A preferred options package ($5,000) includes foredeck rails and cushions, along with a transom shower, a camper back cover, a power-lift engine hatch and several other popular add-ons. A bow rail with an open center section is also available ($486), as is a windlass ($1,821).

A Cabin for Four, or Six

The Bayliner 315 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. This keeps the salon open when nobody's sleeping, and lets folks use the berth as a lounge, too. The mid-berth is queen-sized, with a fixed door for privacy. We'd probably sleep there rather than forward. The U-shaped lounge with dinette table converts to a berth.



The 315 SB's layout is typical for an express cruiser, with a double berth forward and an athwartships mid-berth. But there's a full-headroom area just to port of the companionway steps to permit mid-berth occupants some standing space for dressing. Yes, there's a door for privacy.



The 315 SB's cabin is nicely styled with light woods and fabrics. The galley comes with a microwave oven, stove top and fridge; covers over the stove and sink provide added counter space, often more valuable than cooking facilities. Reverse-cycle A/C is optional ($4,743), as is a genset to operate it away from the dock ($11,529 gas, $12,436 diesel).



Mid-berths can be the most comfortable places to sleep, as they're in the part of the hull least affected by motion and wave noise. There's standing headroom next to the 315 SB's mid-berth, a nice touch often missing on boats this size.

Options Galore

Although the Bayliner 315 SB comes with all the necessities as standard, most of us want some extras, too – and there are enough to satisfy almost anyone. The most popular are collected in a Preferred Equipment Package ($5,000): It includes a choice of hull colors – black, blue or white; a cockpit table with sunpad; foredeck cushions and handrails; carpet runners in the cockpit; a power-lift engine hatch; a Sunbrella camper back; a self-contained transom shower with a 10-gal. tank; and a transom-mounted remote for the stereo. We think that pretty much covers it for most people.



Convert the settee to add two more berths. The 315 SB will be crowded with six sleeping in the cabin – any boat this size will be – but it's a handy option, especially for families with kids, and kids' friends.

But if that's not enough, you can also equip your 315 SB with an extended swim platform ($2,036); a rotating helm seat ($1,371); a Vacuflush head ($1,714) or macerator ($614); trim indicators – we think they should be standard – ($336); a Garmin electronics package, with color chartplotter and VHF ($1,857); a TV/DVD ($1,793); and the list goes on. Using the "Build Your Bayliner" feature on the Bayliner website, we racked up an MSRP for our hypothetical 315 SB of $155,760 – and that's before shopping for engine options. But that's still an attractive price for a well-equipped boat of this size.



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 ($2,036).

Choose Your Power

Standard power is twin 220-hp MerCruiser 4.3L MPI V-6s with Bravo 3 drives. They are CARB-compliant, and fitted with SmartCraft technology. For $2,857, you can upgrade to freshwater cooling. But most people, we think, will want more power, maybe twin MerCruiser 5.0 MPI Bravo 3s, 260-hp each ($10,714 raw-water-, $12,714 freshwater-cooled). Or order the whole enchilada with Axius Premium -- $43,571 for twin freshwater-cooled 5.0 MPIs. There's also a diesel option, twin 220-hp CMD QSDs, also with Bravo 3s ($42,857).

We haven't tested the 315 SB, so can't provide any speed or performance figures. When we do, you'll be the first to know. But we expect the Bayliner's performance to be in keeping with a boat of this size, weight and power.

Recommendation

Base MSRP of the 315 SB is $121,745 – compare this to $173,302 base for a similar boat, with the same 4.3L MerCruisers as standard on the 315 SB, from a mid-price point/mid-quality builder. We found another boat, also the same dimensions and power, for $181,175; two others, from slightly more upscale builders and with twin 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAGs, for roughly $212,000 each. All these boats weigh a couple thousand pounds more than the 315 SB's 9,100 lbs.

With upgraded power and lots of options, the Bayliner 315 SB still comes in at just a whisker over $200,000 – our imaginary boat lists for $205,351 with the 260-hp Axius power, including freight and prep.

However, you can save a lot of money by not getting the Axius/joystick option. A more economical way to go is with a bow thruster with conventional sterndrives. "Skipper-up," to coin a phrase. Bayliner is hard to beat on price – it has been the company's strongest selling point for more than 50 years. If you're shopping on a budget, or just like to be careful with your money, you should check out the Bayliner 315 SB. At the very least, you'll have a baseline price to use when comparing other boats.