Bayliner says the 192 Discovery will hit nearly 38 mph (61 kph) and cruise at 27 mph (43.5 kph) with standard power, a 3.0L MerCruiser sterndrive. Optional engines up to 4.3L and 220-hp are available.

A Cuddy Adds Versatility

Cuddy-cabin boats like the Bayliner 192 Discovery are too often overlooked in today's bowrider-dominated world, but they have lots of advantages for boaters who don't need maximum seating capacity. The cuddy cabin makes a secure, dry stowage compartment for piles of gear: Swimming toys, fishing gear, coolers, changes of clothing and so forth can all live there rather than underfoot in the cockpit.

Add a Porta-Potti (optional on the Discovery) and the cuddy provides privacy when needed, and with more room than the typical cramped head compartment on a similarly sized bowrider or center console. And you can sleep there, either for an afternoon nap or on an overnight expedition; kids love sleeping in cuddy cabins. They can also thrive on cold food, which they'll have to do: There's no provision for cooking aboard the Discovery. Bring a cooler full of sandwiches, salads and snacks.



The cabin on the 192 Discovery has the typical cuddy layout, with V-berths convertible to a sleeping platform with filler cushions, and stowage lockers underneath. Thickly upholstered backrests make sitting more comfortable, too. The portable head is optional.

Lots of Cockpit Seating

But let's be honest: You don't go boating to sit in the cuddy cabin, but to enjoy the sun and spray. Bayliner set up the 192 Discovery's cockpit with a single swivel helm bucket seat, and a back-to-back companion seat that opens into a sunbed. Jumpseats flank the engine box, aft, and can be removed for easier access to the transom or converted into a sunpad in conjunction with the padded engine box. Large in-deck lockers provide stowage; a fiberglass liner makes them easy to keep clean.



The center section of the 192 Discovery's windshield opens for foredeck access; molded steps adjacent to the companionway make climbing onto the deck easier. Do you see a compass? We don't.

A Sunbrella Bimini top with boot is optional, but we think advisable: Sometimes you need a bit of shade. And once you have the Bimini, adding the full camper enclosure (front, side and aft curtains with clear panels) will let you turn the Discovery into a cozy cottage on the water.



There's a jumpseat on either side of the engine compartment; both are removable for transom access or to make room for fishing. They also convert to a sunlounge in conjunction with the padded engine cover. The full swim platform is optional, but we think you'll want it.

Power Options

Standard power is a 135-hp MerCruiser 3.0L MPI Alpha 1 sterndrive. The engine has an electronic control module and a catalytic converter to meet California Air Resource Board's (CARB) Super Ultra-Low emissions requirements. We haven't tested the 192 Discovery ourselves, but Bayliner says the boat hits 37.8 mph (60.8 kph) at WOT, 27.2 mph (43.8 kph) at best cruise; range at cruise is 83 miles (133.6 kph) with a 10% fuel reserve. Base price with this power is $29,142.



Power rack-and-pinion steering is standard, with a padded tilt wheel, A full instrument array is also standard. Still no sign of a compass, though.

Engine upgrades are a 190-hp 4.3L carbureted engine (add $1,714) and a 220-hp 4.3L MPI ($3,929), both by MerCruiser and both matched to Alpha 1 sterndrives. (Bayliner and MerCruiser are both part of the Brunswick Corporation.) Both are CARB-compliant. There is also a downgraded engine, a carbureted 135-hp 3.0L (subtract $1,357), with limited availability in the U.S. and Canada.

According to Bayliner figures, the 190-hp engine bumps WOT to 45.8 mph (73.7 kph), cruise to 34.8 mph (56.0 kph) but in both cases the range is the same as the standard engine. We found no test data for the 220-hp Merc. Remember, these are Bayliner-supplied figures, not measured BoatTEST.com results.



Anchor and line fit neatly in a molded well on the foredeck. We like the full stainless steel bow rail; a modified rail with a center opening is optional.

The Bottom Line

Add a few options and a fully tricked out Bayliner 192 Discovery will cost you about $35,000 including freight. This includes the 190-hp engine; a trailer, painted or galvanized (either one is standard) with disc brakes; a full swim platform rather than the standard swim step; a portable head and full camper canvas.

That sounds like a pretty good deal to us, and we'd certainly check out the 192 Discovery if we were shopping for a boat this size. We like the versatility of the cuddy cabin, the layout of the cockpit and the short but complete list of options, all at reasonable cost. The only thing missing is a magnetic compass, so have your Bayliner dealer add one before you cast off.