How do you keep a half dozen sun worshipers happy on your boat? Here
are three options: Get a bigger boat; put them off on a nearby beach; or buy the new Bayliner 225
Bowrider.
Despite its 22-foot length, the 225 manages to pack in more lounging in the sun space than
you will find on many larger boats. So how do the Bayliner engineers do it? First, they start with
a doublewide sunpad at the stern, and then stretch a wide bench seat across the boat's
8-foot-6-inch width. Next, they take the generous beam and carry it as far forward as they can
without turning this good-looking boat into a barge. When they've created the maximum amount of
cockpit space to work with, Bayliner engineers design a clever seating scheme that further
maximizes available space. When in cruising configuration, the portside companion seat is a
doublewide (for slim folks) face-forward model. But when it's time to raft up and catch some rays,
you remove the seat bottom ' which allows access to a large storage area ' and slide the seatback
module toward the front and insert the seat bottom into the newly-created gap. And presto, you have
a rearward-facing lounge seat with loads of legroom that would also be great for watching skiers
behind the boat.
Although the beam-forward design, which also moves the consoles forward, somewhat limits the
legroom for the riders up front, Bayliner compensates by offering optional filler cushions that
create a fully padded sunning playpen that features tall gunwales for safety. Fortunately, for
those who are bowriding, Bayliner doesn't succumb to the scheme of giving you uncomfortably upright
backrests in order to give recliners a touch more legroom ' like a lot of manufacturers do. On the
225, the backrests are angled just enough to provide a comfortable bowriding position with just
enough legroom. In addition, there are four grab rails available for safety and four cupholders
that safely hold beverages within easy reach. Less desirable, however, is the fact that instead of
having hinges, you have to remove the entire seat bottoms to access the dry storage and dedicated
anchor locker. Fortunately, the bowriding seatbacks do flip up to access storage in the consoles.
It would also be nice to have a cushion at the very front part of the gunwale for a rearward-facing
passenger because then they would have an unlimited amount of legroom.
The helm station is good-looking and functional, rather than being flashy. It has one of
those driver's consoles that are open underneath, giving it a bit of a discount look, but the
really nice sculpted Dino tilt sports wheel and attractive Faria gauge layout win back any lost
points. A nice touch is the light brown dash panel that cuts down on annoying reflections in the
tinted safety glass windshield that is well-braced. The captain's cupholder is a little too close
to the windshield for really tall beverages, but with a whopping 14 cupholders on the boat, that
shouldn't be too much of a problem. The driver's bucket seat adjusts fore and aft and can swivel to
face the stern, so the captain can join in on the conversation when the boat is at rest.
For the test, Bayliner supplies a 225 Bowrider configured with its standard powerplant, the
220-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser V8. Although it's carbureted, it cold-starts pretty easily with the choke
engaged and settles into a normal idle fairly quickly. This boat is big enough to need a V8, and
it's good to see that Bayliner didn't slip a V6 powerplant into the lineup in order to give it a
better base price point. With the off-the-rack 5.0L, it performs well.
Out of the hole, it planes off in approximately four seconds without too much bowrise and
reaches 30 mph in about eight seconds. Jamming the throttle all the way and trimming it just short
of cavitation allows the 225 to reach a top speed of 46 mph with three-quarters of the 50-gallon
fuel tank filled, which is very respectable with the standard engine. Those who upgrade to the
fuel-injected 260-hp, 5.0L MPI will be very happy with its no-choke starting and 50-something top
speed, and for all you thrill seekers out there, the options range all the way up to a 300-hp MAG
350 MPI with a two-prop Bravo II outdrive.
Although the seas are pretty flat, the 225 should slice through the chop nicely with its
deep-V 20-degree deadrise. It's very stable from side to side, thanks in part to its wide beam and
its just right heft of 3,368 pounds. The handling is very predictable and responsive. Hard turns
are no problem, and even with the trim up in high-speed running attitude, you don't have that
driving-on-ice sensation.
The 225 Bowrider would make a nice ski boat for slalom skiers with its relatively flat wake,
and if all the passengers sit in the stern, you should be able to plow up a decent 'boarding wake.
Hardcore skiers will likely opt for the XT package that gives you a tower and special graphics to
give it a custom look. Reboarding is easy, due to the three-step stern ladder that neatly resides
in a cutout on the decent-sized swim platform. A nice option is the stern shower that is fed by a
10-gallon tank to hose off with after a run. For your ski storage needs, there's an oversized
locker set in the deck amidships that features a ram to hold the hatch open.
The 225 has no problem shifting into entertainment mode with a standard 36-quart Igloo
cooler that's neatly tucked under the stern bench and hinged for easy access, in addition to a
trash receptacle for empties. And lifting the sunpad, you will find a cockpit table and pedestal '
which can also be installed in the bow ' in a dedicated storage area. You'll also be pleasantly
surprised at the roomy engine compartment that will make it easy for shade tree mechanics to
perform their own routine service. The custom AM/FM waterproof stereo with CD controller resides in
the huge glove box on the passenger side and has an open slot and wiring to accept a portable CD or
MP3 player. The large lid doesn't have a hydraulic assist, so you have to hold it open with one
hand ' making it a little unwieldy to change tapes or CDs. Also, with only two speakers in the bow,
you might have to blast those up front, so that the partiers in the cockpit can enjoy the tunes as
well. However, to avoid deafening your guests on board, you should order the option that gives you
two additional speakers for the cockpit.
Bayliner has always been able to get families out on the water at a price they can afford,
and the 225 Bowrider is no exception. Priced at $27,400 with the standard 5.0L engine with a
single-prop Alpha I outdrive and trailer, it's about $10,000 less than the premium brands, while
still giving you loads of standard features. Bayliner's quest for improved quality is evident on
the 225 with good fit and finish and solid construction, which is backed up by one of the best
warranties in the business with transferable lifetime limited coverage (on boats 22 feet or less).
The flagship of the runabout line feels bigger than its 22-foot length and is a versatile vessel
that is as at home skiing as entertaining. And with its abundance of lounging space in the sunroom,
you won't have to take turns working on your tan.