New Boat - Bayliner

[StuDryden]

thanks for all your wisdom about a possible boat for us (except Haydn - easyjet not an option)

have been reading up on and looking at several boats from the ones suggested we have decided to ask for some more advice.

as before the boat in question must be suitable for live aboard for months at a time and be suitable enough to take us to the med from being moored in Hartlepool (no monkey hanger jokes please, i am not from there) , although i failed to mention it is only for myself and my wife, the models i am looking at are a bayliner 2855 widebody (or similar 2655+) and a sealine 255 (althought the latter is a bit pricey for us - £20K budget to purchase, have reserves for fuel, moorings etc...)

every1 seems to dislike bayliners but the ones i have seen seem to be in good nick and provide that "sporty" look we are after, i am going down to Bray / Penton Hook in a couple of weeks for their "used boat show" so some advice would be handy for then?

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[mike_kolling]

When you go to look at one, just do the "side walk test" ie try to walk from the cockpit to the front deck and maybe adjust a fender or two on the way.

Cos if you are going through any French canals you will need to do this a lot.

If its OK for you and you dont mind the balancing act, then thats fine.

I have to say the Sealine would get my vote, at least it has a semblance of a deck there and the build quality is better.

By the way, you lucky bu%^%, I wish I was going too!

Mike

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[blueglass]

Everybody is a bit sniffy about Bayliners but you have to admit that because of the studied indifference of most of the boating fraternity, if you can bear the Skoda type jokes you do get a lot of plastic for the money!

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[MedDreamer]

I feel a bout of Bayliner knocking coming on!. Whichever you choose is going to be a few years old, any build quality issues will come out in the survey (please make sure you have one). Likewise any wear and tear issues will be exposed (just as likely on the Sealine).

Don't be put off by the knockers - If Bayliners were that bad the ones old enough to come into this price range would be all at the bottom of the pond - Get a survey, if its OK then its OK.

Your spec says you want to use it as a liveaboard, on that basis the most suitable on your list is the 2855. The cabin space is far superior to either of the others and there is plenty of storage (granted its not all easy to get too but it is there).





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[duncan]

there is no comparison between the Sealine 255 and the 2855 wide body for space - the latter has it in spades.
Haven't seen a UK sourced one that is going to meet your financial aspirations though

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[mike_kolling]

I am not knocking them, merely suggesting they have a good look at the boat outside the cabin as well as inside.

As liveaboards, deck work will be a daily chore and more important factor than for a weekender.

If they are happy with the narrow decks, good luck to them.



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[tcm]

Hi. If you can take your time and are reasonably handy, this sounds fun.

The taking your time bit - this means that unlike most others - you need to be able to not go to sea if weather is dodgy, perhaps waiting a few days or even a week where others would go out. This isn't merely cos bayliners are a bit flat-bottomed and hence roomy but hence don't cut into the sea, or cos they might fall to bit =s (they all do a bit) but because you will want to preserve boat and contents even more than most - for the remainder of that long trip, and the length of the boat is praps the most important aspect of making it comfy - the bigger the better. Also, you'll probaly want to bumble along at moderate speed to conserve fuel, allowing longer and cheaper hops.

In the med, airconditioning is fab. If you haven't got this, then you need to be able to prevent the hot sun from heating up the saloon with reflective material on the outside of the windows, or any sort of blind or cover that prevents sun hitting those side windows. Obviously this and other capers will occupy your time. Hence, you need to be handy.

Are yopu planning to go thru canals or round the outside?




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[blueglass]

I take your point entirely and as a liveaboard it wouldn't be my choice, but at that end of the market I just think they would get more boat and (newer) than the same money would buy in other marques.

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[cliffsorge]

I bought a 1996 2855 this year and am thrilled to bits with her. I've had a small engine problem, see "air in the diesel", but apart from that I can't find too much to moan about. I too was looking at Sealine's but decided on balance for the 2855 cos of value for money, they haven't missed much, I don't believe it can easily be bettered. Build quality on mine is good, its true a walk down the side is awkward but if you can accept that then its the Bayliner 2855.

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[hlb]

Yep. But dont suppose you intend to sail it round to the med and live aboard for months!!

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Haydn

 

[Guest]

Glad to see that this thread hasn't (so far) been taken over by the anti Bayliner brigade. Had a 2855 for 4 years , no regrets - bought a 3055 afterwards to prove it.

I tried to buy a "real" boat first, but found only diesel derelicts within my budget hence the 2855.

My advice for what it's worth...

Go for the bigger one everytime, a small increase in length represents a large increase in volume.

The headroom in a typical Bayliner is exceptional (my wife cannot reach the skylights in the 3055!)

Look at several before choosing. There is a lot of difference between a well cared-for boat (of any marque) and a neglected one, which often isn't reflected in the asking price.

Forget the side deck problem, they are unuseable, if they were, the cabin would be a foot narrower. The centre screen or front hatch is the way up-front.

The 2855 is designed to sleep six but with only two on board, the midships berth quickly became a "glory hole" and we used the front one for sleeping.

Don't know about going through France with (presumably) a petrol boat, perhaps others know about the availability of fuel.

Only six years and thirty four days to go...

Geoff





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[Dave_Snelson]

At some stage, I will be moving up from my runabout to a cruiser and I have followed this thread with interest. The only thing I find is that it hard to track used Bayliners down with a diesel engine(s). They do seem good value compared to British or European boats.

Any advice - or is this just a question of searching + patience?

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[Dave_Snelson]

If you can find a Bayliner 2655 or 2855 for £20k then let me know where!!!!

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[duncan]

there is a 2855 in Plymouth for 17 odd but it's too old to be a widebody

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[cliffsorge]

Sorry no real advice just keep on looking, it took me a good 6/7 months to find my 2855 and I had looked at a wide range of boats, Sealine Maxum Fairline to name but three, some at silly prices. I eventually found mine on boats-for-sale.com and then by coincidence Ancasta Marine gave me the particulars when I went to their Poole office. There certainly don't seem to be many diesel Bayliners about probably cos the Americans don't pay much for petrol!!

Good hunting let me know if your lucky

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[mike_kolling]

Have you not considered something a bit older with diesels in it?
Why not consider a Seamaster 30/ Freeman 32/ Project 31 / Princess 32.
You will get more space to live in for your money.


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[Chris_d]

I think your probably right, but to some people its like reccomending a MKIII Cortina instead of the nice modern looking Mondeo they are considering, and they would cost the same!

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[harrisnking]

I have just purchased a new 2855 and consider it a good investment, I also have the idea of taking her to the med possibly this coming july/august am enquiring about LPG conversion as this is available down south. I was visiting friends in the states earlier this year who have a 2855 that we used in the gulf of mexico what fun that was. I also used a bayliner 2556 convertible now that might need consideration for your needs.

Harrisnking


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[Dave_Snelson]

Thanks Cliff. I'll keep looking. I am actually prepared to re-engine a boat if I pick it up at the right price.

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