Right size auxiliary outboard for Bayliner 2556

[kolyo]

Hello, I recently bought a 1991 Bayliner 2556 Ciera Command Bridge with a Merc 7.4L/Bravo2 combo. I got this particular boat mainly for the magnificent view from the fly bridge which I plan to enjoy 90% of the time at displacement speed in the fairly protected bays of Halkidiki, Greece where we don't have strong currents or tides. At 75 I am no more interested in speed nor have I anywhere to rush to. For these reasons I am looking for the right reliable and quiet auxiliary outboard to use as a trolling and get home motor for this high windage boat. I have read a lot on the subject and opinions vary from 8 hp to 50 hp High Trust engines, most often Yamahas or Tohatsus. The cost involved in getting the right motor is the least of my worries. What matters most is weight, steering and keeping the boat well balanced,
Any suggestions, opinions and ideas will be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

BTW, a fellow Bayliner 2556 owner came up with this simple idea to use the out-drive as a rudder.

 

[CLB]

10hp as an absolute minimum, 15 or even 20 would be better. Longshaft of course. The bigger ones will need some thought on how to mount them as they will be hefty.

 

[kolyo]

Thanks for your advice. I take it you mean 15 or 20 high thrust rather than regular would be better. My boat mechanic tells me that a 9.9 Yamaha high thrust equals a 20 hp normal motor for pushing power (not speed) by virtue of its stronger gear case & propeller combination.

 

[AndieMac]

Hi and welcome K,

The thing that will statistically stop the main engine will be contaminated fuel, things like fouled props can be easily be sorted by lifting the leg etc.
A seperate fuel supply will be a logical start, and tapping into the boats main petrol tank won’t be necessary, so a two stroke could also be used.
The advantage with the two stroke, if you can still find a good second hand, say 15hp long shaft, is they are lighter and require less maintenance than a four stroke. Remember this engine will only be used on rare occasions!
Expect a 4 knot cruise speed (not much tide and wind etc), and devise a way to lock the OB swivel steering (Merc had a “Co-Pilot option on their USA versions which would lock the swivel at any part of the turn for eg) so you can still steer with the main helm, especially with the rudder extension you have retro fitted.
Any aux motor hanging off the transom/boarding platform will be a nuisance when berthing, especially Med mooring, so will probably have to be lowered into the water each time you berth, so weight will always be a factor to consider.
Good luck with whatever option you choose.

 

[kolyo]

Thank you for making me feel welcome, AndieMac

I already have a 15 hp 2-stroke Yamaha long shaft which the PO mounted to the starboard side of the transom. I am unhappy with the position of the motor too much off the centerline, so I was planing to replace it with a quieter and less smelly 9.9 hp High Thrust at the expense of some extra weight and find a way to install it as close to or even dead on the centerline. Perhaps someone will come up with suggestions?

I was also planning to use a transom bracket on sled like the one in the attached picture.

 

[Elessar]

Hello, I recently bought a 1991 Bayliner 2556 Ciera Command Bridge with a Merc 7.4L/Bravo2 combo. I got this particular boat mainly for the magnificent view from the fly bridge which I plan to enjoy 90% of the time at displacement speed in the fairly protected bays of Halkidiki, Greece where we don't have strong currents or tides. At 75 I am no more interested in speed nor have I anywhere to rush to. For these reasons I am looking for the right reliable and quiet auxiliary outboard to use as a trolling and get home motor for this high windage boat. I have read a lot on the subject and opinions vary from 8 hp to 50 hp High Trust engines, most often Yamahas or Tohatsus. The cost involved in getting the right motor is the least of my worries. What matters most is weight, steering and keeping the boat well balanced,
Any suggestions, opinions and ideas will be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

BTW, a fellow Bayliner 2556 owner came up with this simple idea to use the out-drive as a rudder.


View attachment 94467

I had one of those boats. I then moved onto a 2858 which is an identical design and layout and just a tiny bit bigger. Still single outdrive.

I went on seas and rivers including crossing the channel to France and the Channel Islands. Thats open water with plenty of ships.

I never had a spare engine. Due to the bolt on nature of the bathing platform it would be very difficult to mount. It’s weight and complication that’s better spent on good servicing.

Get a good anchor. Plenty of rode. I know it gets too deep to anchor very quickly in Greece. But largely you can anchor to stop yourself bumping into things whilst you fix the problem or arrange a tow.

Enjoy your boat. And the bravo 2 is one of the stronger mercruiser drives. If you are going to go fast make sure it has a drive shower. The only breakdown I had was from an overheated drive.

 

[kolyo]

Thanks for sharing your experience. But since I have the 15 hp Yamaha I thought I'll use it as a trolling motor. Surely an 15 hp motor will consume much less petrol than the 310 hp inboard guzzler. My problem is to find the optimal placement and bracket type for the aux without causing too much inconvenience or problems when running the boat at high speeds.

These are the choices I have so far:

 

[Elessar]

Ok that’s fine. Good luck.
I think you’re trying to fix a problem that doesn’t need fixing, the cure for which will cause problems.
I hope I’m wrong and you have fun.

 

[AndieMac]

Thanks for sharing your experience. But since I have the 15 hp Yamaha I thought I'll use it as a trolling motor. Surely an 15 hp motor will consume much less petrol than the 310 hp inboard guzzler........

At 4 knots the main engine won't be using that much fuel in the overall scheme of things, when you consider all the mucking around to engage the aux and the amount of hours per season the average boater actually spends on the water in a 25' boat.
The 15hp Yamaha will weigh 37 Kgs, and the 9.9 high thrust L/S is 42kgs, climbing out on your boarding platform with wave movement and a bit of wind to set up the aux for a troll may be a challenge, putting the engine into the water is a lot easier than lifting it back out again!
Btw, having a swivel steering lock means the aux thrust direction could be locked slightly off centre, compensating for having the engine mounted on either side of the transom.

My own boating experience required the aux because of remote locations with no rescue services and very limited radio coverage.

 

[kolyo]

Thanks for the input, it's much appreciated!