Opinions on Trophy 2052?

Hi All-

Need to replace my 19' cuddy I/O with another, and could use some input on what I'm seeing in the Trophy line. Looking model year 2000-2005 ish.

Seems like the Trophy boats are budget friendly and common enough that it would be a logical choice for fishing San Juan Islands and occasional nice day in the ocean. About the same size/temperament as my current boat. Towable, fits in my driveway, etc.

For those that have or have had the 2052 WA could you offer your input on these concerns? I hopped into one at a dealer and these things popped into my mind:

Fish Box. Seem kinda tight for two salmon and enough ice. And are they somewhat insulated so that the ice lasts all day?

Gunwale comfort. They hit me kinda low on the thigh compared to my current boat. Also, reviews on-line stated the same. Does it cause a problem once you get used to it? Does anyone add a second rail?

Fun. How do they fish trolling salmon with three rods/fishermen?

Power. Is the 4.3L sufficient power and what are you seeing for fuel economy? I'm accustomed to 3mpg at 30 mph cruise, so that's close enough.

And does anyone know the difference between Trophy and Trophy Pro besides the purdy color?

That's it! I appreciate anything you can share. Oooo...pics of your setup would be skookum as well.

Thanks,

Mike

Opinions?
It's a Bayliner
It's not an Arima

You think they will still be in business in 2052?

I own a 2002WA hardtop, and it is a very functional boat. Some of the things you pointed out are true... I could have easily engineered a better boat, and always wish they would have thought things out.

I am not sure if the 2052 has the same self bailing deck as the 2002 model... but the scupper on mine (and most I've seen) are absolutely completely useless. The drain holes are below the waterline when standing still or trolling and the drains just let water INTO the boat. This wouldn't be a HUGE issue, as the deck itself is sealed, and water wouldn't accumulate more than a half inch at most in the back corner in usual circumstances, but there is a huge BUT. Bayliner put the fish boxes all the way to the back, so when the scuppers allow water in, they just fill both fish boxes full.... its a huge PITA.. I use rubber plugs and plug my scupps from the inside, as do many people with the same issue.

I really do enjoy my boat a lot, and use it for all sorts of different things. Spend a TON of time in the islands, and straits with it. She is very seaworthy, and a good ride. The cockpit is designed right, and it back far enough you don't slam too bad, and it is up high enough that (1) you can see and (2) even in moderate/heavy chop its a fairly dry ride. Completely dry until you get to about 3 footers I'd say (or if the wind is right in your face and blows the spray back on you).

The box(es) are plenty big for storing fish. I have had 4 kings to 20+ lbs in one side at a given time. As well as 4 lings, and 4 nice cabezon. 6-12 Coho can fit with ease, WITH ice. I haven't had trouble with ice melting, I use block ice in mine mainly. Anymore I usually throw my fish in a cooler on the bow though... cleaning a cooler is just way easier to me rather than cleaning our the boxes.

One huge beef with the fish box design I have is that the boxes are on a pump-out system rather than a drain system (draining to the outside of the vessel) which would be ideal... The big problem is both boxes are hooked in series to just 1 pump... so if you have fish in one side and some sea-water/melted ice the bloody water from 1 side will slosh over into the other box.... so you're cleaning BOTH boxes every time regardless if you only put fish in just 1 side. This is the primary reason I usually use an ice box in the summer. In the winter I usually just throw fish in the floor boxes with no ice and call it good. Easy clean up.

All that being said, I am happy with my boat for the price I paid. I got my boat used for around 7,500$.... so making less out of more when you don't have money coming out of your ass can be pretty tough for some. I love my boat, and plan to fish her many more years proudly.

One of my crabbing buddies sold his 19 ft Trophy and is having a 21 footer built now to be delivered in March. The old boat was functional for crabbing and he did some fishing but didn't have the downriggers, etc. Easy to spray out and clean with the water going out the back scuppers. Small cabin on the 19 footer. New boat will have fancy electronics built-in color fish finder.

I told my buddy not to buy a Bayliner.


The first one sank off of Owens Beach. It was an older fly-bridge model... I don't recall the model.

He bought a second one- a one year old 2052. He moored it at TYC and five years later the entire transom was rotten and was creeping into the floor. He was lucky to sell it as is.

Now I'll be the first to say that we had some great times in that boat and it was very fishing friendly as long as the wind wasn't blowing. In a breeze, it was really hard to steer or control at trolling speeds.

.02

friends don't let friends drive bayliners...

Back in my waterskiing days, we had a running joke about "Bayliner People"...

If it had fenders hanging off the side while on plane, it was a bayliner
If it was sitting high and dry on a sandbar in Illwaco, it was a bayliner
if it was sitting in shallow water between the islands on american lake with the motor up and someone looking at the prop, it was a bayliner
if it was sitting on a boat ramp 10' from the water, it was a bayliner
if it sunk while tied to a dock, it was a bayliner
if 6 guys were pushing on the boat trying to get it off the trailer and it didn't budge, it was a bayliner.

Might have been a good question to ask before he signed the contract. Now, not so relevant.....

"I told my buddy not to buy a Bayliner."

LOL.

No doubt.

Thank you for the detailed write up. This is the kind of info I'm looking for. Who would think both fish boxes were connected, and the scupper issue. Kinda detracts from the in-floor concept if they're a PITA to clean.


I've heard the "Friends don't let friends buy Bayliners" before. Gotta consider the cash issue too, and being that I'm handy, have already dealt with transom rot on this boat (Bluewater) ten years ago, and plan to have the boat surveyed (yes, even for a 20 footer), i'm good with it. For $20K more, I could get a newer Trophy. For even more, I could get a Parker or Pursuit if they were available...

Thanks!

Mike

For me, that's a big consideration. My current boat doesn't block much wind, and even then I prefer the canvas down, not up and sailing.

Mike

parker

As you can see in my avatar pic, I was a Bayliner guy. Emphasis on 'was'. In many ways it impressed me- it was an older hull (mid 80s) which I heard was made by the Bayliner yacht division and the glass, chopper gun or no, was built like brick s-house. But then they didn't put any scuppers in it (who does that?) so it became a giant bath tub and had to drain into the bilge via the fish box, and then you had to run the bilge pump. If it failed, you could be in serious trouble. Damnedst thing I ever saw- as if it were a fishing boat built without anyone talking to an actual fisherman.

Only upside was I bought it for $2500 and fished it everywhere from Gold Beach, OR to Port Hardy, BC. . .

So does that mean that Bayliner folks have no friends?

A long time ago on a trip to Sekiu we rented one of those old Van Ripers wooden tubs.

At the dock there was a Bayliner with a diver looking at the bottom.

In the bay there was a Bayliner that was on fire.

And then around the breakwater there was a Bayliner capsized.

We were like, "Damn, at least we didn't rent a Bayliner."

Also didn't someone on this board rescue a family from a capsized Bayliner at Possession one year??

So yea, I'd rather rent a wooden tub than own a Bayliner.

Everyone says don't buy a bayliner.....


.......and I'm over here like:

Bayliners do seem to catch a lot of heat. However there are a bunch of them out there and being that on the most part they seem to represent decent value and that many of those boats are entry level boats it seems that many of the owners are also entry level boaters. I think that, and the fact that they are so recognizable is the main reason why Bayliners seem to be involved in so many mishaps.

P.S. G.L.U. nice images, good on ya.

ANY boat is better than no boat and I caught a ton of fish on my buddy's Bayliner. Plenty of fish actually. Any day on the water is a day well spent as long as you get home mostly dry.

That said, a buyer has choices and with all the choices available when it comes to boats, AND with the benefit of hindsight, I'd pass on a Bayliner.

If there is an open seat on your boat someday GLU, I am not too conceited or opinionated not to show up with a smile on my face and contribute to a one of those said days "well spent."

For me it's just about getting out o. The water. I could save money for 20 years to afford a Parker, or I can buy a trophy now and fish. I really do hope that someday I will be able to get into a really high dollar platform, but for now the most important part to me is time on the water!

In that respect, I just say do what works for you. If you have the means for something else, I too would suggest other brands... But if you're price limited and want to fish while your still young I say find what works for your needs, and your budget.

I just bought a Proline Express 32 and still have my Trophy 2502. I might be selling it. I kind of want to keep it. But keeping up with two saltwater boats and trailers is probably about as dumb as it gets.

If you want to save some money and have a 3/4 ton truck this might be a deal for you. It has a huge fishing deck in the back with big fishwells, stand up head, cuddy cabin with extra berth and twin 2008 Suzuki DF 175s 4 strokes. Kicker is a newer Yamaha high thrust 9.9 with TR-1 autlopilot. It also has twin HDS 10 gen 2s with 3G radar, Satelite weather and sea surface temp overlay module. Its an extended hardtop boat with an Aluminator Loadmaster Aluminum I beam trailer.

Just this weekend we decided to keep it to run to Canada to fish as its way more economical than my Proline. The trophy also has a 190 gallon fuel tank. But I think I should probably offer it up and get rid of it to someone that will enjoy it. It fishes 4 comfortably.

Here is my uncles boat, it has caught a lot of fish and only has 280 hrs on the new engine (still has warranty). He is buying a Steiger, so this one has to go.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/5430659412.html

Joe

Ready to upsize from the Overnighter Bluewater?

BOTA, if you remember, send me a PM once your uncle takes possession of the Steiger and let me know about his purchase experience. I talked to the Steiger guy at the boat show and I got a bad case of the gotta-haves.

Couple things. Replaced the leaky head gasket on that 3.7L and found that many parts are getting no longer available. Re-powering is an option, but then basically the same ol boat. Outboard conversion w/ new 150 costs almost as much as a good used newer boat with shiny gelcoat. I know gelcoat catches fish, so..you know.

Trophy's look appealing for value.

Parker, Grady have my attention, but there's the budget issue...

Same ol story, basically.

Mike

I have a 2006 2052 Trophy Pro Hardtop. It's been a good boat. The 4.3 liter motor is strong and has a lot of power and the boat handles rough water well. I don't have any figures, but I think the fuel economy is at least, if not a bit better, than 3mpg @ 30. It all depends on how much throttle is used, and how the boat is trimmed. Trim tabs are a must. I usually cruise at 25.

I think the Trophy Pro package adds padding to the gunnels, a front cushion and a decal.

I do agree the gunnels are a bit short. The gunnel padding is nice. If you were to do a lot of ocean fishing some rails would be a good idea.

The 2052 have twin fish-boxes, one on each side. I haven't experienced any issues as a previous poster mentioned. Plenty of room for ice and fish.

One nice feature is the ease of cleaning the deck. Just wash it down.

I've trolled before with three fisherman, two on downriggers. The third guy has to troll off the back, either on the surface or with some lead.

The cuddy is large and makes a comfortable place to sleep for two.

Hope this helps in your quest.