its been a while, after some advice on costs

[symondo]

Hello again!

Not been on here for a while but I did say I hoped to be back...

I'm hoping someone could give me an idea on running costs for a bayliner 2355 ciera,

Cost wise the examples Ive been looking at are around the 10/13k mark

Ideally id want a trailer too.

So im curious as to real terms of what this would cost to run/maintain for an average year on freshwater with the off season bein stored on the trailer at the house. My main concern from previous experience is the cost of out drive servicing and the huge petrol engine I know nothing about.

I haven't seen many diesel examples. But I'm fairly capable at most diy jobs with mechanical friends on hand if need be. But I wouldnt want to commit to such a vessel if its going to bankrupt me in running it

 

[julians]

What engine does it have? Assuming some sort of v8 mercruiser, it'll probably use 5-6 litres per hour at idle speeds, and 30-35 litres per hour at cruising speed.

As for service costs, it all depends how much you can do yourself,

They're a fairly simple engine to service, so most years will be just filters and oil, every few years it'll need things like new spark plugs, spark plug leads, exhaust manifolds, distributors etc.

The drive will need an oil and impellor change each year, with bellows being replaced every two years, and things like gimbal bearings being replaced every few years.

If you're payign someone else to do everything then budget between £700 & £1200 per year for the above service work, if you're doing it yourself, then just whatever the parts cost.

Mooring charges will be specific to your location, so I wont guess at those, then you have insurance (maybe £300 per year), and antifouling (if you need it) at say £500 per year (if you're payign someone else to do it).

Then you've got all the things that break on top of that. To give an idea, I budgetted about £2000-£2500 per year for the servicing ,insurance and antifoul my previous 21 foot single engined sea ray with petrol engine. My current boat (Windy 25 with volvo d4 diesel) I budget for a similar amount. Thats paying someone else to do everything.

 

[symondo]

The ive seen n my price range have had a mercruiser 4.3 or 5litre v8s.

Im guessing they a common place, parts are reasonable

Id attempt most things of serviceable nature myself with a bit of help from friend who is a mechanic.

I have bad habit of buying things with expensive parts/costs involved. And i watched my dad do the same, i want ensure i learn the necessary details before deciding to own a larger boat of my own

 

[lynall]

Our fairline has the 4.3 carbed v6 and its been pretty much impeccable, all I do is change the oil every 50 hrs and every couple of years new plugs/lead/dizzy cap, all from repower marine, no connection, just they are on ebay which makes life easy for me.
I believe all the 4.3 v6 and 5.0/5.7 v8 etc are chevy based regardless if volvo penta or merc cruiser.

The drive gets new bellows every couple of years along with fresh oil and some new anodes.

Its all very simple old school engineering.

Only thing it watch if the exhaust risers, they reckon good for 5 years, I pulled ours last year as they were 5 years old, still plenty of meat so back on they went with new gaskets, will recheck next year, ours has the neutra salt system so that may make a difference.

 

[BruceK]

It's been my experience there is maintenance and then there are repairs. Maintenance is the manageable bit, repairs aren't. Ergo a budget answer is really only applicable to the age and condition of the boat. Last year my maintenance on a 21ft cuddy was sub £1000. Repairs ran to several thousand. She was an old boat. This year on a 34 foot express cruiser maintenace again ran to a couple thousand, repairs to date have been over 10k. She's an old boat. Be careful of so called budget "quotes" they are only really valid from new or near as damnit.

 

[symondo]

Yeah ive witnessed repairs spiral out of control. Im quite hands on as i like that side of things also. But by budget im just wishing to find out what a general cost is. I guess like buying a ford or a Mercedes in terms of parts cost/availability and overall 'diy'-ability.