Review: Bayliner 195 Bowrider
An ideal low-maintenance craft for anyone who wants to downsize
Pitched between a traditional entry-level 18-footer and an overwhelming 20-footer, the Bayliner 195 Bowrider makes great dollars and sense.
Instead of the base 190hp 4.3lt MerCruiser petrol inboard, the local importers offer sporty spice thanks to an upgraded 260hp 5.0lt MPI MerCruiser petrol inboard — zoom, zoom.
For 2008, the 195 had some extra eye candy by way of new hull colours: red, black or blue. You can add the so-called Flight Package that includes even groovier graphics, wakeboard tower with integrated bimini and deluxe steering wheel. The American boatbuilder also offers a Fish N Ski package with casting seat and electric motor.
The handlaid GRP hull is made using vinylester resin to guard against blistering, has fibreglass box beam stringers, and includes foam flotation.
The SRS hull is short for Smooth Ride System, a fancy handle for a moderate-vee design with 19° of deadrise that strikes a balance between efficiency, stability and volume.
We came aboard over the bow, noting plenty of non-skid. The footwell is part of the GRP deck moulding and includes two drinkholders. The upholstery is a better cut than we have previously seen on Bayliner’s bowriders. There are trick silver colour panels to break up the expanse of white vinyl.
Dry storage exists under the seat bases and behind the backrests in holds ahead of the helm and co-pilot consoles. Additionally, there is an oversized underfloor ski and wakeboarding locker, and full-length cockpit sidepockets.
The glovebox is home to the waterproof Sirius stereo and 12V outlet with iPod pocket and jack. The sound package was upgraded with Jensen speakers for the Aussie market. The extended swim platform fitted to this 195 will make donning the wakeboard much easier.
The hull seems especially voluminous in the cockpit, which has a good deal of legroom. There’s a choice of seating from twin buckets and a permanent rear lounge to single helm bucket seat, back-to-back co-pilot seat and aft jump seats.
Remove the clip-on cushion over the engine box and you have walkthrough access into the 195 without stepping on the upholstery.
The helm seat includes a flip-up bolster so you can sit up higher and gain an even better view when close-quarters manoeuvring. The racy low-glare dash includes a full spread of Faria gauges, big rocker switches for the blower, bilge and lights, a second 12V outlet for charging a mobile phone, tilt adjustable wheel and standard-issue throttle.
To say the 195 with V8 was eager is putting it mildly. Though the boat planed at just 2100rpm and 9.6kts, it ran flatter and more efficiently at 2500rpm whereupon it soon climbed to 2800rpm and was fairly flying along at 23.1kts, a handy family cruise and snappy skiing speed. At 3500rpm the V8 is a tad noisier while propelling the 195 to 33kts.
At 4000rpm I noted 38.2kts, 4500rpm gave a sprightly 40.7kts, and top speed of 48.7kts comes in at 5000rpm.
So this is a PDQ (as in pretty damn quick) bowrider that, with a 132lt fuel tank, let’s you go hunting for that picture-perfect, mirror-calm bend on a river somewhere — you know the place.
Specifications
Material: GRP
Length overall: 5.79m
Beam: 2.41m
Deadrise: 19°
Weight: 1202kg with 4.3lt; approx
1600kg on road
Engine: MerCruiser 5.0 MPI
SUPPLIED BY
Avante Marine,
210-212 Silverwater Rd,
Silverwater, NSW, 2128
Phone: (02) 9737 0727;
1300 AVANTE
Websites: www.avantemarine.com.au;