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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Bayliner’s 340 Cruiser is their flagship cruiser built to get more people into the cruising lifestyle.

Her list of standard features fulfills the needs of the cruising lifestyle, while her options allow you to step it up a notch and customize your fun. Bayliner has gone to great lengths to make sure this cruiser is not what your father had.

The 340 Cruiser is an evolution on the previous model year’s 325 with few changes other than the tried and true Bayliner price. Still a bargain, this latest offering from US Marine shows the company’s dedication to improving product styling, finishing quality and confirming that this is not your father’s Bayliner anymore.

Bayliner 340 Cruiser - Key Features

• Bimini Top: w/Boot
• Aft L-Shaped Lounger: Converts to Sunlounger
• Carpet Runner
• Double-Wide Helm Seat: Includes Rotating Feature & Flip-Up Bolster
• Entertainment Center: w/Sink, Faucet & Storage Cabinet
• Transom Shower
• 100% Polypropylene Carpeting: Solution-Dyed, Stain & Fade-Resistant

Bayliner Cruiser 340 - Captain’s Report

Cockpit Layout

The single level cockpit is both spacious and comfortable for entertaining a group, or for letting each member of the family enjoy their own space. The large L-shaped lounger fills the starboard and wraps around the stern to the port side walk-through. The table quickly converts this into a large space to enjoy the sun or sleep topside on a pleasant summer night. To port is an entertainment center for mixing beverages and serving snacks. Our test model included a granite countertop, sink and handy cockpit refrigerator/freezer combination. One feature it lacked was storage at the wet bar. Our captain found the battery switch and power switches located near this center to be a plus, as you can reach them easily from the swim platform. Speaking of the swim platform, you do have hot and cold water at the swim shower to rinse off before coming back on board.

At the Helm

The helm shows the class of a more expensive yacht with burlwood accents and space to add on more flat panel electronics. Tilt power-assisted rack and pinion steering is standard with the tilt wheel. Electronic/hydraulic trim tabs are also standard. Our test captain felt the standard throttle and shift controls were a bit dated and preferred a more modern system.

In the Cabin

Moving inside, the salon takes advantage of light and air in this spacious design. The two large tables allow your guests the choice to dine inside or al-fresco all together. The forward table and benches convert into a roomy berth, and a double berth is aft. The galley is to starboard with solid surface counters and a two burner electric cooktop. You do have ample storage for dry goods around the galley. Other standard features include a microwave oven, Norcold refrigerator/freezer and stainless steel sink. The wet head has a full fiberglass liner for easy maintenance, and the design inside is typical of cruisers with a marine head with macerator and a vanity.

Specifications

The Bayliner Cruiser 340 measures 35 feet length overall. Her beam is 11 feet 6 inches, and hull draft measures 2 feet 2 inches with the drives up and 3 feet 5 inches with the drives fully deployed. This model has a standard dry weight of 12,900 lbs. Fuel capacity is 175 gallons and fresh water capacity is 40 gallons.

Testing

Our test captain found this model to perform better with a pair of 300 hp MerCruiser 350 MPIs with Bravo III drives. She is on plane in 10.1 seconds and up to 30 mph in 16.5 seconds. With four people on board and ¾ tank of fuel, she has a cruising speed of 16.2 mph for a range of 143 miles at 3000 rpm. Top measured speed was 41.4 mph at 4500 rpm.

New Features

For 2008, the Bayliner Cruiser 340 had a few new features. Those included a new color choice of a black hull side. A Sirius satellite capable radio is now available as well as a stereo upgrade with a full range of speakers. You may also order Sunbrella canvas packages for more protection and overnight camping aboard. Cockpit upholstery and design has been enhanced, and you also have some new cabin interiors over previous years. Thanks to;Bayliner 340 Cruiser Overview | BoatTEST.com

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Rick Ostler, North American Waterway

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. The Boat Owners Association of the United States, otherwise known as BoatUS, which claims it is the world’s largest organisation of recreational boatowners, has announced the 20 most popular brands of boats owned by its 650,000 members.

Leading the list are:

1 Sea Ray
2 Bayliner
3 Wellcraft
4 Catalina
5 Grady-White

Sea Ray, with 54,266 boats, was by far the most popular powerboat owned by BoatU.S. members, followed by Bayliner with 32,712, Wellcraft with 17,565 and Grady-White with 16,487.

The next five largest boat brands owned are Chris-Craft with 11,071, Boston Whaler with 10,979, Carver with 10,439, Hunter with 10,037 and Four Winns with 9,265.

Rounding out the top 20 boats are: Pro-Line, Chaparral, Mako, Silverton, Regal, Maxum, Rinker, Pearson, Aquasport, and Larson.

“Since the average BoatU.S. member owns 1.8 boats we can say with confidence that BoatU.S. members own nearly 1.2 million recreational boats, or about 10% of all of the registered boats in the country” says BoatUS.

The average size boat owned is larger than 27ft. www.BoatUS.com
Thanks to; What are the ‘most popular’ boats in the US?

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. The 18th annual Port Credit In-Water Boat Show, one of Ontario’s premier in-water boating events will be held at the Port Credit Harbour Marina at the Boating Super Centre from August 22 to 24, 2008.

The show will feature over 100 new and used boats, with 80 in-water, including sail boats from Beneteau, Bavaria, Catalina, C&C, Delphia, Hunter, Hansa, Jeanneau and Southerly. New and used power boats featured will include Carver, Cruiser, Four Winns, Mainship, Marquis, Regal, Sabre, and Silverton.

At the Speakers Tent, special guest speakers Paul and Sheryl Shard, hosts of the popular sailing program “Distant Shores,” will be speaking on their new boat and ocean crossing. Rob MacLeod, our “Speaker Tent” host will give tips on boat handling.

A vast array of on land displays featuring marine equipment, insurance, finance, charters, sail makers, Custom Boarder Services, Services Canada, and the Coast Guard will be on site. Boaters can write their Operator’s Exam at the show, and relax afterwards at the Boat Show Refreshment Garden to the sounds of Chuck Jackson’s Blues and Jazz band.

An exciting new addition this year is the Charity Consignment tent! Sponsored by BoatersLiveAuction.com, this tent will be available for you to drop off all of your used boat gear. Price the item(s), leave them for us to sell, and your return is 60%. Proceeds will go to local Junior Sailing programs and Sick Kids Hospital.

Lori Mason of “The Store”, and founder of the Port Credit in-water Boat Show, says “This is a boat show for boaters put on by boaters. We bring everyone together from the boating community.

The attendees tell us they have a great time meeting new and old friends, buying boats and marine products, and simply having fun messing about in boats. And it’s convenient to visit, with a location that’s only 15 minutes east of Toronto, and 10 minutes from Oakville.”

Boaters can visit www.portcreditboatshow.ca for more information on exhibitors, times of in-water and dry land displays, seminars and demonstrations, and admission hours. Questions and inquiries can be directed to Lori Mason at 905-278-7005 or by email lori@thestoremasons.com. Thanks to;Boating Industry - Port Credit In-Water Boat Show August 22 to 24

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Rick Ostler, North American Waterway

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Powerboat Sales Continue to Decline in the USA.

MIAMI—Sales of powerboats in the 15-foot-and-up category continue to worsen, according to Info-Link’s monthly bellwether report, dropping to nearly 20 percent off through June of 2008 when compared to the same month last year.

The bellwether report is based on new U.S. boat registrations in geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market.

With a couple slight blips upward, powerboat sales in this category have been trending downward since early 2004, when compared to the respective same month of the year prior. Thanks to Powerboat sales continue to worsen

Info-Link’s June 2008 Bellwether Report is available for viewing at; www.infolink.com/bellwetherreport.asp.

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. The cost of boating in a slumping economy has kept many boaters off the water, or changed the way they use their crafts, as they adjust to a reality that can mean spending $1,000 to fill the tank.

Take Duxbury resident Larra Sumner, who is selling his 20-foot fishing boat, a center console Sea Chaser, and buying a smaller craft. The boat is out of the water this season, and on the market.

Sumner said he was motivated to sell by the economy, but that he would never give up boating.

“I take my children out on the boat to catch stripers, and my father used to do the same thing with me,” he said.

So to trim his costs, he decided to replace his current boat with one he can store in his garage - and haul on a trailer - rather than moor it in Duxbury Harbor. The immediate savings: $450 in mooring fees.

More importantly, Sumner’s plan would eliminate the $1,000 he spends each year for others to scour his brine-covered boat at the close of the season, and to winterize and store it.

“We’re going to cut costs wherever we can,” Sumner said.

In Massachusetts, sales of new boats, trailers, motors, and accessories fell 22 percent last year compared with 2006, according to the National Marine Manufacturers’ Association, a trade group in Chicago.

Mike Farias, owner of Eagle Marine in Sagamore Beach, just beyond the Plymouth border, said his business is suffering even more this year.

“It’s a lot slower than last year,” Farias said. “The medium large boats, that run 25 to 30 feet, are where I’m taking the worst beating. My sales are off by about 40 percent.”

Is anything selling? “Single-engine boats will sell before something with twin engines,” Farias added. And, just as with cars, better technology and less fuel consumption are high priorities for prospective buyers. Sports fishing boats are selling far better than luxury trip boats.

“But not as many as you’d think are getting rid of their boats,” Farias said. “They’re just taking fewer trips.”

Eric Jesse, owner of Jesse Marine on the Plymouth Waterfront, agreed. “People are still going to boat,” Jesse said. “They just won’t go as far.”

That describes Bob Tufts and his wife, Elaine, who own a Weymouth home overlooking the Back River. In a nod to gas prices, longer trips, such as to Newport and Gloucester, are less likely now, he says, and “I probably won’t take it up to Boothbay anymore.”

They are also selling their 28-foot Bayliner, and will replace it with a smaller craft - primarily because their children are grown and they no longer need a boat that sleeps six.

Boaters, he said, must accept that buying gas is simply part of the cost of boating. “If you want to drive your car, you need fuel,” Tufts said. “It’s the same with a boat. The price of gas has become a concern for me, but not a problem.”

Oscar Wikstrom, who lives on White Horse Beach in Plymouth, decided to sell both his boats this summer. One sold on Memorial Day and the other is still for sale, he said.

“It’s just too expensive to run them,” Wikstrom said. He added he had to pay $100 per foot for a slip for his 30-foot boat.

“You can’t have fun in the water when it costs you twice as much as you make to run the boat,” Wikstrom said.

The gas cost crisis has, predictably, been tougher on boaters of lesser means.

“I tell my customers gas is about $1 more a gallon than it was last year, so they can expect to pay about $1,000 more to boat this season,” said Brian Dwight, co-owner of South Shore Dry Dock. “The people we deal with, $1,000 isn’t enough to complain about.”

His business, run with Captain Buck Berry, operates in Plymouth, Marshfield, and Westport, and has 300 boats for sale. “We’re still selling a lot of boats to middle-income families, but people with big boats are using smaller boats to take their big trips,” Berry said.

Motorists who experience sticker shock at the gas pump should know that it is nothing compared with what boaters experience.

Erin Bradley, who works for Captain John Boats in Plymouth, said the company sells gas for $4.75 a gallon from its float in the harbor, and noncommercial diesel at $4.90. Boats that remain in the water for the season fuel up at the float.

Boats running from 19 to 25 feet in size can have tanks with capacities that range from 18 to 180 gallons, Farias said, so for those on the larger end, filling the tank with regular gas could cost between $800 and $900. For any boat larger than 25 feet, the cost for a single fill-up can exceed $1,000.

Hingham resident Pat Uhlar, who refurbishes boats and works at Steamship Wharf in Hull, said many boat owners never leave the harbor.

“You see a lot of boats,” said Uhlar, “but you also see a lot of people just sitting on them rather than taking them out.” Thanks to Christine Legere for this. Christine can be reached at christinelegere@yahoo.com.

As fuel prices rise, boaters south of Boston struggle to keep up with costs - The Boston Globe

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