Though you're looking at a larger version than I have, there's some really helpful commentary about the general design here: http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=1391649&highlight=

Also lots of good info on Bloody Decks about the pluses and minuses of various models.

Be VERY careful of corrosion in older Bayrunners that have been used in the salt. This is a very common complaint on BD, and I can attest that it's something you should watch for. I looked at several here in Oregon (18'ers) which were just steaming piles of corrosion. Water wicks up the unsealed wood transoms and causes corrosion on the transom skin from the inside out. Most owners didn't seem to know or care. Mine had corrosion too but the price was right that even after a full transom replacement by Koffler, I still came out with a nice little skiff for not all that much $.

 

I have a friend who runs an older bayrunner and have been out with him several times.
His is a 22ft windshield model.

I can't think of a single reason not to buy one as long as there's no corrosion, they handle sloppy seas just fine

As with any lightweight boat it will pound in the choppy stuff if you try to go too fast
Just slow down and it will ride fine

He can run faster than I can in my Harvey on choppy days

 

I had a 18ft Bayrunner with a little Johnson 48spl and had it out in the salt many times, furthest was 27 miles out with 3 full sized guys and myself. It had plenty of power to get over the bar but lacked enough to effectively cut the swells when running full out. Throw in 4 nice sized Butts, Crab and a couple of coolers it really became under powered!! Fuel wise was prob 10-15 gallons for running at almost full out, so really cheap to run, but your not going to have enough power with the smaller motor. Upgraded to a 70hp Evinrude that I took off my dory and it ran like a different boat. Could cruise at about 32mph at 3/4 throttle and still had the same fuel usage as the little motor having to work so hard. Granted the ride is a little wet with the flared bow, but heck thats what rain gear is made for!! As far as corrosion, like any aluminum boat that you use in the salt, Added zinks replaced yearly, as well as a through cleaning right afterward is a given! Buying used as with any boat, full inspection for any pitting or signs of corrosion is a boat to walk away from!!! I named mine the "Tin Can" cause is was so thin skinned but I still wish I still had that boat!! Can tow it with just about any vehicle cause of the light weight, and price wise sold it for what I had into it. The larger 22ft'ers are rarer up in these parts, seen alot in S Cali, but for the price they fetch, I would be looking at a glass boat personally for the ride, room and overall better fishing platform. Try to put more then 2 guys on the rail on one side and you have tippy fishing platform, not what I'd call ideal in an ocean environment!!
Good luck and tight Lines!!!

Capt'n Pat~

 

I had a 22' Bayrunner Cuddy that I fished in OR for 3 years. The boat was very solid and seaworthy. The only thing I didn't like about it was the high bow which made it challenging for crowded bay fishing because of the visibility.

 

Keep in mind they use a much thinner aluminum bottom and sides than the typical northwest style aluminum boat and use aluminum stringers to get the desired ridgidty. I had a 16 footer and cracked the bottom where the rubber trailer roller was getting thin. Very economical boats but will pound the heck out of you in rough seas due to light weight and shallow deadrise. I think the bigger ones have more deadrise so maybe not as much as issue. I would salmon fish in steep eight foot swells and get tossed around quite a bit but felt plenty safe. You're right about them being very popular in SoCal and Baja.
Brian

 

Definitely look the recent thread Santiamflyguy linked in his post. The short story is I had a 15 footer for 16 years and it was a fine and capable little craft.

 

I fished Cook Inlet in Alaska out of a friends 18 ft Bayrunner for years before he upgraded to 22 ft Hewes. It was a great boat and very seaworthy for its size. He upgraded to 26 ft Hewescraft last year. Now we're stylin. Anyway, back to your question - the Bayrunner seemed to be a great boat.

 

I have been thinking about upgrading to a 21' bayrunner myself.

 

I run a Baja 20' that I really like. It's quirky; dory type sides, so not real wisecracks at wl, lightweight, so it pounds some, and the sharp entry lines at bow causes some swerving on waves. It's curving sheer really makes it feel seaworthy for its size. The wide gunwale (10"ish) makes a nice seat for trolling from the kicker. I bought mine from San Diego Craigslist for a lot less than it would be in the Pnw and shipped it up for $1000.

 

Had a 21' Bayrunner CC with a 70 hp Yamaha that I used for salmon and rockcod in coastal waters for years.

The good- light boat, so tows easily, cruised at 25 mph while sipping gas, easy to fish from, open platform, zero maintenance.

The not so good -being light it rides on top of the water, doesn't cleave as much as lift on swells, so tends to 'hobby horse' and slam, and being fairly narrow for the length with a rounded bottom midship behind the forward V entry, tends to roll when planting your weight on the side rail.

Personally consider the Bayrunner a good boat for calmer conditions, there are much more comfortable boats foot for foot. With that said, if you slow down, they will get you home, and are usually less expensive then the heavier alum V hulls.