2021 Bayliner Trophy T22CX review

Bayliner's Trophy range of trailerable fibreglass fishing boats was enormously popular in the US for several decades; the mid-size walkaround cabin boats of the early 2000s between 6.0 metres and 7.0 metres in length were successful worldwide, including here in Australia.

Unfortunately, and like many once-popular US boat brands and manufacturers, the Trophy line was retired in 2008-09, a victim of the global financial crisis and subsequent US recession.

Last year, however, responding to improved market conditions, Bayliner (and parent company Brunswick Corporation, which also owns the marine engine brand Mercury) opted to re-introduce the Trophy line, re-launching the brand with a pair of centre console open boats.

Now available in Australia, the new Trophy models include the T20CC/CX and the T22CC/CX.

The CC and CX designations here refer to slightly different seating/rear transom layouts, so you could argue that there are four models to choose from.

The standard "CC" centre console boats have transom corner "jump" seats to each side of a centre transom live bait tank. These rear quarter seats have backrests that fold down to create a full-width rear casting platform for anglers.

Conversely, the "CX" versions are a more family orientated set-up with a moulded, cushioned transom bench seat with a fixed-position padded backrest.

For this review, we secured a Trophy T22CX model paired with the largest outboard engine option, a 300hp Mercury Pro XS V8 extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke.

The Gold Coast's C Worthy Marine has Bayliner Trophy T22CX prices starting from $117,790 when packaged with a dual-axle galvanised steel braked trailer with the entry-size 150hp Mercury four-stroke outboard engine.

In the US, Trophy boats are pitched as entry/mid-tier models so most of the cool features and accessories (the stuff you really want) are listed as optional extras. Aussie spec models, however, come fully loaded.

US specification features include the dual-width centre console with head compartment; moulded helm leaning post with live well, bench seat and rod-rack; bow seating compartment with storage lockers; self-bailing aft cockpit; rear boarding platforms with stainless steel ladder; 1200g/h manual bilge pump; AM/FM stereo; and a second plumbed live well beneath the aft bench seat.

The locally delivered Aussie spec boats gain lots of extra kit such as the fold-down, overhead T-Top with clamp-on rod holders; teak coloured SeaDek foam rubber flooring throughout; bow infill cushion; centre console cover; portable chemical toilet to the head compartment; stainless steel upgrade package; interior/exterior lighting package; bow cocktail table; ski-pole; transom shower; Simrad/Mercury VesselView digital dash and engine monitoring; digital throttle and shift; an automatic bilge pump; and power steering on outboards above 200hp.

Our test boat was presented with just two options, a Muir electric drum winch with a through-the-stem anchoring set-up, and an engine upgrade to the more powerful 300hp Mercury V8 Pro XS four-stroke outboard engine.

The two options lift the package price to $136,790, but that's still great value for a turn-key 6.8-metre centre console family/fishing boat.

The Bayliner Trophy T22CX is bigger and broader than it looks in photos, measuring 6.88 metres overall with a maximum beam of 2.59 metres. This wide beam gives the Trophy more interior volume and deck space than a comparable Aussie built boat, but it is overwidth for trailering on Australian roads so it may be subject to towing restrictions.

The hull beneath the Bayliner Trophy T22CX has a conventional vee shape with a transom deadrise of 18 degrees. This is relatively modest for a boat of this size but does ensure the boat is exceptionally stable at rest and easier to push across the water.

Up forward the entry shape is conservatively designed to provide safe, easy handling in all conditions, but is also fine enough to soften up the ride in choppy water.

With regard to construction, Bayliners are made using traditional fibreglass methods, but with foam and composite-cored stringers and transoms. Timber is no longer used in structural areas.

The hulls are foam-filled to ensure they are unsinkable; the Trophy T22CX has sufficient flotation to meet Australia's level flotation standard.

The Bayliner Trophy T22CX is an interesting mix of fishing and family boat. On paper, it comes across as a fishing platform with wide, open fishing decks, two huge live wells, and plenty of rod storage racks.

However, the Bayliner Trophy T22CX also has ample family boating amenities, most notably at the bow where social boaters and sun-lovers will be pleased with the large size and shape of the cushioned seating area.

Most bowrider boats have a v-shaped bow seating compartment. The Trophy, thanks to its square bow shape, has a wider, more spacious U-shape to the moulded seating area.

You can certainly fit more people up in the bow of this boat, and store lots of gear in the two large side storage lockers.

A third locker in the forepeak of our test boat was converted by C Worthy Marine into an anchor well complete with an electric winch.

Bow features include the clip-on vinyl cushions, fixed side-deck backrests, and removable backrests positioned to create two forward-facing chaise lounges.

The test boat was also fitted with a cocktail table and an infill cushion to convert the U-shaped seating area into one large sun pad.

Remove all the cushions and you have a large, elevated bow casting deck for anglers; I would happily stand and fish from this forward deck in calm weather.

As well as the U-shaped forward seats, the Trophy has a forward-facing cushioned bench seat/safety gear locker in front of the helm console.

Inside the console is a step-down change room/head compartment with a removable chemical toilet.

The layout and design of the centre console is thoroughly modern. The tilt-adjust, stainless steel steering wheel and binnacle throttle are offset to port so there is room to starboard for a companion to sit or stand alongside the skipper.

There is space on the fascia above the engine controls for a single large multifunction display, or two smaller units.

Our test boat was fitted with a pair of flush-mounted Simrad displays complete with Mercury VesselView integration for the full digital operating experience.

Most boats in this category have the dash and fascia blacked out to reduce glare, but I found the Trophy's soft grey gelcoat finish did the job equally well.

The helm station does not have a glove box or storage nook, but it does have cup holders, a full-width footrest, grab handles, and an acrylic windshield.

For storage and garaging, the optional, overhead alloy T-top folds forward and down for a much lower profile.

Fronting the helm console is the moulded leaning post which has a dual-width cushioned seat for the skipper and co-pilot, as well as a four-rod vertical rod rack.

The box under the leaning post has a fully plumbed live well. It has no gasket so some water may slop out, and there is no aquarium style viewing window, but it is impressively large.

A second live well is beneath the moulded transom bench seat, alongside the port side battery compartment.

Oddly, whilst the Bayliner Trophy T22CX comes with two live wells and heaps of other fishing features, you have to pay extra to secure flush-fitted coaming rod holders.

Cup holders, on the other hand, are everywhere. In the rear cockpit alone I counted seven. There are two more at the helm and another two up in the bow seating compartment.

The Bayliner Trophy T22CX's 18-degree vee hull is easily driven, accepting Mercury outboard engines from 150hp to the 300hp V8 Pro XS mounted on our test boat.

Having now tested this hull with the most powerful outboard engine, I think one somewhere in the middle would suit this boat best.

That said, with 300 of Mercury's finest ponies behind it, the Bayliner Trophy T22CX is epically good fun to drive; it accelerates very smartly and tops out at a blisteringly fast 47 knots.

For most applications though, you really don't need that level of speed or performance. The 150hp minimum is unlikely to be enough, but 300hp is arguably too much. Mercury's 250hp Verado V8 might be the perfect choice for this boat, providing very nearly the same level of performance and "fun factor" but at a reduced cost.

On the water, the Bayliner Trophy T22CX is most certainly good fun to drive. With power steering and digital throttle and shift the driving experience is excellent, while the hull itself carves sharp turns and figure-eights with ease.

The 18-degree deadrise vee hull is smooth through chop but can take a little spray over the bow in blustering, quartering sea conditions.

Otherwise, there is little to fault; the hull feels solid, secure and well mannered.

In a following sea, for example, the Trophy surfs smoothly out of wave troughs to maintain the comfort and safety of the crew.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 246L fuel supply at 3000rpm: 188.0nm

The Bayliner Trophy T22CX is a sharply priced, versatile open boat with most of the amenities you need for family day boating, entertaining and social tow-sports.

With its dual live wells, front casting deck and included rod racks you can also fish from the T22CX, although I suspect most anglers will opt for the CC version with the fold-down aft jump seats that convert into a rear casting deck.

Either way, the two subtly different Bayliner Trophy T22 models represent excellent value for money in this very competitive market segment.

Priced from: $117,790 including a 150hp Mercury in-line four-cylinder, extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engine and a dual-axle galvanised steel braked trailer with electric-hydraulic brakes.

Price as tested: $136,790. As above but with a 300hp Mercury Pro XS V8 four-stroke outboard engine and a through-the-stem anchoring set-up, complete with a Muir electric drum winch, anchor, and rode.

Supplied by: C Worthy Marine

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