Seing a tophy split like eggshell tied off to a coast guard rollover gave me chills. Finding out that one died and another was lucky enough to be saved give me chills evertime I see a trophy in the ocean or making a bar crossing. They are popular and so are ford trucks, but not because they're the safest. Saftey is #1 on the water. We don't have gills, them pea-brained things we spend all that money pursuing do. I don't deny that Bayliners have improved over the years. But their reputation speaks wonders, being that in my boat purchasing and operating experience, you basicly pay for what you get. 50k for a 2359 or 50k something else that is used by basically most ever govermental agency in our country. WDFW, NOAA, and numerous county Police departments in our state alone. I never have seen a fleet of bayliner charterboats either, no less one being used as a ceritified tow vessel. Heck, Idaho fish and game uses at least one Almar in Hell's Canyon on the Snake River.
By the way, any model of sailfish (GW) is without any doubts an impressive boat of any size or material in this opinionated guy's opinion. But that's just mine. I'm glad to see the choice is anything but a bayliner. Call it a vandetta. I've got more to say about them things. And I'm not the only one.
I hope any one who has read these posts and is considering buying or selling a bayliner takes into account what has been said here. I have never been so serious about posting any thing on the internet. I wish I had some photos of busted, and in one case, a flaming, and partially burnt trophy, and other bayliners. My biggest spite tward all balyliners though is the big express models. The only hard top I've seen flex due to hull stress. The only hull I've seen break in a sling launch.
Ford may have blamed firesomething tires for killing its consumers (of Explorers), but why did they recomend 26psi in those same tires anyway?
I haven't a clue. I do know all my tires got more psi than 26 on the freeway.
I've never had a blowout that caused a rollover and I've never been abord any vessel when a hull split like an eggshell, from sea conditions or otherwise.
At least shop around before you make decision on a boat purchase and I hope all of this influences at least someone else from risking themselves and others in a Bayliner, including a trophy. For my money, the odds are better in most anything else.