Bayliner Capri 1950 Boats For Sale

The Bayliner Capri 1950 is an entry-level bowrider measuring just over 19 feet long with a beam of about 7.5 feet, carrying up to six passengers. It runs a deeper V hull than smaller Bayliner models in the 17-to-18-foot range, which gives it more substance and lets it cut through chop better than lighter entry-level boats. That added weight makes it a sensible starter boat for larger lakes or coastal water. Among used Bayliner Capri boats for sale, the 1950 spans production from the mid-1990s into the early 2000s, so model years from 1995, 2000 and 2001 turn up regularly on the market.

Power comes from a MerCruiser inboard-outboard, typically a 3.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 130 to 135 horsepower paired with an Alpha One Gen 2 outdrive. This carbureted four-cylinder is a simple, inexpensive engine that runs out at roughly 4,000 to 4,500 rpm at wide open throttle. Top speed sits around 30 to 37 mph. Useful cruise references: about 8 knots at 1,500 to 2,000 rpm, 17 knots at 3,500 rpm, and 22 to 23 knots near 4,000 rpm, where the four-cylinder gets noticeably louder. It is a heavier boat that carries a fair amount of weight, so it is built for getting around a creek or to a sandbar rather than winning speed races or going offshore.

The helm has an adjustable fore-and-aft seat for a comfortable steering position, a throttle and shift lever to the right, a full range of marine instruments and 12-volt switchgear. Common electronics fitted to these boats include a Lowrance Elite 3x color depth finder, an Echo 100 depth display, an AM/FM stereo, a VHF radio and dual batteries. The windscreen gives good protection at both helm and passenger positions, and the side glass comes up to a height that makes the cockpit feel secure underway.

The cockpit seats six behind the windscreen, with twin back-to-back seats that expand into loungers. On some boats the port and starboard seats lift to form a sun lounge across the back. A walk-through windshield and center walkway lead to the bow seating, which has fully upholstered backrests and stainless steel handrails. Up front there are molded rod holders, so you can board over the bow safely, plus chunky stainless handrails along the deck. The Bayliner Capri boat seats and carpet hold up well, and a small cabin below carries a port-a-potty.

At the transom there is a small swim platform with a step, three rod holders across the back and a ski eye, which suits the boat for use as a Bayliner Capri ski boat. Boats came from the factory with a sport exhaust through the outdrive, and a different exhaust can be added to quiet it down. A standout option on some examples is an aftermarket custom canvas package — a full Bayliner Capri 1950 boat cover plus camper enclosure with umbrella top, side curtains and backdrop, an item that would cost around $2,500 to have made new.

When weighing a boat Bayliner Capri purchase, check the deck for a solid floor with no soft spots, confirm the outdrive shifts and pumps water properly, and verify the gauges, since the mph gauge and bilge blower switch can be the first items to act up. Many of these are trailer boats kept on dry stack, and some are offered with a free single-axle trailer included. Service history matters at this price point: a recently serviced outdrive, clean gelcoat and good graphics separate a well-kept example from a tired one. Parts, covers and trailer setups for the Bayliner Capri 1950 remain easy to source given how long the model and its MerCruiser power have been around.