2003 Meridian 490 Pilothouse

Operation: Having two 'real' helms is an asset we enjoy. On warm or mild days, the command bridge has good visibility, is practical and comfortable with lots of room for guests. The pilothouse can be used at anytime, is very comfortable, and affords great visibility with everything close at hand. The specs state that displacement is around 30,000 lbs. The boat is heavier but at this displacement, the ride is smooth and soft.

Handling: The 490 is very well behaved in most conditions, particularly in close quarters, but as the hull has soft (rounded) chines, it has a tendancy to be a little more 'rolly' that a hard chined vessel in beam seas, or at anchor where there may be any wave action on the beam. That said, owners say they never worry about running the boat in poor sea state conditions.

Accommodation: The main salon is excellent and has a comfortable spacious feeling. The salon table when folded out is capable of dining 8 people with comfort. The galley is better, and roomier than those on much larger vessels. The heads are well equipped and serve their purpose well, with the master even having a decent sized bathtub.

Storage: Its a given that no boats ever have adequate storage, but the 490 does in fact offer lots of storage space, with cabinets and cupboards everywhere inside the boat, and lots of lockers on the command bridge and space in the lazarette. Meridian have used the available space very well.

Styling: To be kind, most people would probably describe the 490 as classical styling. It's not modern, and as time moves on, will become even less so. That said, the fact that there are so many 490's and 4788's, an argument could be made that it has 'timeless' styling. 

Mechanical: Access to the engines etc is tighter that some motor yachts. At least everything can be reached for servicing.

• Panoramic large opening windows L-shaped couch
• Barrel chairs
• Two bar stools
• Hi/Low folding table (wood) Tons of storage
• Wet bar w/ sink
• Ice maker (new)
• Sliding salon door
• Corian table
• Overhead recessed lighting
• Full carpet and canvas carpet cover
• Samsung Entertainment center/surround sound/DVD/Flat screen 4K TV (new) Satellite TV system
• Rosewood window treatments
• Tommy Bahama throw rugs/lamps
• Satellite TV
• Central vacuum
• Battery switches
• Custom cherry stairs
• Breakfast bar
• Extra storage

• Large Norcold fridge/freezer (new) GE microwave oven (convection)
• Princess stove w/ 3 burners Separate oven
• GE trash compactor Double stainless steel sink Teak & Holly sole flooring Breakfast bar
• Great counter space
• Extra storage
• A/C & stove vent
• Great views around salon Easy access to pilot house Spice rack built-in
• Overhead storage (extra)

• Centerline Queen berth (4) Portholes
• Extra hanging lockers Privacy door
• Flat screen TV/Satellite TV
• A/C & Head - separate control unit Two large hatches
• Two lockers -separate
• Extra drawers
• Stereo system
• Reading lights
• Overhead lighting
• Ensuite head w/tub & shower Lots of large drawers
• New custom mattress & bedding 
• Combo washer/dryer in hallway

• Separate shower & tub
• Vanity sink & mirror 
• Vacuflush head Privacy door
• Port hole
• A/C & Heat
• Custom Rosewood blinds Custom shower stall

• Double size bunk Two port holes Hanging locker Night stand Custom bedding
• Reading lights
• Big drawer under bunk Large mirror
• Privacy door

• Bunks - over/under
• Separate hanging locker
• 2 Portholes
• Reading lights
• Full length mirror
• Privacy door

• Vanity sink
• (3) Big Mirrors
• A/C & Heat
• Vacuflush head
• Medicine cabinet
• Custom shower stall w/ glass door
• Overhead lighting
• A/C vent
• Under counter storage

• Full electronics (all new)
• Meridian custom captain’s chair
• L-shaped couch behind helm
• Folding pilot helm chart table Teak & Holly sole floor
• Steps to bridge
• (2) Pilot house sliding doors
• Overhead lighting
• Bow thruster
• Fuel management system
• Extra cabinets for storage
• Electric switch panel
• Cherry wood trim
• Pilot house windshield screen cover Bridge steps
• Large windows for navigation
• Overhead storage
• Danforth compass
• Voyager video system & security monitoring system (new)

• Bimini
• Lounge seating area, custom w/ table for entertaining
• Drink holder
• Wet bar/sink
• Refrigerator
• Radar arch
• Stidd Captains & Mates chairs
• Stereo AM/FM system
• Tender Davit on tender deck chocks-(Weaver Davit system) 
• All non-skid deck
• Full covers for all seats
• Wet bar/sink & storage
• Bow thruster

LOWER HELM

• Pyle PLVHR75 backup camera
• RL80C Radar Ratheon - 36 miles
• Garmin 4212 Gps
• Garmin autopilot
• Ratheon VHF
• Sidepower bow thruster
• Trim tabs
• Fire boy-(auto)
• Ratheon ST40 digital depth Samsung HDTV
• Maretron DSM 250 Security Monitor

UPPER HELM

• Ratheon ST40 digital depth
• Ratheon ST6001 autopilot
• Garmin 4212 GPS
• Trim tabs
• Fire boy-(auto)
• Hailer
• Ratheon VHF
• Sidepwoer bow thruster
• Satellite Stereo system throughout

• Generator 13kw Onan sound box diesel (1200 Hrs)
• (2)-AGM house batteries 
• (5) Group 31 Inverter Batteries 
• Freedom 4000 watt Inverter 
• Bow thruster
• 50 amp battery charger
• 10 amp Genset Battery Charger 
• (1)-50 Amp shore power either from side deck or aft deck

• Sea Recovery 250 GPD Watermaker
• Muir (Cougar) windlass w/ remote
• Davit -(800 lbs)
• Trim tabs
• Anchor fresh water wash down
• (3) A/C systems (40,000 BTU's) 
• (3) Windshield wipers
• Horn 
• Bow thruster

• Gel coated engine room Dripless shafts
• Non-skid diamond plate
• Oil change system - full system AC/DC lights
• Engine room camera
• (5) Rule bilge pumps/auto
• Clean bilges
• Fire boy auto Halon
• Halotron fire extinguisher -(3)
• (3) AC compressors 16,12,12 Marine Air
•  Good access to strainers
• Halon fire system - (auto)
• Racor fuel filter system

• (2) Rod holders
• Built-in steps
• Large open space for deck chairs
• Non-skid decks
• Coaming bolsters
• Remote stereo control
• H/C shower
• Transom gate
• Stainless steel grill w/ propane tank 
• Swim platform
• Access to generator / lazzerette 
• Sliding door to salon
• Flag staff holder 
• Bridge ladder 
• Back-up camera

• Bow settee bench seat
• Non-skid decks
• Remote anchor winch
• 150' Anchor chain
• Chrome Delta 20kg anchor
• Fender holders
• 4-Deck hatches
• 2 spare propellers
• Bow rail w/ life lines
• (6) Fenders, (6) Lines
• Weaver tender davits
• Fender storage tubes
• Radar arch
• Remote spot light
• Full set of carpets for bridge & cockpit 
• Lots of spare parts

The first year (2003) the Meridian 490’s were introduced they actually were just leftover 2002 Bayliner 4788’s models with teakinteriors, with the HIN number changed (which can be easily seen on the first 03 models). The portlight shapes are different in the hull, as are the engine air intakes. Other than that…pretty much identical exteriors. Surprisingly enough -none of the new 490’s had the high gloss Cherry Wood interiors everybody loved about the 2002 4788’s. (Time has shown this to have been a wise decision because that photo veneer began fogging where exposed to light, then vertical cracks appeared). Many owners have had great success using “wraps” instead of expensive wood veneers. Certainly faster.

Brunswick did a major dealer “sweep” in 2002 and eliminated many long time Bayliner dealers from selling this “new” line of boats, instead Sea Ray dealers marketed the Meridians. As you can imagine this threw this market in total disarray as most Sea Ray dealers who had been selling Sea Rays for years, sometimes literally across the street from Bayliner Dealers now all of a sudden were being instructed to promote a boat they had spent years selling against. It’s safe to say it caused a lot of confusion in the boat market and sales were sporadic as there was huge buyer reluctance to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more for basically the exact same boat (minus standard features of a 4788) it had replaced only months earlier.

The 2004 and 2005 490’s have the light colored countertops.

Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com