Bayliner 2255

[chrissouch]

Hi. ive just joined this site. I live in Norfolk and own a Microplus 501 explorer that ive had for 6 years using it on the broads. I now want to upgrade to a larger boat, i really like the Bayliner 2255. I want to be able to go out to sea, just off shore and inland waters.

Can anyone advise me of the total weight of the boat, what owners have used to trailer it.(4x4 what model?)

In terms of engines,ive seen they vary from 3 to 5 litre Mercruisers. I am a motor vehicle person,have a good understanding of mechanics,what are the problems with these engines? Any idea of fuel consumption and does the 3 litre plane ok?

Can anyone also advise of the best courses to attend, i was thinking of RYA level one first, any advice?

Thank you in advance for any info/ advice

 

[itsonlymoney]

Can I suggest the link below.
Ian

 

[neale]

The 2255, on a trailer and loaded up with stuff will probably weigh in at around 3000kgs. You're gonna need a proper 4x4 for this, there are many that look the part but have max tow capacities below 3000kg. Lots don't like em, but I think something from the land rover stable is best.

The 3 litre will be ok if lightly loaded and with maybe only 2 people on board. The 5 litre will be much better for performance although it will burn around 9-10 gals an hour at cruising speed. The 3 litre will be a bit more economic but because it will always be working harder it may be less different than the displacement suggests.

Do the RYA powerboat level 2. Its a good all round course for small powerboats.

Neale

 

[enterprise]

Bayliner 2255,

Owned one for 4 years, 1992 with 4.3l mercruiser.

Ill be honest here & say the 4.3l was in our opinion slightly underpowered, this however was the 190hp 2 barrel carb & if uprated to the 4brl would have been probably just right.

She did however plane in approx 25 seconds with the use of tabs & trim & once on plane would comfortably cruise at 22knots.

This would be with 2 aboard.
If 4 aboard we had to move weight(people) to the cabin to stand a chance at reaching planning speed.

I would not even consider the 3.0l version as you would be very very dissapointed.

5.0l would be perfect.

The quoted dry weight is 1950kgs, this was probably factory fresh so an older one will have gained a few kgs, typicaly owner addons + bassic cruising gear.

You then require a twin axle trailer to load it on, we had one constructed by SBS of Wolverhampton (the same now build fletchers) this weighed 650kgs, you should try & find boat & trailer as an outfitt as the anchor platform of the 2255 requires the drawbar on the trailer to be extended by 1ft to allow for it.

We Towed behind a SWB shogun, maximum tow limit of this was 2800kgs, it towed perfectly but we were always mindfull of the lightness of the car compared to the boat & trailer & although we never had a problem we soon changed the car to a shogun sport.

This too had a 2800kgs max tow limit but the car was heavier & much more composed, it did tow better than the SWB shogun.

Ideal would be a Discovery or LWB shogun but there are plenty out there to choose from.

We enjoyed owning the 2255 & had it not been for the launching & recovery (short handed) we would still have owned her now.

Good luck with your search.

 

[chrissouch]

Thanks for all your advice and replies, will look further into this and report back!

 

[ExcaliburII]

I reckon my 2255 on its trailer is getting on for 3000kg loaded and ready to go. It's got the 5.0LX V8 which is OK with 4 adults on board if the hull is clean, although it needs full tabs to get up on the plane and pulling a skier out is touch and go. Deep water mono starts are definitely not on, which is disappointing. Max is about 28kt. With a dirty hull and outdrive performance falls off very considerably. Not sure if all my claimed 205 horses are pulling their weight; if they are it feels to me as if the boat really needs about 50 or 60 more.

I use a de Graaff trailer which I bought new as the boat had an illegal yank trailer with it when I bought it s/h. Trailer is excellent - all rollers, fully adjustable chassis and drawbar, and it tows like a dream. I did spend a couple of hours setting it all up to get the weight distribution right on first loading, mind. It was the cheapest suitable option at the time, too. I had a 2.8 turbo diesel Maverick (the proper one with a separate chassis not the current Freelander lookalike) when I got the boat in 2001 but it used to struggle a bit. My current Toyota Amazon is fine (4.2 turbo diesel auto, rated to tow up to 3500kg). Bowls along nicely at 60++ /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif on motorway with cruise control on and no probs on steep slippery slipways either. We've had the whole lot on the floor of Mylor creek (Falmouth) with the sea level with the top of the wheels of the Landcruiser and the boat stuck half off the trailer, too, but that's another story. My fault for trying to launch at low tide /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif but my point is that the car behaved impeccably and just dragged itself and the trailer back to dry land without any probs.

Hope this helps.

 

[chrissouch]

Reading all the replies and other postings on this site is very interest and a learning curve. The fuel consumption amazes me,its not that i cant afford to buy / run a boat but with it over £4 a gallon! (the principle). I run a sl Mercedes with a 5 litre engine and get 20 to the gallon. You put a 5.0 litre in a boat and get 14 gallons an hour!? Just river cruising must be less, common sense surely! I assume newer bayliners are fuel injected.
What you have said (ExcaliburII) needing 50 / 60 horses more,think i will find a modern diesel as they put out 250hp plus,i know about red diesel debate, are new boats common rail injection?Do they turbo charge diesels in boats,if so are they intercooled?May look at removing the mercruiser and dropping in a high performance diesel. Thank you for all your replies.

 

[enterprise]

Think twice about diesel 2255,looked at doing same but price of engine definitely does not make ecconomic sense & anything other than a mercruiser 1.7l diesel would be too heavy for the boat.

If the thought of fuel consumption worries you then maybe you need to rethink what you require from a boat.

Displacement may be more sense if you require low consumption/lower running cost.

Petrol engines offer better power to weight ratio's hence petrol in so many smaller sport cruisers.

Marinisation of car derrived units is best left to the pro's, look at Lancing Marine's web site for further info.

Hope this helps.

 

[chrissouch]

Thanks enterprise for your comments, will look into this further,i may buy one,use it for a season, then review it. Will look at that site you mention.

Cheers