Bayliner sports boat at Windermere
Discussion
No clue on the VR5 specifically, but Bayliners are designed as lake boats in the USA. I have previously owned a bigger Bayliner cruiser for sea use, and those get lambasted for all sorts of reasons by the badge snobs - e.g., built to a price, not designed for anything but lakes etc.
Truth is, there was very little else that offered such size inside for a reasonable price. I bought mine when it was 18 months old in as-new condition. I looked after it properly (lots of cleaning, waxing, fettling and engine / leg servicing annually) and sold it 5 years later for the same money. Mine was in salt water the whole time except for a couple of weeks a year for servicing and antifouling.
It was always bang on the button with the EFI engine. The only problems I experienced were a battery switch and calorifier failure which could happen on any brand of boat. It was a bit bouncier than some of the more revered (read expensive) British brands in the taller and steeper Solent chops we get down here, but I guess you are unlikely to experience that on Windermere. For what I would expect to be the worst conditions on Windermere I would suggest that it would have taken it in its stride very well. Did chew some petrol though, but whatever you buy will do that on an I/O setup.
A lot depends on what you are going to use it for. Given the type of boat, I guess it is more of a water sports thing you are looking for rather than a cruiser. You might want to check the Bayliner forums to find out more about that specific model of boat.
Good luck.
Truth is, there was very little else that offered such size inside for a reasonable price. I bought mine when it was 18 months old in as-new condition. I looked after it properly (lots of cleaning, waxing, fettling and engine / leg servicing annually) and sold it 5 years later for the same money. Mine was in salt water the whole time except for a couple of weeks a year for servicing and antifouling.
It was always bang on the button with the EFI engine. The only problems I experienced were a battery switch and calorifier failure which could happen on any brand of boat. It was a bit bouncier than some of the more revered (read expensive) British brands in the taller and steeper Solent chops we get down here, but I guess you are unlikely to experience that on Windermere. For what I would expect to be the worst conditions on Windermere I would suggest that it would have taken it in its stride very well. Did chew some petrol though, but whatever you buy will do that on an I/O setup.
A lot depends on what you are going to use it for. Given the type of boat, I guess it is more of a water sports thing you are looking for rather than a cruiser. You might want to check the Bayliner forums to find out more about that specific model of boat.
Good luck.
Mate had a Bayliner 28 as his first boat. Single Mercruiser V8. Kept it on Windermere and took it out almost weekly for a year or two. AFAIK he didn't have any problems with it at all. Windermere doesn't really get rough and it had no trouble with the conditions.
He chopped it in for a Sealine 34, which has caused him more snags than the Bayliner.
Windermere limit is 6kts in the congested bit near Bowness, 10kts as mentioned elsewhere. The lake wardens are big on enforcement. Speed guns, big binos etc. They tend to knock-off at about 9pm in the summer though... Fastest we got the Sealine up to was 33kts, but mate has had a few speeding fines at several hundred quid a pop. Just be discreet and hoon it when it's quiet.
He chopped it in for a Sealine 34, which has caused him more snags than the Bayliner.
Windermere limit is 6kts in the congested bit near Bowness, 10kts as mentioned elsewhere. The lake wardens are big on enforcement. Speed guns, big binos etc. They tend to knock-off at about 9pm in the summer though... Fastest we got the Sealine up to was 33kts, but mate has had a few speeding fines at several hundred quid a pop. Just be discreet and hoon it when it's quiet.
My old boss at a classic car restoration business had a Bayliner day boat with a chevy V8 in it .
Bought cheap with running problems , cured by dumping the electronic ignition and sticking a mallory dizzy in it and rebuilding the Holley carb with proper parts instead of the home brew restrictors in it .
Used out of Herne Bay and it was a flying machine only passed by a local F1 power boat .
His then 12 year old daughter could really handle the boat , she handled it when dad wanted to Ski , she was better than dad at putting it on the trailer .
Lots of fun but would have been totally wasted on inland waters .
Bought cheap with running problems , cured by dumping the electronic ignition and sticking a mallory dizzy in it and rebuilding the Holley carb with proper parts instead of the home brew restrictors in it .
Used out of Herne Bay and it was a flying machine only passed by a local F1 power boat .
His then 12 year old daughter could really handle the boat , she handled it when dad wanted to Ski , she was better than dad at putting it on the trailer .
Lots of fun but would have been totally wasted on inland waters .
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff