Bayliner 265

 

Issue: March 2003
Manufacturer: Bayliner

In the last edition of Modern Boating we tested the latest Bayliner 285 sports cruiser. In that test write up, I began by giving readers an insight into the troubles we sometimes have doing these tests. Troubles such as boats not being delivered on time, or they are sold before we get a chance to test them. But more often than not bad weather is the main culprit.

I also wrote that if we mentioned the words chopper and boat test in the same breath, you could bet your last dollar ? not mine, because I want a new boat ? that we?d be assured lousy weather would stuff up the shoot. So you can imagine the team?s delight when the helicopter photo shoot ? originally planned for the 285 test, but it fell through because of bad weather twice ? of the 265 came to fruition.

In fact, not only did the morning of the test dawn fine and sunny, but also offshore there was a solid 1.5m swell running, so we were able to really put this baby through her paces.

Like the Bayliner 285, the 265 is a stylish sports cruiser ? albeit 2? shorter than the 285 ? with an extra wide beam. And it?s her wide beam, coupled with clever layout design, which produces a 26-foot boat that?s almost as roomy below decks as a 28, or even some 30 footers. But more on that later.

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During the test, the run from Berowra Waters down to the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, could only be described as a pleasant cruise. With the sterndrive leg trimmed out and the 265?s deep-vee hull slicing through the calm water cleanly, she rode effortlessly with her bow well clear of the water. The hull responded instantly to even the slightest movement of the helm allowing us to throw this boat about like a ski boat.

Cruising along at 26 knots pulling 3800rpm, it was easy to hold a conversation as the magnificent Hawkesbury scenery flashed by. Obviously, the heavy insulation in the engine bay worked well, because even flat out, at around 4300rpm, the big V8 5.7lt EFI Magnum 350 MerCruiser sterndrive purred smoothly never causing us to raise our voices to be heard.

Down at the river?s mouth there was an honest 1.5m swell rolling in, but Bayliner?s Sequential Lift Hull handled the condition as if it was just wind chop. By hitting these rollers at 45 degrees we were able to maintain a planning speed of 16 knots without driving our tailbones through the floor.

I must admit I did take one wave across the bow, but that was when I hit one wave head-on, while having an in-depth planning conversation with the photographer in the helicopter circling overhead. That?ll teach me not to pay attention. But even so, the hull?s large down-turned chines and considerable flared bow forced the white water cleanly off to each side. We only got a few drops of windblown spray on the windscreen.

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