Hi everyone,
I am going to be buying a boat soon and I need a few things but seeing as I don't really know much about the technical stuff, other then how to drive it and fuel it, I need some HELP.
The boat I am buying is a 1990 bayliner cobra bass boat. I have been told that it will need a new trailer because the one it has right now cannot support its weight well. Does anyone have any idea what kind of trailer I would need. I believe the boat is 14 feet. I would like a roller trailer because they are much easier to launch.
Second, if anyone knows a realtively inexpensive place to get a used trailer that would be great.. (I'm in Brockville)
Next, I need to get a trolling motor (for bass fishing of course) and I'm not sure what kind to get.. (also if anyone has one that is suitable for sale that would be great).
There is more.. I appologize..
I need to get a cover for the boat.. and I need to find somewhere that does that.. but not too expensive..
If anyone can help with any info that would be great..
Fish bowl
Boat Help
Are you sure about the length? What size engine is on the boat? Is that the original trailer? Has it had an electric motor on it the past?
I know a guy who is selling a Bayliner Cobra Bass Boat, it has a factory trailer and a 150 Merc and I believe it is about 18 feet long. He said the boat worked pretty good, but the motor blew on it so now they are selling it. Used trailers are usually pretty easy to find, however if it has a fibreglass bass boat style hull you had better find a trailer with bunks that is plenty wide enough. Mounting an electric is fairly easy provided you have the space to do it. If it has never had a tm on the bow before you may have to run some 6 guage wire through the boat. I use and I would reccomend a MinnKota Maxxum. A friend of mine is sellling his 1 year old 65# Maxxum for $450.00. They usually sell for around $1000.00. PM me if you are interested.
I know a guy who is selling a Bayliner Cobra Bass Boat, it has a factory trailer and a 150 Merc and I believe it is about 18 feet long. He said the boat worked pretty good, but the motor blew on it so now they are selling it. Used trailers are usually pretty easy to find, however if it has a fibreglass bass boat style hull you had better find a trailer with bunks that is plenty wide enough. Mounting an electric is fairly easy provided you have the space to do it. If it has never had a tm on the bow before you may have to run some 6 guage wire through the boat. I use and I would reccomend a MinnKota Maxxum. A friend of mine is sellling his 1 year old 65# Maxxum for $450.00. They usually sell for around $1000.00. PM me if you are interested.
BOAT SIZE
WELL,
HERE IS THE THING. THE PERSON SELLING THE BOAT IS A FRIEND OF MINE FROM WORK. SHE DOES NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE BOAT AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SEE IT YET. HER HUSBAND COMES HOME ON THE WEEKEND SO I AM GOING TO SEE IT THEN.
SHE TOLD ME THE BOAT IS 14 FEET WITH AN 85 HP MOTOR. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT TO ME. I FIGURE THE MOTOR IS EITHER SMALLER OR THE BOAT IS ABOUT 17 FEET. SHE WASN'T 100% SURE.
THE BOAT RUNS GREAT AND IS IN GOOD SHAPE (SHE IS A VERY TRUSWORTHY FRIEND) BUT THE BOAT IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRAILER THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THE BOAT ON.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFO ON THE MOTOR.. I WILL KEEP THAT IN MIND.
HERE IS THE THING. THE PERSON SELLING THE BOAT IS A FRIEND OF MINE FROM WORK. SHE DOES NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE BOAT AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SEE IT YET. HER HUSBAND COMES HOME ON THE WEEKEND SO I AM GOING TO SEE IT THEN.
SHE TOLD ME THE BOAT IS 14 FEET WITH AN 85 HP MOTOR. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT TO ME. I FIGURE THE MOTOR IS EITHER SMALLER OR THE BOAT IS ABOUT 17 FEET. SHE WASN'T 100% SURE.
THE BOAT RUNS GREAT AND IS IN GOOD SHAPE (SHE IS A VERY TRUSWORTHY FRIEND) BUT THE BOAT IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRAILER THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THE BOAT ON.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFO ON THE MOTOR.. I WILL KEEP THAT IN MIND.
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M.T. Livewell
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- Location: Rockland
First of all Fish_Bowl, congrats.
Here is a pic I found of a Bayliner Cobra, vintage 1987 with an 89hp. It is 17', which leads me to believe the boat you are looking at is probably closer to that size.
This boat is not the 'BASS cobra', but I am not too familiar with the bayliners, so I cannot comment on the differences. This one does not appear to have an open deck as you would find on a bass boat.
A few things, get the best possible trailer you can afford. I have been through this before and it is aggravating to say the least. EZ-loader is a popular name that you can probably find for a reasonable price at any marina. I would recommend bunks vs rollers as well.
As for trolling motors, I would assume as this is a bass boat, that it had one before. Find out what brand, as Minnkota and Motorguide have different mounting holes. Try to match the previous brand and you can re-use the holes. If there never was one, the world is your oyster, pick your fave. Again, spend as much money up front as you can. It is a lot more expensive to upgrade later.
Good luck.
M.T. Livewell
Here is a pic I found of a Bayliner Cobra, vintage 1987 with an 89hp. It is 17', which leads me to believe the boat you are looking at is probably closer to that size.
This boat is not the 'BASS cobra', but I am not too familiar with the bayliners, so I cannot comment on the differences. This one does not appear to have an open deck as you would find on a bass boat.
A few things, get the best possible trailer you can afford. I have been through this before and it is aggravating to say the least. EZ-loader is a popular name that you can probably find for a reasonable price at any marina. I would recommend bunks vs rollers as well.
As for trolling motors, I would assume as this is a bass boat, that it had one before. Find out what brand, as Minnkota and Motorguide have different mounting holes. Try to match the previous brand and you can re-use the holes. If there never was one, the world is your oyster, pick your fave. Again, spend as much money up front as you can. It is a lot more expensive to upgrade later.
Good luck.
M.T. Livewell
HEY GUYS THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO..
I'M GETTING THE BOAT FOR 3000 DOLLARS..
THAT IS WHY I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD... DONT' WORRY THIS FRIEND DOES NOT WORK AT MY WORK ANYMORE AND SHE IS REALLY NICE AND VERY TRUSTWORTHY..
THERE IS A TRAILER.. BUT SHE SAID THAT SHE BELIEVES THE BOAT IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRAILER.. I WILL LOOK INTO THE DECK TRAILERS.. I AM HOPING THAT I WILL FIND ONE FOR NOT TOO BAD A PRICE. I THINK YOU ARE ALL RIGHT ABOUT PUTTING MORE MONEY IN UP FRONT.
WE DID LOOK IN THE BOAT TRADER FOR A BOAT.. BUT... THE PRICES ARE A LOT HIGHER THEN WE CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW.. THAT IS WHY I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH A TRAILOR AND STUFF WILL COST US..
FISH
I'M GETTING THE BOAT FOR 3000 DOLLARS..
THAT IS WHY I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD... DONT' WORRY THIS FRIEND DOES NOT WORK AT MY WORK ANYMORE AND SHE IS REALLY NICE AND VERY TRUSTWORTHY..
THERE IS A TRAILER.. BUT SHE SAID THAT SHE BELIEVES THE BOAT IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRAILER.. I WILL LOOK INTO THE DECK TRAILERS.. I AM HOPING THAT I WILL FIND ONE FOR NOT TOO BAD A PRICE. I THINK YOU ARE ALL RIGHT ABOUT PUTTING MORE MONEY IN UP FRONT.
WE DID LOOK IN THE BOAT TRADER FOR A BOAT.. BUT... THE PRICES ARE A LOT HIGHER THEN WE CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW.. THAT IS WHY I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH A TRAILOR AND STUFF WILL COST US..
FISH
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nighttroller
- Silver Participant
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- Location: Orleans
I agree with the other posts, get a bunk trailer, check to see if an electric trolling motor was previously installed and try to match the brand. Make sure you get a good trailer and a powerful enough trolling motor (65 lb should be plenty) because upgrading will cost you more. You may want to consider bringing the boat to a mechanic to get a pre-sale inspection, I recently sold mine and the buyer did that ($75) and it gave them piece of mind that it was mechanically sound.
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Cancatchbass
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- Location: 1000 Islands
Motor?
Just a word of caution- if that Bayliner has a Force outboard on it as many of them did- buy it at your own risk. 
Those engines were garbage.
CCB
Those engines were garbage.
CCB
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Cancatchbass
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- Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:30 pm
- Location: 1000 Islands
Force outboards
Force, not forced.
Force manufactured outboards- originally owned by Chrysler, then Merc bought the name and their poorly designed engines.
I think that's the right sequence. My memory is getting worse every day.
Funny, I can still recall the exact details of fish that I caught 20 and 30 years ago.
CCB
Force manufactured outboards- originally owned by Chrysler, then Merc bought the name and their poorly designed engines.
I think that's the right sequence. My memory is getting worse every day.
Funny, I can still recall the exact details of fish that I caught 20 and 30 years ago.
CCB
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BassAngler68
- Participant
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- Joined: Mon May 10, 2004 8:54 am
- Location: Munster, Ontario
Re: Force outboards
Not 100% sure but I think Bayliner may have been in the middle before Merc or as part of Merc. Right after Chryslers name ended all Bayliners were offered with the Force as the Standard engine in their package.Cancatchbass wrote:Force, not forced.
Force manufactured outboards- originally owned by Chrysler, then Merc bought the name and their poorly designed engines.
I think that's the right sequence. My memory is getting worse every day.
Funny, I can still recall the exact details of fish that I caught 20 and 30 years ago.
CCB
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Cancatchbass
- Gold Participant
- Posts: 1692
- Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:30 pm
- Location: 1000 Islands
fish_bowl
Hi fish_bowl:
That is the general time frame when Bayliners were equipped with Force outboards. They were selling fully equipped bass boats with 150's at $9995.00 (U.S.) But they didn't last.
Keep in mind there are always exceptions to evry rule- there is a chance Force made a couple of good motors. I would have whatever motor is on the boat well checked out by a quality mechanic (prob. Merc as they were connected) before handing over the $$. If it is a Force, though, check to see if replacement parts are readily available.
You don't want to be paddling the boat all summer...
Good luck.
CCB
That is the general time frame when Bayliners were equipped with Force outboards. They were selling fully equipped bass boats with 150's at $9995.00 (U.S.)
But they didn't last.Keep in mind there are always exceptions to evry rule- there is a chance Force made a couple of good motors. I would have whatever motor is on the boat well checked out by a quality mechanic (prob. Merc as they were connected) before handing over the $$. If it is a Force, though, check to see if replacement parts are readily available.
You don't want to be paddling the boat all summer...
Good luck.
CCB