Bayliner Element E7 Review
Type: Deck Boat
Length: 22′ 5″
Number of persons carried: 10
What we like about it: The spacious and comfortable seating setup is unique.
What we didn’t like about it: the couch-style driver’s seat setup isn’t very convenient for captains to adjust the height and the direction of fore and aft.
Rating (4.7/5)
The Bayliner Element E7 is a boat model that has received a lot of attention since production began in 2018. Even in the current state where this boat is in discontinued production, its used boats are still popular in the market.
At 22′ 5″ in overall length, the Bayliner Element E7 has an extended bow and is capable of accommodating up to 10 people at a time, making a comfortable ride its greatest strength.
If for this boat you want to go deeper and deeper, feel free to keep reading on. Below I will give a comprehensive look at the Bayliner Element E7 in terms of how it drives, how it rides, the specs layout, and a few other things that I hope will help you out.
If there are any other questions you would like to know about the boat, please feel free to contact us as well and we would be honored to have you with us.
Overall Impression
The company I work for holds a reunion every year, and the event usually takes place in April or May, which is the company’s low season for business. Regarding the form of this year’s reunion, we voted unanimously to rent a boat and go out for a trip.
Probably because I know more about boats, the company sent me as the person in charge of this activity. After having a simple communication with the charter company, I chose this Bayliner Element E7 as the tool for the trip.
The reunion date scheduled in advance arrived quickly and it was a sunny day.The black and white color scheme of the Bayliner Element E7 gave me a premium feel. I boarded the boat with my company colleagues and the spacious and comfortable sofas were the highlight of the boat.
I sat in the driver’s seat as the captain of this voyage, and I felt that the driver’s seat of this boat is very different from other boats. The driver’s seat of the Element E7 is an extension of the sofa, which gave me plenty of room to move around.
Even when I was not driving the boat, I could just turn around and joined in the party with everyone at the stern, after all, the comfort of this seat was still guaranteed. This type of driver’s seat, while better in terms of comfort, has the inherent disadvantage of not being adjustable, making it difficult to adjust fore and aft or height according to my height or driving habits.
User-friendly Console
The console in front of me is also very simple in design, and the various instrument clusters are well distributed, so I could easily access the driving parameters. The reserved section under the console provided plenty of room for me to stretch my legs, and with a 25L cooler capable of chilling a variety of drinks, I’d already added ice and beverages to it ahead of time.
The wrap-around windshield in front of the console made me feel very secure, enough to provide some protection for me and my passengers from the wind and rain.
Riding Experience
Feeling the sun getting harsher, I turned on the button controlling the Bimini top and it immediately provided everyone with a patch of shade in the aft section of the boat. I parked the boat in a place where the wind would not be too violent and joined in with everyone’s activities.
The semi-enclosed layout of both the bow and stern sections of the boat provided as much ride space as possible. The friends at the stern, under the shade of the Bimini top, opened up the cushions in the middle of the sofa to form a large and spacious upholstered platform.
They were playing a card game that has become very popular lately, and the sound of giggling could be heard now and then. The game had already started and I made a reservation for the next round. The two couches in the bow can also be laid out as a sunbathing platform just like the stern, and the front of the ship was just about unobstructed, making it a great place to soak up the sun.
So, I lay down on the spacious platform and sunbathed while waiting for the next round of games to begin. The warmth of the sunlight on my body made my skin feel slightly warm, and it was still a very comfortable experience.
Specification
The main feature of the Bayliner Element E7 is that it favors casual and comfortable vacation features, with an extended bow that gives passengers plenty of room to move around. However, since it does not have a wide deck and other essential facilities for fishing, this boat is not well suited as a multi-purpose deck boat for fishing.
The design of the Bayliner Element E7 driver’s and passenger’s seats is still quite unique. Unlike the driver’s seat with sliders and swivel function of normal boats, the seats of this boat can be seen as an extension of the aft sofa.
This sofa seat design is much more comfortable, but has the disadvantage of not being able to be adjusted flexibly. The wrap-around windshield that spans the driver’s and passenger’s ends is a definite advantage in protecting the captain and passengers, but it also creates an unavoidable obstacle to clear passage for passengers.
Other than that, I think one of the highlights of the Bayliner Element E7 is the collapsible sunbathing platform, with pop-up cushions set between the sofas on both sides of the bow and stern, which combine with the sofas to make a spacious sunbathing platform. This is fantastic for those who favor tan skin.
Even if you don’t want to be exposed to the sun, there is the option of opening the Bimini top to cover the top of the rear of the boat.
Video
Other Version
When talking to the charter company, they also recommended the Bayliner Element E6 version of the same series of boats, which is a predecessor design to the E7. But after considering the number of people in our party and our needs, we opted for the E7.
Below is a brief comparison between the Bayliner Element E7 and the E6, which will hopefully help you to understand the boat more fully.
The Bayliner Element E7 is a major upgrade in boat performance compared to the E6, which is a slightly smaller boat at around 19′ 9″ in length, and has a reduced maximum capacity of 9 people.
The smaller size of the E6 is probably why the boat has a smaller draft compared to the E7, which gives it an advantage in shallow waters. In addition, the biggest difference between these two boats is in the fuel capacity, with the E6’s mere 45L capacity being upgraded considerably in the E7.
In the latest E7, the fuel tank capacity has directly soared to 167L, which is a larger capacity to adapt to the high fuel consumption characteristics of the deck boat.
What we like about it
- The fiberglass hull will be more stable and the ride will be more comfortable.
- The sofa has armrests between the backrests for passenger safety.
- The spacious sofa space and sunbathing deck are simply fantastic for sun lovers and perfect for use as an entertaining deck.
- An under-console cooler provides ice-cold beverages even on hot days.
What we don’t like about it
- This deck boat doesn’t offer fishing and focuses primarily on improving the comfort of the ride.
FAQ
1. What is a deck boat?
In fact, there are some similarities between deck boats and pontoon boats in that they can both be used for water recreation. However, there are still significant differences between these two types of boats.
The deck boat will be more diversified in terms of function, and it can support a variety of water activities such as fishing, swimming, water skiing and so on. And in the engine setting, the deck boat will also be equipped with a stronger driving force, and the boat’s athletic ability should not be underestimated.
Thanks to the V-shaped hull design, the deck boat has a certain ability to cut the water, compared to the deck boat, is more able to adapt to the slightly more complex water conditions.
2. How shallow can a deck boat go?
The deck boat V-hull design is not very capable of traveling in extremely shallow waters, as there may be a danger of the boat hitting the bottom.
If you need to navigate in shallower water conditions, it is still recommended that you opt for a flat-bottomed pontoon boat or a less cambered Jon boat. In the case of the deck boat we are featuring today, it has a draft of 0.4 meters.
3. How to clean a fiberglass boat deck?
Before cleaning the deck, you need to be well prepared and it is recommended that you first carefully wipe the deck to remove as much debris as possible from the fiberglass to avoid leaving scratches after cleaning.
Specialized marine cleaners and Release Adhesive & Sealant Remover can be used to quickly remove all kinds of residue during the actual cleaning process.
Bayliner Element E7 Spec
Length | 6.81m / 22′ 5″ |
Beam | 2.36m / 7′ 9″ |
Draft | 0.40m / 1′ 4″ |
Fuel capacity | 167 L |
Max people | 10 |
Hull material | Fiberglass / GRP |
Comparison Table
Shipbuilding | Deck | Maximum HorsepowerLimit | Maximum Capacity Limit |
Sea Ray SPX 210 | Overall length 21′ 6″ | 200 HP | 12 persons |
Chaparral 23 SSi | Overall length 23’6″ | 250 HP | 13 persons |
Glastron GT 225 | Total length 22’4″ | 300 HP | 13 persons |
Sea Ray SPX 210 VS Bayliner Element E7
The Sea Ray SPX 210 and the Bayliner Element E7 are functionally comparable, with the main differences centered on the layout.
Unlike the Bayliner’s semi-enclosed couch, the Sea Ray was designed with an opening to the aft swim platform that will make it easier to get to the aft deck location.
Additionally, the boat sports bucket seats with reversible cushions allow for flexibility and mobility on your own terms while maintaining comfort.
Finally, in addition to the comfortable L-shaped sofa at the stern, there is also a dedicated sunbathing platform, which will be more than adequate in terms of space. Of course, you can also adjust the angle of the backrest to suit your needs.
Chaparral 23 SSi vs Bayliner Element E7
If you’re shopping for a more spacious boat, then this Chaparral 23 SSi might be more in line with your needs. This boat has a bigger advantage in terms of boat size compared to the Bayliner Element E7, our main feature, with an overall length of 23’6″.
Accordingly, the Chaparral offers slightly more space for passengers to move around, with room for a sunbathing platform aft, in addition to two U-shaped sofas.
Of course, with all this functionality, the weight of the boat has naturally gone up a notch, requiring more powerful engines. This also brings a number of changes, such as a further increase in fuel capacity, with 56 gallons guaranteeing the boat’s longevity.
In short, according to their own needs to buy the boat is the most clear choice. The price of Chaparral 23 SSi’s luxurious configuration is naturally high, which is a certain pressure for those on a limited budget.
Glastron GT 225 vs Bayliner Element E7
The Glastron GT 225’s outstanding performance has attracted a lot of attention.
First of all, the boat’s premium color scheme of coffee immediately caught my attention, and the 13-passenger maximum load limit is capable of accommodating more passengers compared to the Bayliner Element E7.The co-pilot’s seat on the left side of the Glastron boat is set up directly as a sofa bench.
Additionally, there is a folding and stowable privacy compartment hidden under the sofa in this section, which is simply great for privacy folks offering a private space in an open layout. The swim platform at the stern of this boat is also a little more spacious in comparison, plus the folding swim escalator helps as much as possible to get people in the water on board with as little effort as possible.
Finally, some user-friendly design is also present in the Glastron GT 225. A small removable table next to the sofa makes it easy to store your belongings, and an archway across the top of the cabin brings a little shade when used with a Bimini top.
Summary
The Bayliner Element E7 has captured a large number of loyal enthusiasts with its comfortable ride, and at the same time, the unique V-shaped hull design has the ability to cut through the water quite well, which will satisfy your pursuit of speed compared to a pontoon boat.
Since this boat is currently out of production and only available on the second hand market, it may be difficult to fulfill your desire for a new boat.
But also, please don’t worry, there are numerous new boat models with similar features to the Bayliner Element E7, but cheaper at the NeoBoats website.If you are interested, please visit our homepage for more details.