Bayliner Saratoga

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I would be delighted to have any comments on a 24ft Bayliner Saratoga 1973 ie handling / ride in inshore waters or anything at all in general. It has recently been fitted with a Ford marine diesel with an overhauled drive giving I think 12 knots. It looks in good condition overall but at £10,000 for a 30 year old boat seems to me to be a bit expensive, any thoughts? Thank you. George.

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Bayliner or Binliners as they are better Known, Had a bad reputation for very low build quality in the passed. If its the case, it should be very evident in this model. It being converted to diesel is excelent on one hand. On the other it is very underpowered at 12 knots. The hull being designed to cruise at 20 plus knots. Plaining boats handle badly at low speeds. This one will not go fast. So IMHO you have the worst of both worlds.

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Haydn
 
See if you can add another £10,000 to your budget. This will get you well into the 'less than 10yr old' catagory for the size of boat you're looking for. I think any 20+ yr old GRP boat is highly suss and the Bayliner in particular.
David

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Hiya George, welcome to the forum.

I'm afraid I have to agree with Haydn concerning the worst of both worlds. I had a Bayliner 2556 for a year, this was only nine years old but was already showing signs of high moisture content in the hull, which eventually leads to osmosis. The pre 1980 Bayliners had a very bad reputation for suffering from high moisture content, gelcoat and osmosis problems due to mass production and poor build quality. They handle like shite at low speed, ie anything under ten knots. The combination of engine and hull you describe will only cause you greif, unless you only go in straight lines at twelve knots and have plenty of fenders when mooring up. Ask if you can have a go in the thing before you consider buying.
What will you be using it for George? sea, river, both?

Cheers for now

Syd :-)

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George, even if you could put up with the issues mentioned by the others here (and they were allowed for in the price) I just want to emphasise that 12kts is an incredibly slow and unsuitable speed for that type of boat. That speed is only suitable for lake/river use, but then the hull design isn't suited for that. A boat like this needs to cruise at say 20knots minimum, in order to make reasonable progress, handle properly, and especially give a dry ride over waves -you will get very wet at 12knots in certain sea conditions

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My tuppence worth is to agree with all said previously,but in addition watch that diesel.Who installed it,Was it done by a known company or is it some DIY sad shagged out ex taxi donkey with a few plumbing nightmare bits added on. Shoved in to replace a seized up petrol/forums/images/icons/frown.gif.In addition has hull been resprayed a sure sign of the chine cracking some old Binliners are notorious for..
That sort of money will buy you a nice Princess 25/Cleopatra or a whole host of similer well found craft.The best of luck but be carefull there is heaps of rubbish out there for every nice loved boat. You will have to look at 10 money pits before your new boat will come over the horizon.

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Thank you for your replies. I have to say I wasn't expecting such doom and gloom. I would in fact be using it in the sea, the engine was new last year and was professionaly fitted as was the respray, hm. I will check again the power and speed. In the past I have alternated between eighteen footers and ex lifeboats so I'm trying to find something reasonable size with a turn of speed. As it happens among others I have seen a couple of cleopatras but with petrol engines and I
wasn't sure if they were good sea boats. Comments please.

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You seem to be fixed on diesels. For the mileage that you are likely to do against the extra weight and performance drop that you will take a hit on, I don't think you're extra running costs will be significant. If you are looking at petrol and 23/24 ft the choice is vast hence the deal will be better I'm sure.
best of luck
David
ps....a repainted GRP boat??...leave well alone..it's nasty

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It seems that yet again we have to get down to. What is the boat going to be used for. What do we expect out of it. These questions need answering. In full. Then us experts!!!!!!! can answer!!???................/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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Haydn
 
<font color=blue>Cleopatras were/are good boats, I had the 33 back in 1972. You will however need carefully check everything about them before buying due to their age however they would be a better buy than the Bayliner both on price and build quality. Also they will not be diesel. Pay special attention to the condition of the outdrives and any delaminations deep in the hull.

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