Bayliner 160 2005 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 160 2005
2005
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VS
Bayliner 185  Fish N Ski 2009 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009
2009
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Bayliner 160 2005 vs Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 160 2005 vs Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Bayliner 160 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 tips the scales at 2 235 lbs - 946 lbs less than the Bayliner 160 2005 at 1 289 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 185 Fish N Ski 2009 tops out at 220 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 160 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 carries 28 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Bayliner 160 2005. 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 185 Fish N Ski 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 160 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 160 2005 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
MakeBayliner
Model160
Model185 Fish N Ski
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches91
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 4.5 in. (1.03 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 m) Max: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.04
Bridge clearance - Meters1.83
Bridge clearance - Inches40.5
Bridge clearance - Inches72
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise19℃
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m) Max: 2 ft. 7 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 0 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail1,289 lbs. (585 kg)
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 2,235 lbs. (1,014 kg)
Weight - kg584.68
Weight - kg1013.78
Weight - lbs.1289
Weight - lbs.2235
Height - Detail6 ft. 0 in. (rigged)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.83
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches72
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Meters4.93
Length - Meters5.49
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.93 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m) Rigged: 19 ft. 1 in. (5.82 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters5.82
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches229
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches20
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard50 Mercury? (2 Stroke)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model3.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower135 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine max220 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 20 ft. 4 in. (6.20 m) Storage Length (Tongue Swung to Side): 18 ft. 8 in. (5.70 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 21 ft. 9 in. (6.63 m)
Trailer - Weight1,634 lbs. (742 kg)
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,085 lbs. (1,399 kg)
Trailer - Width7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Trailer - Width7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Bayliner 160 2005 vs Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Bayliner 160 2005 or the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009?
The Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Bayliner 160 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 160 2005 or the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009?
For trailering, the Bayliner 160 2005 has the edge at 1 289 lbs dry weight versus 2 235 lbs for the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 160 2005 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner 160 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 is certified for 5. 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.
What do the trailers weigh for the Bayliner 160 2005 and Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009?
The trailer for the Bayliner 160 2005 is listed at 1,634 lbs. (742 kg) and the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 trailer at With Standard Engine: 3,085 lbs. (1,399 kg). Always add trailer weight to the boat's dry weight when checking your tow vehicle's gross trailer weight rating.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 measures 91" wide, compared to 86" for the Bayliner 160 2005. 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 2005 or the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009?
The Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Bayliner 160 2005. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 160 2005 and Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Bayliner 160 2005 and the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 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.