2021 Bayliss Boatworks 62 Review

Building a custom Bayliss is undoubtedly a dream. Delivered in November 2020, Seven is the fourth 62 to slide out of the barn at the facility, and other than sharing a jig, each one is completely different. She also hallmarks the second convertible to be built by a previous Bayliss owner—the first being Hull No. 8, a 68-footer. This owner is hands-on; he knows—and more importantly, trusts—the process. Named for his seven sons, Seven not only has space for the whole family, but it also possesses the ability to chase fish in virtually any big-game destination.

When I asked builder John Bayliss what makes Seven so special, he mused: “This boat is like the proverbial snowball you see off in the distance during a long run home, and before you know it, she’s walking past you at a 40-plus-knot cruise. It certainly makes those runs a little nicer knowing that a quick but comfortable cruising speed is a real option.” And after my sea trial, I believe him.

Stepping into the salon, you find what seems to be a simple layout, featuring an L-shaped sofa, an additional sofa to starboard and the galley forward. But, in fact, this salon is anything but simplistic. The sofas house immense storage for both rods and tackle, with the L-shaped sofa containing what appear to be bait trays, but in this instance were used to stack and neatly contain dredges. The coffee table is constructed with an ingenious hinge system that allows the Mappa burl top to rise and pivot toward the sofa for additional dining; the dinette is located forward.

The galley features beautiful white Brazilian Calcutta quartzite, and beneath the countertops, dual ­Sub-Zero refrigeration/freezer drawers. For early risers, a direct-plumbed coffee maker located in the upper cabinets next to the Viking convection microwave is welcome.

Seven is designed as a three-stateroom, two-head layout, with an additional tackle room located behind the first door on the starboard side of the companionway. Among the impeccable teak cabinetry, travel gear, terminal tackle, and rods and reels are housed with enough room for two mates to work comfortably. Counter space and two additional Sub-Zero freezers can also be found here.

Two staterooms feature double-bunk layouts, and the master, located forward, features dual teak nightstands and a Mappa burl-accented headboard. The handcrafted nightstands are fitted with internal phone chargers that are completely invisible to the naked eye, and in front of the bed sits a dresser and what looks to be an ordinary mirror between two teak hanging lockers. However, Bayliss upped the wow factor by including a Séura mirrored television in disguise, visible only when it’s turned on. Fancy.

One of the less-discussed areas that caught my attention was the day head. Not only is it huge, but it features unique Azul Macubas quartzite countertops and a full-size linen closet. About as large as a standard master head, I initially wondered, Why? But I quickly reminded myself of all the times folks have knocked elbows trying to dress in dark bunkrooms, or disturbed others who would rise later. You can easily shower, change, and get ready for the day without disturbing your bunkmate or inflicting damage to your not-so-funny funny bone.

As you climb onto the open flybridge, you’ll notice that the helm is oriented to the port side with a set of Release Marine Trillion helm chairs. The bridge offers lounge seating on the starboard side, with rod storage underneath and a spacious forward-facing seat in front of the console. Beneath this seat is a wide freezer great for provisions or extra bait, and to the starboard forward corner, there’s a refrigerated drink box as well as a finished hatch to house the freshwater washdown.

The helm sports an all-star lineup of the best of the best when it comes to electronics today: triple Garmin 8622 MFDs, a Furuno radar, a Furuno Omni sonar and a Simrad autopilot. In the hardtop, a motorized drop-down box houses an additional Garmin display and the autopilot. A centrally located shaft-revolution counter is installed to ensure that your prop speed is in perfect ­synchronization on the troll.

The cockpit was designed to be simple and yet house all of your needs; I found it to be spacious and efficient. A transom fish box was designed to also work as a livewell, depending on your current geography. On this winter day in South Florida, a rocket launcher—which can be swapped out with a fighting chair—was located in the center of the cockpit.

The lazarette accommodates a four-pump sea-chest system for the livewells and optional tuna tubes, and a deck cutout was placed and permanently caulked into place to serve as future access for any major gyrostabilizer service, eliminating the need to excise the deck. The starboard mezzanine step contains a large Eskimo-plumbed icebox with enough product to pack the rear fish box. Just forward of the icebox is a tackle center with a Sub-Zero Wolf grill located on top. Dual freezers take up residence in the mezzanine, as does an additional refrigerated drink box. And if you’re looking to turn up the music, look no further than the flip-up armrest.

No space went to waste on this build, and in an effort to help kick plastic, a chilled and filtered water dispenser was installed to keep those reusable cups topped off and the crew hydrated.

The engine-room entry is located in the center of the mezzanine. Descending the ladder, you are immediately met by a soundproof, watertight sub door. Prior to entering the engine room, you have access to the fuel valves, FCI ­1,850-gallon-per-day watermaker and Dometic Eskimo ice maker; the Seakeeper 18 and Furuno omnidirectional transducer are located aft.

As you pass into the engine room, the twin MTU 12V M96Ls are the star of the show. Custom slide-out storage—located both forward and aft—can also be used for housing a full tool set, which the builder has organized with custom-cut foam inserts. Two 25 kW Northern Lights generators sit aft on either side of the engine room, and in an effort to reduce maintenance of ­equipment requiring raw-water ­cooling, Bayliss developed a proprietary system that converts all mechanical-component cooling to fresh water, ­eliminating growth ­associated with raw water.

Our sea trial took place off Jupiter, Florida, in a 10-knot southerly wind, with a 2- to 3-foot sea state. Seven had no problem getting up and going, running at a comfortable “slow cruise” turning 1,750 rpm at a 70 percent load, producing a speed of 33 knots and burning 110 gph. When pushed up to 80 percent, she’s turning 2,150 and burning 140 gph at 41 knots; wide-open throttle saw 46.5 knots at 200 gph.

As veteran captain Craig Baldwin pulled back the throttles, he took the opportunity to show me how to dial in the propeller speed at troll to produce the cleanest wake possible. Baldwin can make this beauty dance, spinning her effortlessly on her axis. Even as she screams in reverse with nearly as much horsepower as a freight locomotive, this 62 is relaxed and quiet, a true testament to the quality construction. No shaking, rattling or clanging can be heard from the cockpit—just the sound of Baldwin’s voice telling you to keep up and reel faster.