Posted: August 26 2006 at 10:40 | IP Logged

Good morning:

I purchased a new Bayliner 2858 Ciera Command Bridge in 2001, and I love it. It has the Bravo III outdrive with the 5.7 cc Mercruiser. She cruises at about 24 to 26 mph at very low fuel consumption, with a top speed of around 35-37 mph. She is a very sturDy and dry boat in rough weather. My only issue was the low command chair on the bridge; I moved the base back a foot and replaced the seat with a conventional capatain's chair and raised the height about ten inches. Now the visability is terrific. I have two GPS plotters, two VHF radios and two wet compasses, one radar, one spot light, one load hauler and the added flybridge cover and sides.  I also added several extras including a bow thruster and a the customized flybridge enclosure including a radar tower above the radar arch.

If you are sailing and docking in a windy area and you have the command bridge enclosed or open, it is very difficult to manuever the boat in tight areas at low speeds. The boaw thruster resolves that problem. I use the boat, called the SUMAST-5 for trips in Nantucket Sound and I'm tied up at Allen Harbor Yachy Club in Harwich Port, MA.

Matt Hart

If you send me your email, I'd be glad to send you a picture.

Posted: December 14 2006 at 13:51 | IP Logged

Hi Matt,

I just purchased a 2004 Bayliner 288 (previously 2858)  I found your article on line at Boat US very interesting.  I am 6’1” and also have a hard time straddling the bridge chair.  I don’t quite understand what you did to modify the seat, but would really appreciate a more detailed explanation.

 I also would like a picture of your boat emailed to me, as you offered…………… Thanks, John “The Amity 4,” New Smyrna Beach, FL      starjm@bellsouth.net