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The Bayliss 75 Big Deal is the result of a bold vision: to create a boat that could travel the globe, function as a mobile office, offer the comforts of home for overnight stays, and reach remote fishing grounds with speed. Commissioned by an experienced custom boat owner, Big Deal reflects the pinnacle of sportfishing and craftsmanship.
I had the pleasure of joining John Bayliss and Capt. Brian Rabbitt for the inaugural fishing trip, heading northeast in pursuit of tuna. A strong southwest wind kicked up steady 4-footers, but the Big Deal handled them with ease. We landed a few tuna on deck and enjoyed an outstanding day on the water. Being aboard such a well-thought-out, meticulously crafted vessel made the experience one for the memory bank.
Cockpit/Mezzanine
The cockpit of this sportfishing vessel is purpose-built for both serious angling and crew comfort. At the heart of the cockpit is an 11-rod Release rocket launcher, positioned just ahead of a large transom fish box for convenient access during the action. Twin hatches in the cockpit floor open to the lazarette, providing access to the steering and rudder shelf, as well as heated spaces designed to hold Yeti buckets and dredges, keeping them dry and ready for use. These compartments also offer secure storage for flying gaffs.
A well-appointed mezzanine area adds both storage and seating functionality. On the starboard side, a built-in cabinet features top-side storage, interior storage drawers, and a dedicated space for gaffs. Adjacent to this is a freshwater outlet, ideal for filling cooler cups or water bottles quickly and easily. Offset to starboard are two steps: The upper step houses chilled drink storage, while the lower step contains dredge weights and terminal tackle. Additional chilled storage is located on the port side, along with a dedicated ice dump for quick access when loading coolers or bait boxes.
To reach the bridge, a ladder positioned on the port side of the cockpit offers easy, efficient access — a preferred layout for many crews. For added comfort, the port bench seat includes air conditioning vents built into the backrest, helping keep guests cool even in tropical conditions. Utility access is hidden under the gunwales, where L-shaped doors open to reveal electric plugs for dredge reels, shore power hookups, freshwater and raw water outlets, as well as pressurized fittings for livewells and tuna tubes. Completing the space, teak is used on both the cockpit sole and covering boards.
Bridge/Tower
The center-console helm is designed for maximum visibility, control and comfort. Dominating the helm are three 24-inch Garmin displays, providing the captain with full situational awareness and flexibility for navigation, sonar and system monitoring. MTU engine displays are integrated below for real-time performance data. On each side of the helm, storage boxes contain switch panels that control lighting, the Omni sounder and VHF radios, among other systems.
Overhead at the forward end is a flush-mounted panel that includes a 12-inch Garmin display, an autopilot unit and a Garmin GMI 20 multifunction display, ideal for essential readouts and course adjustments. Looking aft from the helm, an additional overhead 12-inch Garmin display allows the captain to monitor key data while keeping an eye on the wake and spread. Overhead, concealed in a hatched compartment, are dual Hooker teaser reels — conveniently stowed but instantly accessible for serious trolling setups.
Comfort is also a key focus. A forward chaise lounge features an integrated armrest with chilled storage inside, perfect for quick access to cold drinks. Beneath each lounge are large chiller compartments, capable of storing provisions for extended offshore trips or remote fishing grounds. At the helm, three Release Marine Trillion chairs provide views over the bow — impressive for a 75-footer without a raised helm.
Above, the Palm Beach-style tower offers unobstructed visibility, ideal for spotting fish or managing the trolling pattern. The tower console itself mirrors the primary helm’s capability, featuring three smaller Garmin displays, a full-function VHF microphone and another Omni control panel — ensuring full control and communication no matter where the captain is operating from.
Interior Accommodations
Wrapped in the warmth of vertical-grain walnut veneer, the interior strikes a perfect balance between rugged utility and refined craftsmanship. To port, a large L-shaped sofa offers cavernous storage beneath, complemented by a matching loveseat across the salon. Both seating areas are thoughtfully designed with integrated armrests that conceal device storage and built-in charging stations, blending convenience with clean design.
The center island galley is the heart of the main deck, featuring dual refrigerator/freezer drawers and a two-person dinette or work area to port. An additional L-shaped countertop along the galley holds another set of refrigerator/freezer drawers, secured with an electric locking system to keep contents safe in rough seas. Designed for culinary excellence, the galley is outfitted with premium Wolf appliances, including a speed oven/microwave and a sleek cooktop.
Just forward, tucked into the brow of the house to port, is a discreet pantry that doubles as the electrical room, housing the boat’s main panel. To starboard, a conveniently located day head helps keep the lower living quarters clean and undisturbed. Descending the companionway reveals a well-planned lower level with four staterooms and a dedicated tackle room. This area includes crash-door access to the pump room as well as a full-size washer and dryer for extended cruising.
Two of the staterooms offer over-under bunks and share a Jack-and-Jill head, while a third features two single beds and a private ensuite. Forward, the master suite offers a queen berth, custom storage and a loveseat, along with a spacious ensuite head that includes a massive shower fitted with a luxurious U-shaped seat — an ideal retreat after a long day on the water.
Engine Room
The engine room aboard Big Deal is a testament to Bayliss’ commitment to performance, serviceability and smart design. Access is provided via a center hatch on the mezzanine or through a crash door from the pump room, offering flexibility whether at the dock or underway. Descending the ladder, you will find the Omni transducer and one of the twin Seakeeper 18 gyros, neatly tucked beneath a sealed cockpit hatch. At the heart of the engine room sit the formidable 16-cylinder MTUs — true centerpieces — with twin 40kW Kohler generators mounted cleanly on the aft bulkhead. The engines are fully accessible from all sides, making service and inspections efficient and hassle-free.
Custom tool cabinets are built into both the engine room and pump room, streamlining onboard maintenance. As with all Bayliss builds, Big Deal is outfitted with its proprietary heat exchanger system, which allows all pumps to circulate cooled freshwater — an innovation that significantly reduces corrosion and marine growth, prolonging equipment life.
The spacious, climate-controlled pump room houses the second Seakeeper 18 and is laid out with purpose. Every pump has a secondary backup mounted directly adjacent to the primary, ensuring critical systems remain operational during extended trips or remote operations. This level of detail reflects Bayliss’ deep, firsthand experience — not just as a builder, but as a tournament angler himself. His charter experience, time aboard his personal boat, and work alongside owners in competition has given him rare insight into what it takes to design a vessel that is not only dominant on the leaderboard but easy to maintain, even in the most demanding conditions.
Performance
Big Deal is a true performer, delivering an impressive combination of speed and agility. On the run to the fishing grounds, she maintained a brisk 37 knots while turning 2,050 RPM at 80 percent load, making the trip from the sea buoy a swift and effortless one-hour run. Ease back on the throttles, and she settles into a comfortable cruise at 32 knots, running at 1,800 RPM and just 68 percent load — ideal for longer runs or a more relaxed pace.
Back inside the inlet, Big Deal showed off her top-end performance, reaching a peak speed just under 45 knots at 2,450 RPM.
Bayliss has delivered another tournament-ready battlewagon — one that is built to dominate the offshore scene and make its mark on leaderboards across the globe. With performance to match its pedigree, this vessel is not just turning heads; it’s setting a new standard. And that, without question, is a Big Deal.
Bayliss Boatworks 75 Specs
- LOA: 75’6”
- Beam: 20’10”
- Draft: 6’6”
- Displ.: 150,000 pounds
- Fuel: 2,600 gallons
- Water: 400 gallons
- Power: MTU 16V2000M96L 2,635 hp
- Gears/Ratio: ZF 2.5:1
- Propellers: Veem 41-inch 5-blade
- Paint: Axalta Imron Matterhorn White/Cloud White
- Climate Control: Dometic
