WINTER 2011
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now!
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now!
Modern Boating and Big Hat Productions head out for a glorious day on the water to give the Seawind 1160...
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WORDS + PHOTOS:
ANDREW RICHARDSON
Bayliner's 320 with Axius turns rookie skippers into old pros.
When I first met Avante Marine's Peter Klumper he was working as a senior mechanic. Although Peter is now Avante's senior multi-tasker, he still has the mechanic in him. So when the mechanical systems and performance of a new vessel have him genuinely excited, it's a good sign that we're onto something special. Incidentally, when he is off the water he races a custom-built Lotus Seven open wheeler.
Axius Drives
This 320 Bayliner was fitted with MerCruiser's new joystick-controlled Axius drive system. Axius essentially allows the uncorrelated movement of the twin legs in order to send the vessels in all directions at low speed. The system's joystick can take two inputs at one time, so you can move backwards and sideways at once. It only takes a matter of minutes to get familiar with the system and suddenly a 5000kg boat becomes as manageable as a runabout. Axius has to be coupled with the latest SeaCore MerCruisers, which feature extended corrosion warranties, plus a closed-cooling system, well suited to Australian conditions.
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We spent quite a bit of time experimenting with the Axius drives and the corresponding Digital Throttle System (DTS), before we idled through the long 4-knot zone from Berowra Waters towards the open stretches of the river.
Layout
The $269,000 Bayliner 320 features plenty of creature comforts including a 16BTU air-conditioning unit and a 4kVA Genset. The boat's 132 litres of freshwater may be the only thing that you run out of after a couple of nights onboard. There are two double berths ? one in the bow and the other amidships. The amidships berth is large and private and has standing room, several lockers and the electronics control panel.
The bathroom features an electric flush toilet and shower. I noticed that the vanity had rubber seals, so water from the shower can't seep into the cupboards. The head's central starboard side location makes access easy from the cockpit during the day. Below decks has good natural light and plenty of storage in the saloon. The settee was easy to get into and had a sizeable timber table. The galley features a fridge, electric cooker and under bench stowage.
Like most sports cruisers, the main focus is on daytime entertainment. The cockpit features a large wet bar with its own fridge. The cockpit was fully covered by a canvas bimini that didn't flap about when we were running at high speed. The cockpit has seating for eight, plenty of drink holders, arch-mounted stereo speakers, grab handles and windscreen 'step-through' access to the bow where there's an attractive sun pad. The big bow locker is fitted with a windlass and the bow-mounted spotlight is useful.
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ANDREW RICHARDSON
Bayliner's 320 with Axius turns rookie skippers into old pros.
When I first met Avante Marine's Peter Klumper he was working as a senior mechanic. Although Peter is now Avante's senior multi-tasker, he still has the mechanic in him. So when the mechanical systems and performance of a new vessel have him genuinely excited, it's a good sign that we're onto something special. Incidentally, when he is off the water he races a custom-built Lotus Seven open wheeler.
Axius Drives
This 320 Bayliner was fitted with MerCruiser's new joystick-controlled Axius drive system. Axius essentially allows the uncorrelated movement of the twin legs in order to send the vessels in all directions at low speed. The system's joystick can take two inputs at one time, so you can move backwards and sideways at once. It only takes a matter of minutes to get familiar with the system and suddenly a 5000kg boat becomes as manageable as a runabout. Axius has to be coupled with the latest SeaCore MerCruisers, which feature extended corrosion warranties, plus a closed-cooling system, well suited to Australian conditions.
read on below advertisement
We spent quite a bit of time experimenting with the Axius drives and the corresponding Digital Throttle System (DTS), before we idled through the long 4-knot zone from Berowra Waters towards the open stretches of the river.
Layout
The $269,000 Bayliner 320 features plenty of creature comforts including a 16BTU air-conditioning unit and a 4kVA Genset. The boat's 132 litres of freshwater may be the only thing that you run out of after a couple of nights onboard. There are two double berths ? one in the bow and the other amidships. The amidships berth is large and private and has standing room, several lockers and the electronics control panel.
The bathroom features an electric flush toilet and shower. I noticed that the vanity had rubber seals, so water from the shower can't seep into the cupboards. The head's central starboard side location makes access easy from the cockpit during the day. Below decks has good natural light and plenty of storage in the saloon. The settee was easy to get into and had a sizeable timber table. The galley features a fridge, electric cooker and under bench stowage.
Like most sports cruisers, the main focus is on daytime entertainment. The cockpit features a large wet bar with its own fridge. The cockpit was fully covered by a canvas bimini that didn't flap about when we were running at high speed. The cockpit has seating for eight, plenty of drink holders, arch-mounted stereo speakers, grab handles and windscreen 'step-through' access to the bow where there's an attractive sun pad. The big bow locker is fitted with a windlass and the bow-mounted spotlight is useful.
next page »
« go back