Bayliner 265

Kiss goodbye the gratuitous glitz and the needless oversupply of deck-mounted Dr Pepper holders. Say hooroo to the in-your-face Dallas-style decorating and uncool hard edges. And while you're at it, ditch the cockpit and cabin clutter.

What's hip for 2003 is the clean, svelte Continental look. Even the goliath of boatbuilders, America's Bayliner, has turned Euro. Its new 265, one of the most popular convenience cruisers in the world, is a Euro-influenced American-made boat - an allied force.

Subtle though they are, the changes on the new 265 are definitely Euro-inspired. There are lots of cool deck curves, an elegant but understated interior, Continental cherrywood tones and a navy-blue hull.

But there is another reason for the cleaner interior of Bayliner's cruiser line-up. Automation has been embraced like never before, and it's shaping boats in ways that only yesterday were considered too costly and time consuming.

MADE FOR ACTION
Aside from an impressive workforce, Bayliner now employs serious computer-aided design equipment, families of robots and, we're told, the largest milling machine in the boating industry, giving accuracy in the mouldings to within almost half a millimetre.

Full-sized mock-ups of all new models are also subjected to the scrutiny of the R&D team, who get to test seats, helm stations, storage spaces, showers, loos and lots more. Thoughtful ergonomics are but one reason for a comfortable boat.

In the engineering department, Bayliner's handlaid hulls have what's called a Monolithic Stringer System. This is a one-piece box-beam frame comprising foam-filled stringers, cross members and a recess for things like the fuel tank or inboard engine.

The frame is glassed to the hull while it is in the mould and then glassed to the deck to form one solid structure. Vinylester resin means no osmosis and the boat, built to US Coast Guard and NMMA certified standards, is backed by a five-year structural hull limited warranty.

Cleats, bow eyes and tow eyes are all through bolted, wiring is colour coded and numbered and fed through PVC conduits, and the stainless steel bowrail is welded. All skin fittings and the cool elliptical portholes are fashioned from stainless steel or bronze, while the outdoor fabrics are heavy-duty marine-grade pre-stretched vinyls.

Interior fittings have also been upgraded on the new 265 and across the entire cruiser line-up. There are double-locking doorhandles that produce fewer rattles on the run, vinyl headliners that look way better than the old furry frontrunner stuff, and the aforementioned cherrywood, which is fast replacing traditional teak on boats these days.

Though moulded in one piece, and therefore simple, the compound curves in the Bayliner's decks also impress. The attention to detail - scalloping around the seating for extra room, non-skid coamings and cockpit steps to help with boarding, and recesses for hardware - are the preserve of big companies with the wherewithal to invest in cutting-edge machinery.

DECKED OUT
On the design front, Bayliner has taken a full-beam approach and successfully maximised living space on the 265. There are no sidedecks, but a very effective way of accessing the foredeck. Follow the moulded steps in the non-skid dash, step through the opening wraparound safety-glass windscreen and voila!

The foredeck is topped in non-skid and has a flat area down the centreline leading to a recessed anchoring/mooring cleat and moulded toerails for an added sense of security. For convenience the optional windlass ($2500) is a must-have.

The bow also has a sprit holding a Danforth anchor (supplied), small fairleads, two plastic nav lights and a good one-piece stainless bowrail. While there isn't a sunpad, there is room to unfurl a fluffy towel if there's family feuding in the cockpit. With the windscreen and marlin door open the boat is accessible from bow to stern.

The decks have cleats amidships and aft for fenders and warps, flush-mounted fuel and water fillers, shorepower connection, and hot/cold deck shower. This latter feature is one component of the factory-fitted Advantage Pack included on all Bayliners sold in Australia.

A nice, wide boarding platform with handrails and a concealed swim ladder offers somewhere to dangle a line, dangle the toes, or sip a sundowner and watch the world go by. The boat's wide beam also translates into a big cockpit.

REST AND RELAXATION
The R&D team has had some fun transforming the self-draining cockpit liner into an R&R centre for a bunch of friends or a small family. The best seat in the house is the contoured aft-facing sunlounge/daybed opposite the helm. It has padded backrests and armrest. Sitting side-saddle, it doubles as seating for two people when underway.

There is provision to carry two more crew on the transverse lounge return. A second fold-up lounge at the transom takes two more people riding in the sun. Do your sums — the boat can comfortably seat six plus the skipper.

A folding backrest on the amidships lounge lets you create seating around a removable oval cockpit table. Table in place, you can stage a quick set lunch for four. Lounge backrest folded flat, you can create an even bigger daybed than appears possible.

I noted four drinkholders - not 400 - and a niche under one of the lounges for carrying a 45lt cooler (with the prawns and salads, of course). Another storage hold exists under the helm seat for hardware. The Advantage Pack also includes a snap-in cockpit carpet and mooring covers.

HANDS-ON HELM
The supplied Sunbrella bimini top was a godsend on what was otherwise a summer scorcher. While it is fashioned from ubiquitous Bayliner beige fibreglass, the moulded dash module is a low-glare model that doesn't annoy by reflecting in the windscreen.

Walnut panels on the farthest brow incorporate chic Faria gauges with chrome-and-gold bezels. The gauges cover fuel, volts, trim, engine temp, oil pressure, revs and speed, as well as a combination digital depth finder/hour meter and clock.

As mentioned, there is a remote for the windlass. Nearby is a Raymarine VHF radio and, within arm's reach, switch panels for the horn, bilgepumps, blower, lights, wiper and trim tabs. A tilt-adjustable wheel, flush-mounted throttle binnacle and one-and-a-half seater helm seat with flip-up bolster and fore-and-aft adjustment all work a treat. Thanks, R&D team.

All of these things plus a nice high windscreen, room for flush-mounted electronics and a four-speaker radio/CD player conspire to create a pleasant boat to drive. And with power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, everyone can have a go behind the wheel.

ON-WATER WEEKENDER
At Berowra Waters in Sydney, the on-water office for the Bayliner importers, row upon row of Bayliner cruisers stand like soldiers at rollcall. Owners from outlying areas prefer to use their boats as weekenders.

The new 265 is certainly well equipped for gadding about big rivers and bays such as those in the mighty Hawkesbury. Accommodation exists for two couples or a family of four in the open-plan saloon with separate aft cabin and head.

The Euro finish is reflected by the moulded galley unit with mock cherrywood joinery, the creamy white liners, gold curtains, and designer mattress cover with jade and gold stripes. A folding hatch cover over the companionway creates a roomy entrance. Headroom is about 1.88cm or 6ft 2in around the work areas such as the port side galley.

Gourmets should be able to work with the two-burner Origo alcohol/electric stove and the Origo microwave, which is linked to an inverter ($1800 option) that works away from the dock. Galley equipment also includes a dual-voltage fridge, and a good-sized stainless sink with hot/cold water.

A garbage bin hides under one of the steps leading down below and there are 12 and 240V outlets. The two opening portholes, forward hatch and big companionway should direct plenty of fresh air inside. Like the portholes, the 12V dome lights and smart light switches are also Euro inspired.

Cutlery and utensils can be carried in a stack of four very basic plywood drawers, with room for appliances and pots under the sink, and provisions in a cupboard that had a flimsy perspex sliding door. The formica counter and grabrail are solid additions to the galley.

A dinette to starboard has plenty of seated headroom and legroom for four people chowing down on pasta or playing cards. There is storage space beneath the lounge bases, drinkholders nearby and a removable backrest that helps make a big berth when it's time for bed.

A hanging locker is convenient to the aft cabin, which is to my mind the best bed in the boat. Though it has just one hatch for fresh air, the big double bed has loads of sleeping room. The padded backrest, light and privacy curtain will appeal to the late-night reader.

The separate moulded head is at the right place at the foot of the steps for day and overnight boating. It has a moulded sink, hot/cold handheld shower, opening porthole, towel rail, small storage cupboard and manual loo — all you need to freshen up before work on Monday morning.

SPORTSCRUISING
A bushfire had recently swept through Berowra Waters and the quaint riverfront suburb looked somewhat worse for wear. What was once verdant bushland was charred like a forlorn snag on a barbie.

Under the covers, I was pleasantly comfortable cruising solo on the 265. I staged a fire patrol along the length of the river, noting that the fire had crept to within metres of some waterfront homes, before hightailing it downriver.

With a 300hp 5.7lt 350 MAG MPI - upgraded from the base 220hp 5.0L motor packaged with this boat in America - the high-volume hull exhibits good hole shot, especially with a touch of in-trim.

The boat runs freely and turns tightly with a touch of the tab, even though there is a standard alloy prop. But there isn't a lot of out-trim to play with on the Bravo II leg. Trimmed in, I could hold plane down to 2500rpm. Neutral trim produced 20mph at 3000rpm and 27-29mph at efficient 3500-3800rpm, according to the speedo.

Top speed of 37mph was recorded only briefly before settling back to more sensible speeds. At cruising revs, the boat runs nice and level and vision of the water ahead is unhindered.

A little bit of Europe and plenty of America, the two biggest boating allies, join forces to create this smart weekender for the Antipodes.

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