thinking of getting a bigger boat

[jeepster]

i love my 20 foot glasply to death, but, i would love something bigger, more comfortable and a little newer... and something i could stay on for a few weeks at a time- whether live-aboard or out cruising. ive seen alot of older fiberforms and (i cant believe im saying this) bayliners around 26-28 feet on trailers for under 6000$.

now, 6 months ago, if you asked me if id ever consider a bayliner, id say no way in hell... however if you asked me why, i would say, ive heard from my buddies that they are crap. while i personally have no experiance with anything bayliner under 35 feet, it seems like people either love em or hate em. im eyeballing a 28 foot bayliner bounty or victoria, or a fiberform executive 28 (basically the same boat- bayliner stole the design)... i guess im looking for something with a flybridge, big deck, enough room to take 4 or 5 guys fishing, and a head/shower for the girls, and a galley

what do you guys think about bayliners/fiberforms?  are they as bad as people say they are? how bad can they be?

im seeing these boats an affordable way into a larger boat, im aware that a bayliner cant compete with a true sport fishing boat, and is nowhere as rugged and heavy duty as my glasply, but, the overall function of a larger boat seems to outweigh the purpose of a smaller boat...

id love to hear some input on this idea

[kenzmad]

If I were you, I would pop on over to Iboats.com and ask them the question. lots of good folks over there

[jeepster]

yeah, im on iboats too... thought id check with a group more oriented with fishing vs boating

[FC]

Bayliners in general aren't geared as much toward fishing as some others, more of a general purpose type boat usually but the bigger ones that I have been on were nice and handled rougher water pretty well.

[Ripper]

Since I just bought a Seaswirl Striper, I'm partial to them. I got a 21' but the 26 cuddy is really sweet. It has everything you are looking for in a trailerable boat. Price might be the only detractor.

[redadams]

you were right the first time bayliners are crap been done that. 

[Hunting7mm]

I have a 17' Arima and I think we all get the two footitis.  One of these days I'd like a 22' Arima sea legend!!!!!!  Just not sure if my wife will let it happen!!!!!

[PolarBear]

   SeaSwirl, Arima, Grady White, all well built fiberglass boats and well set up for fishing in all conditions.

[jackmaster]

26ft northriver with the offshore bracket with twin yami's, they ride the best in all types of rough water great for lakes and even better for salt, and they have the best seats available oh and the options are endless and the wife will be a happy camper and we know how important that is

[Encore 280]

Since you're in love with the Glasply go for a 26-28' Glasply, they're pretty nice boats. If you're goin with outboards go with the Evinrude E-Tec, can't beat 'em. I love my little 17' Olympic with the 75 E-Tec sittin back there. Wish I could afford something bigger too. It works for on the Sound and Willapa Bay. Good luck and Happy Holidays to you.

[Ripper]

Nice boat Hunting7mm. Here's a pic of my 21' Striper.