Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerfull?

[Gosub]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

In my recent search for a boat I looked at a 1997 2855 Ciera with a Merc 5.7 and a bravo2 outdrive. To get it on plane needed WOT and if backed off even a little, it fell off plane. Most 2855's for sale here in Europe came with the 7.4 which owners say is "adequate but not sparkling"

Most boats of that size I looked at were twin engine, but out of my budget. Boats are still very expensive here.

 

[Greg68S]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

My Thompson weighs in at about 5400lbs with an alpha 1 SS 17P she will do 40mph. With the SS 19 she does 46mph. I'm guessing that with the bravo three I will be able to top out at 38 to 40mph. I am certainly just fine with that. Most days I'm just cruising at 28 to 35mph. Depending on how far we are traveling I sometimes like to conserve fuel. I have access to a newer rebuilt big block that I was going to put in my Thompson but I decided against it. If was unhappy with the sb I could always swap her out. Would I be happier with the big block? Will notice a huge power difference?

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

I suggest you also compare the deadrise between your Thompson and the Bayliner. If the Thompson has less deadrise than the Bayliner it will be easier to get (and stay) on plane with less power.

 

[Philster]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

Even looking at this boat/engine combo from optimistic angles screams "underpowered".

It might be less of a V, fairly light and have a dual-prop drive and great tabs, but even considering all those factors, if I had to place a bet knowing all that, I'd still place my bet on 'underpowered'.

 

[Greg68S]

If she moves ok loaded down with fuel, water and 6 friends I'll buy her. I have a rebuilt
1997 bb in my garage that I own. It will take me a day
To swap it out. If I'm lacking at all that will surely help. I hope.

In your experience, what would be a good number for me to come in at as far as purchase price. They are listing her at $18900.00. A bit high I would say.

In your experience, what would be a good number for me to come in at as far as purchase price. They are listing her at $18900.00. A bit high I would say.

Keep in mind she was miss listed as a 3055....she is actually a 2855.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

In your experience, what would be a good number for me to come in at as far as purchase price. They are listing her at $18900.00. A bit high I would say.



Keep in mind she was miss listed as a 3055....she is actually a 2855.

A lot of variables here. Is the boat pristine? Can the owner produce receipts showing that maintenance is up to date?

Is this a salt water boat? Have manifolds and risers been replaced within the past couple of years? How about a major service on the outdrive, i.e., new bellows?

Your price point easily supports a professional survey and mechanical inspection. If this boat is damned near perfect and all maintenance is up to date, the price isn't totally unreasonable IMO... but that's only IF. For a boat like that (Bayliner- like it or not it's a low end boat) even in above average condition, I wouldn't offer more than $15K.

My .02

 

[Solittle]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

I had a 27 1/2' Bayliner Victoria Flybridge with a GM 350 cu in. hooked to a Volvo outdrive. It was a slug of the first order. It definately needed a big block for adequate performance.

Is this thing trailerable? If so you will need a triple axle trailer & big truck to pull it.

 

[Greg68S]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

As far as I know there is not a trailer. However that really is not a concern. I'm a welder and can build a trailer suitable to haul her. I built a matching trailer for my Thompson in about 3 weeks. I have a Ford Super Duty diesel to pull it. I'm thinking that if the maintainence was done and done on schedule, and she is as clean as I remember her to be, I will offer $14,500

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

Honestly Greg, we have a Doral 270 with twin 4.3LX Alpha's, and I can't imagine trying to back it into our slip with a single anything. The wind catches the bow and it would be into our neighbors boat.

 

[Greg68S]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

I would agree to an extent. But the 2855 Ciera primarily came with a single SB. And many people seem to give it high regards as a great cruiser. I would like too have twins but I'm not sure I'm ready for that commitment yet. I've had the wind grab the hull of my Thompson before. And she's only 25'. Do you really think that as a first cruiser this would be a bad investment? The experience on this forum far exceeds my own. I take everything everyone has to say to heart and apply it as I go. So please be blunt if necessary.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

Don't get me wrong Greg. I'm not trying to discourage your purchase. That boat has a great layout and is a great family cruiser. Before our Doral we had a Chaparral 240 Signature with a 350 Mag EFI/MP Bravo III and it was a pain on a windy day even with the Bravo III. Our Doral is way easier to get into the slip and dock handling is a lot more comfortable. The 2855 is a really nice boat and I don't know where you boat so it may be perfect for your intended use. You gotta think, if you are out on a kinda crappy day with all the canvas up, between it and that long nose it acts like a sail. But in the end, it's got to be something you and your family are comfortable with so that is really whats important. We have folks at our marina that have those late 80's Sea Ray 300/310 where the nose goes on for ever and even with the v-drives, they hardly take them out. Could be the twin 454's and gas prices. Good luck.

 

[Greg68S]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to give her a chance to impress me and my wife. I think we all know who really makes the final decision any way. Hahaha. If its what we want then great. If not..... on to the next one. Thanks

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

I think we all know who really makes the final decision any way. Hahaha.

Yup, my wife picked out our 270. All I had to do was write the cheque. :facepalm:

 

[Greg68S]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

I know. We get the easy part. Paying for it. Lol. Have a good night. And thanks again.

 

[ewenm]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

forget it, its going to be a dog and you will hate it, if you cant get a 454 get twins, and also try and find something with EFI

in todays market that shouldn't be to hard

 

[Greg68S]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

It honestly can't be that bad. It only ways 6800lbs add another 2000lbs in weight loaded up. The B3 should compensate. If it doesn't I have a 454 to repower it. Not a big deal really. I'm actually really curious. I will find out next month during sea trial/ survey

 

[JoLin]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

It only ways 6800lbs add another 2000lbs in weight loaded up. The B3 should compensate.

No, it won't. You've talked yourself into the opinion that it'll be powerful enough, even though all the OWNERS of similar sized boats disagree. Your call, of course. I'd factor that engine swap into my offer price if I were you, and also make sure that the gear ratio on the outdrive is suitable for the 454 as opposed to the 350.

That's all from me on this subject. Good luck with the sea trial, and let us know how it goes.

 

[Greg68S]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

Thanlks JoLin. Whats the best way to find out the gear ratio on an outdrive. What numbers and where do i look? Also If I get my hands on the HIN, what site can I go to to get a fast easy look up

 

[Maclin]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

Greg,

Is the big block engine you have available a Marine engine? from Merc? Are you familiar with marinizing an engine so it is internally and externally compatible with all the manufacturer specific drivetrain items?

Just saying, that I do not recommend buying the boat if one of the key decision factors is based on repowering in the event you deem it underpowered as it is now.

Swapping in an entire big block Merc drivetrain is one thing, but taking a non-marine engine as the donor for an "insertion" can be problematic.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Im buying a '95 Bayliner 3055 Ciera with a 350 merc bravo 3. is the engine powerf

HIN won't tell you much, nor can I advise you on how to proceed. I'd start posting some of these questions in the Mercruiser I/O forum. If the swap is straightforward where the outdrive is concerned, you still need to consider marinization of the motor (as Maclin stated), and physically mounting it in the engine room- motor mounts and measurements will all be different.

Nobody's saying it can't be done. Heck, if you like to 'improve' your boat that's part of the hobby for you, right? Just seems to most of us like an awful lot of work that could be avoided by buying a different boat.