Bayliner Trophy 24CC 2024 review

The debut of the Trophy 24CC brings the Bayliner Trophy coastal/offshore fishing boat line-up to six models, this range-topping craft joining the smaller T20 and T22CC and CX models.

The Trophy 24CC is a substantially bigger, higher volume craft, making it ideal for coastal trailer boat fishing adventures.

The new Trophy centre console is bristling with fishing features and amenities, but also has enough reconfigurable seating and storage space to double-up as a family all-rounder.

The Bayliner Trophy 24CC has a starting price of $238K when paired with a Mercury 250hp extra-longshaft outboard engine.

Add the custom Karavan dual axle trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes and the package price rises to $253K.

Our test boat is priced at $260K, and comes with the Karavan trailer and a number of extras and accessories.

Key test boat upgrades include the more powerful Mercury 300hp outboard engine, alloy-framed fibreglass T-Top with rod rack, EVA teak-look foam rubber flooring, portable head, interior and exterior lighting packs, green hull topsides, auto-bilge pump, anchor and rode, safety gear pack and 12-month registrations.

The Trophy 24 centre console is designed for a mix of coastal offshore fishing and family day boating with features and amenities for both applications.

The front seating area, for example, converts easily into a wide, elevated casting/fishing deck – using the included fibreglass infill board to slot into place between the moulded fibreglass bench seats.

When the vinyl upholstered cushions are in position, the bow living space turns into one giant sunbed.

Each side bench seat can also be converted into a forward-facing chaise style lounge with the addition of removable headrests.

An included cocktail/drinks table also slots in between the bow seats – or can be moved aft to serve the fold-down transom bench seat.

Three large, dry storage lockers are contained within the moulded front seats. They are ideal for stowing clothes and safety gear, but would be easier to use if they had self-supporting gas struts to keep them open.

There is more storage space beneath the cockpit floor. Two large, insulated sub-floor fish boxes (with gas struts) situated to each side of the helm lean-seat can double up as general storage space – or used to keep the day’s catch on ice.

The Trophy 24CC has a two-person centre console helm station with an overhead fibreglass T-Top to provide shelter.

Like most modern centre console boats, the steering wheel and throttle box are offset to port so that two people can shelter comfortably behind the console and upright windshield.

The dash and fascia are ideally set-up to take a single large multi-function display – or two smaller units.

Our test boat was rigged with twin Simrad 9-inch electronics displays, leaving ample space for additional instruments and switching.

To reduce sun glare and reflection at the helm, the console front fascia is finished in a light grey colour. It looks good and works a treat.

A door on the starboard side of the centre console opens to reveal a large storage space with provision for an optional portable chemical toilet.

Fronting the helm console is a comfortable alloy-framed lean-seat with a full-width bench seat with a fixed back rest, cup holders and aft-facing rod rack.

Overhead, beneath the hardtop, there is a handy storage area/radio box.

Behind the lean seat, the self-bailing cockpit stretches about a metre aft to the full-height (660mm) transom wall.

The included transom bench seat folds down to the floor so you can stand securely against the padded rear coaming/seat backrest to fish over the stern.

Alongside to starboard is a plumbed, 57L live bait tank. It’s almost big enough to be considered a live well – as opposed to a bait tank.

Other fishing features include extra-wide side coamings above horizontal rod storage racks, four stainless steel coaming rod holders, four more rod holders and cup holders across the transom, raw-water wash-down, transom shower, EVA foam rubber flooring, transom entry walkway, boarding platforms and more.

The included dual batteries are located behind the transom. Cleverly, the transom wall behind the bench seat is designed to hinge out and up to open this space for servicing/access to the mechanical gear.

The Bayliner Trophy 24CC is 7.49m long and 2.59m wide. This broad maximum beam does make the Trophy slightly over-width for towing on Australian roads – but it also makes it exceptionally solid and stable on the water.

The Trophy 24CC is rated to carry 12 people, such is the wharf-like stability of this craft at rest.

The hull has a fine entry, a bluff-looking bow shape and a transom deadrise of 22 degrees.

In the rough stuff, the hull rides comfortably and handles very well. It turns on a dime, surfs easily, safely in a following sea and responds well to the application of engine trim.

The Trophy comes standard with trim tabs, so you can balance it to suit all conditions.

With the maximum-power Mercury 300hp outboard, the Trophy can double as a social ski/wakeboard boat and day cruiser.

We recorded a maximum speed of 42.1 knots (78km/h) at 6000rpm, which is swift for mixed boating/fishing applications. I’d consider fitting a smaller 250hp Mercury engine, with power still in reserve.

Range on 95 per cent of the 378.5L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 230nm

The Bayliner Trophy 24CC is a terrific coastal fishing boat, day cruiser and family all-rounder. It’s very well appointed, smooth, stable and safe in the harbour and offshore.

With drive-away package prices starting at less than $250K, the Trophy also stacks up well against its rivals from both local and overseas boat manufacturers.

Model: Bayliner Trophy 24CC

Hull Length: 7.49m

Beam: 2.59m

Deadrise: 22 degrees

Weight with engine: 2025kg (approx.)

Towing weight (dry): 2774kg (approx.)

Maximum power: 300hp

Engine as tested: Mercury 300hp four-stroke extra-longshaft outboard

Fuel: 378.5L

Water: 45L

Passengers: 12

Priced from: $238,000 including a Mercury 250hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engine with hydraulic steering and digital dash with twin Simrad nine-inch MFDs with Mercury Vessel View link. Included options for Australian market: stereo with speakers, stainless steel package, ski tow pylon, console and helm seat cover, bow filler cushion, transom bench seat, cockpit table, transom shower and anchor roller. Add $15,000 for a Karavan tandem axle trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes.

Price as tested: $260,000. As above but with a more powerful Mercury 300hp outboard engine, Karavan tandem axle trailer, fibreglass T-Top with rod rack, EVA foam rubber flooring, portable head, interior and exterior lighting packs, green hull topsides, auto-bilge pump, anchor with chain and rope, safety gear pack and 12-month registrations.

Supplied by: C Worthy Marine