market. Huge space in the cabin for a 23ft boat, but fairly basic spec level. Cockpit area is an aquired taste (Not enough seating IMHO) and the standard covers on that age of boat are not much use in the UK (new covers and frame to give full standing headroom will be about 2K) Its also trailable behind a decent 4x4, which keeps costs down and extends cruising area. Engines are standard mercruiser stuff, look after them and they are reliable.

Having said all that for 20k ish its a lot of boat and you will get most of your money back when you come to sell it.
 
@landlockpirate.. the prices im seeing on apolloduck outta the US are considerably smaller than UK prices.. and just checked that some are CE certified.

@ Sneddon.. I'll take look!!
 
Can't comment on the Bayliner, only ever owned a late 1802, however if buying from the US and I have twice, the costs are shrink wrap, transport to the docks, probably Jacksonville, cost of shipping to Southampton on a cradle, vat and import duty, cost of onward travel in the UK, electric conversion and CE, my only bit of advise is this, jump on a plane and go look see, there have been so many damaged repaired boats in Florida you wouldn't believe, Hurricanes a couple of years back trashed hundreds of boats and alot were not written off but repaired, whole dry stacks collapsed I keep in contact with the person who sold me my boats and he sells in excess of 170 per year and even he has been caught out after many years in the trade. Remember you have no come back and alot will have been repaired on the cheap. Good luck.
 
We have one, our first boat, see At Last! Newbies First Trip thread.

Plus Points. Great for 2 People. Excellent performance. Good Handling at high speeds. Easy (ish) to work on. Great Value. Mid cabin bigger than it looks. Easy to service / work on engines & outdrives, spares easily available. Good (American) owners club website. Great Safe Fun Boat.

Minus. Thirsty - 12 hours used 200 litres at 9 ish knots. Small washroom - no hot water or shower. Awful handling at 6 knots or below.

Watch out for fridges that aren't - could be just a coolbox. And CE stuff, 240v electrics fitted or not?

HTH

all of this is IMHO, just my tuppence worth etc etc

Nick
 
I looked into doing this myself, yes the purchase price in the US was fantastic. The problem was all the additional costs, inspection trip, shipping, VAT, CE marking, new electric system, cradle, transport to and from docks etc etc. I did the sums on a 5 year old Four Winns Sundowner-total saving was about 2k. I didnt think it was worth the hassle. But if you can do it cheaper than go for it.
 
Taking all the above into account (CE plating, VAT, shipping etc.) you should be looking to pay nearly half the cost of the equivalent Bayliner over here. I've done it and despite being unlucky with an engine (water leak caused by lousy mechanic bodging the exhaust gaskets-could happen here) I'm still ahead of the game. 110v electrics are easily overcome with a transformer or replace the 110v elements (battery charger, fridge etc.) with 240v. The engines are the same and spares readily available. If inspecting before shipping, check condition of deckware (stanchion bases etc.) mine were terrible. Good luck!
 
Half the cost /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I'd like to see some figures to back that up, I looked into this a few years back and yes you can make a saving over UK boats but only about 10-15% I would say. And of course when you come to sell you'd have to declare it was imported, so value will always be less than a UK boat, probably by the same amount you'd have saved in the first place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

S
How much does re-upholstery cost?
Replies
11
Views
437
Dino
Dino
F
Non starting outboard
Replies
4
Views
227
spannerman
S
W
  • Locked
KAD32 Injector and sleeves
Replies
0
Views
106
Wobbo
W

Share this page

Top