Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 175 BR 2012 vs Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Bayliner 175 BR 2012 against a deep vee Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 measures 25,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 175 BR 2012 at 17,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 175 BR 2012 tips the scales at 1 923 lbs — 1 275 lbs more than the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 at 648 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 255 Cruiser 2012 has a 165-hp advantage over the Bayliner 175 BR 2012'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 175 BR 2012 carries 21 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 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 255 Cruiser 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 175 BR 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 255 Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 175 BR 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
Model175 BR
Model255 Cruiser
Model Year2012
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches83
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail2 ft. 11.375 in. (0.90 m) 6 ft. 3.5 in. (1.92) max
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.93
Bridge clearance - Meters2.01
Bridge clearance - Inches75.5
Bridge clearance - Inches79
Deadrise19°
Deadrise18°
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 7.625 in. (0.50 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 10 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches19.625
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11.75 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches35.75
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail1,923 lbs (872 kg)
Weight - Detail6,480 lbs. (2,939 kg)
Weight - kg872.26
Weight - kg2939.28
Weight - lbs.1923
Weight - lbs.648
Length - Feet17.5
Length - Feet25.08
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.65 m) 26 ft. 10 in. (8.18 m) rigged
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Meters8.18
Length overall - Inches21
Length overall - Inches322
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelMPI / A1 (3.0 L) WPS ECT
Engine modelMPI / B3 (5.0 L) ECT Carb Compliant
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standard260 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max135 hp
Engine max300 hp
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l) waste 20 gal. (75.7 l) optional gray
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2