Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

[zook]

Yep, I am brand new at this . I climbed aboard this thing and didnt have a clue what to look for. They want $9K . It doesnt come with a trailer but a local dealer has offered an 04 "brand new" ez load for $4700. Or an 06 for $5300. Is that a good price on the trailer? I was a bit taken back, but Ive found that they are pretty spendy. What are a few red flags to look for before signing the dotted line tomorrow?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I'll be frequenting this forum a lot I have a feeling...
Thanks

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

What kind of boat is it, and I think $5000 for a trailer is a bit pricey. I have a Custom EZ Loader made for my Skeeter, and I only gave $3200 for it. It has all the bells and whistles. Tandem trailer, hydraulic brakes, composite wood bunks, etc ... I think the dealer knew you were a 'greenhorn'.

What kind of boat are you buying?

 

[zook]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Oh, there was no mistaking my lack of knowledge, It was probably pretty
obvious. Oh well. Its an '88 Bayliner Cierra 2655, with a 460 Cobra and a bag full of luck.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Oh well. Its an '88 Bayliner Cierra 2655, with a 460 Cobra and a bag full of luck.

That boat is gonna need a HEFTY trailer. Make sure to find out the weight of the boat and also check the trailer's capacity. Trailer capacity should be at least 125% of the boat's weight. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) You need to account for fuel, water tanks, holding tanks, water toys, coolers, etc. (You may need to ask on the "Trailering and Towing" thread.)

Oh - and I hope you have a big truck with which to tow this monster! But in the water, the boat should be great...

Dave

 

[QC]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Hold on there babalooo!!! King Cobra is out of production and a biotch to get parts for. Also nobody gives a flyin' flip about trailer model year, and beeeeeeg boat for numero uno. Pull up a chair and read some more, but I'd wait on this one. $9K boat and $5K trailer . . . Where you from zook? What you gonna do with her? Where you gonna splash her? What's the hurry?

 

[zook]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

The dealer with the trailer said add 1000 lbs to the gross weight, which makes it just over 7K. I have a '94 6.5L Diesel H1 that does rather well with an old tractor on a trailer (5K), 9-10mpg.
And QC, I will need to finish my profile, but I live in WA, half hour from the Puget sound.
Ive been looking at boats for a while, I should have been reading these threads. Ive learned so much about that H1 from a forum. You really think I should back out of this deal? I can moor it for a month and shop for a trailer.
I really just wanted a few pointers on what to look for tomorrow when I get a test run, although your input is much appreciated.
Babaloo? really? lol I should have used that name..

BY THE WAY... I just saw the sticky for beginners, Ill read that now.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

imho, runaway as fast as you can. change your phone number so the dealer can 't call you. there are a lot better boats, and drive trains out there for that money. i wouldn't pay 1/2 that for that rig.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

that's a pretty big boat. did ya get her surveyed?

have ya searched bayliners on the forum here.....there's many opinions on them.

have ya searched omc on the forum here. there's many opinions on them too. and they are obsolete...

 

[gcboat]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

I'm in complete agreement with everyone else - keep looking. That engine/drive package is obsolete. Can't buy parts for either, ecpecially manifolds, etc. for that 460. I have a Bayliner but it has a 5.7 with the regular OMC drive. I find nothing at all wrong with that setup. After three years of continual use all is still new. The King Cobra is a different beast. Just do a Google search for parts on either - you'll come up with very few listings. Do as all have recommended - or seek a bank wiliing to give you massive doses of money for the breakdown and repair.

 

[rndn]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Try to stick with a Mercruiser as parts and repair techs are all over the place. Retail on the 9K boat come up at $7800 so you're over priced anyway. Walk away and find something better for the money.

 

[zook]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

imho, runaway as fast as you can. change your phone number so the dealer can 't call you. there are a lot better boats, and drive trains out there for that money. i wouldn't pay 1/2 that for that rig.

I would make less than half the $$ at my exact same job in FL. Its an absolute fact. Maybe there is a price difference in boats there? I dont know. Anyone who has bought a vehicle out of state can relate to subtle differenced in price, but half? What I do know is Ive beed looking on Craigslist and local used boat dealers for a year or two and this is about as inexpensive Ive found for a late 80's 26' boat that runs. I looked on NADA as well (to reply to the other guy). Yes if you dont add ANY extras, a low blue book will say $7800, is that how you came up with that?

Now regarding the motor/drivetrain. I will concede that one. I believe you. Its hard to get parts. Is it impossible? Expensive? I have read that the 5.7L is underpowered for this boat. A 350 pushing 6K? People have blogged about trying to get over the hump , planing being a concern with that motor. Just what I've read.

Its hard to find anything cheaper that sleeps 4-6 ,26' long.
When I do, Is that really going to be much better? Seems like a bit of a crap shoot.

As for the trailer, sounds like I need to get lubed up and assume position.
As stated, that quote was from a dealer. I can excersise some patience on the trailer and dry dock it for a month or two. There not easy to find here used.

Yes I should get a survey.

 

[QC]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Nobody is saying you shouldn't look for a Big Block. But it should be a 454, in front of a Bravo . . . It is the 460 Ford combined with the OMC drive that is the issue. Nothing wrong with Ford, or even OMC for that matter, you just can't get parts!!! If you want a nice boat for that kinda money, that size, you can find one. Anywhere. But it will take time. Reread all of these posts, we're trying to help you avoid a serious problem If you are prepared to repower at over $10K if you do everything yourself and are extremely lucky in finding a good drive and engine combo, then go for it. Take a look at this thread . . . Don't get lulled to sleep by the good comments. Read those from Don S, and then read some more threads from HT32BSX115 . . .

 

[mike176]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

I don't think zook is going to listen and hes just gonna have to learn a hard lesson.

 

[zook]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Mike, what is your opinion specificaly. I truly value the input. Maybe I came across wrong. I am new to this forum, yes. To this format, no.

In the past (on other blogs for other vehicles) Ive had a lot of great info and some, not so great. Opinions are like ***holes. Add youself to the (growing ) list of folks who think this might be a bad buy. Thats what Im asking for. Obviously I've not been "congatulated" so Im increasingly leaning toward bailing out of it.


Although Im excited about the boat, I am listening.
A survey has been done, I will be able to take a look at it tomorrow.
And scheduled a test drive for Wed.
Im not buying it today, as the thread title says. That because of your guys.
So, Ive backed up the bus fellas, but am still interested in it.
Thanks to all of you.

 

[QC]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Just be careful, as it could come back with a great survey that would not have anything to do with our concerns. It could be trouble free for five seasons too. Our warnings are only valid if you have trouble . . .

 

[mike176]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

sorry if i was a little ruff but a simple fact about boats new or old, things are gonna break. OMC made some good stuff but the company tanked and parts are hard to find.... sometimes impossible. There not making anymore parts for that drive and often swaping to mercruiser is costly or not worth the time. I would say you should atleast wait on this i don't think your gonna miss out on it if you wait and shop around some more, its the end of boating season.

I have a few OMCs and I only have one left in service because of part issues.

 

[zook]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Im going to definately excersise more caution...

If I were Jerry Seinfeld, I would pose this... "What is the deal, with the Nada Guide?"
Its funny, private sellers and dealers, while willing to admit it exists, refuse to give it any real accuracy. The same dealer would probably use it when hashing out a fair trade-in value.

Ive found the same boat, with a 5.7L (Merc?) for 15K with a rebuilt motor and a trailer (down from $16900). Am I closer or farther from a decent deal here. Everyone seems to want top dollar around here.



Link to local Craigslist ads:

28' Bayliner

http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/boa?query=Bayliner+28'&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max&hasPic=1

Cabin cruiser

http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/boa?query=cabin+cruiser&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max&hasPic=1


Tom

 

[Solittle]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Me thinks that if you are not finding rigs of your liking and priced reasonably that you need to expand where you are looking.

For what it is worth years back I had a 27 1/2' Bayliner with a 5.7 in it. It would barely get up on a plane lightly loaded.

 

[tmh]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

Well, "asking price" and what they'll really get for it are two different things. It is most certainly not a seller's market in luxury items these days. The dealers may hold out for more than private sellers to get thei take.

The reason that first Bayliner seems cheaper than similar ones is simple - no one who knows boats wants it ..... for all the reasons stated here. Show up for the test drive with 6 or 7 people and a full cooler or whatever and I'll bet the dealer tells you they have rules against extra passangers. Really he knows it's underpowered and if you take a crew and gear it will not perform.

Anyways, Zook, the reason many here think you need to back off and learn something first is simple....re-read your first post, you seem close to ready to buy but had no idea what to look for (yes, smart that you asked here). You quote a trailer price that's double what makes sense for that boat. So we know no real homework has been done.

Many seemingly "underpriced" used boats are : underpowered, expensive to fix.

Good luck

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Buying an 88 2655 tomorrow

"imho, runaway as fast as you can. change your phone number so the dealer can 't call you. there are a lot better boats, and drive trains out there for that money. i wouldn't pay 1/2 that for that rig"

i didn't even look at nada, just my opinion, with 40 years of boating experience, of restoring, buying, using, and selling boats.

changing the OMC to Mercrusier, or Volvo, requires a lot of transom work, and the cutout for the outdrive, on the OMC, is larger than the others, so the transom, has to be refitted to fit the other drive trains. much less possible stringer, replacement or refitting the new engines.