Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 170 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 305 Sb 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 170 OB 2012 vs Bayliner 305 Sb 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Bayliner 305 Sb 2005 has a 125-hp advantage over the Bayliner 170 OB 2012's 125-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 305 Sb 2005 carries 148 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 305 Sb 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 305 Sb 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 305 Sb 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 170 OB 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBayliner
Makenot available
Model170 OB
Modelnot available
Model Year2012
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches83
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 2.5 in. (0.98 m) 6 ft. 6.63 in. (2 m) max
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.01
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches78.63
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise19°
Deadrisenot available
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] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,753 lbs. (795 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg795.15
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.1753
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet17.5
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)
Length overall - Detail31.00 ft
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches210
Length overall - Inches372
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury Mercruiser
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 - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters560.24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal148
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max125 hp
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower250 hp
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity35
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal30
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower