Bayliner 288 Flybridge Diesel - SOLD

We last sold this Bayliner 288 as a stock boat to the current owner in Spring 2015. She is now back on the market and, incredibly, has come back into the showroom in better condition than when it left 2 seasons ago. The current owner has spared no expense in the upkeep and maintenance of the boat. He has extended the flexi-teek decking throughout the cockpit. The flybridge seating has been professionally re-upholstered. There is a brand new fridge in the galley, a new Garmin Chart Plotter at the helm, a new flat screen TV, new curtains in the saloon, and I’m convinced that the boat has spent more time being cleaned and polished over the last two seasons than anything else!

We haven’t yet had a chance to shoot a new video of the boat since it came back into the showroom, but for now you can check out the video on this page that we shot in 2015. The photos however are bang up to date. Please have a look at the photo gallery below to see how the boat is currently looking.

This has got to be the nicest Bayliner 288 around.

If you are looking for a flybridge cruiser like this (or any boat for that matter) I reckon that the best approach to achieving boating bliss is to buy the absolute best one that you can find, even if it means spending a few pounds more, because ultimately it will prove to be better value in the long term…

When I ask boat buyers like you for the top things they want from a boat, there is always a common desire, regardless of the size or type of boat they’re looking for, and that’s Great Value For Money.

But what is ‘value for money’?

Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because a boat is advertised at the lowest price around, it’s good value for money… I could literally fill a book with stories about people who have bought a boat for a song only to find out very shortly thereafter that it had major and sometimes dangerous problems.

When it comes to used boats, a certain old adage could not be more accurate…‘If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is’. So that means those boats that you have seen advertised for years, and are now at super low prices, ALWAYS have something wrong with them.

In my mind value for money comes down to 3 things:

1. Condition
2. Peace of Mind
3. Price

And this Bayliner 288 has these 3 boxes well and truly ticked. Let me explain…

1. Condition should be your single biggest consideration when buying a used boat. Unless you like fixing and tinkering with your boat, you should buy the best condition that you can find within your budget, and if that means buying a slightly smaller boat in great condition as opposed to a bigger boat in worse condition, then buy the smaller boat. I can assure you that this will lead to more happiness in the long term!This Bayliner 288 is in simply stunning condition throughout. She has spent the vast majority of her life in fresh water, been little used, and well looked after. With a raft of recent updates, the whole boat looks better than she did new.
2. Peace of mind means buying something that you can be sure will be hassle-free and a joy to own. I personally know the history of the boat over the last 5 years and she is definitely a good ‘un. We sold it as a stock boat to the current owner in 2015 and he has had 2 great seasons with her. The boat is running a dream and couldn’t have been better cared for.
3. Price always needs to be competitive – I understand that better than anybody. I’m in the business of selling boats (not advertising them in the hope that they’ll sell!) and I therefore know, as you well know, that in order to sell the price needs to be attractive. I’m sure you also appreciate however that the price of a boat goes hand-in-hand with the other elements of the value for money equation – Condition and Peace of Mind. A low price without the other 2 elements does not make a boat good value.

So, having said all that, I’m going to come right out and state the obvious…

This Bayliner 288 is The Best Value entry level Flybridge cruiser on the market today.

And, that’s even before you consider the comprehensive updates and enhancements this boat has had, from the sleek black graphics and accents package to the brand new flexiteek decks throughout and fantastic specification level.

To see for yourself, all that this boat has to offer, you really need to watch our full length video tour. It’s one of the longest yet at 45 minutes long, so grab a cup of tea and settle down for an in-depth look at this boat.