Bayliner Element F18: Video Boat Review
The 2016 Bayliner Element F18 is a dedicated fishing machine, mounted atop an Element hull.
Bayliner's series of "M-hulls" has been incredibly successful, and has been used in models including the original Element runabout, the larger Element XL, and the pontoon-boat-like Element XR7. Fully capitalizing on the excitement, Bayliner now rolls out the 2016 Element F18. And to fully capitalize on our ability to bring you the scoop on the hottest, newest boats to hit the water, we spent a day on an F18 and shot this in-depth video boat review.
Boat Test Notes
Concept
Use the Element "M-hull" hullform with a fishing-dedicated deck.
Construction
-Big news from Bayliner: the F18 is among their first models to eliminate wood in the stringer system, and go to an all-fiberglass stringer grid construction.
-Hatches are solid and well-fitted, but need to have rubber bumpers added. As-is, they make a fish-spooking racket when they're slammed shut.
Performance
-With a Mercury 90 HP four-stroke on the back, we cruised at a hair over 24 MPH and hit 35 MPH at top-end.
-Fuel efficiency is solid; better than six MPG at cruise, and never less than 4.2 MPG.
Handling
-The M-hull design helps smooth out a chop.
-The M-hull design is surprisingly stable, certainly more so than common semi-V fishing boats of the same size.
-The M-hull design is very trim-sensitive. You can't bring the outboard up much, or in sharp turns the prop blows out.
Unique Features
-The livewell is a high-point. Bayliner did their homework, and did an excellent job on it.
-Adding a electric trolling motor mount (and wiring, plus dedicated battery stowage) is a nice touch you don't always see on relatively inexpensive boats.
-Aft deck seat/stowage areas are well-designed, and are similar to those found on many top-shelf bay boats.
-List MSRP is under $20,000.
If you want more information on the Bayliner Element F18, visit Bayliner. Or, see some Bayliner Element F18 listings.
Grab your fishing rods, and jump on the Element F 18.
