By DAVID LOCKWOOD
7 May 2007

Now that world’s biggest boatbuilder Bayliner is launching a deck-boat assault on the Australian market, the fortunes of these rather American craft are looking up locally. You get a lot of boat for your buck and way more amenities and comforts than you'll find in your average bowrider, one of the most common boats on our waterways.

Offering some sportiness, the 217 Deck Boat imported here boasted a bigger 260hp 5.0L MPI MerCruiser than the 190hp 4.3L that comes standard in America. But if towing is your gig there's also a 5.7L V8 engine option that might have more torque.

Partly the reason for its popularity is that Bayliner has always offered one of the better-value trailerboats about town. At $64,990 as tested, the 217 Deck Boat costs a premium over a similar-length Bayliner bowrider but check out the space and gear.

There are no surprises on the construction front, however, with all handlaid GRP or fibreglass in a hull backed by a transferable limited lifetime warranty, with a five-year warranty on the one-piece moulded deck.

The bluff bow that identifies this as a deck boat includes a ladder and large section of non-skid deck to assist with boarding from a beach or, for that matter, the water. There are stainless steel side grab-rails tracing the forward seating and storage for personal effects.

The bow seating can accommodate four people — twice as many as a bowrider — around a removable table. A lift-out centre cushion provides walkthrough access for unloading passengers without trashing your upholstery, and with another cushion in place the bow converts to one huge sunpad.

Meanwhile, under the seat bases are dedicated storage holds, a spot for storing the anchor in rattle-free rubber grommets, and an icebox with hinged lid and liner. There are also marine speakers so you can drown out the rabble up front.

Mid-cockpit is the usual oversized underfloor ski or wakeboard locker with a gas strut on its lid. Though there is no tow tower, the boat has a ski tow eye on the transom.

A real highlight is the trendy moulded amenities unit to port with deep moulded sink, drinkholders, freshwater tap for washing the plates, garbage bin and 36-can portable Igloo icebox for keep lunch and/or refreshments cold.

The chic blue plexiglass lid over the sink matches the blue windshield at the helm and the drinkholders on the transom.

The helm flaunts a full spread of Faria gauges, trick toggle switches for lights and pumps and so on, a 12V accessory plug, the waterproof Sirus stereo, drinkholders and storage for personal effects.

Last but not least, the aft lifestyle area has surround seating for five on an L-shaped lounge with storage below, plus the boat's rather public Portaloo, which you could carry ashore.

Release a locking mechanism and a section of the lounge pulls out for walkthrough access to the transom where you'll find a cold-only deck shower, ladder and extended boarding platform.

But the best feature has to be the sunpad. With flip-up backrests you can create twin transom lounges for sitting up and watching the world go by while swinging on the anchor.

There are six drinkholders, dedicated storage for wet gear, as well as storage nets in the engine bay beside the small-block V8.

Up and running, with three people and half fuel aboard, the wide-bodied 217 Deck Boat feels fast, flighty and, here's that word again, fun. It's also responsive to engine trim, which is a good thing considering all the seating, potential crew and gear you can pack aboard.

At 2500rpm there was a good low-speed cruise and tube-towing speed of 18 knots; comfortable cruise was clocked at 3000rpm and 25 knots, where the engine was quiet; and fast cruise was anywhere from 32 knots at 3500rpm to 40.7 knots at 4500rpm. 

At 5000rpm and plenty of out-trim, whereupon the rev limited jumped in, I recorded 41.3 knots. This is impressive for such a big lump of boat that, on road, tips the scales to about 2100kg.

With a 12-person capacity - as opposed to seven-person capacity on a similar length Bayliner bowrider - you can share in the fun aboard the 217 with many more people. Which is the tenet of deck boats: more the merrier.

lockwood@intercoast.com.au

AT-A-GLANCE
BAYLINER 217 Deck Boat
Price as tested: $64,990 w/ 5.0L MerCruiser, tandem trailer and Avante package plus optional freshwater, Portapotti, extended swim platform, canopy, bow filler cushion, cockpit carpet and more
Length Overall: 6.27m plus swim platform
Beam: 2.59m
Weight: Approx 1591kg (dry)
Towing weight: Approx 2044kg
Fuel: 208.2L
Water: Approx. 40L
Berths: Four on sunpads
People: 12
Engine: MerCruiser 5.0L 260hp V8 petrol four-stroke inboard
Gearboxes (Make/ratio): Alpha One sterndrive
Prop: 21in alloy
Supplied: Bayliner Australia, Berowra Waters, NSW, tel (02) 9456 3200 or visit www.bayliner.com.au for your local dealer.