First look! 2018 vr4

[Outboards-N-Idaho]

Found a video walk thru on YouTube of the new VR4. It's from Europe or Russia...But still cool.

Thought some might be interested.

https://youtu.be/GzBWfkE_eqw

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Well, cat's out of the bag now. I have known about this boat's development for nearly a year now, looks like they're at the prototype stage. It does look legit - I think that's Florida in the background, which broadly lines up with where it was developed.

Welcome, everyone, to the replacement for the 160, 170, 175, and 180 OBs.

[Outboards-N-Idaho]

Love the rear swim platform. Engine mount is interesting. Mounted a full foot behind the boat. That will definitely have an impact on handling. Hard to know if good or bad? Should turn quickly, but being so far from the hull...Might porpoise. IDK

The bow block off and triple front facing seats in the bow look very cool.

Also love the rear insert that makes a huge bed. Very nice.

Wonder why the foreign press got it first?

Without the rear sun-pad insert, maybe it's just the angle of the camera, but the seat looks really deep and possibly not very comfortable?

[seadoorider]

looks like the Element from the windshield bulkhead forward..has the same odd looking OB mount as the VR5/6. Which leads me to two questions:

1. will there be an I/O option

2. will there be a replacement for the ancient 3.0? I know it's durable but it's crude compared to the 4 stroke 2.1 OB for example. they did the v6 and v8 surely it's time?

OK on #1 I just watched the video again...admit I skipped through last time..looks like there will be an IO option. still like to see something 21st century.

[Outboards-N-Idaho]

You could surely put a small I/O in it...but not sure why?

You'd loose all that space and then have a much heavier boat.

But then I'm an outboard guy.

[Ruffryder]

new 4.5 will be going in...

[RobMick]

Are they going to offer the 10' matching trailer to tow behind that boat to store the cushions that you are not going to use for each trip? And I better run down and check the stern of my pontoon boat.....I think they stole my transom and engine from it. I know it's a price-point boat....but unfortunately from what I see in the video, it looks it too. I think Bayliner did a nice job on the vr5/6 this idea not so much though. Would like to some sort of "high-end" possible double branded (Bayliner/SeaRay) bowrider as I understand that SeaRay is going to be leaving the smaller bowrider segment....if that's true. I am still seeing the SX SeaRay bowriders at boat shows. Still not a fan of the new "wide bow" on all the newer boats...with the new bows, I really would live to see an anchor storage locker at the bow under a cushion....that is probably the biggest headache I have with my 185...The anchor storage and securing...

[seadoorider]

IF the bow is modeled after the Element and it appears to be...there is a nice anchor storage location under the center forward bow cushion. It's covered by a nice fiberglass door which is finished same as the floor. I leave the center cushion out of mine when I need to load/unload people from the front.

FWIW - I am not a fan of the new Bayliner philosophy of using a common floor plan for both I/O and OB boats. I think this will be negatively received in the market place. The huge wasted potential floor space gain on the OB models with the empty "engine compartments" is a missed opportunity to make an even better boat and is frankly a lazy nod to cut manufacturing / tooling costs. Very transparent.

And the integration or lack thereof of the OB - my gosh looks like a hillbilly added an outboard to a stern drive boat after his IO broke. No offense to actual hillbillies. These boats might look and feel "right" with the IO drive but with the trend in small runabouts being to go OB, they should have done better. Ditto the VR5/6.

This thing would be a rocket with the 4.5 though....am I right?

[Waterdowg]

I found this picture on the web of the bow.

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Remember one of the reasons they saved so much cost is they share the cushions and seating with the Elements. So that's why the bow looks so similar.

Some answers:

1. The outboard mounting IS the swim platform - the swim platform was designed to be strong enough (and bolt-on) to allow for OB mounts. So, in theory, this VR4 would take a stern drive. But...

2. The 3.0 is dead and they are not replacing it. That place in the market is now filled by Mercury's outboards. So I would not expect a stern drive version, but nothing's been decided on yet (well, when I last talked to Bayliner...lots could have changed since then). The smallest stern drive they have is the 4.5L 200 hp Alpha, and that might be a lot for a 17 foot hull.

3. Look around on the market, and you will see the Bayliner isn't the only one who is taking stern drive hulls and mounting outboards to them. Four Winns does it too.

4. Rumor has it this VR4 is not the last of the VR series. (RobMick, that was a hint)

[RobMick]

Didn't realize about the bow storage...I like that as I said. Anymore, these boats remind me of the Honda Element....which looks like a group of guys from the Honda parts warehouse, started drinking on a Friday night and started grabbing various parts from the shelves and "slapped" them together. Sunday night rolls around and that hideous looking thing is sitting there when they come out of their drunken engineering stupor.....practical, ergonomic maybe, good looking.... NOT! But I get it...clearly there is a line in the sand being drawn basically ending up with you want good looks, high quality? Don't look at us....look at some of the other guys....crownline, etc. but if you want function and practicality and low price...we are the "go to" guys...Bayliner...which I guess is what they wanted to happen and differentiate themselves from others in the segment...like most things....you will get what you pay for. Personally I don't mind paying a bit more for quality, distinctive looks and reliability.....resale value will also be interesting to see how that holds up over the next few years...get a 3 year old VR boat or a 5-7 year old higher end boat for close to same money? I had no "loyalty" to the Bayliner name when I bought our 185 a couple of years ago. In my research and long shopping adventures for a bowrider that would "work" for us, this boat, looks, cost, hours 32 when bought, all fell into place so we pulled the trigger. Not a bad thing that Brunswick is really drawing the line between their brands so that they "compliment" each other, not fight each other....you want a Ford or you want a Lincoln? Either one you will pay accordingly...

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"RobMick" post=818787 wrote:
Didn't realize about the bow storage...I like that as I said. Anymore, these boats remind me of the Honda Element....which looks like a group of guys from the Honda parts warehouse, started drinking on a Friday night and started grabbing various parts from the shelves and "slapped" them together. Sunday night rolls around and that hideous looking thing is sitting there when they come out of their drunken engineering stupor.....practical, ergonomic maybe, good looking.... NOT! But I get it...clearly there is a line in the sand being drawn basically ending up with you want good looks, high quality? Don't look at us....look at some of the other guys....crownline, etc. but if you want function and practicality and low price...we are the "go to" guys...Bayliner...which I guess is what they wanted to happen and differentiate themselves from others in the segment...like most things....you will get what you pay for. Personally I don't mind paying a bit more for quality, distinctive looks and reliability.....resale value will also be interesting to see how that holds up over the next few years...get a 3 year old VR boat or a 5-7 year old higher end boat for close to same money? I had no "loyalty" to the Bayliner name when I bought our 185 a couple of years ago. In my research and long shopping adventures for a bowrider that would "work" for us, this boat, looks, cost, hours 32 when bought, all fell into place so we pulled the trigger. Not a bad thing that Brunswick is really drawing the line between their brands so that they "compliment" each other, not fight each other....you want a Ford or you want a Lincoln? Either one you will pay accordingly...

I think you and I would have a very agreeable conversation over beers, because I agree with you. And I think Brunswick is being smart to position Bayliner and Sea Ray as complimentary brands....SR never did inexpensive boats particularly well, and Bayliner was always out of their element when they tried to do higher end (my old 2450 Ciera bowrider, for instance).

I personally don't find the new Bayliner range to be particularly attractive, and as we get closer to reentering boating, despite how positive I am about their model line, my personal requirements are coming into focus. And I am not sure I like what I see being a returning-market boater.

Doesn't make these boats bad at all...they're damn good. But maybe not what I am looking for this time round....

[RobMick]

Agreed on ALL points.

In the meantime, as a side note there is beginning to have some "push back" concerning the "wake boats, Heyday whatever here in Michigan. The shoreline damage to waterfront owners in our inland lakes from these boats and the sport frankly has reached the ears and raised eyebrows within government bodies here. Being very involved in our state Lakes and Steams Association, there is now a push with our law makers to regulate even make these types of boats illegal to be on various lakes.....this should get very interesting going forward...

[Outboards-N-Idaho]

Couple of points:

The engine isn't mounted on the swim platform like the VR5. It clearly shows a completely separate mounting. That may be because this is a prototype and later it might be on the swim platform. Time will tell.

I would disagree with the notion that a separate and dedicated engine mount is somehow "Hillbilly". I actually like it not on the swim platform. The engine doesn't muck up the swim platform, and also allows a strong, clean, and adjustable place for mounting the engine. Very Functional.

Contrary to most others, I really like the large dedicated storage area "Where the inboard used to go". If you are a day boater going out from the campground, I understand this. But we like go out for days and often wilderness camp and I'm looking forward to using this space for tents, sleeping bags, etc...

SeaRay, and others are using the old I/O space this way, not just Bayliner because "They are cheap". All of those extra sun-pads will store in there nicely that someone said would need a "Separate Trailer". Lol

Finally, I don't mind a Price-point boat if it gives me what I want, in fact the "Cheap guy" that I am actually likes it. Also less-is-more in a boat, especially small boats as weight means everything when it comes to performance.

I just hope they offer enough, even as options, to outfit the boat nicely. I'm not going to spend $25 or $30K for a boat that looks cheap. Doesn't need fancy wood grain inserts and tuck-n-roll seats; But can't look cheap.

[seadoorider]

Valid opinions...the market will tell us what people really like or not. I personally think the VR5/6 engine house is silly. It's there because they wanted to use the same molds, I get that. I also agree that there are probably a few customers who will be delighted at the huge storage locker but most of the buyers of these runabouts are day boaters and space on a smaller boat is critical. I think they could have done some innovative things with the additional deck space - in this case especially so if all the VR4 are outboards. In video, it looked as though they did the same thing with the VR4 as it's bigger brothers. Guess we'll see.

The Element bow is a good design. Very wide and spacious for a small boat. They carried this over to the VR5 as well. It should do well here. I really like the bulkhead plug with the backrest for a center pax.

I have no doubt that the engine mount is well engineered. My hillbilly comment is based on my opinion of the appearance. It just looks odd. Like it was an afterthought. maybe the smaller size and proportions of this boat will have a better appearance. We'll have to see. The OB VR5/6 are just odd looking.