1991 Bayliner Cierra, 26.5 ft-gctid826039

[Shrory]

Assistant required for a newbie power boater, looking at purchasing a used 1991 Cierra 25.5, what should I be looking for? It has a 611 hrs on 350 merc,

Appreciate any and all advice and constructive criticism

[HueyCrew]

I'd go armed with a volt meter, slot and Phillips screwdrivers, a BRIGHT LED flashlight and inspection mirror and de-panel everything the seller would allow. If it's in good condition mechanically, wouldn't think they'd have a prob with that. Mine's a '90 and I knew she was going to be a work-in progress .Hook up shore power and flip every switch you can. Things that don't work may be better as bargaining tools to get the price down opposed to sticking points, especially if you're the slightest bit mechanically inclined. Take a coin like a nickel with you. We do a "coin tap on helicopter rotor blades and composite panels listening for voids and or subsurface delamination. Not a bad idea to spot check the hull and upper deck and the ENTIRE transom. Look for spider webbing in the Gelcoat especially around compound curves and corners like the stern edges.

Step on every inch of interior deck/ floor you can in bare feet and "feel" for soft spots. I found one in mine, right in front of the fridge about 6"dia. I can live with it for the time being. Look for staining and or streak-stains at portlights and such. Could have leaked at some point so have a close look at flooring below stains. Exterior seating. Mine was shot. I mean really bad! There are places that specialize in" per factory patterns/templates" replacement covers. Mine had a lot of wood rot in the U lounge seat and the radar arch. You Tube, eBay and google are boaters best friends. I'm doing everything myself on mine except the canvas.

Make sure the paperwork is there since it sounds like a low time engine. I've learned that when repowering most replace outdrive and stern items while they're easily accessed. Have a look at all maintenance paperwork and I'd question things if it looks like major component replacements. upgrades and repairs have no documentation backing them up Look at the electrical system paying attention to what wiring you can access and the terminal ends. The harness should be secure and tight. The terminal ends hopefully won't be to corroded. That stuff will come off with a piece of ScotchBrite. Check if any/ how many aftermarket accessories have been added and wired in. The fewer splices the better. A suggestion for you. If not already done I'd recommend changing the main electrical wiring to a gage or two larger (smaller number) and double check fuse sizes. Larger wire means current will flow with less resistance resulting in less chance of overloading a circuit, less heat buildup in the wiring. My other suggestion would be to convert as many incandescent light bulbs over to LED. The elect sys will love you for both. LED's generate less heat, draw less current, and last much longer. I'll stop here. Some of these things by career came naturally when I started looking at mine. Was able to use the "issues" too get the price down some but I was dealing with a mechanic that sold used cars and does repair from his farm. He already had it priced to sell and none of the things I found were cause for alarm. Some things I learned on here cruising the forums and posting for advice. Buffing.. hopefully the Gelcoat is nice and shiny, decals aren't too badly faded and your hand doesn't turn white when you rub the hull. restoring gelcoat isn't for the faint of heart!!. Mine lived outdoors uncovered and I've bought buffers, sanders and polishers. chemicals. many MANY finer grits of sandpaper and have beat myself half to death in the heat and it doesn't look ,like I've hardly knocked a dent in it. I would have been better hiring that odyssey out. Lastly Take tons of pictures of everything and study them. You might catch something you didn't notice in person good and bad....I guess you're only limited by wallet and imagination as to how in depth to go. I wish somebody would have hit me with a board as I decided to take almost everything I'm redoing, adding on or upgrading (which is much more than I should have) a step or two above production standards. I'll be loving that I did though once I retire and start the floating adventure as I smile knowing that a lot of things won't be issues down the road when my income drops and I'm not as flexible to get to the tight places where the little things that can strand you live. I will have already "been there and done them.... Good luck. Hope some of this'll help.

Dave

here