Boat Test: 2024 Bayliner Trophy T29 Explorer

Overview

It was a decade ago that Bayliner last offered a near-30-footer with a cabin, the 285 SB. But by tapping into resources from its international Brunswick sister company, Quicksilver—sold in 87 countries around the world—Bayliner brings overnighting capability for couples and small families back home to the US. Built in ­Poland, the Trophy T29 Explorer reflects current trends in Euro styling.

Pilothouse boats are often seen north of the Mason-Dixon, but Boating’s crew tested the T29 Explorer on a frigid test day in St. Petersburg, Florida. Its let-the-outside-in design also makes it usable in the tropics thanks to a sliding glass door to starboard, windows to port, a large overhead sunroof and a rear sliding glass door. For boats shipped to warmer climates, it’s available with a 12-volt Mabru air-conditioning unit ($16,335) that also has a heater and can be powered by a 36-volt lithium battery bank that allows owners to eschew generators, which are noisy and prone to breakdowns. For boats sent north, there’s a powerful diesel-heater option for $5,380 that also comes with a defogger, which will keep visibility through the huge, curved-glass windshield optimal. So the pilothouse and climate control offer owners benefits in both regions.

Engines

Our test boat was powered by twin Mercury Verado 225 hp V-6 ­outboards, the only package offered in the US. These proved an ideal match for the T29 EX, with its moderate 17 degrees of deadrise. It reached plane in 7.1 seconds and accelerated to 30 mph in 13.3 seconds. The 225 is the largest in Mercury’s V-6 lineup and features the same 85-amp ­alternator as the 300 hp V-8. It also has a pop-open service port on top, so checking the oil doesn’t require removing the cowling. The 3.4L non-supercharged V-6 is a quiet outboard, but when measuring sound levels during the sea trial with the rear cockpit door slid shut, it was downright preternatural, registering just 83 decibels at wide-open throttle, which also netted a top speed of 47.9 mph. Usually, the decibel reading on a center-console boat this size would be about 92, which is nearly twice as loud. At an econo-cruise speed of 26 mph, the sound level was a ridiculously low 75 decibels, allowing people to converse at normal levels.

Interior and Accessories

The compact helm preserves space but is ergonomically sound. The narrow dash is tall enough that shorter drivers might need a riser for better visibility, especially during hole shots, where the bow rise hit 7 degrees. Although most twin-engine Mercury offerings come with the option to add Joystick Piloting for Outboards, the Bayliner doesn’t list this as an option, perhaps because there’s no space in the correct place to physically add a joystick unit. Instead of a joystick, a bow thruster comes as a standard feature to assist with docking.

One of the Euro quirks of the T29 is the ­optional diesel-fired Wallas stove ($1,880) in the galley behind the helm seat. A 54-quart ­refrigerator is part of the Cabin Comfort ­package ($2,770), which also includes curtains and interior carpeting. To port is a seating group that brackets a bifold dining table that drops to create an additional berth. One of the cleverest features of the seating group is the rear-facing seat that transforms into a forward-facing seat by scooting back the seat bottom and ­repositioning the backrest.

Below are twin cabins, plus a stand-up head compartment. The master features a large two-piece mattress with steps on either side, ­making hopping onto the bed easy. There’s plenty of ­storage with a hanging locker and a large compartment beneath the bed. Usually, amidships berths on boats this size feel like crypts, but this one has a door instead of a curtain and plenty of headroom in its entry, allowing guests to change clothes without contortion. There’s a queen-size bed for comfort and a window for natural light.

Read Next: Bayliner Trophy T23 Pilothouse

On many pilothouse boats, the aft deck feels like an afterthought, but the one on the T29 EX is large enough for casual fishing and features a notable seating innovation. The stern bench’s seat bottom resides on tracks. Pull it forward, and the backrest lays flat to create a sun pad for two. In entertainment mode, a large, two-­pedestal table creates an alfresco dining area using the stern bench and jump seat to port. The boat’s 9-foot-9-inch beam adds to the roominess. Twin ­platformettes on either side of the motors make for easy access to and from the water.

Bayliner’s goal has always been to deliver value-­laden boats, and the Trophy T29 EX gets the pump primed with the Premium Package. For no extra charge, owners get an extended stern sunshade, trim tabs, six-speaker Fusion stereo, hardtop spotlight, Simrad 9-inch NSS EVO3S, microwave and cockpit table, in addition to the big-ticket items already mentioned. The base price for this well-equipped cruiser is $214,565, not including taxes and international shipping. The T29 Explorer is like a motor home on water and is ready to head from the dock on Friday to go exploring.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury Verado 225 hp V-6 outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Revolution X 16.75″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 75 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 1,110 lb.

High Points

• A standard windlass makes anchoring easy.
• Helm-side sliding glass door lets you quickly exit to handle dock lines.
• Twin walkways to the bow allow crew to -easily go forward; tall bow rails boost safety.

Low Points

• The cooktop needs fiddle rails to keep pots from sliding around.
• Only two cup holders are on the boat.
• There should be more fishing equipment, whether standard or optional.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation