When the world's largest boat builder sets its sights on a particular niche, you can expect three things: first, they'll spend whatever it takes on research and development. Second, they'll produce a solid product even if they have no previous experience in that area and, third, they'll price it to be extremely competitive.

Bayliner's success was made with family runabouts and, though they once had a reputation for less than sterling construction, that is no longer true. The Ski Challenger is a good example of solid value.

With high-tech computer design and manufacturing software, Bayliner designers are able to capitalize both on sophisticated software that "fine-tunes" a boat to any requirements and on a vast library of practical experience. Of course, any company that orders fiberglass resin by the railroad tank car, instruments by the hundred thousand, and stereos by the thousands can pass along sizable savings to their buyers.

Exterior


The Ski Challenger is large, both in dimensions (21 feet, 5 inches by 8 feet) and weight (3,550 pounds) compared to most skiboats, but this is designed for family fun with ample room for an entire household and friends. The hull and deck utilize conventional solid fiberglass construction of hand-laid fiberglass, with layers of 24-ounce woven roving alternating between layers of chopped strand. For extra strength, the roving is overlapped at the keel and chine, and other high-stress areas (such as under engine stringers) get doubled laminations. Wood stringers and bulkheads are fully encapsulated in fiberglass, the hull strakes are filled with wood for stiffness, and the limber holes (for draining moisture) through the stringers and bulkheads are lined with PVC tubing to seal the wood against rot.

Following Henry Ford's production line theory (any color as long as it's black), Bayliner offers the Ski Challenger only in a striking red topsides with white deck and bottom combination. The Ski Challenger graphics and accent stripes are tape, and the line between red and white gel coat was crisp and clean on our test boat. The hull and deck are nearly flawless in moldwork, with little "print-through" pattern from the roving and the mirror-slick gel coat had no hard spots from bulkheads.

The hull has a 25-degree deadrise entry, flattening out to 10 degrees at the transom, giving more of a V-hull than pure tournament boats, but the Ski Challenger will smooth the chop of big lakes and provide a drier ride as well.

The molded-in transom platform is wide, with stainless-steel grab rail/tow ring, hidden ladder with wide steps, and soft non-slip surface for grip and comfort.

Interior


The wrap-around seating is upholstered with heavy-grade marine vinyls that are dye-penetrated (not color-sprayed) and treated to resist stains, mildew and wear.

Ski stowage is ample, both in an under-floor locker and behind the observer seat, which is reached from both the forward cockpit and the observer seat, although the observer has to move since both the bottom and bolster are hinged up with gas-assisted lifts. Once inside, there's ample carpeted space for kneeboards and watertoys as well as skis. Additional stowage is behind the bolsters and under the seats, including an ice chest with drain. An optional hot-and-cold shower with long hose was hidden under one seat for rinsing off after skiing. The cockpit has a full fiberglass liner for easy cleaning, and the logo-embroidered carpet is removable. A cleverly designed fold-up door closes off the walk-through in cool weather to create a fully protected cockpit aft.

Our Launch Ramp team described the mechanical rigging as excellent, with color-coded heavy-duty wiring, good access to the battery, and well secured plumbing in the engine compartment.

A 7-inch high tow pylon is very solid, and the engine hatch, with full width sun pad, has an electrically activated lift mechanism. Pop-up stern cleats keep the aft deck clear, but we don't much like the sharply pointed bow cleat/lifting eye on the bow which could be dangerous.

Performance


The driver has a fully adjustable bucket seat and a tidy dash with easily read gauges. The dash is matte black, so there is no reflection in the windshield, and rocker switches for the electrical system are legibly marked. Visibility forward is excellent, since the windshield supports are next to the driver and the anodized aluminum frame is well above even the tallest head. With rack-and-pinion steering, tilt Dino wheel, and a padded elbow rest for the driver's throttle arm, this is a comfortable place to spend the day.

Our test boat had the optional MerCruiser 350 Magnum Black Scorpion that punches out 315 horsepower through the V-drive, although it seems much more. Standard power is the MerCruiser Magnum, also based on the 5.7L (350-cubic-inch) V-8 block but putting out 265 horsepower. I suspect that the Black Scorpion boosts the speed by about 5 mph over the standard engine, and would recommend the bigger power plant for most family ski uses. After all, you don't have to use all the power you have but, with a smaller engine, you'll never have more power. Throttle response is smooth, and there's plenty of torque available for deepwater starts.

Skiability


Overall, the boat is a sweet performer, with good wakes throughout the line-lengths up to about 22-off, where the roostertail is evident. Kneeboarders and wakeboarders are going to find wakes ready for big air and, with the Scorpion engine, barefooters shouldn't have any problems.

The spray is almost nil, perhaps because of the slightly reversed chines and the veed hull and, even without skegs, the hull tracks straight and unwavering even with a big skier cutting hard out to the side.

Who Should Buy This Boat?


This is a great compromise for family fun. Not quite up to tournament level skiboats, but far better than the average runabout for skiing, this boat has plenty of room, plenty of power, and enough amenities to fully satisfy most recreational skiers.

With Bayliner's huge dealer network and construction expertise, put this boat on your short list of must-sees for value, quality, and performance.
Boat Specifications
Length:21'5"
Beam:8'
Weight w/Std. Engine:3550 lb.
Fuel Capacity:32 gal.

 
Standard Engine Package:
MerCruiser Magnum
C.I.D./Liters:350 c.i./5.7L
Prop HP:265 hp.
Gear Ratio:1:1
Engine Weight:855 lb.
Engine Warranty:one year
Prop:13x13

 
Test Engine Package:
MerCruiser Black Scorpion
C.I.D./Liters:350 c.i./5.7L
Prop HP:315 hp.
Gear Ratio:1:1
Engine Weight:898 lb.
Engine Warranty:one year
Prop:13x13 Mercury 3-blade

Hull Design


Bottom Description: 25-degree deadrise entry, 10-degree deadrise at transom, one full length strake and two strakes to midships, reversed chine.

Construction Technique Highlights: Handlaid fiberglass and vinylester resin, fully encapsulated wood stringers, meets NMMA certification standards.

Standard Price: $19,995.

Price As Tested: $22,995
MPH/SECS Data
0-15 mph:3.5
0-20 mph:4.1
0-30 mph:6.2
0-40 mph:8.5
0-top speed:11.4
0-36 with skier:n/a

 
MPH/RPM Data:
2000 rpm:20.3 mph
3000 rpm:28.7 mph
4000 rpm:39.3 mph
5000 rpm:46.1 mph

 
Interior
Noise Level:at 36 mph, 90 db(A)
Layout:Bowrider
Seating Capacity:ten
Cockpit Width:80" front, 77" rear
Driver's Seat:21" back, bucket
Driver's Kneeroom:25"
Observer's Seat:18" back height, bench
Rear Seat:16" back height, wraps around to port side,
five person
Graphicsmulti-color vinyl tape with logo, tape stripes
Number of Gel coat ColorsTwo colors standard
Color Combinations:red and white only

 
Standard Features:
Adjustable Driver's Seat
Driver's Mirror
Walk-Through Windshield
Full Instrumentation
Rack & Pinion Steering
Upholstered Sunpad Engine Cover
Solid Aluminum Tow Pylon
Tilt Steering
Full Mooring/Trailering Cover
Removable Carpet
Clock
Electric Engine Hatch
JVC Stereo Cassette Player
Built-In Ice Chest
Lockable Glove Compartment
Courtesy Floor Lighting
Morse Competition Throttle

 
Optional Features:
Engine Upgrade: MerCruiser Black Scorpion
Sun Top
Heater
Hot-And-Cold Shower