Bayliner 2855 Ciera Sunbridge
Built 1994–1999 by Bayliner Marine
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About the Bayliner 2855 Ciera Sunbridge
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1994–1999
- Builder
- Bayliner Marine
- Length
- 30.25 ft
- Beam
- 9.58 ft
- Draft
- 3.33 ft
- Displacement
- 6,510 lb
- Hull / keel
- planing
- Propulsion
- sterndrive
- Fuel
- 109 gal
- Water
- 33 gal
- Bow thruster
- not fitted
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- hydraulic · MerCruiser
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 109 gal
“Fuel Capacity 109 gal” — broker listing (1996), seacoastyachts.com · “Fuel Capacity: 100 gal.” — search excerpt (1994), islanderboats.com · “Fuel Tank Capacity: 330 Litres” — search excerpt (1996), boats-barcos.comListings vary from 87 to 109 gal. The 2855 name ran across several hull generations (redesigned in 1994 and again around 2000), so figures from other years may not apply. No builder document could be checked.
-
Water 33 gal
“Water Capacity 33 gal” — broker listing (1996), seacoastyachts.com · “Fresh Water Capacity: 120 Litres” — search excerpt (1996), boats-barcos.comTwo listings roughly agree (32-33 gal).
-
Holding unknown
A 1996 listing confirms a holding tank with a macerator but gives no size. A 25-gal figure from an AI-generated encyclopedia page was not used.
-
Water heater unknown
No builder document or review giving the heater size was found, and the owner's manual supplement couldn't be checked. One owner in a Facebook group replaced the original with a 4 gal electric unit; the original size isn't stated.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source. No builder equipment list was found, and the owner's manuals couldn't be checked.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
-
Steering hydraulic · MerCruiser
“I felt the power steering, which is part of the up-market LX pack, was a tad sloppy.” — search excerpt (2000), boatsales.com.au · “I have a 1999 2855 Bayliner Ciera Sunbridge, 7.4L Mercruiser 454 Bravo III with power steering.” — search excerpt (1999), forums.iboats.comThe sources describe engine-driven power steering at the sterndrive, which a 2000 Australian review says came with the LX package, so it may not be on every boat. None says how the helm connects, and no builder source settles whether our earlier figure of hydraulic is right, rather than cable steering with power assist at the drive.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
One of several 2855 Ciera generations (1984-89, 1991-93, 1994-99, 2000-12); this record covers the 1994-99 boat. Deep-V (22 deg) and light for its size; draft 1.67 ft drive up, 3.33 ft down. LOA includes pulpit.
Engines fitted
-
MerCruiser 7.4L V8 sterndrive (Bravo II) — 300 hp, gas, single
standard
HMY: a single 300 hp sterndrive cruises about 20 kn (30+ top); JD Power lists a single 300 hp gas sterndrive for 1995. A 1995 listing shows a MerCruiser 7.4 at 300 hp with a Bravo drive, and a 1994 owner on the Bayliner Owners Club reports a 7.4 with Bravo II.Sources: hmy.com · jdpower.com · harbortownemarine.com · baylinerownersclub.org
-
MerCruiser 7.4L MPI V8 sterndrive (Bravo III on later boats) — 330 hp, gas, single
standard
Later boats carry the fuel-injected 7.4 MPI: Bayliner Owners Club members report a 1998 with 7.4 MPI and Bravo III duo-prop and a 2000 with the same; a 1996 listing shows a 7.4 MPI rated 330 hp. MPI ratings may vary by year (310 hp appears in some listings not read).Sources: baylinerownersclub.org · unitedcityyachts.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
No builder or review statement was found. Owners in a Facebook group talk about portable generators, which suggests many boats have none, but nothing documents whether one was fitted.
Known problems for this model
-
Bellows, gimbal bearing and U-joints running gear
Transom-assembly bellows crack and let water in; gimbal bearing, U-joints and engine coupler need periodic lubrication and alignment or they wear out.baylinerownersclub.org
-
Upper steering shaft seal weeps steering
The square steering-shaft seal through the transom wears and weeps water; replacing it can be a major job.baylinerownersclub.org
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Manifold and riser corrosion exhaust
In salt water, manifolds and risers typically need replacement every 5-7 years.baylinerownersclub.org
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Bravo III corrosion running gear
Aluminum drive with stainless props corrodes quickly in salt water unless anodes (and MerCathode) are maintained.baylinerownersclub.org
Engines & parts
MerCruiser 7.4 (454) V8 gas parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “MerCruiser 7.4L V8 sterndrive (Bravo II)”
GM big-block base; Marine Engine Depot and others sell 7.4 L engines and parts, and cast-iron riser kits run a few hundred dollars. Manifold and riser replacement is the main recurring expense.
Parts sources: Marine Engine Depot, Power Boat Supply
Common problems (2)
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Manifold and riser corrosion exhaust
As with other gas marine V8s, internally rusted manifolds and risers can let water into the engine; periodic replacement is standard practice.powerandmotoryacht.com
-
Rough running and won't rev under load fuel
Common troubleshooting threads trace this to fuel delivery (filters, pump, carburetor) or ignition timing problems.justanswer.com · youtube.com
Maker’s service schedule (8)
| Engine oil & filter change | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Most four-stroke outboards and sterndrive engines require an oil change either annually or every 100 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “The fuel filter on your engine should be inspected or replaced per the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, usua” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should my seawater pump impeller be serviced? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Spark plugs inspect / replace | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should spark plugs be changed? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test closed (freshwater) cooling only | 5 yrs | “How often should coolant be changed on engines with closed cooling? Every 5 years.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Transmission fluid change sterndrive gear lube | 1 yr | “Gearcase lubricant in outboard and sterndrive lower units should also be changed annually or at the service interval spe” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Lubricate steering linkage and check power-steering fluid sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Mercury Marine recommends lubricating the steering linkage and checking the power steering fluid level in ... MerCruiser” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Check power trim fluid level sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Power trim and tilt fluid level should be checked annually or every 100 hours.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
Service part numbers (4)
| Oil filter | Mercury Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 | “Part number: 866340Q03 ... for MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines except V6 engines with the oil filter mounted o” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “14957 FILTER, Oil (1 required per assembly) ... 35-866340Q03 - Oil Filter” — dealer, marineengine.com |
| Fuel filter carbureted engines (Rochester 4-barrel): filter inside carburetor fuel inlet |
Mercury 53336T | “For use on MerCruiser 3.0L, 4.3L, 5.0L , 5.7L and 7.4L engines with Rochester 2- and 4-barrel and MerCarb” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Bravo sterndrive / inboard with pre-2000 engine-mounted plastic sea water pump |
Mercury Quicksilver 47-59362Q01 Also: Sierra 18-3087 |
“For MerCruiser engines with engine mounted, 2-piece, plastic sea water pumps.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “Included water Pump Impeller 59362Q01 fits Pre-2000 plastic seawater sea pumps. WILL NOT work on newer (2000+)” — dealer, midnightmarine.net |
| Thermostat standard cooling, 160 F |
Mercury Quicksilver 807252Q5 | “Thermostat 807252Q5 is for V6 and V8 MerCruiser engines ... made by General Motors (model year 1987-2016)” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Model sources (7)
hmy.com · baylinerownersclub.org · jdpower.com · harbortownemarine.com · baylinerownersclub.org · unitedcityyachts.com · seacoastyachts.com
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Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.