Late
in the summer of 2002, the Brunswick Boat Group surprised everyone by
retiring the Bayliner brand name from the world's most popular line
of motoryachts. The new trademark is 
called
"Meridian." The ink wasn't dry on the official announcement
before the skeptics began shouting "It's just the same old boat
with a fancy new name!" Such skeptics should take a close look
at the 2003 Meridian 411; they are more likely to be astonished by the
change in product as the change in name.
Most of the boats in the Meridian product
line have hull designs and configurations that will seem very familiar
to Bayliner fans, but the Meridians are substantially fine-tuned and
upgraded. The 411 Sedan is the first totally new Meridian design and
provides effective notice that the new name is destined to be considered
a top-drawer trademark.
We tested the Meridian 411 on a sunny
day in early November. Russ Reed, from Olympic Boat Center in Seattle,
volunteered a few hours from his day to help us explore the vessel and
take a short cruise. Russ proved to be an affable sort and was very
well informed about his product. We were just barely aboard the 411
before Russ began sharing (proudly, and with justified enthusiasm) some
of the major design characteristics of the boat.
Most
of the boats in the Meridian product line have hull designs and configurations
that will seem very familiar to Bayliner fans, but the Meridians are
substantially fine-tuned and upgraded.
"I should tell you about the windows," said Russ. "The
way the industry usually builds a boat, the windshield and the cabin
windows have to bear the weight of the flybridge. We're all familiar
with the aluminum-framed windows commonly used and how the aluminum
can be easily pitted by salt. On the Meridian 411, the entire deck and
cabin is molded from a single piece, and the cabin top forms an arch
above the sheerline. We support the flybridge on that arch, not on the
window tops. This eliminates the need for an outside, salt-catching,
aluminum frame and also prevents the window leaks that can develop when
weight of the flybridge causes windows to flex." The cabin windows
on the 411 are fixed in place, with a watertight installation technique
similar to an automotive windshield.
"In most climates," said Russ,
"everybody orders a boat like this with air conditioning and opening
the cabin windows isn't an issue. For West Coast boaters or for those
days in other climates where it's pleasantly warm but not really hot,
we've designed a flow-through ventilation system."
Russ pointed out some unobtrusive air
ducts on both sides of the main cabin, cleverly incorporated into the
headliner. "We introduce the air under the flybridge cowling,"
said Russ. "This allows the cabin to stay cool and fresh without
the worry of leaking windows. Opening salon windows are available as
part of the Northwest option group."
A critical examination of the 411 interior inspires a conclusion that
fit and finish is even better than in some previous Brunswick motoryachts.
The lines where any two panels meet are either straight or conform precisely
to the desired curve. Unlike many older boats, it's impossible to find
panels warping either side (or both) of "true."
"One reason for the improved interior
fit," commented Russ, "is that we now use a single, molded,
fibreglass insert for the interior. Everything fits the same way on
every boat. Take the galley, as an example. It used to be necessary
to use wooden shims under the galley joinery to level it up and get
it to conform to the slight variations of each individual boat. With
our molded glass interior, we just build a set of pegs in the exact
same places under each galley module and when it is lowered into the
boat; the pegs match up perfectly with holes in the cabin sole.
Everything fits exactly the same way
on each boat, and nothing has to be forced into place."
While examining the galley, it is immediately apparent that Meridian
is using better materials in the joinery. On some boats, one might have
expected to find plastic knobs, hinges and latches. It has become common
to encounter particleboard doors wrapped in a synthetic cover with a
"wood grain" print. The Meridian 411 uses genuine cherry veneers
reminiscent of fine furniture. Hinges are metal, and knobs don't sound
hollow to the touch. Latch hardware is brass, with spring-mounted, stainless
ball pressure points.
Exploring the
Interior
The "411" model number on the
Meridian Sedan is just slightly misleading, especially in an age where
many manufacturers include bow pulpits, boarding platforms, and apparently
the first three feet of the wake in an implied measurement. Overall
length of the Meridian 411 is 46 feet. To Brunswick's credit, they are
disregarding the swim step and the slight overhang of the anchor at
the bow and referring to the approximate length on deck with the "411"
designation. The conservative model number most certainly contributes
to the impression that the Meridian 411 offers more extensive interior
accommodations than encountered on some other boats referred to as 40
or 41 footers.
The master stateroom is most forward,
with a centreline island queen. The master berth uses an actual innerspring
mattress, rather than an inexpensive foam pad. Reading lamps, portlights,
a cherry hanging locker and an overhead hatch (that appears to be more
leak resistant than many) contribute to a well turned-out, comfortable,
but reasonably predictable stateroom. There's only so much that can
be done in a forepeak. The Meridian 411 master stateroom is consistent
with the industry norm, but the most remarkable interior spaces are
found elsewhere aboard the 411.
Skeptics
inclined to categorize the Meridian 411 with
boats previously sold under the old "Bayliner" logo
would be shocked by the differences.
The private head for the master stateroom is to port and is entered
only through a door from the stateroom itself. Essential features in
the master head include a molded hand basin and optional VacuFlush marine
toilet. Quality materials have been employed in the head, and the one-piece
fibreglass inner structure of the 411 hull creates seam-free, easily
cleaned surfaces. The very roomy shower stall is a pleasant surprise.
Back in the '60s, we used to see bumper stickers advising readers to
"Save water, shower with a friend!" Two-at-a-time showers
would be easily accomplished on the Meridian 411, with plenty of space
to stand or sit side-by-side on a molded bench. Water capacity on the
411 is 150 gallons.
The guest head is immediately aft of the second bulkhead, to starboard.
A gracefully curved faux stone top wraps behind the optional VacuFlush
marine toilet, and a handheld shower completes the ensemble. As in the
rest of the boat, there are plenty of stowage options and lots of light
in the guest head.
The guest stateroom is to starboard and
entered through a cherry door from the central companionway. There is
full headroom in the guest stateroom just inside the doorway, providing
a useful "dressing area." A settee, covered in Mirage leather,
creates a second, convenient dressing area in a portion of the stateroom
with less vertical space. The guest berth is an island queen (fixed
athwartships under the galley sole) with a centre insert that can be
removed to create two parallel singles. A series of stowage drawers
and cedar-lined hanging lockers will accommodate the cruising wardrobes
of kids or a second couple. Headroom in the wardrobe and bunk areas
is sufficient for a six-foot-tall person to move around without resorting
to crawling on hands and knees. The limited clearance in the guest stateroom
seems like a very acceptable trade-off to enjoy a second island queen
berth on a 41-foot boat.
Boaters stepping up from the companionway
to the galley level will find a handy stainless grab rail fixed to the
side of the galley module and perfectly positioned to provide some assistance
when climbing the few stairs.
The galley is to port and features Karadon countertops and a teak and
holly sole. The Meridian designers laid out the galley with a double
sink against the forward bulkhead, an electric cooktop against the portside
cabin wall, and a dual door, under counter, refrigerator/freezer on
an angled extension toward the centreline aft. A combination microwave
and convection oven is mounted on the counter above the refrigerator.
Four lockers store provisions above the cooktop, and a specialized locker
behind the galley sink can be divided with pegs for improved efficiency
when stowing cups and crockery.
The optional lower helm is to starboard.
Most of the boats in our region will be ordered with a lower station.
Meridian engineers designed a versatile pilot seat, with a back bolster
that shifts fore and aft and allows the seat to double as an aft-facing
seat at the dinette.
The salon is a step down from the galley
and dinette area, and includes a folding table and a built-in entertainment
centre. Standard entertainment equipment includes a 24-inch, remote
control colour TV and an AM/FM stereo system with a six-disc CD changer.
Two settees create space to seat a group of perhaps five or six in splendid
comfort. Upholstery throughout the boat is a pleasant tan Mirage leather.
The Hull and
Deck
The
Meridian hull has a 10-year warranty. It's hand-laid fibreglass and
uses a Marine Core construction technique. A vinylester barrier coat
will help prevent blistering.
The deck hardware is all stainless steel, with seven 12-inch mooring
cleats and two 10-inch. The cleats and the welded stainless rail are
through-bolted to backing plates. The hull to deck joint is a "shoebox"
style, chemically bonded as well as bolted.
A roomy cockpit, complete with a cavernous
lazarette under twin hatches secured by remote locks, provides an outside
activity area ideal for sunbathing, fishing or just lounging in the
fresh air with a cool beverage and a good book. Russ Reed pointed out
two clever fender holders built into the steps from the cockpit to the
sidedecks: yet another ingenious use of space. The swim step is larger
than frequently encountered, potentially good news for boaters who stow
dinghies or kayaks on the platform but still need room to walk between
the transom door and the dock.
"Check this out!" said Russ
as we walked along the sidedeck to the bow. "There's enough room
to put one foot in front of the other, and you don't have to walk sideways
on tip toes!" Russ was absolutely correct, and the toe rail and
sturdy grab rails make a trip to the foredeck on the
A
roomy cockpit provides an outside activity area ideal
for sunbathing, fishing or just lounging in the fresh air
with a cool beverage and a good book.
Meridian 411 a routine chore rather than an adventure only for the stout
of heart.
Our test boat was equipped with the optional self-tailing Lewmar windlass
and 200 feet of all-chain rode. A raw-water washdown spigot, also an
option, was located under a hatch to starboard of the anchor roller.
Access to the flybridge is up a very
civilized set of stairs on the port side of the cockpit. The flybridge
helm is to starboard. Seating for a comfortable six, with a wet bar
and stereo speakers, will insure that the flybridge is an entertainment
centre underway as well as at the dock.
The Engine Room
The test boat was powered by a pair of
330-hp Cummins diesels and equipped with a nine kW Onan generator. Engine
access is extremely 
convenient;
the flybridge stairs flip up to reveal a passage from the cockpit. Meridian
has situated a well-organized battery management panel at the engine
room entry.
Nitpickers may be frustrated with the
engine room of the Meridian 411-there aren't really any nits to pick!
The engines are easy to service and there is plenty of light available.
Engines are fixed to specially engineered beds, rather than simply bolted
to the tops of stringers. The engine installation reduces noise and
vibration and increases thrust efficiency by supporting the engine over
a greater portion of the hull area. The wiring is neatly bundled and
routed through chases with removable bottoms to allow service access.
The designers specified dripless shaft seals, and the entire installation
is as well or better executed that one would expect to find on a mass
production boat.
The Trial Run
Russ Reed touched off the Cummins 330s.
As we've noticed aboard other vessels equipped with new Cummins diesels,
the engines started instantly and with an absolute minimum of exhaust
smoke. After a moment's warm-up, we were ready to depart the Olympic
Boat Center dock.
The boat was stern tied to the dock, and vessels moored next to the
rowing centre just south created a reasonably challenging departure.
Russ used the opportunity to show off the Meridian 411's Docking On
Command (D.O.C.) system. D.O.C. coordinates bow and stern thrusters
from a single one-touch control. After a split-second of forward gear
to move us away from the dock, Russ proceeded to spin the Meridian 411
on its own axis using only the bow and stern thrusters.
"When this system was first introduced," said Russ, "my
first thought was, 'I know how to handle a boat, I don't need that!'
Just a few days ago, I was on a boat with a lot of canvas and had to
bring it broadside to a dock against a very strong crosswind. Experienced
or not, the D.O.C. sure made it a lot easier to handle. I can easily
see where the average boating couple would find docking a lot less stressful
with a system like this."
We motored along with the engines idling
at about 650 RPM. At idle, the Meridian 411 was making five knots. "Go
ahead and throttle up a bit, if you want," suggested Russ, "but
let's be sure not to crank out a lot of wake yet."
Running the engines up to 800 RPM produced
a seven-knot legal cruise. The "wake" left by the Meridian
411 at that speed could be more properly defined as an aggressive ripple.
We encountered some kayakers and slowed to a crawl to reduce our tiny
wake even more. The paddlers waved, with all five fingers.
One impression that developed during
the slow-speed portion of the sea trial was that absolutely nothing
rattled. Even the Karadon inserts lying flat atop the stainless galley
sink failed to vibrate. We momentarily took the engines out of sync
to try to set up any type of harmonic vibration in the cabin, but to
no avail. The Meridian 411 is one tightly assembled boat.
As we left the limited speed zone, we
throttled up to cruising speed at 2,700 RPM. We achieved a brisk cruising
speed very quickly. Meridian's "official" cruise speed for
the 411 is 22.78 knots with the larger 370-hp engines. We were doing
almost as well with the 330s.
Skeptics inclined to categorize the Meridian
411 with boats previously sold under the old "Bayliner" logo
would be shocked by the differences. Even without trim tabs, there is
no appreciable lifting of the bow at cruise speed. Wake? What wake?
My nine-knot trawler throws more wake than the Meridian 411 does when
cruising more than twice as fast. While some of the old Bayliner motoryachts
attracted wake-hopping jet skiers like ants to a picnic blanket, the
only jet skier that day left, disappointed, after a single pass.
Nobody except the jet skier was disappointed
with the Meridian 411. We put the boat through tight turns at high speed,
and she remained virtually level and never fell off-step. While the
day was calm, we did find a three-foot wake to power through and found
that the 25,000-pound vessel handled the chop without any problem at
all.
As Russ Reed observed, "It's sort
of a combination of sports car performance and limousine ride."
Not a bad description, at all. We could spend a day, a weekend or a
month playing with the Meridian 411 and enjoy every minute of it.
The first "all new" Meridian
looks like a winner. Folks who might conclude some boat they saw a year
or two ago has anything at all to do with the Meridian 411 should make
a special effort to examine this boat at Olympic Boat Center in Surrey
or Granville Island. A lot more has changed than just the name. Prepare
to be astonished. 
