29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

[shawnmd]

I am looking at purchasing a 1983 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge as seen below. The owner has maintained the boat and has a recent marine survey completed with very good results. My question is in regards to the quality of the overall boat. I know Bayliners of that era have a bad reputation for quality, but this particular model seems to be built quite heavily. Am I wrong?


http://novascotia.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-boats-watercraft-powerboats-motorboats-FAITH-for-sale-29-Bayliner-Contessa-2855-with-Command-Bridge-W0QQAdIdZ311980144

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

Personally, I would say this boat predates what is generally considered the low point of Bayliner's quality issues.

Also, with a boat of this age, maintainance and overall condition will in many cases trump "brand reputation". A badly maintained Searay could be a worse buy than a well maintained Bayliner of the same 1983 vintage. Everything depends on condition, use, and maintainance.

IMO, I think it would be worth it to get your own evaluation done. You may not need to go to the extent of a full survey, but having especially the mechanicals and electrical looked over would be money well spent IMO.

The good news is that it has enclosed cooling.

Good luck.

Grouse

 

[shawnmd]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

Thank you, I figured the boat precluded the years that Bayliner encountered quality issues.

It does have internal cooling, which is great, but the owner has no record of the engine ever being replaced or how many hours are on the engine. I imagine a good inspection of the engine and outdrive, including a compression check would be in order.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

A HUGE beware on this one Shawn - I followed the link to and through two separate web sites. Neither mentioned anything about the engine other that it was "well maintained". That don't mean an squat to a nearly 30 year old marine engine. I then read the survey. It listed a lot of what the vessel has but little information on tests performed or condition. It says nothing about the condition of the engine and did not even indicate that the surveyor ran it at the dock or took it for a test run. It did state that the engine was a 350 Chevy with a Volvo outdrive. AND

Years back I had a 1977 27 1/2' Bayliner Victoria with a huge flybridge. It was powered by a 350 Chevy with a Volvo outdrive. It was an absolute slug and way underpowered. Bayliners have always had a reputation for being underpowered. Forget this boat if you even think about getting up on a plane with family or friends on board. I got mine up on a plane once and that was with me alone and 1/4 tank of fuel - at that the engine was straining its guts to get up on plane. It would have been OK I think with twins or a 454 ci. but not a 350.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

Thank you, I figured the boat precluded the years that Bayliner encountered quality issues.

It does have internal cooling, which is great, but the owner has no record of the engine ever being replaced or how many hours are on the engine. I imagine a good inspection of the engine and outdrive, including a compression check would be in order.

For a variety of reasons, I think you're going to have to rely on inspections or a full-on survey to get a true sense of condition.

The fact of the matter is that in my expereince, very few owners keep comprehensive maintaiance logs. Now, to me this is a MAJOR mistake, not only for your own use, but for future resale. In aviation, everything is carefully logged and it's not uncommon to find aircraft built 40 or more years ago that have a complete maintainance log back to day 1. If only boat owners were anywhere near that careful.

Grouse

 

[kahuna123]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

If you want to sit in the slip, listen to music, invite friends over its a very expensive 19 grand. Waterfront condos are cheap now days. Agreed the older larger boats were built better than later on. But that's not saying much. Anything other than going 8 knts and waving to people ain't gonna happen.

 

[shawnmd]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

Your right, there isn't much written about the engine. What I know I got from email. More info here:

http://sahdigital.ca/bayliner/

 

[Solittle]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

I really like the sellers honesty when he writes "The only thing that doesn't come with it is a trailer." - - - - Gonna hook that 10' wide fella up behind my Honda & go rippin down the road.

Seriously might be worth lookin at if like kahuna says you are content with 8 kts.

 

[arks]

Re: 29? Bayliner Contessa 2855 with Command Bridge- Your Opinions on Quality?

Another thing to consider- that type of boat has significant windage and can be difficult to control around the docks with a single engine.
Concerning quality (your original question)- for that $$$ you could do better IMO.
The 28 Carver comes to mind. Example: http://boats.iboats.com/1985-carver-280mariner-b9205-sturgeon-bay/681670.html
And I agree with the others- if you're serious, have it surveyed before making an offer.
Whatever your decision, good luck.