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<p>The retro boat we saw at the MDCE trade show and brought to you in the December newsletter is not the only new boat iboats has seen this season. The folks at <b>Bayliner</b> have been very busy adding sizes and designs to their "<b>Element</b>" line. Here's we'll take a look at their F18 model.
<p>We tested some of their Element boats when they first came out. We were and continue to be impressed with the features of the boat but mainly, the unique design of a fantastic hull they have under all the boater creature comforts. <i>(Two months ago, I ran each of the new Element boats along with other new Bayliner VR models. After two full days of testing I lost my camera overboard along with all the photos from those two days. The camera lies somewhere on the bottom of the Tennessee River. For this article I'm relying on photos provided by Bayliner.)</I>
<p>Bayliner introduced the Element and Element XL in 2013 and 2014. They?ve added new models for the recreational boating and fishing family to enjoy.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-1.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The new "<b>Element F18</b>" is a center console built on the same innovative M-Hull™ we initially tested.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-2.jpg" border="0" />
<p>It's an amazing hull that provides performance and amazing stability. At 18' 2" and 7' 5" beam, this versatile bay boat will serve fishing families well. The boat we tested was priced under $19k and yes, that's on a trailer. The Merc 90 delivers good get up and go along with typical 4-stroke fuel economy but if you want to go faster or handle heavier loads, the F18 will accept the Merc 115hp engine too.
<p>The boat features a forward casting deck with storage, room for a pedestal fishing seat and a trolling motor pad pre-wired for a 24V MotorGuide electric trolling motor.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-3.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The front of the helm console features a seat with storage beneath which can also become an optional 17-gallon livewell.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-4.jpg" border="0" />
<p>There are three vertical rod holders on either side of the helm console and drink holders to keep your refreshments handy. An optional Bimini or T-top are also available on the F18. On each side, there is horizontal rod storage for 4 additional rods for a total of 10 and the cockpit is self-bailing for easy cleanup. At the time we tested the boat, Bayliner was making some final tweaks to the design of the T-top to make it even more user/angler friendly.
<p>Aft of the cockpit and forward of the engine there are a large livewell flanked by twin, flip-up jump seats. Unlike most mini-jump seats, these were actually usable and comfortable.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-5.jpg" border="0" />
<p>A 30-gallon built in fuel tank sits below decks giving the F18 a lot of range for a full day of fishing, cruising, or enjoying watersports (of course, there's a tow eye for skiers and tubers.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-6.jpg" hspace="10" vspace="10" align="right" border="0" />The F18's helm features a standard array of gauges including tach, speedometer, volt meter and fuel gauge and has plenty of room for additional electronics.
<p>There is a plexiglass windscreen and stainless steel grab rail plus a stainless steel, tiltable wheel as well. With the addition of the T-top, there's more to hang on to when you're hitting the waves. There's room on the help station for additional electronics or instruments.
<p>The helm seat back shifts fore and aft for versatile seating option and the seat base contains a convenient cooler with drain.
<p>We'll take a look at some of their other models soon too. For more information on the new "Element" boats from Bayliner, check out our New Boat Showroom at <a href="http://www.boats.iboats.com?cm_mmc=Email-_-Jan2016Review-_-ArticleLink-_-iboatsBoats">www.boats.iboats.com</a>, the Bayliner site at <a href="http://www.bayliner.com?cm_mmc=Email-_-Jan2016Review-_-ArticleLink-_-Bayliner" target="blank">www.bayliner.com</a> and take a look at this site featuring a spring promotion on their boats: <a href="http://bayliner.com/big-deal?cm_mmc=Email-_-Jan2016Review-_-ArticleLink-_-BaylinerBigDeal">http://bayliner.com/big-deal</a>
<p>We tested some of their Element boats when they first came out. We were and continue to be impressed with the features of the boat but mainly, the unique design of a fantastic hull they have under all the boater creature comforts. <i>(Two months ago, I ran each of the new Element boats along with other new Bayliner VR models. After two full days of testing I lost my camera overboard along with all the photos from those two days. The camera lies somewhere on the bottom of the Tennessee River. For this article I'm relying on photos provided by Bayliner.)</I>
<p>Bayliner introduced the Element and Element XL in 2013 and 2014. They?ve added new models for the recreational boating and fishing family to enjoy.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-1.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The new "<b>Element F18</b>" is a center console built on the same innovative M-Hull™ we initially tested.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-2.jpg" border="0" />
<p>It's an amazing hull that provides performance and amazing stability. At 18' 2" and 7' 5" beam, this versatile bay boat will serve fishing families well. The boat we tested was priced under $19k and yes, that's on a trailer. The Merc 90 delivers good get up and go along with typical 4-stroke fuel economy but if you want to go faster or handle heavier loads, the F18 will accept the Merc 115hp engine too.
<p>The boat features a forward casting deck with storage, room for a pedestal fishing seat and a trolling motor pad pre-wired for a 24V MotorGuide electric trolling motor.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-3.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The front of the helm console features a seat with storage beneath which can also become an optional 17-gallon livewell.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-4.jpg" border="0" />
<p>There are three vertical rod holders on either side of the helm console and drink holders to keep your refreshments handy. An optional Bimini or T-top are also available on the F18. On each side, there is horizontal rod storage for 4 additional rods for a total of 10 and the cockpit is self-bailing for easy cleanup. At the time we tested the boat, Bayliner was making some final tweaks to the design of the T-top to make it even more user/angler friendly.
<p>Aft of the cockpit and forward of the engine there are a large livewell flanked by twin, flip-up jump seats. Unlike most mini-jump seats, these were actually usable and comfortable.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-5.jpg" border="0" />
<p>A 30-gallon built in fuel tank sits below decks giving the F18 a lot of range for a full day of fishing, cruising, or enjoying watersports (of course, there's a tow eye for skiers and tubers.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/jan16/images/art2-6.jpg" hspace="10" vspace="10" align="right" border="0" />The F18's helm features a standard array of gauges including tach, speedometer, volt meter and fuel gauge and has plenty of room for additional electronics.
<p>There is a plexiglass windscreen and stainless steel grab rail plus a stainless steel, tiltable wheel as well. With the addition of the T-top, there's more to hang on to when you're hitting the waves. There's room on the help station for additional electronics or instruments.
<p>The helm seat back shifts fore and aft for versatile seating option and the seat base contains a convenient cooler with drain.
<p>We'll take a look at some of their other models soon too. For more information on the new "Element" boats from Bayliner, check out our New Boat Showroom at <a href="http://www.boats.iboats.com?cm_mmc=Email-_-Jan2016Review-_-ArticleLink-_-iboatsBoats">www.boats.iboats.com</a>, the Bayliner site at <a href="http://www.bayliner.com?cm_mmc=Email-_-Jan2016Review-_-ArticleLink-_-Bayliner" target="blank">www.bayliner.com</a> and take a look at this site featuring a spring promotion on their boats: <a href="http://bayliner.com/big-deal?cm_mmc=Email-_-Jan2016Review-_-ArticleLink-_-BaylinerBigDeal">http://bayliner.com/big-deal</a>
