Bayliner 195 Deck Boat

We Say: One thing I’ve always liked about Bayliner deck boats is that the bow platforms seem oversized. The new Bayliner 195 Deck Boat has the same feature. It makes for a great staging area should you beach the boat, or another easy point of entry from the dock, or — when the boat’s at anchor — a good platform for cannonballs. Smartly, Bayliner also built into the platform two storage lockers that flank the recessed swim-ladder hatch.

The Bayliner 195 Deck Boat is built for family fun on the water, with a maximum capacity of 11 people. The beauty of the deck boat concept, which carries the beam wider forward, is that it maximizes bow cockpit space. This boat makes great use of it, particularly with the bow-cushion insert that converts it to a sun lounge. Without it, four adults can comfortably sit, with stainless-steel grab handles in reach.

The main cockpit features L-shaped seating with a rear-facing recliner to port. The standard layout hides a removable cooler, but there’s the option for a portable toilet and a privacy curtain. The filler pad over the transom walk-through flips up to turn the sun pad into a lounge.

Underway, the 195 Deck Boat exceeded 46 mph on test day and displayed predictable handling in turns. Who’d Want One: A boater who wants to fit a crew into a trailerable boat.

Another Choice: The Hurricane SunDeck Sport ($40,550 with a 220 hp MerCruiser 4.3 MPI Alpha) is another deck boat with a large bow platform.

Bottom Line: $28,588 (with test power); bayliner.com