4550 vs 4588 vs 4788 vs 49 Meridian-gctid378511

[Guest]

What were the major differences between these PHMYs (such as hull dimensions, power, performance, weight, layout, standard equipment)?

What were the major improvements and at what year did each occur?

What are the known problem areas with each vessel type?

Thanks for your help.

-Dick-

[WhiteRockMike]

Welcome to the forum Dick. If you use the forum search tool you can get lots of info. Here are a few informative threads:

http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?1536-LOA-of-4788-and-differences-between-4588-4788-490&highlight=4588+versus+4788

http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?46703-Differences-47-vs-49&highlight=4788+meridian

[Guest]

Another good way to compare these models is go to Yachtworld.com and search. You typically get lots of pictures, dimensions, standard equipment, etc. plus asking prices.

[Guest]

Thanks, but lots of conflicting info out there on even the basics.

One of the links...

http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?46703-Differences-47-vs-49&highlight=4788+meridian

...seems to have a consensus that the 4788 and 490 are essentially the same boat (some feel the 490 is 2' longer, however), while Yachtworld listings mostly call the 490 a 49' boat and the 4788 a 47' boat.

All sources seem to list the beam essentially the same (14' 11" - 15') for all 3.

No links I could find here compare the length of the 4588 and the 4788. Yachtworld listings call the 4588 a 45' boat and the 4788 a 47' boat.

Some listings for all 3 boats indicate the measurement is LOA, some as length on deck, and some as length at the water line.

For starters, is there some definitive place I can go that shows hull dimensions for all 3 boats?

[Uncle_Bob]

A start is Blake Davis' site http://yachtsforu.com/ which has a history of 45-47-49 on the front page.

[WhiteRockMike]

See my replies below in red text.

Dick S. wrote:
Thanks, but lots of conflicting info out there on even the basics.

[COLOR]"#FF0000" wrote:
Yes there is, but the posts by those that own one of the boat models are pretty accurate and describe many of the differences.[/COLOR]

One of the links...

https://"http://www.baylinerownerscl...=4788+meridian

...seems to have a consensus that the 4788 and 490 are essentially the same boat (some feel the 490 is 2' longer, however), while Yachtworld listings mostly call the 490 a 49' boat and the 4788 a 47' boat. [COLOR]"#FF0000" wrote:
The consensus that the 4788 and 490 are the same size hull are correct. Mmichellich had it right that it appears to be a marketing move by Meridian, when all the larger Bayliners were rebranded Meridian, they took a little "poetic license" and actually rebranded all three pilothouses with longer numbers in the name. The 4788 became the 490, the 5288 became the 540 and the 5788 became the 580. All are the same hull (Bayliner to Meridian) but have some upgrades including cosmetic changes. On the 4788 and 490, the actual dimensions, albeit the same, are a little murky but I believe the length on deck is about 47' 4" and the length including swim step and bowsprit is a little under 54'.[/COLOR]

All sources seem to list the beam essentially the same (14' 11" - 15') for all 3. [COLOR]"#FF0000" wrote:
Correct. All hull beams are the same. The 490 is two inches wider due to the redesigned engine air intakes.

[/COLOR]

No links I could find here compare the length of the 4588 and the 4788. Yachtworld listings call the 4588 a 45' boat and the 4788 a 47' boat. [COLOR]"#FF0000" wrote:
Yes, the 4788 is approximately two feet longer than the 4588. Most of this additional length is found in the salon and galley area.

[/COLOR]

Some listings for all 3 boats indicate the measurement is LOA, some as length on deck, and some as length at the water line. [COLOR]"#FF0000" wrote:
Yes, unfortunately the listings are notorious for inaccurate LOA, LWL, etc. And there is confusion about whether the LOA should include items that are not integral to the hull such as the swim step and bowsprit. However, for the 4788 and 490, the lengths I gave above are pretty accurate. If you're boasting, you can round up and use 54'. If you're paying transient moorage, it's 47' [/COLOR]

For starters, is there some definitive place I can go that shows hull dimensions for all 3 boats? [COLOR]"#FF0000" wrote:
Your best be is to contact Blake Davis, as mentioned by Uncle Bob. I believe he goes by the forum name of "Pilothouseking". He knows more about these boats that most, and can also help you find the right one for you. [/COLOR]

[Guest]

Uncle Bob wrote:
A start is Blake Davis' site http://yachtsforu.com/ which has a history of 45-47-49 on the front page.

Thanks for reminding me of this page. This a now finally a 100% stand alone site. I just now corrected some of the problems that occurred when I recovered that page of "history and updates" from my previous hosted site (that crashed for 3 months!) to this new one. It took so much time just rebuilding this new site, adding boats for sale, etc (that's where I make the money that pay's the bills), that I hadn't had time to put my eye to that page. It didn't transfer well-so JUST now the "mish-mash" has been separated, and I added a new photo or two, along with some comments, which should make it easier to read.

Unfortunately my monthly MARKET UPDATE didn't make the transfer. It was lost along with many other pages in the transfer from the CRASHED (thanks Interactive Media, you incompetent morons!) site. THEY lost lot's of valuable pages and photos. When I think about starting a new market update page- I keep asking myself "what market to update?". Basically if it was a graph it would be a downward trajectory at a 30 degree angle in long term view and in short term would look like ledges with drops-levels, then drops. Exports drove the East Coast market for past 6 years, but it's gone very quiet in past 6 months.

Hopefully now that I'm 100% stand alone site, I won't have further problems with crashed sites, and lost information.

[Guest]

Thanks to all! Excellent information. Just what I was after.

Mike...I'm right down the Salish Sea from you in Bellingham.

Thanks again.

-Dick-

[mmichellich]

Dick S. wrote:
What were the major differences between these PHMYs (such as hull dimensions, power, performance, weight, layout, standard equipment)?

What were the major improvements and at what year did each occur?

What are the known problem areas with each vessel type?

Thanks for your help.

-Dick-

The 47 and 49 have identical hulls and external measurements. Starting with the 94 47, each later year has upgrades to the interior up til last year the 49 was produced. Engine hp upgrades generally follow year changes also.

The 4550 pilothouse and 4588 pilothouse boats are likewise identical.

There was a fairly significant hull change from 45 to 47/49 boats.

There were a few 47s built in 96 with Hinos (maybe 3 or so). All earlier 45/47s had Hinos. After that all 47/49s have Cummins engines.

[Guest]

If memory serves me correctly the coast guard is responsible for the irregularity. I was told by a close friend that meets quarterly with the Coast Guard Commandant, that they were dictating that all newer boats, starting about five years ago

be measured including the swim step.

Ron

[mmichellich]

captron3233 wrote:
If memory serves me correctly the coast guard is responsible for the irregularity. I was told by a close friend that meets quarterly with the Coast Guard Commandant, that they were dictating that all newer boats, starting about five years ago

be measured including the swim step.

Ron

When boats started having integrated swim platforms, i.e. Not bolted on they included the swim step in the length. When Meridian took over Bayliner yachts, the only boat they had without an integrated swim platform was the 47/49. As I understood at the time they called the 47 a 49 to just be consistant across their product line. I can find no USCG direction on all swim platforms have to be included in lengths including bolted ones like the 47/49. If someone has a reference, that would be helpful.

[ksanders]

mmichellich wrote:
When boats started having integrated swim platforms, i.e. Not bolted on they included the swim step in the length. When Meridian took over Bayliner yachts, the only boat they had without an integrated swim platform was the 47/49. As I understood at the time they called the 47 a 49 to just be consistant across their product line. I can find no USCG direction on all swim platforms have to be included in lengths including bolted ones like the 47/49. If someone has a reference, that would be helpful.

I would agree. I also think its marketing. Make a boat sound larger, sell it for more money.

I know this....

In a slip with 50' fingers, if you put the anchor pulpit on the inside end of the slip you cannot board our 4788 via the swim step.

[Guest]

ksanders wrote:
I would agree. I also think its marketing. Make a boat sound larger, sell it for more money.

Exactly. Coast Guard has zip to do with any of that. Pure marketing. Mainship made their 35' a 39' with the sroke of a pen. Sea Ray 50' Sundancer has always been 48'. Etc.

[Foster]

ksanders wrote:


In a slip with 50' fingers, if you put the anchor pulpit on the inside end of the slip you cannot board our 4788 via the swim step.

Snicker, our 4588 bow first in our 50' slip, it's a long jump or a short swim to the swim platfom. We pay, I show the hull plan, when we cruse, for 45. But in unknown harbors, we ask for 55.

[capnken]

when I was researching this info myself, I contacted the actual marine architect that designed the 45 boat. He told me that the same hull mold was used for all 3 with only minor modifications (they basically extended the hull mold). The big changes came with the newer models like the 52 and the 5788's. Completely different hull design.