Bayliner 2855

[Phill]

Had a look at some more boats today and came across a 1996 Bayliner 2855 sunbridge with a 5.7 Mercruiser. I Remember hearing comments in the past that weren't too flattering but this looked a really nice boat and well finished. Any comments would be appreciated, especially on river use.
Thanks.

Phill

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[MedDreamer]

Hi Phil

I have a 2855 and love it (a 2001 model). You are likely to get some adverse comments on here because they are a "budget" boat, In reality they are pretty well built with the same mercruiser engines and drives you will find in more expensive US boats (ie Maxum and SeaRay) but relatively basic in fit out.

That said our boat has had many complementary comments made about it by other boat owners who have looked around it. It would be hard to find a boat that makes better use of space and the "proper aft cabin is excellent.

However it is a planing hull and with a single outdrive and no keel it is not ideally suited to river use - it will wander at low speed and will be affected by wind which may be difficult to compensate for at river speeds. Suggest you have a river trial at low speed rather than a planing sea trial to see if you can get used to it.

If you don't mind the constant steering adjustment you will get a lot of boat for your money.

One other thing, you will need a BSS Certificate for river use and this usually requires some additional work on US built boats, if your boat has not had this work done then remember to budget for it.

Motor Boat Monthly featured the 2855 in its used boat guide a couple of months ago which may be useful to you. (They have a backorder service if you don't have a copy)

Regards

Martyn





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[abraxus]

Phil

I have Bayliner 2655 and can honestly say I'm very happy with it. I found that you get a lot for your money and they're fitted out quite well, with lot of space. Mine's a 1990 and I've had no real problems with it. Like anything else it's luck of the draw and how well the previous owner looked after it.

I've also got the 5.7 Merc engine which whilst this seems ok, isn't the greatest for river use as you don't really get much above 10000 rpm. Steering control isn't as bad as many claim though and I find I can steer quite well, even when drifting in neutral once you get used to it.

In the end it's a compromise of cost over suitability, and for the price I'm pretty happy, and would definitely buy one again.

Bill

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[[2068]]

>
>get much above 10000 rpm.
>

Wow, that must be some tuned engine, either that or you have the wrong prop /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[abraxus]

Oops, bit heavy handed with the keys. Too many zeros, why doesn't my bank make that kind of mistake?

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[Phill]

Well, what I'm looking for is a boat that I can use inland with my wife and three kids and take to sea with a few friends on occasions. I guess a boat to do both at that sort of price will always be a compromise.

Bill. Do you use yours inland or coastal or both?
Also do they get on plane ok with the 5.7 engine and a few 12 stone mates?




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[BarryH]

Theres a Bayliner for sale at Walton marina. Bit older but looks to be good value for money with a load of extras and already with a safety cert.
People knock them but I quite like them. Lots of boat for the money and roomy. As with any planning hull with outdrive its not going to grip tha water at slow speed. It was designed to go fast so to speak. With time you'll get the hang of it and it'll be second nature.
I say buy and enjoy.

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[sjw]

Hi I have a 1995 2855 but with the larger 7.4 engine and use the boat both inland (norfolk broads) and coastal (lowestoft) fantastic boat , wanders at lower speeds but planes easily and performs very well at sea. pm me if you want more details.l

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[Nat]

Ive got a 1989 2655 good boat with plenty of room, I heard all the stories about them being crap but in reality found the opposite, mine s got the 5.7 OMC engine & gets up on the plane no problem with 6 or more peeps on board & handles quite well in rough seas. Totally agree with other comments about low speeds & windage though but in time you will get used to it. Ive found going through the Mar Menor canal at 5knts ok but anything less with a side wind & its all over the place.
good luck.....Nat

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[abraxus]

Phil

I use mine inland, but bought it on Winderemere and used it there for a few months. I had no problem getting on plane with four adults and two kids on board.

I was new to boats when I bought this and as such had a steep learning curve with all the bits and pieces and any modifications or repairs I wanted to make, but found the Bayliner owners club website: http://pub12.ezboard.com/bbocweb

You may also want to try asking there as there's a wealth of combined experience and they're very helpful. I've saved myself literally thousands by doing things myself with their help.

Inland use is fine once your used to it, and slow speed handling is easy once you get the hang. I can recommend a day's tuition from an instructor for this, as whilst it's straightforward enough, the ability to practise, especially in the marina, with someone who's qualified is great for confidence building.

Bill

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[danielbroad]

I've used by 2655 on the Norfolk Broads and the Great Ouse as well as a couple of years in the Solent. I'm not sure about the 2855 as a river boat as they have a fixed GRP radar arch which may restrict where you can go, but i suppose that would depend which rivers your using it on.

If you have locks your crew will need to be fairly agile on a bayliner as the side decks are quite narrow - the low speed wandering is pretty much eliminated on mine by putting the trim tabs right down.

Boat safety certificate can be a pain - get one that already has this if you can.

Search on www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk and www.boats-for-sale.com to get the best value - there are plenty of these boats around.

Daniel.

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[itsonlymoney]

Phill
I have 2655 (99) Dont listen to any of those Bayliner bashers. As Martyn and the others say you get a lot of boat for your money. Earlier boats allegedly sufferd from poor build quality and osmosis (I say allegedly because look how many 80s boats are still going strong) but any problems have been sorted on post 90s boats. I think you need to decide what your main boating area will be because extended or total river use may be somewhat frustrating with regards to the constant stearing adjustments that planing boats require at these low speeds. If however you expect only a percentage of river use then no other boat offers this value for money and the later 2855s are particularly nice looking and have excellent accomodation for this size of craft.
Ian

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[Phill]

Thanks for all your input which was very usefull.
I must say I liked the boat and its layout and even though its eight years old, seems to be wearing better than some other products I've seen. I suppose an element of that is down to the amount of use and type of owners.

In the past I had a small Freeman with a shaft and then a Princess 32 with a single outdrive, both on the Thames. The Freeman steered straight, but initially the Princess zig zagged until I got used it. Bearing in mind the 32 had a small keel, I am assuming the bayliner would be slightly worse to steer in a straight line at 4-5 knots.
Also am I right in thinking that without a keel the Bayliner would be blown sideways more than the Princess, again at river speeds? I remember seeing sports cruisers in locks years ago, looking like they were out of control. I always thought it was the skipper but guess it was the hull shape.
The easiest way for me to tell its river potential is to trial it, but that now involves putting in an offer, having it accepted and paying a 10% deposit. ( albeit refundable if not suitable)

Phill

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[Dave_Snelson]

I agree with Ian - loads of boat for your money. I see lots of these and much older than 96, and still going strong and looking good.

Bayliner have, for a long time, had economies in production that other yards can't even envisage - thats why they are inexpensive, especially second hand.

Get a survey done, and if its good and you like it, then buy it.

Note Ians comments on river only usage at displacement speeds...

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[Jim44]

I would not worry about the streeting or wind, once you get used to it there isnt a problem, it just need pratice.

I used to have a 2655 (2001) and loved it, great boat for the money, currently own a 1850 (1990) which is a great speed boat that goes in a straight line, with pratice, lets someone who is not used to it drive and you do zig zag a bit until they get the hang of it

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