Trophy Boats Return with New Center Consoles
Bayliner has revived the beloved Trophy fishing boat brand for 2020! A few years back Bayliner began refreshing just about every boat model they built and quickly rolled out a number of new models li
Bayliner has revived the beloved Trophy fishing boat brand for 2020!
A few years back Bayliner began refreshing just about every boat model they built and quickly rolled out a number of new models like the Bayliner VR5 bowrider, a completely new style of bowrider, and the Element F18, a fishing boat version from their Element line.
Now for the 2020 model year, Bayliner has announced the return of their Trophy line of center console fishing boats. The first two available options The are the T20CC and the T22CC, which are complemented by the similar T20CX and T22CX.
Ready to get your first glimpse of these new boats?
The difference between the CC and CX models is pretty simple: CC versions have fold-down jump seats on either side of the aft casting deck, while the CX versions have a single large fold-down bench seat. From there forward the models are identical.
Bayliner has also re-tagged the 18 and 21 Element fishing versions as the Trophy 18 Bay and the Trophy 21 Bay. Wait a sec—why introduce the Trophy model line in 20’ and 22’, when they already have similarly-sized Element fishing boats in the lineup? Remember that the Element line is built on Bayliner’s unique M-hull design (which we examined in detail, in Bayliner Element: Need an Inexpensive Runabout? Deckboat? Bowrider?).
The M-hull is similar to a cathedral hull and is designed to maximize stability, minimize draft, and run with a relatively flat attitude. These attributes make it ideal for bay boats, but not so ideal for center consoles that an angler will want to run through larger waters and choppier seas. These new Trophies, however, are built on more traditional 18-degree deadrise V-hulls that provide a deeper V-shape to split open waves, as well as more flare in the bow.
One of the most important features of the Trophy line is their affordability. Like Trophies of the past they deeply undercut the wider market’s price-points, with a turnkey T20CC boat-motor-trailer package including a 115-horse EFI four-stroke Mercury outboard and a tandem-axel galvanized trailer with brakes and a swing-away tongue starting at around $35,000. Moving up to the T22CC (with 150 horses on the transom) bumps the starting point to around $42,000. Any way you cut it, that’s a serious bargain for a brand-new boat in today’s marketplace.
At that sort of pricing, of course, you can’t expect a huge list of amenities. All things considered, however, the standard list of fishing features is on the impressive side. The boats have four flush-mount gunwale rodholders, under-gunwale racks, four rocket launchers on the leaning post, and fore and aft casting decks. Not only is there a livewell in the aft casting deck, there’s also a second well under the leaning post. And the fact that you get a real-world leaning post is a bit of a surprise, since many price-conscious models instead have a less-expensive but less-comfortable swing-back cooler seat at the helm.
Are there any cost-cutting measures you’ll want to be aware of? Sure, but none that we’d call dramatic. Simple items like cupholders and some of the latches are plastic rather than stainless-steel (though you do have the option of upgrading them to stainless for a few hundred dollars), hatches aren’t equipped with gas-assist struts, and the T-top rocket launchers are clamp-ons rather than being welded.
The Trophies also have a few comfort features you might not expect. There’s a 120-watt AM/FM stereo with an MP3 jack and two speakers, eight cupholders are placed throughout the boat, the console houses a compartment with room for a (tight but useable) portable MSD, and the transom has swim platforms extending back on either side of the motor with a ladder on the starboard side.
If you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks, you can jazz the boat up with goodies like a ski tow pylon, foam cockpit flooring, a transom shower, and bow filler cushions. The most important option most anglers will be interested in, however, is probably the T-top. Get it, and you’ll also get four additional rocket launchers across the back. Plus Bayliner wisely equips these boats with folding T-tops that swing back and down, so you can get one on the boat, spin a few hand-screws, and then park it in your garage.
Two other perks we want to call out about the T20CC and T22CC: first, they carry their beam all the way forward into a wide, rounded, almost deckboat-like bow. That makes for an extremely roomy bowdeck that’s comparable to the ones found on boats with several more LOA. Second, unlike some of the older Bayliner models these boats are completely self-bailing.
In a marketplace where many of the new 20’ and 22’ boats can cost as much as a small condo in some parts of the nation, its’ refreshing to see new models like this that middle-class America can afford. If you like the idea of buying new and you want a fishing boat in this size range, Bayliner’s new Trophies are likely to be on your list of must-see models.
Other Choices:
Buyers looking in this range will want to stack up the Trophies against models like the Sea Chaser 21 LX Bay Runner, or the Mako 21 LTS. Slightly pricier but jazzier options would be boats like the Cobia 201CC or the Key West 219FS.
Specifications:
LOA – 20’5”/22’7”
Beam – 8’0”/8’6”
Draft (max) – 2’8”/2’10”
Displacement – NA
Transom Deadrise – 18/18 degrees
Fuel Capacity –55/65 gal.
See Bayliner Trophy boats for sale listed on boats.com
For more information visit Bayliner Boats.
