toneeees
Administrator
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2011
- Messages
- 3,024
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Changing how you look at a Deckboat and Bowrider
By Matt Train, Bayliner Owners Club
[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The deck boat. Let's be honest here, along with the pontoon boat, it's not considered the sexiest thing on the water. There's definitely a difference in reaction when you tell someone "I bought a performance boat" and "I bought a deck boat". So it smacks of irony that in these difficult economic times, the pontoon boat and the deckboat categories are two boating segments that are still seeing sales expansions. Of the fewer and fewer people who can justify the luxury of a pleasure boat, many buyers are choosing utility over performance. Speed and high performance give way to relaxation, comfort and family boating activities. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]For 2013, Bayliner is trying to add a little sex appeal to the deckboat class. With the 190, 210, and 215 Deckboats, Bayliner has ordered a ground up redesign and refocusing of their deckboat line, with some added style and a boatload of functionality. This represents the third incarnation of the Bayliner Deckboat, starting with the Rendezvous line in the early 1990s, and progressing through to the current sterndrive-only deckboats. You will notice that I said "sterndrive-only". The new deckboat line is primarily outboard-powered, with the 21 footer being offered with both outboard and sterndrive power. This is in keeping with the majority of Bayliner's offerings either changing to outboard, or offering a choice. Cost and the emission regulations affecting I/Os (and their price tags) and the improvement in power to weight ratios of four-stroke outboards are reasons why outboards are becoming the preferred power. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]For this test, we're focusing on the smallest of the line, the outboard-only 190. I feel it's the crown jewel of the bunch. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Exterior
There have been some less than successful attempts at making a good looking deckboat but an argument can be made that those are merely wider bowriders. Bayliner takes a different tack, and rather than disguise the boat, embraces the true deckboat form. You'd be forgiven for thinking "duck-billed platypus" when quickly glancing at one, but stick with us and take a closer look. The 190 starts showing its charms with a more detailed inspection. The lines are straight and true with interesting color detailing on the upper deck reverse-mirroring the lower chine shape. There are some upper deck contours that draw your eye back to the stern. Fit and finish is quite good, especially for the price point. Bayliner had the 190 floating next to a year old Hurricane 187 (its closest competitor) and it was not flattering to the Hurricane. The Bayliner has much more refined styling and sleeker lines, not to mention a better, more comfortable layout and noticeably more freeboard. Stability was quite good when you stood on the gunwales, too. Dual swim platforms are standard on the 190, and there is a full walkthrough to starboard that also disguises an onboard cooler. There are stainless steel boarding ladders at both ends of the boat, as well. Overall, we were suitably impressed with the exterior. The boat looks even better without the optional windshield. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Interior
For decades, Bayliners have used space better than nearly all of their competitors. Pontoons are currently the hottest segment in the industry, and one perusal of the 190's interior shows a lot of inspiration from pontoon boat accommodations. One of Bayliner's innovations is pontoon-style lounge seating around the majority of the perimeter of the boat, with upgraded textured upholstery. There is a near-full width sofa along the transom, as well as a port lounger that also holds the optional porta potty. Pop that cushion up, and a canvas curtain connects to the bimini top to provide privacy. It's ingenious, and provides for an enclosed head on a 19 foot boat - something not found on any of its competition. Don't need the head on board? No big deal - the nacelle is also big enough to hold a cooler. Not having a dedicated head compartment also pays dividends in interior space, too, with a full wraparound bow area that is squared off, with a respectable amount of freeboard. The 190 is also available with a 10 gallon water system and wash down. I used to own a 24 foot bowrider that didn't have the usable space that this thing has. The 190 is rated for 10 people, and 6 have stretch-out, all day room. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
We found fit and finish equally good in the interior, and continuing the trend from Bayliners past. One need merely raise the ski locker lid to see it has a gas strut to support it. Gauges are bespoke and the dash is logically laid out and high quality. Switches are simple rocker units unlit, but usable and durable. The helm station features a sufficiently powerful stereo with an aux port for your iPad, as well as a flip up cubby below the gauges for storage. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Performance
Bayliner has not totally de-emphasized performance in their new designs; I felt this boat had some pretty good moves. Ram the throttle on the 115 Merc forward, and she'll pop to plane in 6 seconds or so, and hold plane at around 4,000 RPM which was right around the 20 mph bogey comfortable cruising in rough situations. Hit WOT (wide open throttle), and she will top out around 35 mph. It's not a speed demon, but like the Element, there's plenty of performance above the plane threshold to keep your interest, and a comfortable cruise will still produce enough airflow to give you a whole new do. In short, a family will find plenty of power, and a decent helping of fuel economy and quiet running to boot, thanks to the 115. Personally, I'd want a few more horses under the cowl if I were to buy it, and Matt Guilford, the VP of Marketing for Bayliner, was well aware of that. After I backed the boat into the slip and tied it up, he pulled me off to the side to have a word with me. "Look, I know you like speed and these boats aren't really what you're looking for. That said, you might want to take that 190 out again if you get a chance to find one with a 150. Trust me." Prospective buyers might also want to look into that version too. The sportboat that you race back to the ramp, however, might not appreciate getting blown away by a family of four and a Golden Retriever.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Other aspects of performance were pretty impressive. We tested the boat in a sloppy Sarasota Bay, and noted that stability was very good. Hard-over turns were true and drama free, and nobody called their lawyer to stammer out a living will in either head-on or following seas. This is no performance boat, but indeed, this was a very pleasant performer considering we were on a 19 foot boat in whitecaps. Fuel capacity is an affordable 35 gallons, and the boat should be good for well over 100 miles of continuously new scenery at cruise speed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Complaints
A few, and minor. Why is it that I can stand up at the helm in comfort in the little 16 foot Element, yet I could not push the seat back far enough to fully stand up at the helm of the 190? And while I am griping, I would like a flip up bolster on the captain's seat to facilitate elevated running. I like standing when I operate a boat, and this one would probably get on my nerves somewhat after a while. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]I also felt that the Merc 115 was merely adequate in power. Please make no mistake, this thing will get out of the water and hum right along, but don't we all want more power? Thankfully, as stated, a 150 is available as an option. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]I'd also like to see some illuminated rocker switches, too, since I am complaining. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Aside from that, we felt the 190 was a surprisingly complete package. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
Price
Bayliner sexed up the price for 2013, too. On that front, we feel the 190 is competitive. The 190 starts at $22,574. Ticking most option boxes (including the preferred equipment package, full canvas covers and bimini, porta potty, water system, and the 150 hp Four Stroke, but skipping the fishing and the watersports package) we got the 190 to an MSRP of $35,582. In our opinion, that's pretty reasonable for a 50+ mph family boat considering the amount of versatile fun this thing has to offer. Short of a pontoon boat, there's really nothing else that will provide this amount of sheer acreage for the price, never mind the features and performance this boat offers over a pontoon. The stern drive Bayliner 197, equipped similarly but with a less attractive layout and no porta potty, is $5,000 more. The Hurricane 187 starts at $22,300 and equipped similarly, runs about $34,349 with a Yamaha 150, and does not offer the Bayliner's space or layout. That said, Hurricane has a following in saltwater markets, and that's something Bayliner readily admits. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Conclusion
The 190 is a fun, quality- and feature-filled boat at a great price. We think it stacks up well against its intended competition, and provides an innovative, low priced choice in the deckboat market. We rather liked it, and would recommend adding it to your shopping list. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Besides, you didn't REALLY want a pontoon boat, did you? [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif][EDITOR'S NOTE] Research the boats you've always dreamed about at iboats.com [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Matt Train is a lifelong boating enthusiast now living near Chicago, with 10 years of boating experience on the waters of the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York. He is an active participant of the Bayliner Owners Club. Bayliner Owners Club is a not for profit group of Bayliner boat owners and enthusiasts, and is not affiliated with Bayliner or Brunswick Corporation in any way. (Editor: this article is dedicated to our longtime BOC and iboats Forums friend Steve Stevens who we lost to cancer this past fall). [/FONT]
By Matt Train, Bayliner Owners Club
[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The deck boat. Let's be honest here, along with the pontoon boat, it's not considered the sexiest thing on the water. There's definitely a difference in reaction when you tell someone "I bought a performance boat" and "I bought a deck boat". So it smacks of irony that in these difficult economic times, the pontoon boat and the deckboat categories are two boating segments that are still seeing sales expansions. Of the fewer and fewer people who can justify the luxury of a pleasure boat, many buyers are choosing utility over performance. Speed and high performance give way to relaxation, comfort and family boating activities. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]For 2013, Bayliner is trying to add a little sex appeal to the deckboat class. With the 190, 210, and 215 Deckboats, Bayliner has ordered a ground up redesign and refocusing of their deckboat line, with some added style and a boatload of functionality. This represents the third incarnation of the Bayliner Deckboat, starting with the Rendezvous line in the early 1990s, and progressing through to the current sterndrive-only deckboats. You will notice that I said "sterndrive-only". The new deckboat line is primarily outboard-powered, with the 21 footer being offered with both outboard and sterndrive power. This is in keeping with the majority of Bayliner's offerings either changing to outboard, or offering a choice. Cost and the emission regulations affecting I/Os (and their price tags) and the improvement in power to weight ratios of four-stroke outboards are reasons why outboards are becoming the preferred power. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]For this test, we're focusing on the smallest of the line, the outboard-only 190. I feel it's the crown jewel of the bunch. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Exterior
There have been some less than successful attempts at making a good looking deckboat but an argument can be made that those are merely wider bowriders. Bayliner takes a different tack, and rather than disguise the boat, embraces the true deckboat form. You'd be forgiven for thinking "duck-billed platypus" when quickly glancing at one, but stick with us and take a closer look. The 190 starts showing its charms with a more detailed inspection. The lines are straight and true with interesting color detailing on the upper deck reverse-mirroring the lower chine shape. There are some upper deck contours that draw your eye back to the stern. Fit and finish is quite good, especially for the price point. Bayliner had the 190 floating next to a year old Hurricane 187 (its closest competitor) and it was not flattering to the Hurricane. The Bayliner has much more refined styling and sleeker lines, not to mention a better, more comfortable layout and noticeably more freeboard. Stability was quite good when you stood on the gunwales, too. Dual swim platforms are standard on the 190, and there is a full walkthrough to starboard that also disguises an onboard cooler. There are stainless steel boarding ladders at both ends of the boat, as well. Overall, we were suitably impressed with the exterior. The boat looks even better without the optional windshield. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Interior
For decades, Bayliners have used space better than nearly all of their competitors. Pontoons are currently the hottest segment in the industry, and one perusal of the 190's interior shows a lot of inspiration from pontoon boat accommodations. One of Bayliner's innovations is pontoon-style lounge seating around the majority of the perimeter of the boat, with upgraded textured upholstery. There is a near-full width sofa along the transom, as well as a port lounger that also holds the optional porta potty. Pop that cushion up, and a canvas curtain connects to the bimini top to provide privacy. It's ingenious, and provides for an enclosed head on a 19 foot boat - something not found on any of its competition. Don't need the head on board? No big deal - the nacelle is also big enough to hold a cooler. Not having a dedicated head compartment also pays dividends in interior space, too, with a full wraparound bow area that is squared off, with a respectable amount of freeboard. The 190 is also available with a 10 gallon water system and wash down. I used to own a 24 foot bowrider that didn't have the usable space that this thing has. The 190 is rated for 10 people, and 6 have stretch-out, all day room. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
We found fit and finish equally good in the interior, and continuing the trend from Bayliners past. One need merely raise the ski locker lid to see it has a gas strut to support it. Gauges are bespoke and the dash is logically laid out and high quality. Switches are simple rocker units unlit, but usable and durable. The helm station features a sufficiently powerful stereo with an aux port for your iPad, as well as a flip up cubby below the gauges for storage. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Performance
Bayliner has not totally de-emphasized performance in their new designs; I felt this boat had some pretty good moves. Ram the throttle on the 115 Merc forward, and she'll pop to plane in 6 seconds or so, and hold plane at around 4,000 RPM which was right around the 20 mph bogey comfortable cruising in rough situations. Hit WOT (wide open throttle), and she will top out around 35 mph. It's not a speed demon, but like the Element, there's plenty of performance above the plane threshold to keep your interest, and a comfortable cruise will still produce enough airflow to give you a whole new do. In short, a family will find plenty of power, and a decent helping of fuel economy and quiet running to boot, thanks to the 115. Personally, I'd want a few more horses under the cowl if I were to buy it, and Matt Guilford, the VP of Marketing for Bayliner, was well aware of that. After I backed the boat into the slip and tied it up, he pulled me off to the side to have a word with me. "Look, I know you like speed and these boats aren't really what you're looking for. That said, you might want to take that 190 out again if you get a chance to find one with a 150. Trust me." Prospective buyers might also want to look into that version too. The sportboat that you race back to the ramp, however, might not appreciate getting blown away by a family of four and a Golden Retriever.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Other aspects of performance were pretty impressive. We tested the boat in a sloppy Sarasota Bay, and noted that stability was very good. Hard-over turns were true and drama free, and nobody called their lawyer to stammer out a living will in either head-on or following seas. This is no performance boat, but indeed, this was a very pleasant performer considering we were on a 19 foot boat in whitecaps. Fuel capacity is an affordable 35 gallons, and the boat should be good for well over 100 miles of continuously new scenery at cruise speed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Complaints
A few, and minor. Why is it that I can stand up at the helm in comfort in the little 16 foot Element, yet I could not push the seat back far enough to fully stand up at the helm of the 190? And while I am griping, I would like a flip up bolster on the captain's seat to facilitate elevated running. I like standing when I operate a boat, and this one would probably get on my nerves somewhat after a while. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]I also felt that the Merc 115 was merely adequate in power. Please make no mistake, this thing will get out of the water and hum right along, but don't we all want more power? Thankfully, as stated, a 150 is available as an option. [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]I'd also like to see some illuminated rocker switches, too, since I am complaining. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Aside from that, we felt the 190 was a surprisingly complete package. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
PriceBayliner sexed up the price for 2013, too. On that front, we feel the 190 is competitive. The 190 starts at $22,574. Ticking most option boxes (including the preferred equipment package, full canvas covers and bimini, porta potty, water system, and the 150 hp Four Stroke, but skipping the fishing and the watersports package) we got the 190 to an MSRP of $35,582. In our opinion, that's pretty reasonable for a 50+ mph family boat considering the amount of versatile fun this thing has to offer. Short of a pontoon boat, there's really nothing else that will provide this amount of sheer acreage for the price, never mind the features and performance this boat offers over a pontoon. The stern drive Bayliner 197, equipped similarly but with a less attractive layout and no porta potty, is $5,000 more. The Hurricane 187 starts at $22,300 and equipped similarly, runs about $34,349 with a Yamaha 150, and does not offer the Bayliner's space or layout. That said, Hurricane has a following in saltwater markets, and that's something Bayliner readily admits. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Conclusion
The 190 is a fun, quality- and feature-filled boat at a great price. We think it stacks up well against its intended competition, and provides an innovative, low priced choice in the deckboat market. We rather liked it, and would recommend adding it to your shopping list. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Besides, you didn't REALLY want a pontoon boat, did you? [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif][EDITOR'S NOTE] Research the boats you've always dreamed about at iboats.com [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Matt Train is a lifelong boating enthusiast now living near Chicago, with 10 years of boating experience on the waters of the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York. He is an active participant of the Bayliner Owners Club. Bayliner Owners Club is a not for profit group of Bayliner boat owners and enthusiasts, and is not affiliated with Bayliner or Brunswick Corporation in any way. (Editor: this article is dedicated to our longtime BOC and iboats Forums friend Steve Stevens who we lost to cancer this past fall). [/FONT]