2019 Bayliner DX2000 review

Deck boats, or party boats if you prefer, have been popular in the US for well over a decade. They have yet to really catch on in Australia, but these craft are not made locally and we have seen relatively few imported models. Times are changing, however, and deck boats are now available here from well-known US brands such as Glastron, Hurricane, Chaparral, Cobalt, Four Winns, Sea Ray, and Bayliner.

So what is a deck boat? Most people would describe it as a cross between a party pontoon boat and a traditional fibreglass sports runabout. Deck boats take the best features of both and incorporate them into a single craft.

Deck boats generally have a wide, squared-off bow to provide nearly as much interior seating, storage and living space as a pontoon boat. This wide, open-plan deck is combined with a traditional vee hull bottom with sports runabout levels of handling, ride and performance. With these attributes, deck boats suit tow-sports and performance-loving boat buyers with big families and lots of friends.

If you fit into the family sports boat enthusiast category, then you will appreciate the new outboard-powered Bayliner DX2000 deck boat and its sterndrive-powered twin, the DX2050. Few people will consider these rectangular-shaped craft good looking, but they are certainly practical for family day boating and mixed tow-sport applications.

The Bayliner DX2000 (outboard) and DX2050 (sterndrive) models are both available with three different interior layouts for a total of six boats. All are available to order from Gold Coast dealer C Worthy Marine.

During our test day on the Gold Coast we were able to sample two different DX2000 outboard models, but the subject of this review is the flagship dual-console windscreen version rigged with a Mercury 150hp ProXS four-stroke outboard.

Similar to its siblings in the Bayliner DX2000/2050 range, the Australian specification DX2000 dual-console is packaged by C Worthy Marine with a single, deluxe level standard of fit out including several features that are optional overseas.

Specifically, locally delivered boats gain a bimini cover, stainless steel fixtures package (cup holders, fuel filler, hatch latches, rub rail), hydraulic steering, ski tow pylon, teak-look SeaDeck rubber flooring, portable chemical toilet, transom shower, automatic bilge pump, and the infill board and cushion for the bow seating area.

Paired with the entry-size Mercury 115hp EFI four-stroke outboard and a galvanised steel Aussie specification tandem-axle trailer, the DX2000 dual console is priced from around $77,990. That's competitive given the inclusions and excellent fit-out.

Our test boat was equipped with an upgraded Mercury 150hp ProXS four-stroke outboard, a Muir electric winch system with custom bowsprit, Dometic fridge/freezer, and a second deep cycle battery. These additions lift the price to $87,990.

For the record, the side console DX2000 model (shown in several of the accompanying photos) is priced from $76,690, before rising to $81,590 with the upgraded Mercury 150hp ProXS outboard.

The side-console DX2000 is identical to the dual-console model, but for the absence of the windscreen, and the inclusion of a portside sink with freshwater tap.

A third model has the sink/tap and storage unit removed and replaced with portside lounge seating stretching the full length of the boat.

For all three versions of the DX2000 there are plenty of optional extras. You can configure your boat for tow-sports with a wakeboard tower and board racks, or perhaps set it up for fishing with a bow-mounted electric trolling motor, casting deck and forward pedestal seat. Heck, why not do both!

In essence the Bayliner DX2000 is a wide beam bowrider runabout with stacks of reconfigurable seating and lounging areas.

At the bow there is a large U-shaped seating area that will accommodate three or four people. Fit the included infill board and padded cushion into place between the two side seats and you have a full-width sun pad.

To set the bow of the boat up for fishing, anglers can remove the infill cushion and two clip-on side cushions to create an elevated casting deck.

The only issue with using the bow deck as a casting platform is that the square front cushion is not detachable from the hatch lid - so it needs to be left in place to cover the otherwise open locker underneath. Of course the cushion then sits proud of the flat deck and could become a tripping hazard.

A possible solution here would be to make up a square piece of plywood to use as a makeshift hatch lid to replace the cushioned lid while fishing. Dealer C Worthy Marine says it will make up a separate lid for this locker should customers want to option the boat up for fishing.

In the test boat this centre bow locker was used to house the anchor rode, with the anchor perched up on the bowsprit and operated by an optional Muir electric winch.

It is worth noting that C Worthy Marine adapted the foredeck locker to take this custom anchoring set-up. Standard US-spec boats come with a telescopic boarding ladder.

In our dual-console DX2000 test boat, a centre-opening windscreen separates the bow seating compartment from the helm and rear cockpit. There is also a wind blocker board (with cushion) that drops into place underneath the screen to shut out the breeze. On cold, windy days this inclusion will be appreciated.

The dual moulded console units are relatively plain, unadorned, but practical. There is a storage nook on the dash on the port side and a useful storage locker underneath, accessed from the centre walkway.

Opposite, there is a carbon-fibre-look fascia at the helm with the analogue engine gauges nicely presented and easy to view from the well-padded helm seat.

The Bayliner is very comfortable to drive while seated. It is almost car-like in the sense that you can slide the helm seat right forward so that the tilt-adjust steering wheel and side-mount throttle falls naturally to hand.

Slide the chair aft, lift-up the front seat bolster and there is space to stand and drive the boat. That said, I would probably stand or perch up on the seat bolster whilst manoeuvring around at docking speeds, but would otherwise remain seated, tucked under, and sheltered by the windscreen.

You can option the DX2000 with electronics gear, but it will need to be bracket-mounted as there is no fascia space for a flush-fitted display.

Opposite the standalone helm chair there is an L-shaped lounge stretching aft from the passenger console and wrapping around the rear of the cockpit. It's a comfortable, practical set-up to accommodate at least four adults.

A portable toilet is beneath the front part of the lounge seat, revealed by removing the overhead cushion and board. A full-height privacy curtain/enclosure can surround the toilet as required.

Remove the toilet, and reposition the lift-out backrest bolster, and the front part of the lounge seat transforms into a forward-facing passenger chair.

Beneath the remaining aft seat cushions are two storage lockers (one used for the second battery) and a large, fully plumbed live well/bait tank.

Having a live well in what appears to be a plush looking family sports boat might seem a bit out of place, but keep in mind there are options available for the DX2000 to set it up for fishing.

To starboard of the live well there is a stepped walkway leading out to the very wide boarding platform and external ladder.

Soft, teak-look SeaDek rubber matting covers the walkway flooring and throughout the boat.

As well as the moulded lounge seat storage compartments there is a full-sized underfloor ski locker, a general storage locker under the transom walkway, and a huge locker beneath the padded aft sun pad.

Inside this cavernous rear compartment (which houses the inboard engine on the sterndrive versions of the DX2000) C Worthy Marine had fitted an optional Dometic fridge/freezer to keep food and drinks fresh and cold. Nice touch.

The Bayliner DX2000 is available in Australia with a Mercury 115hp EFI four-stroke outboard engine, or the larger 150hp ProXS four-stroke model as tested. With the more powerful engine the DX2000 is wonderfully responsive, quick, agile and sporty.

You could get by with the smaller engine, but the DX2000 is all about having fun on the water so we'd recommend fitting the bigger outboard engine.

It is also worth keeping in mind that the DX2000 is rated to carry 10 adults. With this maximum load onboard we believe the smaller outboard engine would struggle to provide anything more than adequate performance.

With just two people onboard the DX2000 feels light and sporty, yet solid at the same time. The boat blasts off quickly from a standing start, accelerating hard through the middle rev range and on to a top speed just shy of 40 knots.

The moderate vee hull planes easily, feels well balanced and enormously stable at rest. There is a slight patter from the hull in choppy water, but the boat otherwise rides comfortably and the squared-off bow proves quite effective in suppressing spray and keeping the interior dry.

Overall, we found the hull to be a solid, well-rounded performer, ideally suited to its purpose of carrying a bunch of people about, enabling them to enjoy all kinds of water sports and boating activities.

Performance

It should come as no surprise that Bayliner is the world leader in recreational trailer boats. This iconic US boat-maker is constantly evolving and innovating to develop interesting new models such as the DX2000/DX2050 deck boats.

The DX2000 dual-console and related Bayliner DX models are cleverly designed, full-featured and sharply priced open deck boats. These attributes will likely endear these terrific new models to families and sports boaters across Australia.

Specifications
Model: Bayliner DX2000
Length overall: 5.95m
Beam: 2.46m
Deadrise: 17 degrees
Draft: 910mm
Weight: 1275kg (dry, std engine)
Weight on trailer: 1774kg (est, dry)
Maximum power: 150hp
Engine as tested: Mercury 150hp ProXS four-stroke
Fuel: 132.5L
Water: 35L
Passengers: 10

Priced from: $77,990 with a single Mercury 115hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard and an Australian specification tandem-axle galvanised steel trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes. $76,690 for the no-windscreen model.

Price as tested: $87,990. As above but with an upgraded Mercury 150hp ProXS four-stroke outboard, a Muir electric winch system with custom bowsprit, Dometic fridge/freezer, and a second deep cycle battery. $81,590 for the no-windscreen model with the upgraded Mercury 150hp ProXS outboard, no options.

Supplied by: C Worthy Marine