Bayliner 2150 & 2152

 

Issue: July 2002
Manufacturer: Bayliner

The Modern Boating team all suffer the same problem. And it?s a difficult one to cure. You see, we just love messing about in boats. Whether it?s a 10? rubber ducky, a 40? cruiser, or a sportsboat that?s more like a missile on water than a pleasure craft. Size doesn?t matter, they are fun and we want them all! On the wages of mere marine writers it?s hard to fulfil such desires, but at least we get to have brief affairs with a wide array of sleek vessels. Which I guess makes us a type of nautical floozie! But every now and then a boat comes along that will remain etched in our memory for many years. For the Modern Boating team, our experiences with the Bayliner Capri Classic 2152 is shaping up like that, because she?s definitely not just a one-night stand.

The simple combination of high topsides, long waterline and well-balanced power produces a real pleasure package. No wonder Bayliner has been producing these boats for more than 20 years now. It?s mid week at the end of autumn. Finally, the weather has cleared enough for the team to make a quick trip down to Berowra Waters to attempt this double test. Typical mid-week stresses can be hard to shake. But sitting on the Berowra Waters car ferry, munching on sandwiches as we head across to the marina, sees them pale into insignificance. As it turns out, the 2152 Cuddy Cabin we are to test has come straight from the factory, making today the inaugural launch of this new boat.

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Down on the marina, Bayliner?s service manager Peter Klumper is doing his final checks on the boat?s set-up. And after a brief introduction and a quick run down on the new boat, we arc up the 260hp MPI MerCruiser for the first time. The original plan was to do a side-by-side test, comparing the cuddy cabin with the same length/powered 2150 bowrider version. But a skin fitting for the bowrider?s heatexchanger cooling system is still on back order, so a double on-water test is out. But this doesn?t cause any real dramas, because both boats have the same hull, same engine and are of a similar weight. Only the layouts differ. The plan now is to shoot back across Berowra Creek to the factory, then get the shots of the Prestige 21? Heritage Bowrider before she?s launched.

With her striking blue topsides and a stern flagpole, she looks a treat just sitting on the trailer. When she?s finally on the water the 2150 will be a real showstopper. So, with the 2150 shots in the can, it?s back to put the Bayliner 2152 Capri Classic Cuddy Cabin through her paces. Out on the water the Capri performed brilliantly. Considering this is the boat?s first outing and she is fitted with a 21? propeller, the 2152 rockets out of the hole and planes extremely quickly. The hull reacts well to trim, while the large downturned chines throw spray down and away from the boat, giving an excellent dry ride. The engine winds out to 55mph before the rev limiter kicks in at 5100rpm. But Peter and the team all feel that a 23? prop would deliver better top speeds closer to 60mph, which isn?t bad for a 21?/260hp combo.

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