Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 160 2005 vs Bayliner 205 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 160 2005 vs Bayliner 205 2006 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 2005 measures 16,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 205 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 205 2006 tips the scales at 2 963 lbs — 1 674 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 205 2006 tops out at 260 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 205 2006 carries 37 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 205 2006 is rated for 9 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 205 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 205 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 2,0 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
Model Year2005
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches96
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 4.5 in. (1.03 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 1 in. (1.24 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.04
Bridge clearance - Meters1.24
Bridge clearance - Inches40.5
Bridge clearance - Inches49
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m) Max: 2 ft. 7 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (.93 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail1,289 lbs. (585 kg)
Weight - Detail2,963 lbs. (1,344 kg)
Weight - kg584.68
Weight - kg1343.99
Weight - lbs.1289
Weight - lbs.2963
Height - Detail6 ft. 0 in. (rigged)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.83
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches72
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Meters4.93
Length - Meters6.2
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches2
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.93 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.20 m) Rigged: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters6.38
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches251
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.50 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches2
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard50 Mercury? (2 Stroke)
Engine/s standard4.3 l MerCruiser? Alpha I (190 hp)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max260 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)
Trailer - Height6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 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 allStorage Length (Tongue Swung to Side): 22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m) Rigged: 24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Trailer - Weight1,634 lbs. (742 kg)
Trailer - Weight3,700 lbs. (1,678 kg)
Trailer - Width7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Operational Info
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people9