Bayliner 160 2004 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 160 2004
2004
View full specs →
VS
Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996
1996
View full specs →

Bayliner 160 2004 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 160 2004 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Bayliner 160 2004 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 39,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 160 2004 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
MakeBayliner
Makenot available
Model16
Modelnot available
Model Year2004
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 2 in
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inchesnot available
Deadrise16℃
Deadrisenot available
Weight - Detail1,289 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg584.68
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.1289
Weight - lbs.not available
Height - Detail6 ft. 0 in. (rigged)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.83
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches72
Height - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail39.00 ft
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters11.89
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches468
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet39
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail3.33 ft
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.01
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches40
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1128.05
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal298
Engine makenot available
Engine makeCummins
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted or Galvanized, Single-Axle w/Brakes, Tongue Jack & Swing-Away Tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Operational Info
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity2
Cabinsnot available
Cabins2
Headnot available
Head2
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity1
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal36
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower

Bayliner 160 2004 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 — Common Questions

How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner 160 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 is certified for 11. 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 larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 160 2004 or the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996?
The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 has the bigger tank at 298 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Bayliner 160 2004. That 280-gallon difference translates to roughly 840–1400 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 160 2004 and Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 160 2004 and the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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.