Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 160 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 160 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 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 2012 measures 16,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 14,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 tips the scales at 3 035 lbs — 1 703 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 has a 110-hp advantage over the Bayliner 160 OB 2012'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 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 carries 55 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Bayliner 160 OB 2012. 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 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 is rated for 12 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 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bayliner 160 OB 2012 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007. 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 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 160 OB 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model160 OB
Model217 Outboard Deck Boat
Model Year2012
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 7 ft. 7.5 in. (2.32 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.04
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Inches41
Bridge clearance - Inches91.5
Deadrise16°
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 4 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.36
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inches14
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7.5 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31.5
Weight - Detail1,332 lbs. (604 kg)
Weight - Detail3,035 lbs. (1,377 kg)
Weight - kg604.18
Weight - kg1376.65
Weight - lbs.1332
Weight - lbs.3035
Length - Feet16.17
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.93 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters6.45
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches254
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.27
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model4-stroke EFI
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard60 hp
Engine/s standard150 hp Mercury Optimax
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp
Engine max200 hp
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people12
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 27 ft. 3 in. (8.31 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight4,507 lbs. (2,044 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)