Hey all,
I have just purchased a new-to-me Bayliner 288. Reflected in the purchase price is the requirement to replace the entire leg and transom assembly. The PO let the boat sit in the water for over 12 months unattended, batteries and zincs all died and the leg corroded way and is completely shot -- no saving it and no salvage.
I will be replacing the entire drive and transom assembly so have the ability to choose the best gear ratio for the boat. Would appreciate any suggestions. Here are the boat specs:
Bayliner 288 -- dry weight is 8200lbs so loaded weight will be ~10,000lbs.
Engine is a 2004 Mercruiser 350MAG MPI -- 300HP
Current drive is a 2.00:1 ratio
Boat has trim tabs
I have not had the opportunity to drive the boat with the current setup. The current owner only did slow speed cruising at a maximum of 15-18kts. While we will cruise faster, maximum speed we generally ever attain is only 25kts as top end speed is not important and I would not expect this boat to go much faster than 30kts. We want to maximize getting out of the hole, and maximize fuel economy at 20-25kts. No towing or water skiing. We generally only cruise or fish out of the boat.
Wondering if sticking with a 2.00:1 or switching to a 2.2:1 drive would work out better for us? Would appreciate the advice.
I have just purchased a new-to-me Bayliner 288. Reflected in the purchase price is the requirement to replace the entire leg and transom assembly. The PO let the boat sit in the water for over 12 months unattended, batteries and zincs all died and the leg corroded way and is completely shot -- no saving it and no salvage.
I will be replacing the entire drive and transom assembly so have the ability to choose the best gear ratio for the boat. Would appreciate any suggestions. Here are the boat specs:
Bayliner 288 -- dry weight is 8200lbs so loaded weight will be ~10,000lbs.
Engine is a 2004 Mercruiser 350MAG MPI -- 300HP
Current drive is a 2.00:1 ratio
Boat has trim tabs
I have not had the opportunity to drive the boat with the current setup. The current owner only did slow speed cruising at a maximum of 15-18kts. While we will cruise faster, maximum speed we generally ever attain is only 25kts as top end speed is not important and I would not expect this boat to go much faster than 30kts. We want to maximize getting out of the hole, and maximize fuel economy at 20-25kts. No towing or water skiing. We generally only cruise or fish out of the boat.
Wondering if sticking with a 2.00:1 or switching to a 2.2:1 drive would work out better for us? Would appreciate the advice.