2009 Bayliner 205 BR Flight Series

   For 45 years, Bayliner has been getting boaters out on the water affordably and in all types of boats – many of which are bowriders like the 205. Designed to maximize space, the 205 is offered in a variety of configurations and seating packages to fit whatever your water activity of choice may be.

   Our test model was an optioned up Flight Series, an excellent and affordable package for wakeboarding and other watersports.The flight package adds a solid wakeboard tower, an integrated Bimini top, extended swim platform, deluxe steering wheel and a dash of flash with the hull graphics.

   Our tester had the optional sport seating package, which provides an L-shaped transom seat for four or more, a sunpad over the engine compartment with a removable walk-through cushion and twin swivelling/sliding bucket seats.

   In designing the cockpit, Bayliner not only focused on room for passengers, but also on plenty of storage.With the sport seating, compartments are hidden away in the transom seat and under the sunpad (outboard of the engine), and there is a locker under the walk-through. In the cockpit, space for gear is provided in the open gunwales and a gunwale locker, as well as in both consoles and under the bow seating. The sport layout has a large in-floor locker to handle wet gear and large items like wakeboards.

   The helm is nicely laid out with a full complement of chrome bezel instruments and a serious 120-watt stereo/CD system. Not only attractive, the ergonomic helm allows all controls and switches to fall readily to hand, and the adjustable bolstered bucket seat and tilt wheel ensures a comfortable position.

   Out on the water, the 205 met all of our expectations. Bayliner has opted to install a 220 hp MerCruiser 5.0 LTurn Key Start V8 as the base motor, giving the 205 Flight Series excellent performance. Lightly loaded, acceleration was crisp, with the hull planing in less than five secods. Top speed was 46.7 mph and the hull cruised smoothly at 28 mph at a modest 3000 rpm. Standard anti-feedback power steering made manoeuvring the 205 in and out of sweeping or sharp turns a pleasure.

TEST BOAT ENGINE
MerCruiser 5.0 TKS Alpha 1, 305 ci / 5.0L V8, 220 hp

ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0-20 / 5.3 ; 0-30 / 7.8 ; 0-40 / 10.7

TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
5000 / 46.7

CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
3000 / 28

SOUND LEVEL AT CRUISE
Helm – 88 dbA ; Cockpit – 98 dbA

SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED
Helm – 89dbA ; Cockpit – 99 dbA