Bayliner 2655 / 2855 fuel consumption?

[Steve_I]

Gentlemen (and ladies),
We're teetering on the verge of buying our very first boat (early next year probably) and having lurked here for a while and read all of the petrol V diesel arguments, I think we'll get a lot more for our budget (<30K) if we go petrol. It's either going to be Sealine S240 or Bayliner 2655. I'd like to get as much space (and hull length) as possible for the money though and there are a few 2855's around for the same kind of cost. looking at ads from Boatshed (who sometimes publish approximate fuel consumption), they reckon a 2655 with a 5.7 Mercruiser will average 30 Litres per hour but a 2855 with the same engine will average 80 Litres per hour. That's quite a lot of beer tokens difference! Does anyone here have any practical experience of these two boats? As a bit of background, our only experience to date is a couple of weeks on a cruiser on the Norfolk Broads (Although it was force 2 on Breydon Water when we crossed) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif and we've recently completed a level 2 powerboat course which was great fun (except I'm sure JoAnn had her eyes closed in the high speed runs)! We're really looking forward to getting out on the water.... Just need a little advice.
Many thanks,
Steve

 

[Alrob]

you will find www.boattest.com helpful

 

[landlockedpirate]

A few years ago I had a 2651 (The trailable version of the 2655). It had the 5.0l Mercruiser. Can't remember the GPH figures, but on a mixed week cruising it used to do about 1.5 to 2 mpg. I don't remember the bills being too scarey and we used to use it quite a lot.

We thought the boat was great, I am a commited fan of Bayliners. They are a great boat for the price. 2855 is obviously a much bigger boat so it will use more juice. If you can get a one in good condition for your money that would be my choice. My only gripe with Bayliners are the standard cover arrangements, these tend to stop the rear seats being used with them up.

Since you mention that you are looking for the most boat for your money, have you considered a FourWinns 268. A few 2000-2002 around and you should be able to get one for your 30k Budget.

 

[Alrob]

my 285 is fully enclosed with canvas

I stand by my previous statements - you get a lot of boat with a bayliner

I reckon I get 2.5 miles to the gallon at cruising speed fitted with 350 Mag

 

[DAVIDO]

We also had a 2651 a few years back i also dont remember it being too scary fuel wise unless you want to travel far at WOT.
Worst case at the time was £45/hr WOT. Great boat many fond memories.

 

[Will33]

Hi Steve

Whichever way you look at it a sports boat with a petrol enngine is going to use a lot of fuel if you are belting around the coast at 25 knots +.

Fuel consumption varies based on a number of factors and where you are going to use the boat and how are the biggest factors. I have a 225hp V6 in my boat and at crusing speed it costs me about 9-11 Gallons an hour, if i am running around the broads i am only using 1.5 gph.

As regards the Boatshed figures I like to to overestimate the boats I list and 30% of hp for petrol engines is a reasonable rule of thumb in my experience.

Good luck in the search

Will

 

[Steve_I]

[ QUOTE ]
you will find www.boattest.com helpful

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks Alan. I did look there earlier but couldn't find any tests on the earlier models, only 265 and 285, which like yours (very nice looking boat by the way)! are fuel injected and maybe not so thirsty as the carb models.

 

[Steve_I]

Thanks for the very quick response! I haven't looked at four winns to be honest as I kinda got blinkered by Sealine and Bayliner! I will look a little deeper though as I don't plan to buy for a couple of months yet, unless an absolute bargain drops in my lap!
Thanks again
Steve

 

[landlockedpirate]

My comment was based on a guestimate of the age of 2855 he would be looking at for 30k. I looked at these boats myself and they all had the type of cover that went straight from the radar arch to the back seat.

Your set up looks a lot better, and I really like the bluehull. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Steve_I]

Hi Will,
This certainly looks like the place to ask questions! I posted because it seemed like there is a huge difference in consumption between the 2655 and the 2855 with the same engine. We don't plan to race everywhere with the 'pedal to the metal' so I'm not too worried about costs, just does the 2855 really use almost 3 times as much as the 2655?
Thanks again
Steve

 

[Steve_I]

Thanks for the info David. I can stand £45/hr but £80/hr for an extra 4 feet seems a little rich! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ningram]

Can't help with fuel consumption, but we've just bougt a 2355 as a first boat, and apart from the narrow gunwhales we think it's a great boat, if you can stand the helm being on the wrong side LOL

Cheers

Nick

 

[Will33]

Steve

I do not believe there is that much difference, i also do not belive a V8 would only use 30 litres an hour at cruising speed. The problem with providing an estimate of fuel consumption is that for consistency everybody has to use the same criteria and this does not always happen.

As i mentioned in my earlier post i get through about 35-45 litres an hour cruising at about 22 knots with my V6 which is an 2005 engine so fuel injected, the V8 fuel injected would have used more than that which is why i went for the V6 when i re-engined.

I would say you should expect to use somewhere between 45-75 litres an hour with a V8 depending on where and how you use the boat, the age and condition of the engine and the condition of hull and props etc.

Will

 

[DIW]

Hi Steve
Our first Boat was a Bayliner 2855 with the Mercruiser 7.4Mpi petrol engine which could be very thirsty in less than ideal conditions ie, wind over tide etc. You do get a 'lot of boat for your bucks' but I would carefully consider where your are going to do your boating as IMHO this type of craft are more suited to Lake boating and the lack of side decks can make fendering and berthing difficult at times. Consider what a very experienced Skipper advised us ' a British Boat for British waters' .

 

[Alrob]

steve

sorry to hark on about the 2855 but have you been on both boats - the differance in space is dramatic. I had the 2655 a few years ago so I know that boat as well. one of the reasons we chose the 285 was the permanent front berth (dont need to put the dining table table down when its bed time) & the rear cabin having a proper door. sure the 285 is heaver & more expensive to run but I dont think the fuel cost differance is as much as you think.

anyway good luck with your quest

 

[Steve_I]

Thanks guys. All very good advice.

 

[Steve_I]

Hi Alan
We haven't been on either yet as we're just researching what we could afford at the moment. We plan to go to the boat show in January and look into Essex boatyards while we're down there. I agree the 2855 does look like a much more accommodating space to spend the weekend in though! Whichever we choose it's going to cost a few bob to run /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Steve_I]

Looks like a very nice boat Nick. My wife's American so she'd be happy with the helm on the left!

 

[Steve_I]

Hi Will,
Many thanks for your comments. I think the same as you as in there can't be that much difference with the same engine. I would expect a little more due to the extra weight but figures quoted like this http://www.boatshed.co.uk/viewboat.php?boat=26256 were throwing me!
Thanks again
Steve

 

[gary111160]

Hi Steve.

I have 2855 1997 with 5.7 Mercruiser and alpha leg. I have averaged 40 litres an hour since buying her last June. Thats a mix of 25knts cruising and the odd blast at wot. Great boat very acceptable fuel bills for the size/cost of boat.

I have sent you a pm.

Gary