Bayliner going up-market?

Dave S

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TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 3, 2006
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Upstate South Carolina
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It looks like Bayliner has done a complete makeover of certain boats in their line-up and made big changes to improve the quality of certain models like their 225 Bowrider. I wonder if this model in particular could be direct competition for Sea Ray.:wow::wow: Watch this video and decide for yourself. http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=1795 I see lots of stainless everywhere including the rub rails and interior grab handles. There are gas struts on some opening panels that in the past wouldn't normally be there. I see a fancy instrument panel and steering wheel and lots of other details that in the past Bayliner would have cheaped out on. But to me the price is prety amazing. The video mentions the retail is $39,585. Compare that to the Sea Ray 230 Select at $55,525.

I haven't seen the Bayliner in person, but I think many might pick it on price alone. Sea Rays have become very pricey and after watching the video you have to wonder whether the $16K difference in price might sway buyers to purchase the Bayliner rather than the Sea Ray.
 
The fact that Brunswick Corporation seems to own them all these days...I would suspect thier changes in product is to Target Market.

On a more comical note: Dont let the upgrades fool you, the stainless, rub rails and handles are probably from China, Japan or Pakistan.
 
I also think the S-R dealer has more discounting ability than the Bayliner dealer.
 
I like getting the "free" SRO club hat....bet ya dont get that with the Bayliner!
 
2 Sea Rays, and I never got a hat, WTF? I wonder if Tiara gives out hats...

I've got more Tiara hats than you can shake a stick at. In fact we have a "hat box" on our boat and give hats to our SR friends. We also get T-shirts, burgees, coffee mugs, drink glasses, and have our pictures taken from helicopters when we go to events. Tiara does not skimp on stuff for its customers. The company also just introduced a new certification program for used boats. Essentially, this is similar to what BMW, Audi and Acura do for cars. You have your used boat "certified" and the company gives the new buyer of your boat a one year warranty.
 
I bet that bow rider could easily make it to the bahamas..
 
Just be careful....I just picked my 220 Sundeck for $41,000 (Upgraded Trailer, well equiped, 350 MAG w/ BIII). The 220 SD is a larger boat by 1 foot, has a molded swim platform (standard & Bayliner's bolt on is extra), an enclosed head, bimini top, cockpit/bow canvas, cockpit sink/bar and is a SeaRay! I just priced the Bayliner with comperable options and the MSRP was:

Selected Options: $16,594.00
My Price**: $56,192.00

I'll stick to my SeaRay thank you :)

It looks like Bayliner has done a complete makeover of certain boats in their line-up and made big changes to improve the quality of certain models like their 225 Bowrider. I wonder if this model in particular could be direct competition for Sea Ray.:wow::wow: Watch this video and decide for yourself. http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=1795 I see lots of stainless everywhere including the rub rails and interior grab handles. There are gas struts on some opening panels that in the past wouldn't normally be there. I see a fancy instrument panel and steering wheel and lots of other details that in the past Bayliner would have cheaped out on. But to me the price is prety amazing. The video mentions the retail is $39,585. Compare that to the Sea Ray 230 Select at $55,525.

I haven't seen the Bayliner in person, but I think many might pick it on price alone. Sea Rays have become very pricey and after watching the video you have to wonder whether the $16K difference in price might sway buyers to purchase the Bayliner rather than the Sea Ray.
 
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They give them out over on the "G" dock:grin:

Okay, just found out that we did get hats. My wife is holding them ransome until I clear out some of my older hats:smt009.

Weave, better check your sailboat. Last time I was there, right next to you, I was stopped and you were making .8 kts.
 
Just be careful....I just picked my 220 Sundeck for $41,000 OTD (Upgraded Trailer, well equiped, 350 MAG w/ BIII). The 220 SD is a larger boat by 1 foot, has a molded swim platform (standard & Bayliner's bolt on is extra), an enclosed head, bimini top, cockpit/bow canvas, cockpit sink/bar and is a SeaRay! I just priced the Bayliner with comperable options and the MSRP was:

Selected Options: $16,594.00
My Price**: $56,192.00

I'll stick to my SeaRay thank you :)

The Bayliner will get discounted also. No one pays full retail but I brought that up for comparison purposes.

I am not saying I would buy the Bayliner myself but it certain to make first time buyers pause and think if they are comparison shopping amongst brands. Right now it looks like Bayliner is trying to improve the looks of this model so it really makes it more difficult for the buyer to understand what a $16K difference in price really buys them. In the past Bayliner and Sea Ray were in totally differnt leagues and it was clear just by looking at similar models from both manufacturers. I think that is not quite so obvious anymore.
 
I hear your point however my boat listed for $71K....$41K is what I paid....how much will Bayliner discount?

I agree that the Bayliners look better than they used to, but I am not sure about their long-term quality. I see a lot of late 90's Bayliners that look LIKE CRAP....everything is falling apart, chalky gel coat, the works....and almost every late 90's SeaRay that I see still looks good. Maybe it's an owner/buyer issue....

The Bayliner will get discounted also. No one pays full retail but I brought that up for comparison purposes.

I am not saying I would buy the Bayliner myself but it certain to make first time buyers pause and think if they are comparison shopping amongst brands. Right now it looks like Bayliner is trying to improve the looks of this model so it really makes it more difficult for the buyer to understand what a $16K difference in price really buys them. In the past Bayliner and Sea Ray were in totally differnt leagues and it was clear just by looking at similar models from both manufacturers. I think that is not quite so obvious anymore.
 
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So let's suppose that Bayliner discounts their price by 30%....that's still $500 more than I paid for my boat when you include tax....

The Bayliner will get discounted also. No one pays full retail but I brought that up for comparison purposes.

I am not saying I would buy the Bayliner myself but it certain to make first time buyers pause and think if they are comparison shopping amongst brands. Right now it looks like Bayliner is trying to improve the looks of this model so it really makes it more difficult for the buyer to understand what a $16K difference in price really buys them. In the past Bayliner and Sea Ray were in totally differnt leagues and it was clear just by looking at similar models from both manufacturers. I think that is not quite so obvious anymore.
 
Okay, just found out that we did get hats. My wife is holding them ransome until I clear out some of my older hats:smt009.

Weave, better check your sailboat. Last time I was there, right next to you, I was stopped and you were making .8 kts.
:smt021 Damn...I forgot about that while I was traveling!
good cal
 

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