1994-1995 Bayliner Reflexx Specs and Review [Video]

The 1994-1995 Reflexx was a lesser-known member of the 2-stroke Bayliner jet boat family. This model featured a closed deck architecture and a 90hp Mercury SportJet engine. Its more popular, bowrider-style brothers were the Jazz 1400 and the top-of-the-line Jazz 1500.

In this post, we’ll take a close look at the very rare Bayliner Reflexx and its key specifications.

Bayliner Reflexx Review

Bayliner introduced its first mini jet boat, the open-deck Jazz 1400 for the 1993 season. The following year this line was expanded with a new model, the Reflexx (a.k.a. Bayliner 1401 Reflexx).

These boats had a lot in common, but the Reflexx had a closed bow design and a stylish windshield. In terms of dimensions, it measured 14 feet in length while its beam was slightly less than 6 feet.

The dry weight of the Reflexx was 1180 pounds, so you could expect its weight on a trailer to be in the neighborhood of 1600-1700 pounds.

Its bow area was completely closed, which ensured very limited space and a less practical layout.

In return, it had greater capacities than its open-deck sibling, which could only carry 3 people (or 500 lbs.) and 17 gallons of fuel.

Thanks to its different design, the Reflexx was rated for 4 persons or 600 pounds, while its total weight capacity was 700 pounds. It also housed a slightly larger, 18-gallon fuel tank.

Its cockpit featured two chairs, one for the captain and one for a side passenger. The rest of the crew could sit on a well-padded bench seat in the aft section.

Located in the middle, an oval-shaped dashboard featured analog gauges and switches.

According to original brochures, construction features of this Bayliner platform included:

• Five-year structural hull warranty
• Electrical system, color-coded
• Foam floatation with fully foamed hull
• Full fiberglass cockpit liner
• Hand-laid fiberglass
• Variable lift hull design
• Meets or exceeds all appropriate U.S.C.G. safety standards

Engine

Unlike the Jazz 1400, which was marketed with the base 90hp and the optional 120hp inline-4 engine options, the Reflexx was only available with the 90hp power source.

This Mercury SportJet engine was a 2-stroke, 1231cc, triple-cylinder 2-stroke marine jet engine rated at 90hp at 5000 RPM.

This simple engine configuration not only proved to be underpowered in this hull but also lacked advanced technologies like oil or fuel injection systems.

Instead, the outdated features of the Mercury SportJet 90 were as follows:

• Architecture: In-line, 3-cylinder
• Displacement: 1231cc (75.1 cu.in.)
• Bore x Stroke: 75.7 x 71.1 mm
• Induction: 3 float-type side-draft carbs
• Intake: reed valves
• Compression ratio: 6.8:1
• Lubrication: Pre-mix
• Starter: Electric

Engine power was delivered to a single mixed-flow, single-stage pump.

This Mercury SportJet propulsion system housed a manual reverse system and a stainless-steel, 5-blade impeller.

Features

In a nutshell, the key features of the Bayliner Reflexx were as follows:

• Blower for forced engine compartment ventilation
• Bilge pump
• Cleat (bow)
• Engine controls (forward and reverse) with a neutral safety switch
• Eyes (3) stainless steel, bow and stern
• Fuel fill
• Horn
• Fuel tank, built-in 18 gallon
• Grab handles
• Hatch, for access to engine, battery, and gear storage
• Ignition safety switch with lanyard
• Navigation lights
• Steering wheel

Instrumentation:

• Analog speedometer
• Fuel gauge
• Switches
• Warning lights

Riding Experience

Let’s face it, the Reflexx was the slowest Bayliner in the 2-stroke jet boat line.

Powered by a modest single-90hp engine, the top speed of this boat was only 33-35 mph with one person onboard. With 1-2 passengers its maximum speed decreased to 30 mph.

Due to a defective weight distribution, the third passenger had to stand up in the cockpit and lean over the windshield at every start to help the boat get on plane.

Once the Reflexx was in motion, its shallow-V hull design offered great maneuverability and a fun riding experience.

It was also capable of quick turns or even 180-360-degree spins as you can see in this video:

Problems

Unfortunately, this 2-stroke Bayliner jet suffered from many problems and design flaws, which were as follows:

Engine malfunctions

It’s safe to say that the biggest problem of the Bayliner Reflexx was its low engine reliability.

But even if it was working, its 90hp jet engine proved to be inadequate in this boat, especially with passengers onboard.

Outdated deck design

Its traditional, closed-bow deck design offered very limited free space and storage capacity.

Its seats were fairly uncomfortable while the lack of bow seats contributed to its poor weight distribution.

Also, if you sat lower in the helm seat, the frame of the windshield obstructed your view.

Lack of a swim platform

Due to its design, the Reflexx lacked a stern platform and ladder, which made reboarding from deep water near to impossible.

Poor rough water performance

Last but not least, the Reflexx was infamous for its poor performance on the chop.

Its lightweight hull with a relatively shallow deadrise couldn’t cut through the waves, which resulted in a bumpy riding experience.

On top of that, its freeboard was also very low, which made offshore rides fairly risky.

Bayliner Reflexx Specs Charts

For your convenience, we’ve compiled the factory specs of the ’94-’95 Bayliner Reflexx under one roof:

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length	14’ 1” (m)
Beam	5’ 11” (m)
Approximate weight (w/90hp jet)	1180 lb. (    kg)
Maximum people on board	4 / 600 lb.
Maximum load capacity inc. gear	700 lb.

Engine Specs

Number of Engines	1
Type	2-stroke
Number of Cylinders	3
Displacement	1231 cm³ (69 cu. in.)
Bore and Stroke	85.7 × 71.1 mm (3.375 x 2.80 in.)
Cylinder Material	Cast Iron
Piston Material	Aluminum
Performance	90hp (67.1 kW)
Supercharged	No
Lubrication System	Pre-mix (50:1)
Induction System	Float-type side-draft carbs
Number of Carburetors	3
Intake System	Reed valve
Ignition System	CD Breakerless Magneto
Staring System	12V Electric
Cooling System	Thermostatic and pressure-controlled

Drive Unit

Propulsion System	Jet pump
Jet Pump Type	Axial flow, mixed stage
Transmission (90hp jet)	1.14:1 constant mesh w/reverse bucket
Impeller Type and Size	Stainless steel/5-blade/6.43 in.dia.
Nozzle	Ski type (low angle discharge)
Reverse	Twin-aperture flow diverter
Thrust Forward (90hp jet)	650 lb.
Thrust Reverse (90hp jet)	110 lb.

 

Fuel and Oil

Recommended Gasoline	Automotive-Lead-Free: 87 octane minimum
Recommended Oil	Quicksilver TC-W 3 or TC-W II outboard oil
Fuel tank capacity	18 US gal
Oil Tank Capacity	– (Pre-mix)

These specifications are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.

Looking for a Bayliner Reflexx for Sale?

Since it never became widely popular, the Bayliner Reflexx appears quite rarely on the used market.

But if you happen to find one, it is still not recommended to buy, even if it has an attractive asking price. (These boats are typically sold for $1,000-$5,000 with a trailer depending on their condition and accessories.)

As we’ve discussed, these boats suffer from a lot of design flaws, from poor engine reliability to an impractical deck layout.

If you want to own a 2-stroke jet boat by any means, you should invest in a Yamaha or Sea-Doo jet boat instead.

These vintage boats enjoy more advanced, open-deck configurations and have much more reliable engines. Sure, they are usually offered at significantly higher prices.

References:

Bayliner.com

Floydmorr.blogspot.com