2020 saw interest in boating reach unprecedented heights. In fact, 31% of new powerboat sales this year in the U.S. were to first-time boat buyers.* 

With this top-of-mind, our team got to work on imagining a multipurpose boat that could make ownership easy for new boaters everywhere.

Here, Bayliner boat designer Matthew Morelly gives us insight into the process behind creating the Element M15 for a new generation of boaters. Read on and learn what inspired its aesthetic and why he thinks the newest Element Series model will make a great first boat.

Q: What ideas drove the design of the new Element M15?

A: We were driven to appeal to first-time boaters, so I really wanted to design a boat that I (or someone in the same life stage as me—I’m 27) would want to buy. I was imagining who would get the most out of this model: single young adults, couples or parents with small kids.

I think the M15 will make a great first boat for them because it has a lot of character and a lot of thoughtful details. I didn’t want to compromise on the little things like phone rests and charging ports—those items that don’t add much cost, but add a lot of value for the owner.

Q: What sets the M15 apart from other models in the Element Series or other similarly sized deck boats?

A: That’s a good question, especially since the intent was to make something that would be broadly accessible to a lot of people and not too outlandish. At the same time, I wanted to design something that would draw everyone in. 

There’s definitely a cool factor to the design language of this boat that you won’t get in similar entry-level watercraft at this size or price point. From the character lines on the hull sides to the original stitching pattern on the upholstery, it has a sophistication that makes it unique.

Q: What is the first thing new boaters will notice about the M15?

A: For a 15-foot boat, you really can’t miss how much space we were able to claim on board. From the bow to the swim deck seats on the transom, I really wanted to maximize every square inch.

I made sure there were no isolated spaces, and that’s where the U-shaped nook cockpit comes in. It’s an unusual configuration to have the helm integrated with the aft seating, but it turns the interior into a completely holistic social space.

Q: What boating activities do you see the M15 being best for?

A: I would say anyone who’s interested in casual cruising and coving with other boats out on the lake is going to get years’ worth of experiences out of this model. I can see owners taking this boat out to a sand bar and just hanging out on the swim deck seats, jumping in and just enjoying the quality time.

*Industry data reported by Info-Link Technologies Inc.