Bayliner has introduced two new large Cruisers to their lineup for 2008, the 300 and the first, large twin-screw Cruiser I tested, the 320. Right off the bat the thing most notable about this boat is the wide open nature of the cockpit and the cabin. Wow!!
Huge, long, lounge along the port side of the cockpit
New “Open Lounge” no-charge option in the cabin
I spoke with Stratocaster (Mike) at the event. He currently has a Bayliner 305 and was very impressed with the 320. He liked this new cabin seating style and said that this is the way he would go now that the kids are on their own. Better for entertaining and it is usually just he and his wife overnight now.
The more traditional layout of the cabin
We did find some of our favorite little issues though, the same poor cutout around the cabin door and the same unsupported windshield when open that we found on four of the six cruisers we tested. This will become an issue later in my opinion.
Little grab handle built into the cockpit lounge seatback
Our test boat was equipped with twin Mercruiser 350 Mag 300s spinning Bravo 3 drives, coupled with standard Bennett trim tabs she planed very easily and as low as 13 MPH. This is a big boat for sure and this was evident when trying to trim her for top speed. I was only able to get a bump or two up on the trim before the props started to blowout some; however, for a big boat her top speed of just over 45 MPH (GPS) is very impressive. There are some smaller, competitor’s cruisers, with the same power package that don’t even break the 40 MPH barrier . . . She also had a very smooth and predictable ride. No porpoising and she took wakes etc. very easily.
Picture at speed. I like this blue, but I think I would go with the standard single line graphic. Maintains the simple lines of the boat and much easier to keep clean.
The engine room was plenty roomy and easy to get around in. No problem getting to the water pumps, plugs, hoses etc. She would be a piece of cake to do oil changes on.
My biggest complaint about this boat was honestly not a boat issue. The two controls were the stiffest I have ever operated. There must have been something wrong with the routing of the cables. I was shaking in my bare feet backing her into the slip. I thought for sure I was going to push too hard to overcome the resistance and then drive her hard into the dock with 4 or 5 US Marine people watching. Maybe it was the pressure, but somehow I got it done. Like the other Bayliner boats though I loved her simple clean lines . . . Nothing flashy, just clean and purposeful, wide open, easy to get around and big enough to entertain on. Another Bayliner that I would be proud to own.
Actually those smaller res pics are from their website, but she was at the event. Jennifer is a "regular" US Marine employee, and a gifted Opera singer. She actually belted out something at dinner the first night that brought tears to my eyes, she can dance too. She did cruise with us some, and was on the 320 when we headed upriver, but I think she would've rather been on what she described as the "Fun" boat, the 300 that I was piloting. I'll tell more about that on the 300 thread . . . Stay tuned.
All new 2008 Bayliner 320 - Review
Did you see the explanation for my screename on DC?
Linear Mode
