2002 Bayliner 4087

Testers Notebook: Bayliner 4087      Location: Gulf Islands, Pacific Ocean, Sidney, B.C.      Test load: Cruising load with three-quarters fuel, half water, cruising supplies.      Test day conditions: Variety of ocean and wave conditions, ranging from calm inlets to swells on open ocean.      Synopsis: With three spacious cabins, the Bayliner 4087 is well-equipped and capable enough to take six adults comfortably cruising for a week or more, with room to move around and relax both in the cabin and on deck.

By: Ted Rankine
     I love Bayliners. Actually, I love all boats, but because my first boat was a Bayliner  I hold a special place in my heart for them.
     Some would say that in the past Bayliner trimmed some corners and cut a few options to deliver a product at a price that the public would readily accept, but they did not compromise safety, performance or comfort. In fact, Bayliner’s bigger boats easily compete with any others on the market in the quality department.  What Bayliner did do, and continues to do, was put a lot of people onto the water by making a good product for the money!
     In my opinion, one of the best Bayliner products for the money is its 4087 that we had the opportunity to use while we cruised the Gulf Islands on the west coast of British Columbia. This particular Bayliner is part of the rental fleet at Bosun’s Yacht Charters in Sidney, B.C.
     There is little doubt why this particular Bayliner is very popular. The 4087 is a roomy flybridge cruiser with three distinct areas -- the aft cockpit, aft deck and bridge -- topside. Each provides ample room for a half dozen or so people, which this boat can easily handle. Because I am not a fan of sleeping on a convertible dinette, I base this on the three-cabin sleeping accommodations.
     The aft cockpit is spacious. It’s large enough to store the outboard motor for the dingy, provide plenty of room for lines and fenders, and mount the BBQ, which can be easily accessed by at least one chef (and a couple of assistants) to cook up lunch or dinner. There’s a solid through-transom door that provides easy access to the large swim platform; the coamings that surround it are high enough to ensure plenty of security for children. Gas-assist hatches in the sole of the aft cockpit open wide to allow good access to what can be accurately described as a cavernous storage area.
     A few steps up takes you to the aft deck.  This is a great place for entertaining in the open air, or with the canvas in place, a dry place to enjoy the outdoors without letting the elements spoil the fun.
     Our particular model featured an optional hardtop, an ideal addition and worthwhile investment for cruising the west coast of Canada. Our 4087 sported the standard storage compartment, which could be changed out for an optional entertainment area complete with an icemaker. And, remember the half a dozen people I mentioned earlier? Well, there’s plenty of room here for all of them to enjoy that BBQ meal, with what would likely be one of the best views in the house.
     From the aft cockpit, you can go either up or down. Down takes you through the sliding door belowdecks; up takes you to the bridge. And, that half dozen people I have now mentioned more than a few times?  Well the bridge is comfortably sized to accommodate all of them in both style and luxury. An adjustable, swiveling helm and companion seats occupy the starboard side of the bridge and a large L-shaped lounger with storage under (very handy for storing the canvas), wraps around the bridge to port. There’s super visibility up here and the seating is high enough that the captain has a great view of the entire bow without having to stand. 
     Five steps down from the aft deck and you’re in the main cabin, one of the brightest and airiest on the market. With almost 360-degree visibility, the large side windows and forward windshield give the impression that you are still outside. The galley, salon and dinette, and lower helm station are all located on one level, so if you are the crew-member who is assigned to KP (kitchen patrol) duty, you’ll not feel isolated from the action. 
     With a full sized fridge, three-burner stove/oven combo, microwave and a double stainless sink, this galley is suitably equipped for long and comfortable cruising. And if dishes aren’t done before the anchor is weighed and the boat is under way, the forward facing galley lets the dish-washer continue kitchen duties and still enjoy the ride and the passing scenery.
     The dinette is located just forward of the galley and although it does have room for the “Lucky Six” I keep referring to, mealtime with six adults sitting at the dinette could be a very intimate affair. However, there is a large and comfy couch on the starboard side that can easily accommodate a couple. The dinette also will make up into a double berth, which would provide extra accommodation if the requisite six want to invite a few more guests along for the ride.
     Just forward on the starboard side is a fully equipped lower helm station. I personally like a lower helm. Many manufacturers argue that the space requirements outweigh the occasional use that a lower helm station gets.  But if you’re doing some serious cruising in all kinds of weather, a lower helm is a very good idea even if it does cut into the belowdecks living space. It’s a welcome haven in bad weather.
     Forward of the main salon and down a few steps is the forward stateroom and head. The head, which also serves the main salon, comes complete with a shower. A double berth, attractively positioned to starboard, provides room for a seat and dressing area.  Off the forward stateroom is a mid-cabin (located beneath the salon above), which, in spite of the limited headroom above the berth itself, is still much bigger both in size and ease of access than many aft cabins in smaller express type cruisers. This is the perfect place for the kids or the couple who lost out on the “sleeping accommodation coin toss.”
     For the couple that won the coin toss (or those who offered to pay for the fuel) is the aft or “owners” stateroom. This is the kind of accommodation that dream cruises are made of. The double island berth is offset into the rear starboard corner with loads of seating around it. A large hanging locker and a window that opens to the aft deck occupy some of the wall space. But what really impressed me was the great layout of the head. A vanity with large mirror is located on the starboard side directly across from the berth. To its left there’s a private toilet enclosure and to the right, a very large shower complete with a moulded seat. When you’re juggling the head’s facilities between two people, as is often the case aboard, there is no better layout that offers maximum privacy with minimum hassle.
     For power, the 4087 comes with a variety of twin inboard engine options including 7.4-litre gasoline MerCruisers. Our Bayliner was equipped with a pair of 330 Cummins diesels. What the boat may lack in off-the-line performance, it sure makes up in long-range economical cruising.  You can expect to see a cruise speed in the 25-mph range with a top speed of just over 30 mph.
     If you are into serious cruising or intending to spend lots of time aboard, the Bayliner 4087 is a boat to consider.  However, if you are looking to buy new, you’d better get moving because the 4087 isn’t included in Bayliner’s 2002 model lineup.  There may be some 2001s still available at dealers, but when they are gone, they’re gone. 
 

Specs:

For the dealer nearest you contact:

Bayliner Marine Corp.,
P.O. Box 9029,
Everett, Washington,
U.S.A. 98206
1-800-443-9119
www.baylinerboats.com