Fishing out of a bayliner?

[walleye 4 me]

Have been looking at mid to late 90's bayliner capri 1954. Basicaly a ski boat with a small livewell, bowmount and a removeable pedistal seat at the bow. Ideally I would like something like a Tyee but that is WAY out of my price range. I know this isn't an ideal fishing boat but they are a big boat for the money. ($6000 or less) Does anyone have one and if so how do they like it. I would be fishing mainly low and devils lake. Thanks

[minneman]

keep looking...

[Hemlock]

My friend has one. Closed bow, I/O. I think it's whatever you are used to. I didn't like fishing out of it, nearly as much as my Lund Fisherman, but you know what? We caught walleye, one after another and it was a nice big boat. So if you are on a budget, and that's the most bang for your buck, go for it.

[marine_man]

Will it work? Absolutely. Will it be ideal? Maybe not.

I've seen 2 guys that fish out of a bayliner sturgeon fishing...

The fish don't care...

What is your criteria for a boat though? If this is a compromise between a ski and fishing boat, so be it.

If you're interested in this because of the size, and you plan on fishing out of it primarily I think I'd keep looking.

marine_man

[Iron Cowboy]

I own a capri 1954 fish-n-ski package is how they were marketed

and they are just fine to fish out of, unless you want the backtroll/tiller type rig which this is not intended for.

I bought it new in 1998 and have more than got my moneys worth. At the time I bought it because I couldnt afford a big aluminum one. Now after spending time in a few different alum. fishing boats over the years I am more than content to keep mine.

even though I could afford to get the alum one now I feel no need. my boat rides better in rougher water and is wider with more walk around room. the 135 I/O has been bullet-proof. no problems in 10 years use and our family uses it a lot. fishing and pulling the kids tubeing...and a nice plus is they are very good on gas! Going used I would just make sure the fiberglass is all in good shape and hopefully its been maintained well and stored indoors in winter. If thats the case I feel its a great boat and the best bang for your buck bar none. you wont be sorry.

[walleye 4 me]

That's what I was hoping to hear Iron Cowboy. I am planning on pulling the kids on the tube and doing a little pleasure boating as well as fishing. how fast do they go? How big is the livewell? (not that I have to worry about filling it to often)

[Ralph Wiggum]

If that's the 3.0L, they're a bit doggy for pulling adult skiiers. It's fine for smaller skiiers and tubers, though.

[walleye 4 me]

I would just be dragging a couple kids around on the tube. I don't think I would be pulling skiers. Is a 3.0 in that size boat they slow to get on plane? Also I have seen a few that have a trolling plate on them. Anyone tried trolling with one of these? Wondering how slow you can get.

[boatfixer]

Actually, Bayliner's Sequential Lift Hull will plane very well. Much better than most think. At the dealership I worked for in Denver, we sold many of the 1854 and 1954's. Potential customers would be apprehensive based on name and most deals were sealed with a demo ride. Not a bad boat at all for the money.

[Iron Cowboy]

Yep, the Sequential Lift Hull is what sold me, lifts out on plane with ease with 4 adults on board and is a really dry ride when it gets rough--slaps the waves down and away from the boat. I can get an adult up on ski's easy with 2 adults and a kid in the boat, 3 adults in the boat and it is a little tougher but can still be done. Top speed with 4 adults and a calm lake the speedo says 50 mph but not sure how accurate the speedo is? This is with a stock alum prop, I'm sure if a guy wanted more low end pull or top speed he could get a special prop for what he wants, Ive just never felt I needed to. I've never tried trolling with the big motor, the bow mounted trolling motor has allways worked just fine but if a guy wanted to use the big motor it does get down pretty slow just in gear without any throttle. Looking around the house to compare sizes the best example I see for the size of the livewell is my teenagers backpack full of books.... thats about right, and its allways been enough for what we bring home. Like I said I have owned this boat for 10 years and have been nothing but happy with it. Its not a specialty walleye fishing boat but I dont do a a lot of that anyhow , it is a great all around boat for the working family man... the big expensive boat thing is sort of like the g-loomis rod deal I will spend that much on equipment when I have my own t.v show and can justify spending it without feeling guilty that I am spending more than my family can afford for something strictly for pleasure.

[2thepointsetters]

Dont worry about the power of the 3.0 OMC. I have the 3.0 in my 22 foot Sylvan Offshore and it has plenty of power for the size of the boat. It gets on plane fast with 4 guys and full rigged for Lake Superior. My top speed is around 35mph. And the best part is that 3.0 uses very little gas. (