The 642 Cuddy is the smallest day cruiser from Bayliner and should weigh 1600 kg with the test engine. For trailer captains, this means a towing vehicle that can take a minimum of 2.2 tonnes on the hook. Bayliner is part of the American Brunswick Group, which has this brand and other boats built in Poland, where the work is visibly clean and tidy.
Apart from a few minor details, the overall finish is good. The exterior is finished with a high-quality, glossy gelcoat, while the interior is mainly covered with a protective coating on the laminate, although not all plastic cut edges are treated. The edge protection for the cable feed-through under the dashboard deserves praise. The upholstery seams are pleasing, the upholstery material less so, as it appears to be sensitive to dirt.
Driving and manoeuvring
When travelling slowly, the turning circles measure up to one and a half boat lengths when travelling forwards and backwards. When engaged in reverse, it takes a short moment for the bow to move when reversing, and when travelling in reverse, the boat mainly moves straight ahead. This means: manoeuvrable, as long as there is no crosswind or cross-current in between.
We sail the slow passages at a maximum of 5 knots at 1500 rpm so that the waves generated by the boat do not disturb us. If someone changes position, this has a minimal effect on the course and heel. The straight course depends on whether you are travelling against or with the current on the Main. If you are travelling against the current, you need to correct your course from time to time. Without trimming too much, the test boat quickly switches from displacement to planing at 2500 rpm. We measured the lowest planing speed with one person on board at 2900 rpm (just under 12 knots). Visibility remains good at all times. At full throttle, the engine turns at the maximum speed permitted by the manufacturer (4800 rpm).
The test boat is economical when travelling at a fast planing speed when the engine is turning at 3500 rpm and the log shows 20 knots. One tank of fuel is then sufficient for a theoretical range of 91 nm plus 15% reserve. At slow speed, you have to refuel after around 95 nm and at full throttle after around 71 nm if you want to keep the reserve. This means that the test boat falls short of our minimum requirement of at least 100 nm range plus reserve. We still rate this as "sufficient", as well as the test point "sound insulation", as our measuring device shows 79 dB/A at economic speed and it only gets loud at full throttle.
Extreme manoeuvres at full throttle are consistently positive. In the increasingly tighter bends, the 642 Cuddy leans acceptably towards the centre of the bend and ends up gliding along at speeds in the lower glide range. After steering out, it picks up speed again without hesitation. She completes the 180° turns in one go within about 2 to 3 boat lengths without the hull catching.
If the power trim remains in the optimum position, the manoeuvre involves rocking once or twice. Trim all the way down: no rocking. The resulting centrifugal forces do not cause any problems. On the imaginary slalom course, the test boat swings well but safely over its longitudinal axis, and when the rudder is turned, the Cuddy follows the chosen course without complaint. - There was no rough water on the Main.
The driver sits safely on a swivelling and longitudinally adjustable bucket seat, which costs extra and whose front surface can be folded up for raised seating. The analogue compass is standard, the depth sounder is not, and there is no windscreen wiper either. The reflections of the instruments and the light-coloured background are slightly annoying. Passengers sit on the L-shaped bench in the cockpit on the port side, either in front of or behind the folding backrest at the front. A handle on the cabin wall and two underneath the seat provide support for three people.
Engine, tank, electrics
A maximum of 220 hp is permitted, and we drive the 642 Cuddy with a 135 hp four-cylinder engine from MerCruiser, whose exhaust gases are cleaned by a catalytic converter. This also makes the boat and engine interesting for Lake Constance. With the four-cylinder engine, the Cuddy makes surprisingly fast progress and should also be suitable for water skiing if there are not a maximum of seven people in the boat, as permitted on the CE plate.
Part of the rear bench and sun lounger are housed on the engine compartment lid. When it is open, everything next to the engine is easily accessible and you can fold up the soft top linkage. However, the cover must be opened with caution, as gas pressure dampers speed up the process and two screwed-on nylon straps serve as a stop. A plastic fuel tank is located under the cockpit floor and peeks into the engine compartment; there is neither a fuel tap nor a pre-filter. The battery is housed in a plastic box whose bracket holders did not survive our extreme manoeuvres. The corresponding toggle main switch is installed in the engine compartment, the fuses under the dashboard.
Security
This is where the Cuddy 642 scores with its safe handling characteristics. However, this is also due to the low motorisation, as the hull is not challenged with the test engine. The cockpit interior height is just right and the walkable surfaces have an anti-slip structure. Access to the foredeck is safe and comfortable thanks to the sliding staircase door, but the handrail is too low for comfort. Minus: no hand bilge pump. Plus: standard fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment; the cockpit is bilged outboard.
Living, cockpit and equipment
If you put the backrests in the centre of the slip cabin, the V-shaped bench seat becomes a berth for two. A chemical toilet can be pulled out from under the entrance, and light enters through two ceiling windows and two portholes. Stowage is in the bench seat, ventilation through portholes and sliding door. Six mooring cleats, towing eyes fore and aft, water ski towing eye above the bathing platform, folding bathing ladder with grab handle and unapproved navigation lights plus anchor locker with bow fitting are standard.
A clever solution is the folding sunbed on the starboard side. This makes it possible to create a path into the boat if the cushions on the rear bench are also removed. It is good that storage compartments have been installed under the folding longitudinal leg of the bench seat and in the cockpit floor. The standard equipment is sufficient for travelling, but anything that increases comfort must be purchased separately. A sensible rubbing strake is not available.
available.
The shipyard says ...
The Bayliner 642 Cuddy is a modern and versatile day cruiser for Europe. The boat is well suited for open water. You can practise water sports and/or relax. The slip cabin, the large anchor locker and the extras - such as a washbasin, stern shower and chemical toilet - make the 642 Cuddy a boat that is also suitable for overnight stays.
We say ...
The boat is suitable for Europe and is also suitable for coastal waters thanks to its good sailing characteristics. The fact that you have to buy things extra for comfort is rather normal in this class. In any case, the 642 Cuddy is big enough to go on a longer trip with overnight stays.
Data sheet: Bayliner 642 Cuddy
Shipyard: Bayliner
Type designation: Bayliner 642 Cuddy
CE category: C - Coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 6,53 m
Width: 2,43 m
Displacement: 1,60 t
Price: 36.240,00 €
