Bayliner 3870 / 3888 Motor Yacht

About the Bayliner 3870 / 3888 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

1983–1994

Builder

Bayliner Marine

Length

38.17 ft

Beam

13.42 ft

Draft

3.17 ft

Displacement

17,500 lb

Hull / keel

planing

Propulsion

inboard

Fuel

304 gal

Water

80 gal

Generator

fitted on some boats

Bow thruster

often added later

Stern thruster

often added later

Steering

hydraulic · Hynautic

Sources disagree on holding tank — left blank rather than guessed.

Named 3870 through 1989, 3888 afterwards. Mid-cabin layout with berth under the salon sole, two heads, standard lower helm. About 1 nmpg at cruise per HMY/BoatUS. HMY's text calls the early name '3780', which appears to be a typo for 3870. A gas (Ford 351) version is discussed by owners but not documented in the specs read. Build count (approximate, not stored): HMY says about a thousand were built; BoatUS notes say over 1,000.

Engines fitted

• Mitsubishi 6-cyl (Chrysler-Mitsubishi) — 135 hp, diesel, twin standard
  HMY: early boats had twin 135 hp Mitsubishi six-cylinder diesels, dropped in 1986. Owners refer to them as the original 'Chrysler' diesels (Chrysler-badged Mitsubishi).
  Sources: hmy.com · baylinerownersclub.org
• Hino EH700 (sold as U.S. Marine) — 175 hp, diesel, twin standard
  From 1986 Bayliner fitted U.S. Marine 175 hp diesels (HMY); owners identify these as the Hino EH700.
  Sources: hmy.com · baylinerownersclub.org
• US Marine (Hino) diesel (from 1986) — 175 hp, diesel standard
• Hino — 210 hp, diesel, twin factory option
  HMY: later models with twin 210 hp Hinos cruise 17-18 kn.
  Sources: hmy.com
• Ford 351 V8 (gas) — gas, twin factory option
  Some 3888s (e.g. a 1991 boat) have twin Ford 351 gas V8s; owners quote 236-310 hp depending on version. Factory status not confirmed in the pages read.
  Sources: baylinerownersclub.org · baylinerownersclub.org

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

Owners and listings report Westerbeke diesels: 8.0 kW (8BTD / WMD 8.0) on several 1986-1990 boats, a WMD 7.7 on one 3870, and a new replacement 5 kW on a 1990 listing. No Bayliner option list was found, so standard vs. factory option isn't confirmed; an Owners Club thread calls it standard, but that is one owner's assumption.

• Westerbeke 8.0 BTD / WMD 8.0 — 8 kW, diesel
  Seen on several boats (owners and listings, 1986-1990); whether factory standard or option is not documented.
  “My 1986 has a 8kw, model 8BTD.” — owners' association (1986), tapatalk.com · “I have a 1986 3870 with n/a 175s. I have a Westerbeke WMD 8.0.” — owners' association (1986), tapatalk.com · “twin Hino Model EH-700, 175 HP engines ... Westerbeke 8 kw generator” — search excerpt (1990), facebook.com · “twin Hino EH700 175 HP hours, Westerbeke 8 kW generator” — search excerpt (1986), yachtr.com

Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.

Known problems for this model

• Wet stringers under engine mounts hull
  Rotted or wet stringer/engine-bed sections where the motor mounts attach are a known repair that can require pulling the engine.
  trawlerforum.com
• Window frame leaks interior
  Owners report chasing leaks at the salon window frames.
  trawlerforum.com
• Stiff upper helm steering
  Flybridge steering on the two-station Hynautic setup can feel notchy; low reservoir pressure or trapped air is the usual cause.
  baylinerownersclub.org
• Tight engine room engine
  Engine access is cramped, which makes routine service on the twin diesels harder.
  hmy.com

Engines & parts

Steering

Other Bayliner models

• Bayliner 2855 Ciera Sunbridge 1994–1999
• Bayliner 3270 / 3218 / 3288 Motor Yacht 1981–1995
• Bayliner 3988 Motor Yacht 1995–2002
• Bayliner 4550 / 4588 Pilothouse Motor Yacht 1984–1993
• Bayliner 4788 Pilothouse Motor Yacht 1994–2002