New boats come along almost every day, but trend-setting boats are few and far between. Besides, it's almost impossible to pick a boat that will, at some point in the future, mark a turning point in design or construction. If I could do that, I'd be buying Lotto tickets instead of testing boats.

In this case, however, the new Bayliner 3488 Command Bridge Motoryacht is sure to be a trendsetter on several fronts. Most of the features that make the 3488 so unusual aren't readily visible, yet each is a quantum leap forward in boat design and construction.

The brochure for the 3488 is a bit verbose when it says the new boat is 'born of sea and silicon, conceived in cyberspace and meticulously brought to life.' However, there's more than a little truth to those words.

First, let's take a look at how the 3488 is built. Bayliner, one of the largest boatbuilders in the world, brought the immense resources of its marine design and engineering team to bear on the 3488 design, and they have come up with a truly innovative construction process.

The 3488 uses a completely modular production system that consists of a series of precision-engineered components. And the result shows the accuracy that can be achieved with computer-driven manufacturing. Once the hull is laid up, modules are added as complete plug-and-run units, each complete with all the electrical and mechanical systems incorporated. As a result, there are considerable savings in the construction process, as well as a higher level of quality control on the finished boat.

The starting point is Bayliner's mild-V hull, built with a vinylester resin outer layer for protection against blistering. The first module is the fully vented engine room module, which is completely fiberglassed to the hull for strength. Next, the forward module, containing the stateroom, head and mid-cabin, is dropped into place, followed by the salon with galley. The salon module is complete with the headliner and the air conditioning system.

The deck, with all the hardware installed, goes on next, followed by the command bridge to complete the process. Everything fits perfectly, and the result of the modular system is the fastest production-to-launch time in the industry for a boat of this size.

For all its unique aspects, the 3488 is a most conservative and pleasant boat underway. This is no deep-V hull, but it slices easily through mild chop, and the flattish aft sections help the boat accelerate quickly and add immensely to its stability. We are fortunate enough to not have any big seas during our test run, but there's no question that the 3488 is going to satisfy even the most seasoned boaters with its handling and performance. It banks comfortably into tight turns and the twin rudders give you a solid bite, so it doesn't take much input from the steering wheel to change course. On the other hand, it tracks well with the seas behind you, so you don't have to steer constantly. All in all, the 3488 is a very forgiving boat.

The boat is pleasantly styled, with just enough Euro-softness to the lines to be in vogue, but not enough to show age when styles change. The fairly high freeboard provides the headroom in the cabins and, while the salon is large, it does not seem to cramp the cockpit. Step aboard via the built-in transom swim platform with its solid cockpit door, and you'll find more than enough room to put a couple of deck chairs under the shade of the overhanging bridge. The cockpit sides are high enough for kid safety, and the molded steps to the bridge are a nice touch that make access safe and secure.

Through the sliding door lies a surprisingly spacious salon ' I had to remind myself this is only a 35-footer 'surrounded with large opening windows and lit by the skylight effect of the raked windshield. The modular production system isn't apparent, since any joints are concealed and the surfaces are finished either in glossy white gel coat, ash panels (maple is an option) or with soft wall fabrics. An L-shaped settee is to port (it converts to a berth with storage underneath) and a central hi-lo table doubles for dining or entertaining.

The galley is aft, which not only adds to the apparent space of the salon, but makes it easy to enjoy alfresco meals in the cockpit. A teak-and-holly sole makes for easy cleaning, while the rest of the salon is carpeted. A two-burner LPG cooktop and Norcold undercounter refrigerator are standard, and the galley is well-equipped, with a microwave/convection oven, double sink and plenty of storage on revolving shelves for cooking utensils and food. The television is hidden in the aft corner of the galley cabinet ' just about the only place it could go.

The forward corner of the salon on our test boat has the standard 'skylounge,' which is a settee on a raised platform (which gives headroom to the mid-cabin below). With a good view of the passing scenery, this arrangement is likely to be popular with guests.

The 3488 is really designed as a family boat: ideal for a couple with kids and only an occasional need for guest accommodations. The forward cabin is comfortable, with a double berth and storage in drawers as well as a hanging locker. The berth is going to be a challenge when it comes to fitted sheets, because it's sort of a lozenge shape. Also, there's going to be some climbing over your sleeping partner if the skipper wants to check the anchor line in the middle of the night ' assuming the skipper is the taller of the owners ' since the long side of the berth is forward.

The midcabin is tucked under the salon and features a square double berth and full stand-up headroom, and both cabins have solid closing doors for privacy. Both cabins also share a surprisingly spacious head with Vacuflush toilet and a separate shower stall.

The command bridge has the helm behind a faux burled wood dash with ample space for electronics to be flush-mounted, and the settee is a lounger with a backrest. The aft deck combines space for a dinghy or a sunpad, and there's also a sunpad on the foredeck. One thoughtful feature is the cover over the stairs to make the bridge safe for those who forget about the stair opening.

Standard power on the 3488 is a pair of 260-hp freshwater-cooled MerCruiser gas inboards with direct drives (raw water is optional), and a pair of Cummins 250-hp diesels are also available.

Aside from the modular construction, one of the most interesting and unusual features of the 3488 Command Bridge is the Integrated Control System (ICS), which is unusual for a boat this size. The ICS combines bow and stern thrusters with a single control at the helm, which allows the skipper to literally move the boat sideways or turn it around in a tight space. This takes the fear out of maneuvering even with a twin-engined boat such as the 3488, and novice skippers will find it easy to slide sideways into a dock space barely longer than their boat.

At a base price of about $155,000, the 3488 has a long list of standard equipment, including the radar arch, VHF radio and depthsounder, full galley appliances, shore power and trim tabs. All in all, the Bayliner 3488 is a great boating package, combining reasonable price with a lot of comfort.