Bayliner 3988 Motor Yacht
Built 1995–2002 by Bayliner Marine
About the Bayliner 3988 Motor Yacht
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1995–2002
- Builder
- Bayliner Marine
- Length
- 46.25 ft
- Beam
- 14.08 ft
- Draft
- 3.25 ft
- Displacement
- 21,000 lb
- Hull / keel
- planing
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 298 gal
- Water
- 100 gal
- Holding
- 36 gal
- Generator
- fitted on some boats
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- hydraulic · Teleflex Hynautic
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 298 gal
“298 gallons (2 tanks)” — broker listing (1995), curtisstokes.net · “1127 liters (297 US gallons)” — search excerpt, yachtdatabase.comA listing and a spec database agree; no builder document could be checked.
-
Water 100 gal
“100 gallons (1 tank)” — broker listing (1995), curtisstokes.netOnly one listing gives this, and it was already a source for our earlier figure.
-
Holding 36 gal
“36 gallons (1 tank)” — broker listing (1995), curtisstokes.netOne listing only.
-
Water heater unknown
“Freshwater tank: 100 gallons with new stainless steel water heater” — search excerpt (1996), yachtworld.com · “Electric Water Heater Cold & hot, pressure Fresh water System” — search excerpt (1998), yachtr.comThe heater size wasn't found. Bayliner once posted owner's manuals for past models, the 3988 among them, but they are no longer online.
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 unknown
“Side Power Bow Thruster with controls at both stations” — broker listing (2001), denisonyachtsales.comNo builder equipment list was found. A 2001 listing has a Side-Power bow thruster (whether factory or added isn't said), and an owner's video series shows an external bow thruster being added to a 3988. That's not enough to call it a factory option or a common addition.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
-
Steering hydraulic · Teleflex Hynautic
“Upper and lower helm stations w/Hynautic steering & ZF control stations.” — broker listing, alaskaboat.comOne broker listing names two-station Hynautic steering, which agrees with our earlier figure. No builder or owners'-association source was found, and the 3988 owner's manuals couldn't be checked.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on hp (base Cummins option) — left blank rather than guessed.
LOA 46.25 ft with pulpit and integral platform; hull length 39 ft. Shallow modified-V with prop pockets. Most delivered with twin Hino or Cummins diesels of 200-330hp; 330hp Cummins cruise mid-20s knots.
Engines fitted
-
Hino W06D-TI — 250 hp, diesel, twin
standard
Early boats (1995-96) had twin 250 hp Hinos; owners say Bayliner stopped fitting Hinos around 1995/96 and switched to Cummins. A 1995 listing shows twin 250 hp Hinos.Sources: baylinerownersclub.org · baylinerownersclub.org · curtisstokes.net · hmy.com
-
Cummins 6BTA 5.9 — 270 hp, diesel, twin
standard
Owner of a 2000 3988 reports twin Cummins 6BTA at 270 hp, and another owner says newer boats have 270 hp and up Cummins. HMY instead quotes twin 250 hp Cummins (about 20 kn cruise); see disputed.Sources: baylinerownersclub.org · baylinerownersclub.org · hmy.com
- Hino diesel — diesel standard
-
Cummins 6BTA 5.9 — 330 hp, diesel, twin
factory option
Higher-output option: HMY says 330 hp Cummins cruise in the mid 20s (27-28 kn top); a 1997 listing has twin 330 hp 6BTA 5.9s.Sources: hmy.com · dominionyachts.com
- Cummins diesel — 250 hp, diesel factory option
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
Westerbeke 8 kW diesel is what nearly every 3988 shows (owners and listings 1995-1998). One 1998 listing has a Westerbeke 6 kW. No builder option list or review found.
-
Westerbeke 8.0 (8BTD) — 8 kW, diesel
Reported on many 1995-1998 boats, including one bought new in 1996; standard vs factory option not documented.“Generator: Westerbeke 8.0 diesel genset” — search excerpt (1996), yachtworld.com · “Twin 250hp Bulletproof Hino Diesels, 8kW Westerbeke generator” — search excerpt (1995), yachtr.com · “twin Cummins diesels with just over 800 hours and a Westerbeke 8kw generator” — search excerpt (1998), sites.google.com · “8kw Generator which probably only has 50 hours on it since we bought this 3988 new in 96” — search excerpt (1996), baylinerownersclub.org · “the 8BTD in the 1997 3988” — owners' association (1997), tapatalk.com
Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
Hino (US Marine) W04D / W04C-T / W06 / EH700 parts: limited
Factory standard engine — you entered “Hino W06D-TI”
Sold under the US Marine name in many Bayliners. Marine Parts Supply (Canada) is the official North American distributor of Hino marine parts and imports directly from Hino Japan; North Harbor Diesel is a US source. Owners report parts are still available but some have become harder to find and pricier. W04D (about 110 hp) is considered underpowered for planing; W04C-T (135–150 hp) planes.
Parts sources: Marine Parts Supply (Hino/US Marine), Fab Heavy Parts (Hino EH700)
Common problems (2)
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Parts availability and cost other
The most common Hino question is whether parts are still obtainable and affordable; the distributor says most EH700 parts are stocked, while some owners report rising cost and harder-to-find items.marineengine.com · baylinerownersclub.org · trawlerforum.com
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Fuel supply problems fuel
Owners of older twin-Hino Bayliners list fuel supply issues as a top problem and recommend surveys with oil analysis.facebook.com
Service part numbers (12)
| Oil filter W04C-T / W04CTI / W06DTI (spin-on, oil filter base 156003490) |
Mercury (US Marine) 803899T Replaces 836071630 |
“19 Mercury Marine 836071630 FILTER803899T Required: 1 ... FILTER, OIL - SPIN-ON ... Replaces 836071630” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Fuel filter W04CTA (150 hp) |
Mercury (US Marine) 834011133 Replaces 834011132 |
“5 Mercury Marine Fuel Filter834011133 Required: 1 ... FILTER, FUEL ... Replaces 834011132” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Fuel filter W06DTI (250 hp), spin-on |
Mercury (US Marine) 834011341 | “4 Mercury Marine Spin On Fuel Filter834011341 Required: 1 ... FILTER, FUEL - SPIN-ON” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller W04CTI (210 hp) and W06DTI (250 hp) raw-water pump 831003011 |
Mercury (US Marine) 807184 Replaces 831311510 |
“NS Mercury Marine Water Pump Impeller807184 Required: 1 ... IMPELLER, PUMP ... Replaces 831311510” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller W04CTA (150 hp) raw-water pump 807121T; cam and impeller kit |
Mercury (US Marine) 807189A1 Replaces FI8090176 |
“NS Mercury Marine CAM/IMPELLER KIT807189A1 Required: 1 ... IMPELLER ... Replaces FI8090176” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller EH700N / EH700TI raw-water pump 831002481 |
Mercury (US Marine) 809866T Replaces 831311350 |
“14 Mercury Marine Water Pump Impeller809866T Required: 1 ... IMPELLER ... Replaces 831311350” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Drive belt EH700N / EH700TI raw-water pump drive (set of 2 V-belts) |
Mercury (US Marine) 830149104 | “33 Mercury Marine V BELT SET (2 Belts)830149104 Required: 1 ... V-BELT, RAW WATER PUMP DRIVE” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Thermostat W04CTA, W04CTI, W06DTI |
Mercury (US Marine) 830146177 | “12 Mercury Marine Thermostat830146177 Required: 1 ... THERMOSTAT” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Thermostat EH700N / EH700TI |
Mercury (US Marine) 830146187 | “53 Mercury Marine Thermostat830146187 Required: 1 ... THERMOSTAT” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Air filter W04CTI (210 hp) air cleaner 177203360 |
Mercury (US Marine) 838013340 Replaces 838012450 |
“2 Mercury Marine 178013340 ELEMENT838013340 Required: 1 ... ELEMENT ... Replaces 838012450” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Air filter W06DTI (250 hp) air cleaner 177204320 |
Mercury (US Marine) 838012660 × 2 | “2 Mercury Marine Air cleaner element838012660 Required: 2 ... ELEMENT, AIR CLEANER” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.com |
| Air filter EH700N / EH700TI air cleaner-silencer (sock element) |
Mercury (US Marine) 838013290 Replaces 838012130 |
“5 Mercury Marine 178013290 ELEMENT838013290 Required: 1 ... SOCK, CLEANER ... Replaces 838012130” — manufacturer, crowleymarine.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.
Cummins 6BT / 6BTA 5.9 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Cummins 6BTA 5.9”
Mechanically injected 5.9 L inline six from the Cummins B-series truck/industrial family, so base-engine parts are everywhere. Cummins still sells factory ReCon (remanufactured) marine 6BT/6BTA engines (152–210 hp ratings) with a 2-year/2000-hour warranty. Seaboard Marine is the best-known marine specialist, selling aftercooler/heat-exchanger service kits, upgraded raw water pumps and technical guidance; TAD also sells Cummins packages.
Parts sources: Seaboard Marine, Cummins (ReCon 6BT/6BTA), Diesel Pro Power
Common problems (2)
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Aftercooler corrosion letting seawater into the intake cooling
On the turbo-aftercooled 6BTA the seawater-cooled aftercooler core has vertical tubes and an aluminum housing that corrodes from condensate; a leak can put salt water into the cylinders and wreck the engine. Owners pull, clean, grease and pressure-test the core every few years and fit new O-rings.trawlerforum.com · sbmar.com
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Heat exchanger and aftercooler service cooling
Routine seawater-side service (O-rings, gaskets, zincs) is a recurring owner job; kits are sold for it and refilling coolant without trapping air is a common question.sbmar.com · sbmar.com
Service part numbers (5)
| Oil filter | Cummins 3937743 | “| Oil Filter | 3937743 |” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Oil Filter 3937743 Spin-on type, 3.66" outside diameter, 6.95" height” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
| Fuel filter 6BT 5.9 210 hp (CPL 742) |
Fleetguard FF5052 Replaces FF42000, FS1251 |
“on-engine fuel filter with drain for all 6BT 210 B’s (CPL 742). Replaces the FF42000, FS1251.” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BT Fuel Filter 3931063 FF5052” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au |
| Fuel filter late 6BTA (also late 4BTA and 6CTA) |
Fleetguard FF5285 | “Fleetguard FF5285 Fuel Filter – late 4BTA 6BTA and 6CTA’s” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BTA Fuel Filter 3890017 FF5285 ... suits late model Cummins 6BTA's, 6CTA8.3-M” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au |
| Raw-water impeller seawater pump with 1-1/4 in hose ports (Sherwood M70/M71 type, early 4BT/6BT) |
Sherwood 10615K | “Seawater Pump Impeller | **1-1/4" PORTS** 3908220 10615K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Marine Water Pump Impeller 10615K 2 9/16" diameter, 1 5/8" length” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
| Raw-water impeller keyway-shaft pump, 2 in inlet / 1-3/4 in outlet, 11° offset flange (e.g. P1716/P1730 on 6BTA) |
Sherwood 17000K | “**2" inlet & 1-3/4" outlet ports with 11° OFFSET flange** 17000K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Impeller for Key Shaft 17000K” — dealer, dieselpro.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.
Steering
Teleflex / SeaStar (Dometic) — SeaStar hydraulic steering (helms and cylinders) parts: good
Current product line sold by Dometic; helms, cylinders, complete kits and seal kits (e.g., HS5157 front-mount cylinder seal kit) are widely stocked by West Marine, Seatech and others. SeaStar also supplies the replacement parts for discontinued Hynautic and Capilano components.
Parts sources: Dometic (SeaStar hydraulic steering), West Marine, Seatech Marine Products
Common problems (2)
-
Leaking helm or cylinder seals steering
Weeping at the helm shaft or cylinder seal glands is the most common complaint; seal kits restore them.seaknights.com · westmarine.com
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Air in the system / spongy steering steering
Spongy or wandering steering usually means a leak has let air in; owners bleed the system (often with a long-hose method) after fixing the leak.greatgrady.com · facebook.com
Teleflex / Morse (SeaStar Solutions) — Mechanical rotary/rack cable steering incl. NFB (no-feedback) helms parts: good
Mechanical helms and SSC-series steering cables, including NFB 4.2 rotary kits and Safe-T helms, remain in production and are sold by Jamestown Distributors, Marine Parts Source and most chandleries.
Parts sources: Jamestown Distributors (Teleflex NFB), Marine Parts Source
Common problems (2)
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Stiff or seized steering cable steering
Corrosion inside the outboard tilt tube or the cable itself makes steering stiff or locks it; the usual cure is cleaning the tilt tube and replacing the cable, often together with the helm.noreast.com · facebook.com
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Torque feedback at the wheel steering
Older helms transmit engine torque to the wheel; NFB helms with a clutch mechanism are the common upgrade.jamestowndistributors.com · marinepartssource.com
Model sources (9)
hmy.com · baylinerownersclub.org · baylinerownersclub.org · baylinerownersclub.org · curtisstokes.net · dominionyachts.com · tapatalk.com · denisonyachtsales.com · alaskaboat.com
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Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.