Bayliner 175 BR 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 is the longer of the two at 17,5 feet overall. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 14,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 1 847 lbs for the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 tops out at 135 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is certified for 10. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 3 lbs per hp compared to 14 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

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

The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 measures 83" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008. 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 175 BR 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. That 92-gallon difference translates to roughly 276–460 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 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 175 BR 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008

Bayliner

Bayliner 175 BR 2011

2011

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 175 BR 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 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 175 BR 2011 measures 17,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 14,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 at 3,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 tips the scales at 1 847 lbs — 1 038 lbs more than the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 at 809 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has a 165-hp advantage over the Bayliner 175 BR 2011's 135-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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 carries 113 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 comes in at 3 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 3,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model175 BR

ModelDiscovery 288 Cruiser

Model Year2011

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m)

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.11

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches83

Beam - Inches12

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 8 in. (1.12 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.12

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Inches44

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Deadrise19°

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 10 in. (.86 m)

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. (0.97 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail1,847 lbs (838 kg)

Weight - Detail8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)

Weight - kg837.78

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - lbs.1847

Weight - lbs.809

Length - Feet17.5

Length - Feet3

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

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m) Rigged: 32 ft. 11 in. (10.03 m)

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters10.03

Length overall - Inches21

Length overall - Inches395

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.33

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Max no of engines1

Max no of enginesnot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine modelMerCruiser

Engine modelnot available

Engine/s standard135 hp

Engine/s standard350 MAG MPI MerCruiser? Bravo? III (300 hp)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal. (427.7 l) 93 gal. (352 l) w/ diesel engine

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max135 hp

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people7

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity34 gal. (128.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal26

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 10 in. (6.35 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight2,247 lbs. (1,019 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Bayliner 175 BR 2011 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 is the longer of the two at 17,5 feet overall. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 14,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 1 847 lbs for the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 tops out at 135 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is certified for 10. 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 better power-to-weight ratio?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 3 lbs per hp compared to 14 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 175 BR 2011 measures 83" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008. 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 175 BR 2011 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Bayliner 175 BR 2011. That 92-gallon difference translates to roughly 276–460 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 175 BR 2011 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 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 175 BR 2011 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 full specs