BAYLINER 642 CUDDY OVERNIGHTER REVIEW

Enter the Bayliner 642. It’s not just any boat

When Judi Smith from New Zealand’s Lakeland Marine mentioned they’d just taken delivery of the first two Bayliner 642 Overnighters outside of Europe, my kids begged me to take them along for a ride. Unfortunately a tight deadline and weather window meant they lucked out, but local Taupo brothers Jesse (7) and Michael (4) Hodgson’s dream came true.

Enter the Bayliner 642. It’s not just any boat – with 220hp under the bonnet, sociable seating, a comfortable cabin, a toilet for the ladies, two sunloungers and a super swimplatform, I’d call it a Family Fun Machine. It’s even got a shower and the kitchen sink …

The look of excitement on their faces when the lifejackets were done up and they were allowed to climb on board the shiny red and white dream catcher with their mum Shelley was priceless. 

Once clear of the 5kt markers the throttle was put down and the smiles grew.

LAYOUT

With five on board the 642 Overnighter had plenty of cushy seats afforded by the L-shaped seating arrangement, with room to spare. The hinged passenger seat backrest means four adults or half a dozen kids can sit around the drop-in table for lunch without getting claustrophobic. The helm seat swivels to face the rear so Dad can join in too. The versatile wooden table can also fold back and rotate 360 degrees to suit the occasion.

Recessed storage allows the large bimini top to stow away neatly beneath the sunlounger while remaining ready to provide protection from the elements at a moment’s notice. The starboard side sunpad cushion lifts up to create a walkthrough from the swim platform to the cockpit. This feature also allows the sunpad to convert into a lounger.

WATERSPORTS

When watersports are on the agenda the factory-fitted towing eye and large swimplatform will make going for a splash easy, while a lengthy recessed boarding ladder means you can get back on without fuss.

With clip-in carpets, a self-draining cockpit floor and a pull-out shower, a fresh rinse can be enjoyed on board, with 38lt of water on tap. Speaking of taps there’s a sink and foldout faucet neatly hidden in front of the passenger seat for washing hands or cups.

Skis and other water toys can safely be stowed within the large underfloor wetlocker, while excess wet gear can be tucked away in the abundant self-draining under-seat storage. A further lift-out bin can either keep the refreshments chilled or be used to stash the trash out of sight.

SAFETY FEATURES

Bayliner is serious about safety. Gunwales are 83cm high, creating a secure cockpit environment, while there are decent-height backrests on all seats and good seated headroom in the cabin. The beam is also carried well forward for excellent stability and increased internal volume.

On board any boat fuelled by petrol there’s potential for fire, so an automatic fire extinguisher is on hand with a further Fireport for added peace of mind. A CO2 monitor in the cabin also ensures no dangerous fumes can go unnoticed.

The handlaid fibreglass hull is built to Canadian Coast Guard standards and is foam-filled for extra safety and a smooth, quiet ride. The glossy hull features a transferable limited lifetime warranty with a five-year warranty on the deck.

HANDLING AND RIDE

While Lake Taupo was nothing short of glassy, pushing the 642 hull through wake at speed suggested a soft and extremely quiet ride. With Mercury’s 220hp 4.3lt MPI under the bonnet it also had more boogie than a Saturday night in the ’70s, but without the strange smell and loud music thanks to excellent soundproofing.

Top speed recorded on a handheld GPS with the standard Black Max 19P prop fitted was a sporty 48mph (42kts) at 5000rpm with two people on board. As that’s slightly over the recommended maximum engine revs, Lakeland Marine is expecting enhanced performance by fine tuning the prop selection.

The adjustable sports steering wheel and sliding helm seat allow you to either sit comfortably looking thorough the curved glass windscreen or flip-up the bolster to enjoy the view with the wind in your hair. With the cabin door closed there’s plenty of leg room but with it open the skipper gets a bonus footrest.

Antiglare gauges are easy on the eye and, as running aground is both embarrassing and generally expensive, the depth gauge is a feature I wouldn’t be without. There’s also room to flush-mount a smallish chartplotter / fishfinder behind the wheel.

THE VERDICT

While it may have been designed and built for the Europeans, the Bayliner 642 Overnighter certainly suits our Antipodean outdoor lifestyle well. This family fun machine appealed to my paternal instincts and although my boys are jealous, seeing the joy that the Bayliner 642 brought to a couple of boys on their first time on the water was gold.

HIGHS

•Quiet and comfortable

•Versatile features and layout

•Private and secure cabin

•A pleasure to drive

•Power to burn, with 220hp MPI Option

LOWS

•Helm seat isn’t height-adjustable

•No rod holders, but aftermarket options can be fitted

•If you take your kids along on the test drive, you’ll surely end up owning one

BAYLINER 642 CUDDY OVERNIGHTER SPECS

PRICE AS TESTED

$69,660

OPTIONS FITTED

220hp MerCruiser MPI ECT 4.3lt upgrade, portside sink and transom shower, helm bucket seat upgrade, snap-in carpet, teak cockpit table, Porta Potti, covers and stainless steel trim package.

Electric trailer brakes (Australia only)

GENERAL

MATERIAL Fiberglass

TYPE Monohull

LENGTH 6.53m

BEAM 2.43m

WEIGHT 1980kg (BMT)

DEADRISE 20°

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (DAY) 7

PEOPLE (NIGHT) 2

FUEL 125lt

WATER 38lt

REC. HP 135 to 220

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL MerCruiser 4.3 MPI

TYPE Fuel-injected V6 petrol sterndrive

RATED HP 220

DISPLACEMENT 4300cc

PROPELLER Black Max 19P

FOR MORE INFORMATION

BAYLINER AUSTRALIA

PHONE 1800 802 444

EMAIL info@berorawaterswholesale.com.au

WEB bayliner.com.au