Bayliner 32 powered by twin Volvo 250A/SP inboard The Good? The Bad?

[Rollinfree]

Hello All if anyone has to time share any info that would be great!

I am considering buying 80's Bayliner 32 powered by gas twin Volvo 250A/SP inboards 3 blade propeller. This is a repower in 1991 and they have about 800 hours on them. The boat itself is in good shape and I have not run the engines but will probably sea trial in the next few day. This is an estate sale and the boat is was lightly used over the last few years, also I can get it for about 1/2 what it should sell for. I am not familiar with these engines as my last boat had Merc's. Here are my main 2 questions:

1. What is the reputation of the Volvo 250A/SP and what should I look for in general i.e. compression 140's?

2. This seems like a very light power set up for this big of a boat, I know it will cruise about 12 knots but it still seems like a light power plant.

Also while rooting in the engine room I found this boat is equipped with a wood freeman model 7500 electric clutch auto pilot. It seems it locks the rudder in place but does it also help with steering?

 

[mkast]

Re: Bayliner 32 powered by twin Volvo 250A/SP inboard The Good? The Bad?

The money spent on an inspection, is usually less than the money spent to correct unseen problems.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Bayliner 32 powered by twin Volvo 250A/SP inboard The Good? The Bad?

The early Bayliners with the 350chev.Were a bit underpowered.Great running motor and trans.Volvos the best.(my opinion)
Never gonna go real fast anywhere.Unless you repower and re-prop.
Are these outdrives or straight drive?
If it's an outo pilot it should help keep you on a course.It won't drive the boat out of the harbor.But would keep you going in the right direction.J

 

[Don S]

Re: Bayliner 32 powered by twin Volvo 250A/SP inboard The Good? The Bad?

It sounds really underpowered to me. 32' of boat with twin 4 cylinder engines with only 146hp each?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Bayliner 32 powered by twin Volvo 250A/SP inboard The Good? The Bad?

Didn't even bother to look up the motor.Yup WAY under powered.
Even the 350's are too small.
Worked on a 28 Bayliner with twin AQ125's and it wouldn't get out of it's own way.
The Volvo 4cyl and the SP drive are a good unit.They will last a long time if you take care of them.
But you aren't gonna go fast ever.
You could repower if you got a real good deal.J

 

[Rollinfree]

Re: Bayliner 32 powered by twin Volvo 250A/SP inboard The Good? The Bad?

Own it and yes very underpowered! Cruisers at 8-10 knots asking anything more is harder than I want to treat the engines. Good thing is that fits my needs very well. Stole the boat legally from an estate sale and only had to put 1 battery in it. The volvos run like sowing machines no out drives is a treat also. When I need to re power this hull I will still be ahead (if there is such a thing in a boat). I am the second owner of this well treated classic.

Thank you for all your input, I will return for more great advice.

 

[rkcarguy]

Re: Bayliner 32 powered by twin Volvo 250A/SP inboard The Good? The Bad?

These engines are designed to be ran hard, cruise at 4000rpm for peak efficency(torque peak), 4400rpm if you need to go somewhere, and WOT should be above 5000.
Won't be going anywhere too fast but I'd imagine you'll see a couple mpg + from it instead of gallons per mile with twin V-8's.