Should I buy this Bayliner?

I have the option of purchasing a 1985 Bayliner Conquest 3250 - I think its 32 ft.....but its a project boat - it is not runnng right now and the engine will need to rebuilt and some pretty substanial remodeling will need to be done to make it eye appealing again. I have not taken a mechanic to see it or anythignyet - but if anyone out there has any knowledge of these boats - I would be interested advice. The guy wants 4900 for it - there is no trailer with it - as is and claims with a little work the boat could be great. NADA says poor condition its worth 11K - good its worth 15....I think I can maybe get him down to 3500..what do you think? Any advice for me? Do I take or run? BTW we are middle class ppl on somewhat fixed income - by no means poor but can not get stuck with a floating money pit...|||I wouldn't be in a big hurry to buy this boat just yet. It may seem like a good deal, but there are a lot of questions I would want the answer to prior to shelling out my money. Here are a few:





Before I buy the boat, Where am I going to put it? How will I get it there without a trailer? Where can I get a trailer? Can I rent one? How much?





If you're going to rebuild it in your back yard, will the city/county let you do it? Will the neighbors be okay with a 32 ft boat in your yard for however long it takes to effect repairs?





How much will it cost to rebuild the motor? What about the cosmetic work? How much of that can you do yourselves? If not, how are you going to get it to repair facilities without a trailer?





At a very minimum, I would have the boat surveyed by a professional.


Let him decide if it is a good deal or not. Tell him you also want an estimate as to how much he thinks it would cost to make it seaworthy.


It might cost you a hundred dollars or so, but it might be the best money you spend if he uncovers some condition that you have not been made aware of.





Don't be to quick to buy a boat. There are thousands of them on the market, and the looking process can be just as much fun as owning the boat. Start on the internet. On your days off, visit marinas, you would be surprised how many people just slap a for sale sign on their boat and never advertise it anywhere.





Happy hunting.|||thats what that boat will be, a floating money pit, book values are not worth squat anymore with the economy the way it is, I would run away from that boat as fast as I can, good luck|||OK, first it is a Bayliner - run away





Second, you have a 32 footer with a single engine, she is underpowered even if she was running.





Third, it is a Bayliner - run away.





Unless you have a full set of skills and deep pockets to bring this boat back to life run away. You will get the engine running, and then the floor will rot out, or the water system will quit, or the electrical system will corrode away.





Please find another boat to spend your hard-earned money.|||trunorth is on the right track.





The boat will definitely be under powered with the single engine. And this year Bayliner is a heavy boat so you'll definitely be burning heavy amounts of fuel. At approximately $2.50 a gallon...ouch!





Project boats that are 23+ yrs old demand deep pockets as there is always something needing to be fixed.





Keep looking and you'll find better deals than a Bayliner that will need less work and less time spent away from the water.|||I have a bayliner, and it ok,but you will spend a lot of cash on it.Ask your self this Q the money you spend on the boat, and the money spend on fixing it up, by the time you get it finsh, how much have you got in to it now. Its a lot of time and money, do you have that???|||No way man... You are buying a big money pit believe me.|||Thats not even that great of a deal! No trailer + No working motor = money pit even for a boat. And besides there is not much you can do with a bay liner fishing is a hassle they chug gas like kirstie Ally chugs Slim Fast. If you want a fixer upper try Craig's List, and don't for get a boat is a hole in the water into which you poor your money. RUN!!!!!!





If you don't you'll be the guy selling it unseaworthy next time around


Also can you afford to keep it in a slip?|||dont touch it. a low quality boat for starters.engine rebuild can be $7000. or more. i hope you realize a boat this size needs a slip at a marina. another $2000- 3000 per year . maintenance, fuel, insurance etc. another $2-3000. per year. boats are very expensive toys.|||You don't say if it's fresh or salt water. Either way, if you don't trailer it or get it out of the water you will be paying through the nose for a slip, electric power to run your doo dads, %26amp; to have the bottom cleaned and prop properly maintained. Trailering one of those bad boys is next to impossible and a money pit if you don't. A total loss eventually as you must maintain the bottom and prop due to deterioration, barnacles, just all the flotsam %26amp; jetsom which collects on the bottom %26amp; then you start getting the drag. Your burning more gas, your prop gets damaged...and so it goes!


You will also need to cover your boat once you start your renovations...did I say bye bye $$$$$$? Covers don't come cheap, tarps don't hold up, and customized covers, forget about it!|||Bayliners are not well built boats, and whatever your total estimate is to restore it.. DOUBLE IT, I've owned many boats and have a 1979 SeaRay right now that I love but I bought it for 4000.00 and including the trailer I bought for it, I now have 15,000.00 in it, it's a nice boat but the deal/price went out the window with the repairs, and like other posters mentioned, there is always things you didn't take into account once you get into it...Oh and the 15,000 doesn't include my labor. I have it in real nice shape now but but it wasn't the deal I thought I was getting.


Boats are also a dime a dozen now, that boat should practically be a giveaway... keep looking, thats no deal|||Bayliner = used to line the bottom of the bay.





Run, don't walk, run away.