BAYLINER TROPHY T24CC

The hull style fishes well, provides generous deck space, and performs nicely on Mercury power.

The Bayliner T24CC we tested was well-equipped for less than $80,000. Its 23-degreedeadrise hull cut through Charlotte Harbor's wind-driven 2-foot chop and stood up to the thrashing it dished out. The firmly mounted fiberglass T-top, one of the most prominent options on the boat, shaded us nicely without shuddering under the turbulence. Its fishing cockpit was wide, deep and roomy, and the bow area featured plenty of fishing space, with removable seating cushions for day tripping.

The list of standards on the T24CC was long, including a canvas T-top with rod holders, a raw-water washdown, dual batteries with switch, a stereo and more. Options such as a freshwater washdown in the cockpit and on the transom and upgraded horsepower are reasonably priced.

You can upgrade the 225 with manual controls to a 300 hp digital motor for $12,125, or get a midrange upgrade to the manual 250 for just $3,600. Power steering is $860.

The features on this boat are impressive, and the T24CC held up well under deeper scrutiny.

In the fishing cockpit, we had a standard 15-gallon livewell with an acrylic lid. We tossed in several dozen shrimp and a few pinfish to try our luck in the harbor. While the fish were not cooperating, the boat did. We drifted the baits across a man-made structure called Alligator Reef, which shows on the harbor map about 7 miles south of the Ponce De Leon Park launch ramp.