Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 160 OB 2011 vs Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 and the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 measures 16,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 14,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 tips the scales at 3 045 lbs — 1 713 lbs less than the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 at 1 332 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 260 hp, the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 has a 170-hp advantage over the Bayliner 160 OB 2011's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 carries 37 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model160 OB
Model204 Ski N Fish
Model Year2011
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.43 m)
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m) Max: 7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.04
Bridge clearance - Meters2.16
Bridge clearance - Inches41
Bridge clearance - Inches85
Deadrise16°
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.36
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inches14
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail1,332 lbs. (604.2 kg)
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 3,045 lbs. (1,381 kg)
Weight - kg604.18
Weight - kg1381.19
Weight - lbs.1332
Weight - lbs.3045
Length - Feet16.17
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.93 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 5 in. (6.22 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches269
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.22
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine model60 4-stroke EFI
Engine model5.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I
Engine/s standard60 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max90 hp
Engine max260 hp
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower220 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people5
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all18 ft. 8 in. (5.69 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 25 ft. 9 in. (7.85 m)
Trailer - Weight1,702 lbs. (772 kg)
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,945 lbs. (1,789 kg)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)