The 335 SB's long foredeck invites sunbathing, but cushions are optional, and part of a $6,071 Preferred Equipment Package. They come with handrails for added security. Notice how the bow rails are raked forward to provide a sleeker profile. You can also see the large hull side windows that bathe the salon in natural light.

One Boat Among Many

Families looking for a 30-something express cruiser have many to choose from, and most are basically the same. Why? How many ways are there to assemble berths, a galley and dinette aboard a boat this size, or arrange the cockpit?

So what makes the Bayliner different? What's their secret? The answer is in one word: Value. Bayliner is known for selling its boats at prices often many thousands of dollars below comparable boats from other builders.

And Bayliner's customers say the concept works, because many of them stick with the brand and trade up into bigger and bigger Bayliners.



The cockpit table is an option, but we can't imagine not having one. It's included in the Preferred Equipment Package, along with a cockpit refrigerator and carpet runners, foredeck cushions, a power engine hatch, a camper back with enclosure and a choice of hull color (black, blue or white).

Accommodations

The Bayliner 335 SB's arrangement is typical for an express cruiser in this size range, sleeping four in two cabins, or six by converting the dinette. There's an angled double berth forward, separated from the salon with a privacy curtain rather than a solid bulkhead and door. This not only helps keep the price down, but also opens up the saloon when nobody's sleeping, and lets folks use the berth as a lounge, too.

An L-shaped lounge with dinette table converts to a berth, and the head comes with an electric toilet and shower; a VacuFlush toilet is optional ($1,714).





The 335 SB's cabin layout is typical for a boat of this size and type, but nicely styled with light woods and fabrics. Reverse-cycle A/C is optional ($4,743), as is a genset to provide a.c. juice away from the dock ($11,529 gas, $12,436 diesel).

A mid-cabin with another double berth is tucked in under the bridge deck. There's limited headroom – the berth is slide-in only -- but it looks to us like a cozy place to sleep, and offers more privacy than the forward berth as it's behind a solid bulkhead. A curtain closes off the access door, as opposed to the entire berth as we see up forward.

Mid-berths are often the most comfortable on boats like this one, as they're in the part of the hull least affected by motion and wave noise. (Aboard many boats, waves slapping against the chine can make the forward cabin a noisy place at anchor.)



The galley includes a refrigerator, microwave oven and single-burner electric stove as standard. There are plenty of drawers and lockers. A TV/DVD on a swivel mount is optional ($1,793).

Power Options

Standard power is twin 260-hp MerCruiser 5.0L MPI Bravo 3s. The engines meet California Air Resource Board's (CARB) requirements, and may be accessorized with freshwater cooling, Axius Premium control system and DTS (digital throttle and shift). We haven't tested the 335 SB ourselves, but Bayliner says the boat hits 43.4 mph (69.8 kph) at WOT, 29.5 mph (47.5 kph) at best cruise; range at cruise is 191 miles (307 km), they say.



Tucked under the bridge, the mid-cabin is slide-in only, without full headroom – but that's typical on a boat this size. Nevertheless, it's our berth of choice – cozy and private.

Engine upgrades are twin 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAGs (5.7L) and 270-hp CMD QSD 4.2L diesels, both with Bravo 3 sterndrives. According to the folks at Bayliner top speed with the 350 MAGs is 48.1 mph (77.4 kph), 34.9 mph (56.2 kph) cruise; with the diesels, 43.3 mph (69.7 kph) and 37.1 mph (59.7 kph). Cruising range with the 350 MAGs is the same as with standard power, but the diesels will take you 232 miles (373.4 km) between fuel stops. Remember, these are Bayliner-supplied figures, not measured BoatTEST.com results. (Bayliner and MerCruiser are both part of the Brunswick Corporation.)



Need a bigger cabin? The optional camper top and enclosure, part of the Preferred Options Package, will also protect the cockpit when the boat's in her slip. The swim platform extension is optional, too ($2,643). If you are going to swim from the boat or tow, we'd spring for this option. You also can put a dinghy there.

The Bottom Line

MSRP with standard power is $150,314; add $5,286 for the 300-hp 350 MAGs. Axius Premium joystick control adds quite a bit: $34,643 over MSRP for the 260-hp, $40,357 for the 300-hp package. Or stick with conventional controls and spend $4,500 for a bow thruster. The diesel option, without Axius, is $52,857.

Depending on how wild you go with options, the final cost of the Bayliner 335 SB could be close to, maybe a little beyond, $200,000. Is she still a good value? We think so… it's hard to beat Bayliner on price. As for handling, we've tested a number of Bayliners and our captains report that they all perform favorably, with no adverse effects.

Money talks, and it says check out the Bayliner 335 SB. If nothing else, use it as a benchmark at the price-point end of the range.