FIND ME A: CUDDY CABIN

Expand your cruising horizons and enjoy overnight stays with a bargain cuddy boat

Bayliner churned out its Capri range of cuddy cabin boats by the thousand in the 1980s and early 90s. Piled high and sold cheap, the quality wouldn’t have worried Windy, but they did the job for many people. Then, supply dried up – Bayliner just stopped building them. But in a dramatic return to form, the 642 was launched as an affordable fun cuddy cabin in 2012, the first and smallest of a three-strong range of cuddy cabins. This time, the fit-out, while still basic, was a quantum leap in terms of quality. The cabin is sparse, but has the essentials: a vee berth that converts to a double, a chemical loo that pulls out from under the steps, and… that’s about it. Oddly, there’s no deck hatch, just a couple of narrow skylights. Wipedown linings are practical.

EXTERIOR

Full of clever touches, the small sunpad has a lift-up section to create a backrest or a walk-through, the navigator seat backrest flips forward to increase seating and there’s a removable folding table. It’s quite high sided too, giving protection from the elements and a feeling of security. With no side decks, steps built into the cabin door give access forward through the opening windscreen.

PERFORMANCE

A 4-cylinder 3-litre engine keeps the price of entry down and the weight low enough that you can tow the 642 behind a family car on a two-wheel trailer rather than needing a twin axle and a 4x4. Yet you’ll still see more than 30 knots flat out from this combination, with a comfortable mid-20-knot cruise. An engine upgrade to a 4.3-litre V6 upped the horsepower quotient to 220hp for those requiring more serious watersports ability.

SEAKEEPING

Despite being quite a light boat, the Bayliner 642 handles some chop rather well. Tall screens give good visibility and shelter from the wind blast and handling is vice free and inspires confidence.