Bayliner 185: A Good Boat For Beginners?

The Bayliner 185 is a bowrider vessel, typically used for day cruising, watersports and freshwater fishing. It is a good option for those looking for a boat with ample space for passengers and their belongings. The Bayliner 185 has a compact size and a towing weight of 1336kg, making it suitable for those who need to tow with a big six-cylinder family car. The boat has a range of features, including a deep leg well, heavily-upholstered seating with removable cushions, and a wide swim platform. The standard engine is a 3lt MerCruiser 135hp petrol engine, although other engine options are available. Reviews suggest that the Bayliner 185 is a good choice for those seeking a well-priced, all-round family boat.

Bayliner 185's performance and handling

The Bayliner 185 is a popular boat, especially for families. It has a spacious interior, with a capacity of seven to eight passengers. The boat's base power is a MerCruiser 3.0 TKS engine, which can reach a speed of 43 mph. However, the engine can be upgraded to a MerCruiser 4.3-liter motor, which can achieve a top speed of nearly 50 mph. The Bayliner 185 has a quick time to plane, taking only around three seconds, making it well-suited for watersports.

The boat's handling is described as nimble and responsive, with easy turning. Its performance in rough waters is impressive, with a smooth ride due to its weight. The Bayliner 185 can handle sharp turns and maintains momentum well. It performs best in the 3000-4000 rpm range and can maintain a cruise in flat water all day. However, in choppy waters, it is recommended to maintain a speed of around 3000 rpm while keeping an eye on the wakes from bigger boats.

The Bayliner 185's length and weight make it stable and comfortable in rough conditions. Its efficient hull design contributes to its ease of driving, making it a good choice for first-time boat owners. The boat's power steering and trim capabilities further enhance its handling characteristics.

Overall, the Bayliner 185 offers a good balance of performance and handling, making it a versatile option for cruising, watersports, and family outings on the water.

Bayliner 185's design and features

The Bayliner 185 is a bowrider vessel, typically used for day cruising, watersports and freshwater fishing. The standard engine is a 3lt MerCruiser 135hp petrol engine, although there are options up to 220hp. The Bayliner 185 has a towing weight of 1336kg, meaning it can be towed by big six-cylinder family cars.

The Bayliner 185 has a compact size, with a length of 6.38m, a beam of 2.31m, and a draft of 0.94m. The boat can seat up to eight people, with a back-to-back convertible lounge and jump seats flanking the engine box. The seats can be popped up to form a sun pad, and there is a table hidden below the engine box pad that can extend into the cockpit. The bowrider cockpit has a deep leg well and heavily upholstered seating, with removable cushions that reveal storage space underneath. There are also grab handles in the cockpit, so passengers can brace themselves when the driver makes a hard turn. The stylish wrap-around windscreen is wide enough for a large person to fit through easily, and the centre piece swings out of the way when opened.

The Bayliner 185 has a sporty design, with "Flight" graphics, a rounded-profile windscreen, and a forward-leaning wake tower. The hull is foam-filled, providing a solid and quiet ride. The boat is easy to drive and manoeuvre, with power steering and a responsive turn radius. The Bayliner 185 has a smooth ride, with the extra weight providing stability when crossing a wake. The swim platform at the back of the boat stretches the entire beam and has a non-slip texture, with a drop-down telescopic stainless steel ladder.

Bayliner 185's pros and cons

The Bayliner 185 is a bowrider vessel typically used for day cruising, watersports, and freshwater fishing. It is a good choice for families looking for an entry point into boating. Here are some pros and cons of the Bayliner 185:

Pros:

• Space and Comfort: The Bayliner 185 offers ample space for passengers and their belongings. It can accommodate up to eight people and has a spacious cockpit with strategically placed grab handles for safety. The bowrider cockpit has a deep leg well, and the seats have removable cushions, revealing ample storage space underneath. The cockpit cushions also create a firm area for easy boarding, and the stylish wrap-around windscreen provides good visibility.
• Performance: The Bayliner 185 delivers good performance for its size. The standard engine is a 3.0L MerCruiser with 135 hp, but other engine options are available, including a V6 MerCruiser with 220 hp. The boat has nimble and responsive handling, and its lightweight construction makes it easy to tow.
• Features: The Bayliner 185 comes with a range of standard features, such as a semi-dry compartment for safety gear and a wide swim platform with a telescopic stainless steel ladder. The Flight Series Package adds a wakeboard tower, an extended swim platform, and smart graphics.
• Value: The Bayliner 185 offers excellent value for money. It is known for its good resale value, and its compact size and towing weight make it a budget-friendly option for families.

Cons:

• Storage Compartments: While the Bayliner 185 has ample storage space, some users have noted that certain storage areas, such as the in-floor locker and the ski locker, lack carpet lining and have removable lids instead of hinged ones.
• Engine Noise: The four-cylinder engine on the Bayliner 185 can be noisy, especially when compared to the quieter V6 engine found on the larger Bayliner models.
• Porpoising: Some users have reported a tendency for the boat to porpoise unexpectedly, although this can be easily fixed with a touch of down trim.
• Wakeboard Tower: The wakeboard tower included in the Flight Series Package may not be suitable for tubing or skiing, as it reduces headroom for the Bimini top.

Bayliner 185's price

The Bayliner 185 is a bowrider vessel, which is a type of powerboat. It was produced by the Bayliner brand starting in 2013. The Bayliner 185 typically features an inboard-outboard and is available in Gas. It is a good option for those looking for a boat to spend a day on the water, as it has plenty of room with 8 seats and runs quietly due to its 6 cylinders.

The price of the Bayliner 185 varies depending on the year and specifications of the model. For example, the 2015 Bayliner 185 Bowrider is listed for sale at $25,900, while the 2001 Bayliner 185 has a starting price of $6,500. The Bayliner 185 Flight Series with additional features is listed at a higher price of $47,990.

In Australia, the Bayliner 185 is priced higher, with the Bayliner 185 3.0 at $39,490 and the Bayliner 185 4.3 MPI Flight at $47,990. The Bayliner 185 is considered good value for money, offering a range of features and a capable performance at a competitive price.

Bayliner 185 vs. Bayliner 175

The Bayliner 175 and 185 are both sportsboats, with the 175 described as the "baby of the Bayliner fleet". The 175 is an entry-level package, with a sleek and efficient hull, ideal for those on a budget. The 185, on the other hand, is a more featured boat with more storage, better instrumentation, and a smoother ride.

Performance

The Bayliner 175 has a top speed of 41kts (75.9kmh), while the 185 can reach speeds of up to 45.4kts (84kmh). The 185 has a more powerful engine, with 220hp compared to the 175's 135hp. The 185 is also heavier, weighing in at around 400kg more than the 175, which contributes to a smoother ride, especially in choppy waters.

Design and Features

The Bayliner 175 has a simple bucket seat for the driver, which is set low in the hull, giving good visibility. The dash has a simplified instrument panel with two large dials. The Bayliner 185, on the other hand, has more features, including full instrumentation, a stereo, and better storage options. The 185 also has a revised forward-leaning wake tower, enhancing its sporty look.

Price

The Bayliner 175 is priced at $29,990, making it an affordable entry-level option. The 185, however, is significantly more expensive, priced at $43,390. This price difference is due to the additional features, improved performance, and better harbour cruising ability of the 185.

Both the Bayliner 175 and 185 are excellent boats, offering a range of features and performance options to suit different needs and budgets. The 175 is ideal for those looking for an entry-level boat, while the 185 offers more power, comfort, and features for those willing to pay a higher price.

Frequently asked questions