Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I'll go with the Bayliner.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Sorry, missed the 2nd part. I thought when you said "okay" it was a marginal OK. Good for emphasis either way. All good.

Yeah, it's all good indeed, we are thinking along the exact same wavelengths, again. Scary, I know!!!

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

The Bayliner is made in the Sea Ray plant and is a good boat.

Not anymore. Bayliner cruisers are no longer made or sold in the United States. All production and sales
have been moved to Brazil. Left over 2012's and earlier were made in the US. So a good used B-liner
would be a better choice over any Stingray. Even with no new models being sold here. Parts should be
still available, but will be harder to find (those that are unique to B-liner) as time goes on.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Not anymore. Bayliner cruisers are no longer made or sold in the United States. All production and sales
have been moved to Brazil.

Really? Got any reference material?

I knew about their plant in Mexico (where they're building the smaller boats), and a plant in Portugal, but never heard of a plant in Brazil. Haven't heard about the cruisers going away either. Must have missed a press release or two.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Brunswick Corporation will close its Sea Ray manufacturing plant in Knoxville, Tenn., and consolidate U.S. cruiser production for Sea Ray in Palm Coast, Fla., and Vonore, Tenn., while producing Bayliner cruisers in Brazil, the company reported Tuesday. Production at the plant will cease by the end of 2012.

BoatingIndustry.com : Brunswick to close Knoxville Sea Ray plant

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

That sucks for East TN.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Quite a difference in re-sale over a couple years of the 255
2010 255 ($48K)

2011 255 ($85K)

Gives some idea of how fast they depreciate.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

For either of those boats, I would get a 5.7 MPI over the 5.0 MPI. Whatever you get, get a drive with a duo-prop. I will never own another boat without one.

Stingray or Bayliner have similar quality. They are both entry level boats. I owned an 80's Bayliner and quality was horrible. Newer Bayliners are WAY better.

 

[QC]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

And I would want a 320 6.2, but when shopping used those choices may not be available. I agree on the B3 or Duo-prop only, but any of those combos will plane easily and cruise in the 30s. All acceptable depending on your expectations.

I always comment on the poor, maligned, under appreciated 5.0 MPI. It should never be lumped in with it's weak carb'd sisters, and will outrun a carb'd 5.7.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

And just for reference, my dad owned a 1999ish Chaparral Signature 27, which has a 9.0' beam and is WAY heavier than either of these two boats. It had a 300hp 350MAG MPI, with a Bravo 3, and it ran very good. No planing issues, even with 3 of us with all our stuff for a 9 day trip. (it was a lot of stuff!)

So, a 260hp 5.0MPI, WITH a B3, would do fine in either of these too lighter/smaller boats.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I always comment on the poor, maligned, under appreciated 5.0 MPI. It should never be lumped in with it's weak carb'd sisters, and will outrun a carb'd 5.7.

I sure would like to compare the torque curves of both of those engines. Problem with comparing HP is that the 5.0 is rated at a higher WOT RPM so the HP rating may be higher because of that.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

BoatingIndustry.com : Brunswick to close Knoxville Sea Ray plant

Thanks. I missed that one. Need a score card these days to determine who is building what and where. :faint2:

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Really? Got any reference material?

I knew about their plant in Mexico (where they're building the smaller boats), and a plant in Portugal, but never heard of a plant in Brazil. Haven't heard about the cruisers going away either. Must have missed a press release or two.

Google "Bayliner News" and read all about it.

 

[QC]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I sure would like to compare the torque curves of both of those engines. Problem with comparing HP is that the 5.0 is rated at a higher WOT RPM so the HP rating may be higher because of that.

I submit that with a B3 that discussion is much less important than it used to be. If she'll plane, peak torque is adequate. If good hole shot is your goal, I suggest a cruiser is a bad plan. Top speed is determined by horsepower.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I submit that with a B3 that discussion is much less important than it used to be. If she'll plane, peak torque is adequate. If good hole shot is your goal, I suggest a cruiser is a bad plan. Top speed is determined by horsepower.

I agree...that's the issue. Problem with a boat of this style is that its easy to get it loaded up with gear and people that getting up on plane becomes marginal. I like to have a little margin so as the engine wears and you have less power down the road, you can still get up on plane.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

The plan is for a weekend get away at local lakes or down on the coast or even up to the bay. I could care less about how fast it goes. I will be keeping it around 28MPH or so where ever I get the best fuel economy. The rest of the time I will be at a public dock or anchored in a nice cove with a drink in my hand and my girl next to me.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

The plan is for a weekend get away at local lakes or down on the coast or even up to the bay. I could care less about how fast it goes. I will be keeping it around 28MPH or so where ever I get the best fuel economy. The rest of the time I will be at a public dock or anchored in a nice cove with a drink in my hand and my girl next to me.

So that measn you are using it at close to sea level? That would also influence my decision.

 

[QC]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Have you thought about AC? I have considered a cruiser for Lake Mead. For 4 -5 months a year sleeping without AC would be brutal. Kind of makes the Weekend plan an issue, so then why a cruiser? I know you have brutal humidity, but I know nothing else about your season etc. Point is, if you need AC, then the boat gets bigger.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

So that measn you are using it at close to sea level? That would also influence my decision.

How so?

 

[agallant80]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Have you thought about AC? I have considered a cruiser for Lake Mead. For 4 -5 months a year sleeping without AC would be brutal. Kind of makes the Weekend plan an issue, so then why a cruiser? I know you have brutal humidity, but I know nothing else about your season etc. Point is, if you need AC, then the boat gets bigger.

Boath boats have A/C hot water and a 5.0 MPI. The Bayliner has a B3 and the stingray has an A1 by choice. I don't care what the arguments are for a B3, I break props and I don't want to have a trip go south because I was not expecting to dole out $900 for a new prop set. I perfer the A1 over the B3 for my application.