Mercruiser engine hours

[jon and michie]

Hi - my 1 of many questions is - I am looking at a 1996 bayliner 2855 with a mercruiser diesel engine.
Is 900 hours too many hours or is this a good thing as it is moored near the coast and would assume it hasn't been plodding along down a river.

all help/opinions welcomed.
Jon

 

[gordmac]

I don't know about that particular engine or that type of boat really but that doesn't seem a lot for 19 years use. Use is probably better for them than sitting doing nothing. Might be worth worrying more about the outdrive?

 

[Jurgen]

Hi Jon,

900 hours is not a lot, I have 2 Mercruiser 4.2 D on a 1997 Sealine S37 and have around 1800 hours on each engine so even at 100 hours per year it's no drama.

Would be more concerned with service history, a bag full of receipts from the owners engineer would reassure me that the boat has been looked after.

1 thing I would mention, I had a 2858 and without a bow thruster it can be challenging but otherwise a great boat despite some folks bashing Bayliners.

Good luck and don't forget to post pics if you go ahead with the purchase.

Regards

Andy

 

[PCUK]

900 hours is just run in!

 

[jon and michie]

thank you for your replies so far
so my next question are mercruiser parts fairly easy to obtain? I believe they derived from vm engines (Italian) which I know are good engines as I had a 2.5td in my frontera and never let me down once (they just keep going)

Jon and Michie
P/S will check service history etc etc

 

[rafiki_]

Mercuryman (Tom Parker) is our forum Merc guru. Try a PM.

 

[jon and michie]

thanks you rafiki

 

[Beamishken]

Most parts are available outside the dealer network direct from VM but quite a bit different to the automotive version

 

[piratos]

engine hours

Hi - my 1 of many questions is - I am looking at a 1996 bayliner 2855 with a mercruiser diesel engine.
Is 900 hours too many hours or is this a good thing as it is moored near the coast and would assume it hasn't been plodding along down a river.

all help/opinions welcomed.
Jon

Hello,

The engines are good for thousands of hours, and as others have said its a matter of maintenance. IIRC this boat has the 180 HP Mercruiser engine, and they can be very sensitive for overheating. Ideally the heatexchangers should be cleaned every one/two years. Its not difficult and could well be a DIY job, but it takes time to do it, so if you need a mechanic to do this it will cost you .... The cleaning should include the waterblender (where seawater goes into the exhaust) as it can get blocked with scales. A good seatrial will show whether this specific boat needs immediate care - ask for half an hour with WOT, and should there be a problem it will show much earlier. Engine hours is def not a problem.

 

[jon and michie]

thank you piratos for you input - I will be getting surveyed and with a sea trial so hopefully all will become clear.

thanks again

jon

 

[gsturgeon]

I too have had a 2855.

Bayliners have always been derided by the 'experts' but they offer large boats for less cost.

My petrol one with 5.7l / 250hp (could have been 275) when new, managed 28kts but as the cruising junk piled up was not nearly as lively.
I would now go for the biggest petrol engine.

It is interesting that this diesel boat has only done <50 hours a year and I am wondering why you are swapping performance for (little)economy.

Do check the max speed on the trial.

 

[B58]

Running hours do not concern me, its the long periods sat idle doing nothing that does! Make sure you have the boat inspected (including the fuel tanks) and conduct a full seatrial.