Bayliner 175, XT Package a big plus. Get expert advise

Bayliner 175 - XT package a big plus

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Think about what kind of big-ticket item you can buy for $10,000 -- new, with a full warranty. A motorcycle, maybe. A golf cart, certainly. Not much though. So we were eager to see what Bayliner has been touting since last summer as a family runabout for $9,995 -- with trailer. What could they possibly offer for that price, in fiberglass?

With open minds, we stepped onto the nonskid entry over the engine cover. First impression from a high angle was the side-to-side space. It breathes because Bayliner kept the gunwales narrow so much so that there was room for a backpack between the cockpit seats and the interior side panels. Though the seating is set up for seven, it would be more practical for six, which is as many as you’d realistically want in a small boat powered by a 3.0L engine. As a bonus, the back-to-back seats slide down to form two sleeper lounges. Our test boat came with the optional XT package, which includes a collapsible tower, CD player and upgraded graphics for an extra $1,300.

During our test, rattles were nonexistent. The boat was quick to plane with the modest power and two men on board, and we topped out at 43 mph. It was a little squirrelly around the dock, and a heavy skier could certainly pull the stern side to side. Point is, we were tooling around and playing tunes at a decent clip and a modest price.

Bayliner is able to offer this bargain for several reasons. Their computer-assisted design and automated system of cutting new plugs allows them to test new hulls in weeks, not months. They’ve also cut costs by building this boat in one of the world’s optimum supply centers in Mexico – in the same area as General Motors, Ford and Volkswagen plants. OK, the 175 doesn’t have a hinge on the floor locker and it isn’t loaded like the 249 deck boat. But it gets buyers on the water in a fiberglass boat for a price that cannot be beaten.

Final Take: A 1980 price for a 2003 boat

We Also Like …

1. A 6-foot-long floor locker can hold an average ski or several fishing rods.

2. Instrumentation panel includes seven Faria gauges with stainless-steel bezels.

3. Folding swim ladder off the transom platform.

4. Tilt steering opens legroom at the helm.

5. Quality AM/FM/CD from JVC.

6. 18-gallon fuel tank has estimated range of 100 miles.

DETAILS

Length Overall: 17’6”

Beam: 7’10”

Dry Weight: 1,900 lb.

Seating/Weight Capacity: 7/NA

Fuel Capacity: 18 gal.

Max HP: 135

MSRP (test boat): $11,190 (w/out freight, tax or dealer prep)

Contact: 800-443-9119

PERFORMANCE

Test Engine: MerCruiser 3.0L

Test Prop: 21-pitch, aluminum

Test Load: Fuel (10 gal.); People (370 lb.)

Top Speed: 43.1 MPH @ 5,000 RPM

Time to Plane: 4.4 sec.

Time to 30 MPH: 8.7 sec.

Minimum Planing Speed: 18 MPH @ 2,600 RPM

Noise at Idle: 67 db

Noise at 30 MPH: 85 db

Cruise Stats: 85 db; 30 MPH @ 3,750 RPM

Thanks to; http://www.boatinglife.com/article_content.jsp?ID=7045 for this.

Bayliner 175 Boat Covers
Custom fitted cockpit/bow cover sets.

Bayliner 175 Boat Tops
Will make a true difference in your comfort while you are boating.

Request a Bayliner Boats brochure below and then email us for a quote. (email address is in the brochure to cut down on the amount of spam we receive)

1447027 Ontario Corporation
Rick Ostler, President Catherine Henry, Manager

North American Waterway, P.O. Box 1613, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9J 7S4
705-745-6849