Bayliner 170 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 185 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 or the Bayliner 185 2005?

For trailering, the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 has the edge at 1 753 lbs dry weight versus 2 123 lbs for the Bayliner 185 2005. 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.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner 170 OB 2012 has a documented max rating of 125 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 185 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 170 OB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 2005 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 185 2005 measures 93" wide, compared to 83" for the Bayliner 170 OB 2012. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 or the Bayliner 185 2005?

The Bayliner 185 2005 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Bayliner 170 OB 2012. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 and Bayliner 185 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 and the Bayliner 185 2005 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.

Boat Comparison

Bayliner 170 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 185 2005

Bayliner

Bayliner 170 OB 2012

2012

View full specs →

Bayliner

Bayliner 185 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 170 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 185 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 170 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 185 2005 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.

The Bayliner 170 OB 2012 carries a rated maximum of 125 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 185 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 185 2005 carries 28 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Bayliner 170 OB 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Bayliner 170 OB 2012 and Bayliner 185 2005 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model170 OB

Model185

Model Year2012

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m)

Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Beam - Meters2.11

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches83

Beam - Inches93

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 2.5 in. (0.98 m) 6 ft. 6.63 in. (2 m) max

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 0 in. (2.92 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.01

Bridge clearance - Meters1.22

Bridge clearance - Inches78.63

Bridge clearance - Inches48

Deadrise19°

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 5.5 in. (0.44 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17.5

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. (0.89 m)

Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.51 m) Max: 3 ft. 0 in. (.91 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail1,753 lbs. (795 kg)

Weight - Detail2,123 lbs. (963 kg)

Weight - kg795.15

Weight - kg962.98

Weight - lbs.1753

Weight - lbs.2123

Length - Feet17.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in. (5.54 m) 19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Inches21

Length overall - Inches23

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine modelOptiMax DFI

Engine modelnot available

Engine/s standard90 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max125 hp

Engine maxnot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allStorage Length (Tongue Swung to Side): 20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 9 in. (6.63 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,905 lbs. (1,318 kg)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bayliner 170 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 185 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 or the Bayliner 185 2005?

For trailering, the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 has the edge at 1 753 lbs dry weight versus 2 123 lbs for the Bayliner 185 2005. 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 170 OB 2012 has a documented max rating of 125 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 185 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 170 OB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 2005 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 185 2005 measures 93" wide, compared to 83" for the Bayliner 170 OB 2012. 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 170 OB 2012 or the Bayliner 185 2005?

The Bayliner 185 2005 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Bayliner 170 OB 2012. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 and Bayliner 185 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 and the Bayliner 185 2005 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.

← Bayliner 170 OB 2012 full specs ← Bayliner 185 2005 full specs