We researched the best and most popular Bayliner Boats and reviewed them. Our team visited boat shows and conducted interviews with owners to get this done.
Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
Bayliner is one of the world’s biggest boat brands. The company claims they’ve put more people on the water in their 66-year history than any other.
For decades, their sterndrive bowriders, Trophy center consoles, and cabin cruisers have dominated nearly every boating location in the US.
The company’s numbers stem from their affordability. Bayliner produces entry-level, value-priced vessels for first-time boat buyers and, in doing so, has built an unfortunate reputation for lower quality.
Let’s dive in and look if Bayliner boats are really as bad as all that—or if maybe there’s more to the story. In other words, are Bayliners really “Bottom-liners”?
The Top 5 Bayliner Boats in 2025
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1
Family First Center Console: Bayliner Trophy 22CC -
2
Classic Sterndrive Sport Boat: Bayliner DX2059 -
3
Affordable Fun: Bayliner VR6 -
4
Day Fishing Comfort & Catch: Bayliner Trophy T25 Pilothouse -
5
Small and Affordable Deck Boat: Bayliner M15
All the Bayliner Boats We've tested:
Where to buy Bayliner Trophy 22CC:
Bayliner Boats
With an 18-degree deadrise and generous seating accommodations, The Trophy 22 center console fishing boat is capable of much more than its name suggests. This isn’t a rugged, go-anywhere center console—offshore anglers will likely want to stick to other well-known brands, like Boston Whaler boats.
Instead, this is an entry-level vessel with deck boat traits and a lot of capability for near-shore and bay cruising. It has enough of a deep vee to cut through some chop and provisions for the whole family. The optional ski pylon and T-top make it a well-rounded family fun machine—all for under $55,000.
- Length: 22 feet, 7 inches
- Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches
- Draft: 3 feet, 1 inch
- Capacity: 10 people
- Max Horsepower: 300 hp
- Weight (with engine and trailer): 4,942 pounds
Things we like:
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Versatile design suits many missions -
Large passenger capacity ideal for entertainment on calmer days
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Large swim platform on the transom
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Comfortable lounge options—makes a good cruising and watersports boat
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Factory T-top available
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Five hull colors plus two-tone options
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Optional dual Simrad digital dash displays up to 9-inch
Things we don't like:
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Slightly shallow vee hull for a boat this size, more than capable for near-shore and bay use -
Squared-off bow increases seating space but might not appeal to everyone
Where to buy Bayliner Trophy 22CC:
Bayliner Boats
Where to buy Bayliner DX2059:
Bayliner Boats
Bayliner’s DX2059 is an affordable way to get into a deck boat of this class, with all the capabilities of more expensive models. Whether diving, fishing, cruising, or just heading to the dock-n-dine, these boats are a comfortable and fun way to do it.
Twenty feet is the sweet spot for the all-around deck boat—big enough to take the whole family, beefy enough to tackle a little chop out on the open bay, and versatile enough to take on any watery adventure.
Looking for a similar boat but without the sterndrive? Check out the Bayliner DX2000, the same hull powered by a single Mercury outboard, or the Stingray 192SC deck boat.
- Length: 19 feet, 7 inches
- Beam: 8 feet, 1 inch
- Draft: 2 feet, 8 inches
- Capacity: 9 people
- Max Horsepower: 250 hp
- Weight (with engine and trailer): 4,750 pounds
Things we like:
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Classic sterndrive deck boat with 200 or 250-hp MerCruiser
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Bow filler makes a "play pen" lounge, plus transitional transom seats make another sun lounge
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Optional ProArc tower with top
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Optional extended swim platform and wakeboard racks for watersports
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Simrad 7-inch digital dash with engine info
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Space under the seat for a porta-potty
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Starting prices around $40,000
Where to buy Bayliner DX2059:
Bayliner Boats
Where to buy Bayliner VR6:
Bayliner
The VR6 is popular because it appeals equally to watersport enthusiasts as much as families who want to do some fishing and cruising.
It might seem like a budget bowrider because of its price in the more affordable end of the market.
Bayliner has done a good job on production and the VR6 demonstrates a solid sterndrive vessel that handles reliably and does pretty well as a ski boat.
- Length: 22' 7"
- Beam: 8'
- Draft: 2' 10"
- Deadrise: 20º
- Weight with engine: 3,797 pounds
- Tow weight with trailer: 4,739 pounds
- Max Load: 10 people or 1,700 pounds
- Max Horsepower: 250 hp sterndrive or 200 hp outboard
- Fuel Capacity: 33 gallons
Things we like:
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Accessible price points
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Versatile layout with plenty of seating, storage, and comfortable space to lounge
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Outboard power option appealing to saltwater boaters
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Sport model water sports
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A fishing model provides a good platform
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Increased build quality over previous Bayliner models
Things we don't like:
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Limited engine choices
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Entry-level build quality and fit-and-finish
Where to buy Bayliner VR6:
Bayliner
Where to buy Bayliner Trophy T25 Pilothouse:
Bayliner Boats
The Bayliner Trophy T25 Pilothouse is a fishing machine with a surprising amount of comfort. The enclosed cabin provides shelter from the elements, featuring a berth, galley, and even a toilet.
Fishermen will appreciate the standard features like a livewell, cutting board, and spacious cockpit. With its size and focus on fishability, it’s ideal for day trips and an overnight excursion on bays and calmer inshore waters.
The T25 might look fit for open seas, but it’s size and design make it more suited for waters less rough. Starting at under $130,000, there’s a lot of experience to be had on this pilothouse boat from Bayliner.
- Length: 25’4’’
- Beam: 9’6’’
- Draft: 3’7’’
- Passenger Capacity : 10
- Max Horsepower: 300 hp
- Weight: 1650 lbs
Things we like:
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Affordable and functional
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Trailerable
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Comfort in different seasons
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Though a bit spartan, overnighting is possible.
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Optional fishing package equips the boat very well
Things we don't like:
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Affordability compromises a bit on the robustness of construction and materials
Where to buy Bayliner Trophy T25 Pilothouse:
Bayliner Boats
Where to buy Bayliner M15:
Bayliner Boats
Bayliner builds two different series of deck boats. The Element boats feature their M-hull, a modified cathedral hull with three points, and come in lengths from 15 to 21 feet. The DX series has larger vee hulls with lengths available from 20 to 22 feet.
Bayliners are often criticized for their poor built quality, lack of amenities, and cheap fixtures, but the new generation is worth a look if you’re looking for a lot of bang for your buck. A small deck boat for lakes and bays doesn’t need to cross oceans, and Bayliner allows you to get into one of these boats for a lot less than most other brands.
- Length : 15 feet, 2 inches
- Beam: 6 feet, 7 inches
- Draft: 2 feet, 1 inch
- Weight: 1,385 pounds
- Fuel capacity: 12 gallons
- Seating capacity: 5 people
- Max power: 60 hp (Mercury outboard)
Things we like:
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Lightweight and easy to trailer
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Lots of space for a 15-footer
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M-hull provides great handling for such a small boat
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Molded-in swim platform with ladder
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Simple systems, external fuel tank, etc.
Things we don't like:
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Lightweight and M-hull will pound in choppy water
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Limited power choices, Mercury outboards only
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Limited color choices
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Basics like grab bars, automatic bilge pump, and cup holders are upgrades
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Quality of fit and finish is still less than competitors offer
Where to buy Bayliner M15:
Bayliner Boats
Related Reviews
Bayliner Boats Buyer’s Guide
Bayliner Boats is the world’s largest producer of recreational boats. The company is now part of Brunswick Group and focuses on making entry-level bowriders, center consoles, and deck boats.
Bayliner boats are known for their affordability. The company focuses on sharing the boating experience and getting first-time boaters on the water with minimum fuss. In the 1980s, Bayliner was the first boat company to bundle the hull, engine, and trailer and sell it at one low price—a revolutionary tactic for the time.
The company often takes flack online for quality issues, but the fact remains that many thousands of happy Bayliner owners take to the water every day. In many cases, these boaters can own a brand-new Bayliner for a fraction of the cost of a second-hand, older boat from other brands.
History and Evolution of Bayliner Boats
Bayliner was founded in 1957 by Orin Edson in Arlington, Washington. In 1986, Bayliner was acquired by the Brunswick Corporation, and manufacturing was expanded to plants in Knoxville and Dandridge, Tennessee. The company also has plants in Mexico and Portugal. In all, the company maintains over 400 dealerships in 60 countries worldwide.
Another interesting Bayliner trivia fact: From 1970 to 1984, Bayliner produced sailboats under the Buccaneer Yachts brand. In 1984, the sailboat business was sold to Pearson.
Bayliner Boats Lineup
Bayliner presently focuses on entry-level power boats for three different markets, with some overlaps. They are the cruising, fishing, and watersports boat markets, which feature deck boats, center consoles, and bowrider boats, respectively.
To reduce the overall cost of the vessels, Bayliner focuses on making their models as similar as possible. By sharing molds and common parts, production costs are minimal. Therefore, many hulls are similar, with different console and powerplant layouts to suit each market.
Bowrider and deck boats come with either Mercury outboard or MerCruiser sterndrive power. Center console boats only with Mercury outboards.
The advantage of this for owners is the availability of parts and know-how for repairs.
The Bayliner lineup was refreshed when the company unveiled a new ‘brand identity‘ in 2023. While still focusing on first-time boat buyers, the company has fine-tuned its model lineup to appeal to today’s boating enthusiasts.
Bayliner’s smallest boat is the M15 deck boat, and the largest is the T24CC 24-foot center console.
Features and Reputation of Bayliner Boats
It doesn’t take much looking online to find some disparaging remarks made about the Bayliner brand. While plenty of folks are ready to weigh in, we’ll just leave it at this—Bayliner is not—and has never pretended to be—a premium brand name. Their boats are entry-level for first-time buyers, built to suit a particular price point. Many other boat builders work this way, but Bayliner is best known for it.
Consumers are used to this in every other aspect of life. Do you want to buy a new Kia, a Toyota, or a Lexus—an entry-level, mid-tier, or premium brand? Most gearhead car owners know their answer and know what the differences will be. But when it comes to boats, new buyers seldom have the experience to know what differences to expect.
What does that mean? It means that a Bayliner boat will have some noticeable differences compared to the competition. The gelcoat will be thinner, the materials will be lower quality, and the fit and finish will not be as good. It will also be as lightweight and as simple as possible, with few upgrades or extra features.
Ultimately, the Bayliner approach allows people to get into a new boat for the cost of an older, used mid-tier brand. This may be especially attractive to buyers who need a boat loan or want to reduce likely ownership expenses by getting the newest boat possible.
Bayliner is part of Brunswick Group, so every boat comes with a Mercury outboard or MerCruiser sterndrive—the same motors that come with premium brands like Boston Whaler. It also means that the company has deep knowledge and support about how to build long-lasting, easy-to-maintain boats.
This new generation of Bayliners should not be compared to those built years ago, as the company has greatly improved its fiberglass work and craftsmanship.
Comparing Bayliner Boats with Other Brands
Bayliner is hardly alone in its position of putting value in the hands of new boat owners. However, It can be hard to find comparables to Bayliner boats since so many companies produce similar boats as a part of a larger lineup.
When it comes to bowrider boats and deck boats, Bayliner’s main competitors are Tahoe, Stingray, Starcraft, Hurricane Sun Deck, and NauticStar. Regarding center console boats like the Bayliner Trophy series, brands to look for include Carolina Skiff, Stingray, Robalo, and Sea Fox.
Pricing and Value of Bayliner Boats
The smallest Bayliners, like the M15, start at under $20,000, including boat, engine, and trailer. Their largest boat, the T24CC center console, starts at under $66,000. Needless to say, these prices are much lower than those of most other boat brands.
Bayliner boats are sold exclusively through their network of dealerships. You can find the dealer nearest you on the website. Some of the largest dealers in the country carry Bayliner.
For new boat buyers, the importance of the dealer should not be understated. A dealer’s experience with a brand and doing warranty work is one of the most important factors when purchasing a new boat. While Bayliner is a major company, it’s the dealer you work with that will make the experience good or bad.
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