Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

How so?

Because you lose so much power going up in elevation. Many years ago, we had a 27' bayliner that would run fine at sea level but didn't have enough power to get up on plane at higher elevations.

A duo-prop could have allowed the boat to get up on plane.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

... I perfer the A1 over the B3 for my application.

That's bad thinking right there.

If you aren't breaking entire A1 lower units now, you will not break B3 props. Period.

For your intended use, "down on the coast or even up to the bay", the Stingray is not the best choice. You will not like the ride.

Sea Trial, sea trial, sea trial.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

...$900 for a new prop set...

They are a LOT more expensive than that, for "new". Used you can get for less than that price. And since there is NOTHING that "wears out" on a B3 propset, used is just as good as new, as long as the blades aren't chewed up.

 

[QC]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I perfer the A1 over the B3 for my application.

So then we are done discussing the Bayliner?

Generator?

 

[agallant80]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Eh its not the end of the world to have a B3. The bayliner is as is, the stingray I would have built the way I want it.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

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.

Then you should look for a jet drive boat. Seriously. Sorry if I come across as an a-hole here but you absolutely MUST learn how not to run over stuff. If you don't you're going to wind up with way bigger problems than a mangled prop.

 

[QC]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

+1 ^^^ I was going to say something similar, and I was worried about offending you too. We are definitely trying to help with all of our posts. The solution to the prop issue is to stop hitting stuff. What situation are you finding the most trouble with? This is going to get worse with a bigger boat if you operate her the same

 

[agallant80]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Well lets see,

Last season
X-Wife ran her aground looking for a switch
Hit something under the water don't know what it was
X-Wife told me she pulled anchor and forgot and we had just enough line out to have it ding the prop

This year, something hit the prop, no idea what it caused very minor damage to the prop if it was stainless it would have been fine.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Well lets see,

Last season
X-Wife ran her aground looking for a switch
Hit something under the water don't know what it was
X-Wife told me she pulled anchor and forgot and we had just enough line out to have it ding the prop

This year, something hit the prop, no idea what it caused very minor damage to the prop if it was stainless it would have been fine.

Is that all????? Pfffft....I've done all those things too. :lol:

Don't worry about it; a couple of mistakes doesn't mean you'll be destroying props with regularity. Sometimes the learning curve with boating is steep and expensive, but I bet you won't do any of those things again...at least not this year. Go with the BIII, and if it makes you feel any better, pick up a used prop set on ebay "just in case". I always wind up with at least 2 props anyway; a speed prop and a power prop, depending on weather and load conditions. The same applies to a dual prop setup.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I think the key to at least a couple of these "breaks" are the words "X-wife" Now that she is gone, and you have a girlfriend by your side, search for a boat
with a BIII. Don't order a new Sting Ray, no matter how tempting the price is, unless of course you are paying cash, and you could care
less about re-sale value.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Another reason to go the Bravo route is cone clutch vs dog clutch.

 

[V153]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Well lets see,

Last season
X-Wife ran her aground looking for a switch
Hit something under the water don't know what it was
X-Wife told me she pulled anchor and forgot and we had just enough line out to have it ding the prop

This year, something hit the prop, no idea what it caused very minor damage to the prop if it was stainless it would have been fine.

Hmm. Ya I'da exxed her too. My late (I didn't do it) ex-wife couldn't pilot a boat to save her life. Used to have a 21' AquaSport WAC w/185 Erude on it. This may be tmi but I had to make an unscheduled visit to the head in the cuddy one day. Asked Heather to take the helm'n gave her a few simple instructions. Mind you we were idling through the ditch. Pointed out the red & green markers'n told her to stay between them. No problem she said ...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Another reason to go the Bravo route is cone clutch vs dog clutch.

Yep.

The only thing a Bravo 3 drives doesn't do better then an Alpha is go slow at idle. Since they have so much less slip, when you put them in gear, they move quickly. That said, since they have the much smoother cone clutch, it doesn't feel so bad (or sound so bad) to take them in and out of gear a lot, as needed to go slow.

In the meantime, the pros of the B3 are faster planing time, able to hold plane at lower speed, less "blow out" in sharp turns, and increased ability to turn the boat in either direction while in reverse.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

If you're going to use the boat in the Chesapeake Bay as suggested in your other post, your not going to be very happy with either boat. A boat with a 18 degree deadrise, a high profile and a high center of gravity is not what you want for a body of water that is notorious for it’s short, snap roll. The low deadrise will pound like a hammer and the high center of gravity will give you whiplash.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

If you're going to use the boat in the Chesapeake Bay as suggested in your other post, your not going to be very happy with either boat. A boat with a 18 degree deadrise, a high profile and a high center of gravity is not what you want for a body of water that is notorious for it?s short, snap roll. The low deadrise will pound like a hammer and the high center of gravity will give you whiplash.

Okay, there's definately something to consider. A little local knowledge can be helpful. I knew the Stingray was a bad fit, wasn't sure how the Bayliner would fair.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Stingray deadrise 18
Bayliner deadrise 21

I live in Raleigh, NC so if I do go up to the bay it will be for a few days, it will live on a trailer and be used 80% at local lakes in NC with the exception of a few trips to Wilmington to do the intercoastal or up to Annapolis so I can have the smallest boat in eago ally. I did allot of sailing on the bay whenI was younger so i would like to go check it out. If i get pounded up there then I won't go. Any ways Wilmington is closer.

 

[QC]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

your not going to be very happy with either boat.

Bayliner deadrise 21

Seems like the Bayliner would be just right with the height as something you just have to deal with. It kind of looked like dingbat thought Bayliner was only 18 degrees as well. Maybe he'll chime in . . . With a nod to a few others, he has the most experience on the Chesapeake.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

Bayliner deadrise 21

I live in Raleigh, NC so if I do go up to the bay it will be for a few days, it will live on a trailer and be used 80% at local lakes in NC with the exception of a few trips to Wilmington to do the intercoastal or up to Annapolis so I can have the smallest boat in eago ally. I did allot of sailing on the bay whenI was younger so i would like to go check it out. If i get pounded up there then I won't go. Any ways Wilmington is closer.

This says 18 degree

Bayliner 255 Cruiser
The deadrise at the transom is misleading indicator of performance since you do not cut threw the waves with your transom. You would be better of with a boat with an aggressive, variable deadrise if you are going to spend any time in the rough stuff.

If you trailer up and put in at Sandy Point and run down to Annapolis it wouldn't be too bad (~ 10 miles of semi-protected water) I sure as heck wouldn't want to bring the boat from Norfolk to Annapolis by water. (~100 miles of open water with the prevailing south "sea breeze"

 

[S8861]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I just bought a stingray but am totally new to boating.

However, the consensus on the stingray owners forum is that for new cabin cruisers the bayliner 245 is a much better buy. Newer style, better layout, much better value. Some are even suggesting it bests the sea ray in the same size in fit and finish.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Bayliner 255 or Stingray 250CS

I had a new Bayliner and never liked it, it was plagued with problems right from the start. Maybe I just got a lemon but they do lack quality and I personally will never own another one. Stingray seems like nice boats, I almost bought one until I found a Crownline that I love and will keep until I die or destroy it.

Don't do the Stingray if you plan on using it in rough water. I did research on them and the lightness is because the way they are made and it is great for gas mileage but not rough sea worthyness. So if you just are using it in small lakes it won't matter and better on gas mileage both towing and on the lake will be a real deal breaker.