When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bayliner 160 OB 2012 and the Bayliner 170 Bowrider 2013 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bayliner 160 OB 2012 at 16,2 ft versus Bayliner 170 Bowrider 2013 at 17,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 170 Bowrider 2013 tips the scales at 1 753 lbs — 421 lbs less than the Bayliner 160 OB 2012 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 Bayliner 160 OB 2012 carries a rated maximum of 90 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 170 Bowrider 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 18 gal and 21 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 170 Bowrider 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 160 OB 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 170 Bowrider 2013 could be the deciding factor.