Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

[Steele329]

Hi, I am currently thinking about buying a 1986 Bayliner Ciera 2150 with a 4cyl Volvo. I test drove it yesterday and it just didnt seem to have a lot of power. I have a 19ft open bow with a 70 Johnson outboard and compared to the bayliner my boat flies. This is an aft cabin boat and Im not too familiar with them but for the look of the boat it just seems like it should go a little faster or have more power. The engine sounded great and was pretty clean for its age. The boat itself is in good shape Im just used to going faster. Is this due to the 4 cylinder engine or could I be missing something? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Too much boat for too little motor, IMO. If you weren't happy on the test drive, imagine how bad it would be once you load it up with people, coolers, etc.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Your feeling is correct -- it is underpowered. You would not notice it in the mile of 'no wake' zones in FL but if you are used to more this much less will become more disappointing over time. Besides-- it is a Bayliner. Walk away quickly.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Besides-- it is a Bayliner. Walk away quickly.

:mad2:

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

I had a 16' runabout with a 70 HP Johnson and then moved up to a 19' I/O with a 3.0 liter. Awesome increase in power. I was delighted with the improvement. But of course, the new boat was set up with a double cupped SS prop that was built for that rig.

Back in the day we waterskied with a 25 HP. Part is setup and part is what floats your boat...

 

[Steele329]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Whats wrong with Bayliner? Personal preference or are they turds? I personally would not have hesitated if not for the sluggishness... Aesthetically the boat is exactly what I am looking for. As far as power not so much.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Whats wrong with Bayliner? Personal preference or are they turds? I personally would not have hesitated if not for the sluggishness... Aesthetically the boat is exactly what I am looking for. As far as power not so much.

There is nothing wrong with a Bayliner; except that they may not garner as much bragging rights at the launch ramp. I'm on my third Bayliner, and they have all been fine boats.

 

[Steele329]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Jestor, ever have the volvo 4? If so any issues or complaints?

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

The AQ 131 in that boat is definitely a little under powered; but with it's 2.15 gear ratio and the proper sized prop, it should perform decently(for a cruiser) and muster close to 30 mph.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

86 is right on the edge of when Bayliners went down hill fast. I had a 87 2250 Capri with a 5.0L. It was marginal quality at best when it was new. Had to fix many issues over the years because of the poor quality.

The 5.0L in my boat was the smallest engine I would want in my boat. The 2250 Capri is 20.5'. Not sure where they came up with that model number. The 2150 Ciera is probably 19' but may be heavier than mine due to the structure type. I wouldn't buy a boat that size with a 4 cylinder Volvo in it.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Jestor, ever have the volvo 4? If so any issues or complaints?

I had one in my second Bayliner(17 ft). It ran faithfully for the years I owned it. It's a fairly high revving motor(4700-5000 rpm) to get the performance out of it.

If your check the NADA guide, the 1986 model 2150 Ciera is right there listed with a 120 with a weight of 3125.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

My Bayliners were a 1985, 1988, and the current 1996.

The '85 had a Force outboard; the '88 was a Volvo; the '96 is a Mercruiser. The Mercruiser is the only one to ever need to be repaired.

All were purchased new.

There were no quality issues with any of them, except the Mercruiser. :facepalm:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

I am sure they fixed their quality problems by 1996. Late 80's early 90's were horrible.

On mine, engine enclosure rotted out due to unfinished edges on the side of the plywood. Floor rotted in some places because the sealing material they painted on was skipped in many areas and/or cracked. Seats were put together with regular steel staples so they all corroded into dust. All the metal trim on the cuddy doors peeled off and hinges cracked. Lag screws not screwed all the way into the stringers holding the engine mounts. I could go on. This wasn't some ole 20 year old boat. This was happening after 5 years.

I keep very good care of my boats. This one was covered with a Sunbrella cover and was in CA so very dry and it still had these issues. Go to the restoration section and see how many of these are in there!

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

A slant-4 Volvo in a 2150? I may be wrong, but geez, that has GOT to be a transplant! The 2150 is a BIG 21' boat, a guy on our docks has one, it's also very similar to my Sea Ray... And I've owned the slant-4, the 120hp version in my goin-way-back brand new 1979 Galaxy 17' bowrider. That engine was a sweetie as far as smooth and reliable went, but even the Galaxy was underpowered with that motor! We could barely ski behind the thing with 4 souls aboard, and it never saw 37 mph other than on the trailer... I can only imagine what a dog a 2150 would be with that motor, even the 140hp version!

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

I have noticed a bunch of Wellcraft boats all rotted out too.

If you look around, you'll see just as many "quality" boats with soft floors and rotted transoms.

Parking a boat in the elements with a cover on it only serves to hold in the moisture that invariably finds it's way in there. I know; it never rains in the People's Public. :facepalm:

 

[jestor68]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

A slant-4 Volvo in a 2150? I may be wrong, but geez, that has GOT to be a transplant! The 2150 is a BIG 21' boat, a guy on our docks has one, it's also very similar to my Sea Ray... And I've owned the slant-4, the 120hp version in my goin-way-back brand new 1979 Galaxy 17' bowrider. That engine was a sweetie as far as smooth and reliable went, but even the Galaxy was underpowered with that motor! We could barely ski behind the thing with 4 souls aboard, and it never saw 37 mph other than on the trailer... I can only imagine what a dog a 2150 would be with that motor, even the 140hp version!

It was the standard engine for that year. A V-8 was optional.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

30 mph in that boat would be only if its on a trailer! Those boats also had semi displacement hulls. Great for cruising, as they didn't really have a speed where they would plow water. instead, they would just sort of 'mush' their way onto a poor excuse for planing. Low 20's leaning on that throttle as hard as you can would be more realistic.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

I have noticed a bunch of Wellcraft boats all rotted out too.

And I have seen Cobalts as well.

After the crappy 87 Bayliner, I made sure I bought a boat with a fiberglass floor and without an OMC Cobra!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

It was the standard engine for that year. A V-8 was optional.

That's what Bayliner would do. Get people that didn't know any better into a boat that was underpowered so they thought they were getting a good deal.

 

[Steele329]

Re: Bayliner Ciera 2150 with 4cyl Volvo Penta

Thanks everyone for the help! I am in love with the boat but I cannot be without power. I think you guys talked me out of it. Oh well it was a nice pipe dream, ill stick with what I have for now and keep looking!