Bayliner 160 OB 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 is the longer of the two at 16,2 feet overall. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 13,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 1 332 lbs for the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 tops out at 90 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 3 lbs per hp compared to 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 measures 86" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. That 95-gallon difference translates to roughly 285–475 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 are built by Bayliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Bayliner 160 OB 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007

Bayliner

Bayliner 160 OB 2011

2011

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 160 OB 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 measures 16,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 13,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 at 3,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 tips the scales at 1 332 lbs — 523 lbs more than the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 at 809 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 300 hp, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has a 210-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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 carries 113 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is rated for 10 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 comes in at 3 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 3,0 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

MakeBayliner

Model160 OB

ModelDiscovery 288 Cruiser

Model Year2011

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches12

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.04

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Inches41

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Deadrise16°

Deadrise18℃

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. 2 in. (0.97 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail1,332 lbs. (604.2 kg)

Weight - Detail8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)

Weight - kg604.18

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - lbs.1332

Weight - lbs.809

Length - Feet16.17

Length - Feet3

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.93 m)

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m) Rigged: 32 ft. 11 in. (10.03 m)

Length overall - Meters4.93

Length overall - Meters10.03

Length overall - Inches194

Length overall - Inches395

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.33

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model60 4-stroke EFI

Engine modelnot available

Engine/s standard60 hp

Engine/s standard350 MAG MPI MerCruiser? Bravo? III (300 hp)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal. (427.7 l) 93 gal. (352 l) w/ diesel engine

Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max90 hp

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people5

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity34 gal. (128.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal26

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all18 ft. 8 in. (5.69 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight1,702 lbs. (772 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Bayliner 160 OB 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 is the longer of the two at 16,2 feet overall. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 13,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 1 332 lbs for the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 tops out at 90 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 3 lbs per hp compared to 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 160 OB 2011 measures 86" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Bayliner 160 OB 2011. That 95-gallon difference translates to roughly 285–475 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 160 OB 2011 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 are built by Bayliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Bayliner 160 OB 2011 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 full specs