Sea Trial: Bayliner
175
by James Corns, Sea Magazine
There's an old saying that you get what you pay for — but that's a lie.
While it's true that you almost never get more than what you paid for, in
today's world, you often get much less than what you paid for. However, on
Bayliner's new 175, you can see all $9,995 of its selling price on display —
plus, some might argue, a good deal more.
When we heard the price of the new Bayliner 175 — $9,995 — we were
surprised, to say the least. Sure, there are boats that sell for less money,
but those models don't include a 135 hp MerCruiser stern drive and a
galvanized trailer as part of the package.
"This is revolutionary," we thought to ourselves — at first. However,
after pondering it a bit longer, we realized that maybe this new boat
package wasn't as revolutionary as we had initially surmised.
After all, Bayliner was selling entire boat packages for less than $4,000
back in the early 1970s. That bold adventure in pricing had expanded the
boating market and brought many new boaters to the water. This new boating
package promises to do the same.
Therefore, while the 175 may be revolutionary by today's standards, if
you look at it in a historical context, Bayliner is really just going back
to its roots.
How Do They Do It?
How can Bayliner offer this boat at such a low price? What's the secret?
First, the 175 is being built in Mexico. The Bayliner plant in Reynosa,
Mexico has been designed to maximize manufacturing efficiencies and take
advantage of the area's inexpensive workforce and great supplier base.
American automakers have been building various models in Mexico for many
years, so Bayliner would appear to be borrowing a page from their playbook.
Cadillac, for instance, is building its new Escalades across the border.
Second, there are very few options on this boat. This isn't Burger King:
You can't have it your way. You get what you get. Keeping the options at a
minimum keeps the costs at a minimum.
The list of standard equipment is quite impressive, though, so there are
very few options to miss. The helm instrumentation — which is all analog —
includes a speedometer, a tachometer, a voltmeter, a trim gauge, a
temperature gauge, and oil pressure and fuel gauges.
The layout of the instrumentation is straightforward and unornamented —
but this simplicity also translates to operation. Items like blower switches
are well marked, so novice boaters won't feel overwhelmed.
The port console across from the starboard helm includes a beverage
holder and a storage niche. The storage niche has a drain hole in it, but
that hole just empties onto the cockpit deck.
A wrap-around windshield runs athwart ships. It serves as the dividing
line between the fiberglass-decked bow section and the carpeted cockpit. Two
small tabs pivot to lock the hinged section of the windshield.
The bow's fiberglass deck has a molded-in skid-resistant surface, and the
cushions on the bow settee conceal storage areas. You'll also find a pair of
cup holders and assist handles in the bow section.
Back in the cockpit, there are two sets of back-to-back seats. These
seats sit on notched tracks that let you adjust the angle of the backrest or
flatten the seats out entirely, converting them to sun lounges.
Two aft jump seats look forward from the transom. The small engine
compartment is located between them. When you remove the fiberglass cover,
the engine and bilge pump are very easy to get to.
The tasteful color palette that runs throughout the boat does a lot for
its aesthetics. Cream and taupe run throughout, with touches of vibrant blue
sprinkled here and there.
The 175 has seven-person (855 pounds) carrying capacity, so an entire
family could fit on board the boat. There's plenty of seating.
If you or your friends are into waterskiing, you'll be happy to hear that
a ski tow eye is standard. Plus, the telescoping ladder at the transom swim
step makes it easy to crawl back into the boat. A ski/wakeboard locker is
built into the cockpit deck.
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