2019 Bayliner Ciera 8 Sport review

Brunswick-owned US boat building giant Bayliner has re-invented itself during the last decade or so, expanding its bowrider and open deck sports boat ranges to meet increasing demand, whilst refining the number of cabin boats. There are only five cuddy cabin/cruiser models in the 2019 range, and the largest is just 8.0m in length.

In fact, there are two 8.0m Bayliner cruisers to choose from; the somewhat ungainly looking Ciera 8 and the much prettier, lower profile Ciera 8 Sport that was previously known as the 842. Both are powered by a range of MerCruiser petrol and diesel engines from 250-350hp coupled to MerCruiser Bravo Three sterndrive legs.

The subject of this review is the more attractive and slightly longer of the two 8.0m models, the Ciera 8 Sport. This svelte-looking Bayliner doesn't quite have the forward cabin space and headroom of its sibling, but it does have a sportier, deeper vee hull shape that is better suited to choppy water applications.

In the US the Ciera 8 Sport is available as a base model with a range of optional extras. Gold Coast dealer C Worthy Marine has decided against this approach, preferring to import these models with a single, much higher level of fit-out. Accordingly, some of the features that are optional on US models are included in the standard inventory, and C Worthy Marine's $180K package price.

Some of this gear and equipment includes a bow thruster for better low-speed manoeuvrability, an electric windlass with anchor and rode, a fibreglass targa arch, bimini and camper covers, foredeck sun pad, vacuum flush toilet with 68-litre holding tank, cockpit galley with sink, metho/electric stove and fridge, teak table, stainless steel upgrade, sisal-design carpet runner, and snap-in sisal cockpit carpet that replaces the included faux-teak SeaDek foam matting.

The team at C Worthy Marine figure that most Aussies are rev heads, and it has skipped the smaller engines available in the US to fit locally delivered boats with MerCruiser's big 6.2L 300hp V8 MerCruiser petrol engine paired with a Bravo Three sterndrive leg.

This boat/engine combination is good for a top speed of about 37 knots, but if that's still not enough, you can go one size larger and fit the 350hp version of MerCruiser's 6.2L V8 engine.

As well as all the standard gear above, you can option the boat with a cockpit cover ($1690), a windproof, rail-mounted stern BBQ ($3300), and a tandem-axle Redco aluminium trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes ($15,765).

All up, complete with trailer and extras, the Bayliner Ciera 8 Sport is ready to hit the water for a competitive $200,745.

The Ciera 8 Sport is a pocket-sized cruiser with everything you need for overnighting on the bay or harbour, anchored up off your favourite beach.

There is no galley in the forward cabin, but it does have an alfresco galley on the port side of the cockpit living and entertaining area. This allows the chef to interact with onboard guests while cooking, instead of being closeted down below.

The galley is compact but does have a metho and electric cooktop, freshwater sink, and a fridge that is large enough to stock enough food for a weekend away.

Having a toilet onboard is equally important for overnighting. The Ciera 8 Sport has an enclosed, full standing-room head compartment situated to starboard as you walk down two steps into the cabin.

Head compartment features include a vacuum flush toilet, a teak-trimmed sink with mixer tap and vanity, pull-out shower with privacy curtain, extra cupboard storage space, a towel rack, and a window with opening porthole to provide ventilation and ambient light.

In the cabin, opposite the head compartment there is timber cabinetry with storage drawers and cupboards, and with a flat surface counter-top overhead.

An electric switch panel is built into the fascia, beneath an open storage compartment and the flush-fitted stereo head unit.

Aft from this location, behind the cabin steps is the midships double berth. There is almost no headroom over this berth as it is situated beneath the elevated cockpit deck, but it is wide enough for a couple (and ideal for kids) to bunk down comfortably overnight.

The primary berth stretches 2.3m from the head compartment to the forepeak. It has a traditional vee shape configuration with two individual side berths. Each doubles as a full-length lounge bench seat, and then converts into a dinette seating area with the addition of a pedestal table that slots into a socket in the floor.

The two single berths easily convert into a sizeable double bed with the inclusion of an infill board and cushions. The infill cushions are the same cushions used as backrests when the berth is in the standard vee configuration. This is useful as you don't then have to deal with stowing extra cushions.

The cabin as a whole is very comfortable, light and spacious. It is lined with neutral cream-coloured, padded vinyl upholstery with stain-hiding grey carpet to the floor.

There is lots of ambient light via a clear overhead ventilation hatch, dual skylights and full-length tinted cabin windows, one of which has an opening porthole to match the porthole in the loo.

The Ciera 8 Sport is nicely configured for entertaining family and friends. The helm and cockpit seating area are on the same level, elevated nice and high for a great view of the surroundings, and of course to provide space for the midships berth underneath.

For sun lovers there is an upsized sun pad up on the foredeck, accessed via a centre-opening windscreen and steps moulded into the cabin door.

The sun lounge can split into two halves, each with a forward facing back-rest that converts each side of the sun pad into a chaise-style lounge.

The anchor well is situated further forward, though you will rarely need to access it as the boat is fitted with an electric anchor winch.

Back at the helm, the skipper has a moulded helm seat/storage box topped with a comfortably padded cushion and flip-up front bolster that provides for a great view of the extremities of the boat for close quarter manoeuvring.

The glare-reducing, dark-coloured helm console and fascia are large and elaborate with ample space for engine instrumentation, a single flush-fitted electronics display, tilt-adjust steering wheel and switch panel.

The steering wheel, side-mounted throttle lever and bow thruster toggle lever are all comfortably within reach of the skipper.

As well as the skipper's chair, there is cockpit seating for a further six or seven people. A two-three person lounge seat is situated opposite the helm on the port side, while an L-shaped moulded seating area in the stern is good for another three or more adults.

The padded vinyl cushioned seats and backrests throughout are very comfortable and look to be hard wearing.

Cleverly, the aft backrest to the L-shaped seating area can fold down flat to provide easy access to the rear boarding platform. It can also reverse so you can sit and face aft with your feet on the rear platform.

If you were cooking from the optional rail-mounted boarding platform BBQ, you would configure the rear lounge to face aft so you could sit comfortably whilst monitoring your cook-up.

This rear seat location will also be the ideal spot for donning a facemask and flippers to go snorkeling, and for sitting and drying off after swimming.

Storage compartments for safety gear, clothing, deck lines, fenders and so on are under the helm seat box, beneath the L-shaped rear lounge and in a side panel near the transom door.

Other useful features include the removable cocktail table, port-side transom door, the port-side galley unit detailed previously, and the large rear boarding platform with ladder.

In the US the Ciera 8 Sport is available with MerCruiser sterndrive engines starting with the 4.5L 250hp V6. However as this entry engine delivers the boat a top speed of only 31-32 knots, C Worthy Marine has opted to fit the larger 300hp 6.2L MPI V8 as the standard engine.

With this latter motor, paired with a Bravo Three sterndrive leg, the test boat was a strong performer. It was not lighting quick from a standing start, but there was plenty of grunt through the mid-range and the test boat was able to run to a top speed of 37 knots in choppy conditions.

Performance - speed
4.7kt (8.7km/h) @ 1000rpm
6.5kt (12.0km/h) @ 1500rpm
7.6kt (14.1km/h) @ 2000rpm
11.3kt (20.9km/h) @ 2500rpm
18.6kt (34.4km/h) @ 3000rpm
25.0kt (46.2km/h) @ 3500rpm
30.7kt (56.8km/h) @ 4000rpm
34.8kt (64.4km/h) @ 4500rpm
37.0kt (68.5km/h) @ 4800rpm (WOT)

With the power and torque of the big V8 MerCruiser (which sits snuggly and easily accessed under the rear lounge seat) you should be able to tow water skiers and wake boarders.

The Ciera 8 Sport is a big, high-sided trailerboat but it still feels solid, nicely balanced and well planted underway. Other than to correct lateral, wind-induced list, we found there was no real need to touch the trim tabs whilst at speed, but a little negative trim from a standing start does help the boat to plane quicker.

At rest and at displacement docking speeds the Ciera 8 Sport is very stable, and with the included bow thruster it is also highly manoeuvrable.

Underway the Ciera is nice to drive, comfortable riding in heavy bay chop, and responsive to incremental steering and throttle adjustment.

The 21-degree deep vee hull also handles high-speed turns and figure eights with aplomb, although it does bank or heel over sharply through the centre of the turn. This trait or hull characteristic is quite safe, but it feels a bit like a rollercoaster ride and may either alarm, or excite, novice boaters.

The Bayliner Ciera 8 Sport is a terrific family cruiser and weekender. It combines a well-proven deep vee hull with a cleverly designed, single-level entertaining deck and an enclosed four-berth forward cabin.

The Ciera 8 Sport is also well equipped and well priced at $200K with the premium MerCruiser 300hp V8 sterndrive engine option, bow thruster, and the Australian-made tandem-axle Redco trailer.

Specifications
Model: Bayliner Ciera 8 Sport
Length overall: 8.88m
Hull length: 7.77m
Beam: 2.55m
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Draft: 910mm
Dry weight: 2900kg (standard engine)
Dry weight on trailer: 3490kg (est)
Maximum power: 350hp
Engine as tested: MerCruiser 300hp V8 MPI/Bravo Three
Fuel capacity: 246L
Water tank capacity: 75L
Waste tank capacity: 68L
Max passengers: 8 (600kg)

Package price: $179,990 including a MerCruiser 300hp 6.2L V8 MPI petrol engine with a Bravo Three DTS sterndrive leg. Add $1690 for a cockpit cover, $3300 for a windproof rail-mounted stern BBQ, and $15,765 for a tandem-axle Redco aluminium trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes.

Supplied by: cworthymarine.com.au