1st Year Owner Review - 2018 Bayliner Element

[@IncomeSchool]

Thank you for these videos. There are VERY few actual owners reviews of these boats, which makes it hard to make a purchasing decision.

[@jamesmiras9666]

Just picked up my 2019 Element e16 with 75 HP and couldn't be happier with our first boat. Thanks for your videos which have helped me with understanding most everything needed to make our purchase. Really appreciate the time you've taken to share your experiences both good and bad.

[@midwestbuilds]

James Miras thnks i appreciate it! Hope yall have a good summer!!

[@mikemack7050]

James. How has it been holding up for you? Looking at buying one.

[@trammellstewart45]

I'm going through all your boat related videos! Love them, very helpful! I'd love to see a full stereo video install on his with a subwoofer.

[@midwestbuilds]

Trammell Stewart yea for sure, we installed the wake speakers and love them. We will be adding some smaller speakers to the interior soon!

[@Mr2fast4uall]

Good video i bought a 2014 Bayliner 170BR has the Mercury 115. Partial fishing upgrade has a trolling motor and fish finder. I love it so far. Great boat easy to trailer and launch.

[@midwestbuilds]

Thats awesome! Being able to fish and still do watersports is great. Good luck with the boat! We are counting down the days until spring!

[@heatmoon]

TG for budget boats. Being a boat people generally have several passengers I got to think the 75hp is a must unless you putt around. And that Merc can be spiced up as a user noted. Good MPG and skiing and tubing.

[@midwestbuilds]

Christopher Alton Carlson agreed! Thanks for commenting!

[@melrose9252]

Go with the 75 hp over the 60. The 75 has 126 cubes (2.1 liter) compared to the 60’s 60.8 cubes (1 liter). The 75 is the same engine (detuned to 75) as the 90/115. You get 15 more horses but tons more torque and the 75 is only using a small portion of its potential. Just a lot more engine for the money.

[@shevetlevi2821]

I had the Element 16 foot for a year. Nice seating layout. The 60hp is definitely barely adequate so if the 75hp actually makes a difference I'd go for it. I hated the ride on this boat. Because the M hull doesn't cut through waves even a moderate chop causes the boat to come down with a bone jarring smack. The boat would be okay for a glassy smooth lake but the next time I would go for some kind of more conventional V hull.

[@midwestbuilds]

Shevet Levi great comment! I agree on the roughness of the ride but it was still a great boat!

[@James-ut4xh]

The vessel view is awesome I have a mount for my phone to the left of the gauge and keep the app running as were out on the water. I really like that I can track fuel consumption. This winter I plan to get a sport arch, and i plan on relocating my battery to under the helm.

[@midwestbuilds]

James sounds awesome. Sounds like that is what i need! You will love the arch, any benefits to moving the battery?

[@James-ut4xh]

Itll free up the large compartment there. I'm really looking forward to using that compartment to store deflated tubes and bigger items. I also like carrying extra fuel with me so that will give me a safe area to store a 5 gallon fuel jug instead of how I carry extra fuel now which is 3 two gallon jugs under the passenger seat.

[@midwestbuilds]

James smart smart! I bet u could get a factory small tank like the e18’s have as a reserve

[@James-ut4xh]

I thought about that but I'd like something easily removable without having to worry about lines in the way if we choose to bring a deflated tube or one of our inflatable stand up paddle boards.

[@kdu12]

I got a 2017 F16 element with 60hp CT. I deeply regret my motor choice. I wish you had made this video in 2016!

[@midwestbuilds]

kimd sounds like its time to trade in that boat! I would love to have a 90 on it!

[@kdu12]

@@midwestbuilds Funny you should say that. I am in discussions right now with a dealer for an F18 with the 115hp. The F16 would be awesome with a 90! Stupid thing is top rated for 88hp! Seriously Bayliner?!

[@midwestbuilds]

kimd awesome, hope u get it!!

[@bfarm44]

Torn between a Tahoe and this. Really comes down to features and how many I will add but I do prefer the molded in swim platforms on the back of the Tahoe over the bolted on ones on the Bayliner. They should have done it that way

[@midwestbuilds]

Yea if bayliners would have been molded that would have been great!

[@bobwoods1302]

Get the Tahoe. It has a V hull and has a dyer smoother ride and 6mph faster with the same motor.

[@ncnluckydog4965]

I have a E-18 with the 115 very fast stable boat when the water is smooth. I boat in a bay with conditions that can get ruff the hull shows its weaknesses a lot then. Big pro is the storage. Biggest problem with the boat is I didn't get the E-21 with full windshield.

[@midwestbuilds]

NcNLuckydog yea i would like to see an e 21 with windshield. What a huge difference that would make!

[@KS72914]

Why don't you tell us what he had for breakfast and lunch and dinner... I appreciate the detail you do a good job.

[@richardc-ex7rt]

You'll really like the Vessel View Mobile. It installs in about the same time it takes to take the engine cover off. I zip tied mine to the metal ring where the lines go into the motor from the outside.

[@midwestbuilds]

Richard Jimenez sounds awesome! Cant wait to get it purchased, very soon! Thnks!!

[@richardc-ex7rt]

@@midwestbuilds Really enjoying these boats. I have 2018 F18 with a 2019 115 Pro XS. The termination cap the Mercury installation video shows comes with the module.

[@midwestbuilds]

Richard Jimenez nice, so u have the fishing center counsel version correct?

[@richardc-ex7rt]

Yes. I think it's a perfect first boat for my family. I've had it offshore up to 32 miles so far with no issues at all. Most of the time I stick to about 12 miles out. The only thing I'm still trying to figure out is trimming the motor.

[@midwestbuilds]

Richard Jimenez thats pretty far! Regarding the motor trimming, have you seen my video related to the trim tabs? They help a ton with porpoising and stability. They are a must have if you dont

[@appslg3phone]

Maybe the problem with the top is you bought a "be-meanie" top. Around here we use something called a "bimini" ["bim-uh-nee"]. That top is being mean to you. Try the Bimini. Works like a charm.

[@DG-ej5nz]

Appreciate the review. Currently in between this one or the Tahoe.

[@midwestbuilds]

D G yep i had seen someone else looking between the same. The element wins all day in my book, quality for price was perfect, we barely had any issues, and of course one day u will want a bigger boat im sure so re sale will be easier on the element i would think for a lower price point

[@sgray1906]

Tahoe wont fall apart in a few hours.

[@bfarm44]

@@sgray1906 I’m really not happy with the bolt on rear swim platform. Leaning more towards the Tahoe. Have to add my own bimini but that’s not a deal breaker for me. That bolt on rear deck I think is going to be the deal breaker....spring is coming

[@jessinshow]

Thank you so much for these videos. Just watched your flooring video and happy we didn't go with the dealer flooring. I was wondering if you could include all the options you got on your 2018 E16. Per your recommendation, we are getting the 75 hp motor. We were thinking of getting an aftermarket foldable tower, thoughts? I seem to be having a hard time finding them. What about the automatic bilge pump? Did you get the cooler or go with your own? Just curious what you bought, and if there was anything you regretted getting or not getting. Can't wait to see you new boat!

[@midwestbuilds]

jessinshow hey thanks for watching! Glad my floorin vid help, sure saves a lot of money! U will not regret the 75HP, i only purchased mine with bimini and ski arch. I installed the stereo, 12v, flooring, bow guard, trim tabs myself and saved a ton. Bot was super easy to work on and with. We use a cooler that is a bag with different compartments, but i did find that a small yeti or similar will fit under the back rear filler cushion. Have zero regrets with the boat, really happy with it. I have only heard and seen 1 element with an actual wake tower, i personally didnt like the look but somehow they got one on there. I would stick with the factory one if at all possible

[@jessinshow]

midwestbuilds thanks so much for getting back to me so fast, and with all the additional info. We really appreciate all the advice. I reached out to Marine Customs already too! :)

[@carlolo607]

Nice! Good video man. Did you buy this brand new or used? Wondering if I should buy a used one maybe a couple years old or a brand new one. Thanks man!

[@midwestbuilds]

Auto Agent Carlolo 😬 thanks! And yep i purchased it brand new, this is my 3rd summer of owning it. It has been a great boat. We have it for sale, looking at something different. Someone could save a couple thousand buying used like mine with all the accessories, personal preference i guess! Hope ya get one, you will love it!

[@stanparsley9186]

Excellent

[@stanparsley9186]

Will the motor trim help with bow porpoising? Thanks

[@midwestbuilds]

this boat does not like to be trimmed up very much, it will porpoise pretty quick. thats where the trip tabs come in, they fix it and acts normal with trim

[@Unplugged704]

Seats for those are expensive. Do you know if they have aftermarket?

[@midwestbuilds]

When i had the boat i couldnt buy anything unless it was through the dealer which was a huge downfall.

[@jacobmay6951]

Do you have a problem with seats flying out while driving it on highway? They seem so light i am paranoid the snaps won’t hold etc Any experience of advice anyone ?

[@midwestbuilds]

I only had issues with the rear middle, and front middle. I would always just throw them in the car. Everything else seemed to ride ok

[@Revieweverything12345]

Can you do video of how much it cost to own or insurance , storage for 1 year

[@midwestbuilds]

Hello, there are to many variables for a video such as that, i can say that it cost me $100 dollars a year basically because i performed my own maintenance, & stored it in my garage. Insurance and storage has a huge variance due to the person and the persons location. Thanks

[@lawrencegaczewski8603]

How’s it do in rough water 2ft waves

[@midwestbuilds]

Lawrence Gaczewski the bigger the better, to me this is more of a smaller lake type boat at 16’...the 18 and 20’ models would be a lot better. Ive had this one on some prtty rough water during holiday weekends and it did the trick...just not the smoothest

[@gvill77]

I just ordered this boat (e18), i read some people having water on the ponsons, did you notice that on your element? Thanks! i really like your videos!

[@midwestbuilds]

gvill77 thanks and no i havnt seen any water. I did install the trim tabs and everything was dry. Im considering installing garboard drains nxt spring just for safety and to know for sure!

[@gvill77]

@@midwestbuilds Please do a video when you installed those drains! Thanks!!

[@PaschalP]

I have had some issues with the back seat. The snaps on the seats that cover the battery and the gas tank have ripped.

[@midwestbuilds]

Thomas Paschal thats terrible. Did u have them fixed? Warranty fix?

[@PaschalP]

@@midwestbuilds third owner 😢. First owner had it for 3 months and deciding boating was not for them. 2nd owner had it for one season. It's a 2016 E16

[@midwestbuilds]

Thomas Paschal bummer to hear. Hope u are enjoying it otherwise as much as we are!

[@cesarrojas6900]

We’re you buy the tower to pull

[@midwestbuilds]

Its a factory option. Not sure if u can find or buy aftermarket

[@SALEEN140]

I have the same question I been trying to ge the one as well !

[@ojoaereo241]

will this do well on ocacional rough seas?

[@midwestbuilds]

possibly one of the larger models. i have seen some who have taken them out off the coast but they were the 21 foot models. i would still be cautious to do so. very stable boat though with the sponsons on each side!

[@c19commander44]

Price for that boat? unknown.

[@midwestbuilds]

C 19 Commander sold

[@c19commander44]

@@midwestbuilds I was asking how much they cost new.thanks

[@midwestbuilds]

C 19 Commander oo gotcha...sorry. Really depends on the area. They start somewhere in/around 16k or so for a 16’ boat. Upgrade the engine and add accessories and it goes up from there!

[@c19commander44]

@@midwestbuilds Thats what happens when its made in "America" true, the cheapest boat starts at $16,000 and with a 60 horse power. dishonest crooks.for that price a boat need to bring a 70 or higher power. thats the nature of the business.

[@Revieweverything12345]

what size ft is this?

[@midwestbuilds]

16’ and they make an 18 and 21 also

[@sgray1906]

Fuel tank compartment holds water. Junk !!!!!!!!!!!! Falling apart after a few days !!!!!!! Sad.

[@midwestbuilds]

S Gray thnks for ur opinion! I had the boat 3 years with zero water issues. Its unfortunate that some have had issues, but not all.