Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 175 BR 2012 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 175 BR 2012 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 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 200 hp, the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 has a 65-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 VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 carries 33 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Bayliner 175 BR 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 VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 is rated for 6 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 VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,0 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
MakeBayliner
Makenot available
Model175 BR
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 - Detail2 ft. 11.375 in. (0.90 m) 6 ft. 3.5 in. (1.92) max
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.93
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches75.5
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise19°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 7.625 in. (0.50 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches19.625
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11.75 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35.75
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,923 lbs (872 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg872.26
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.1923
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet17.5
Length - Feet20
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)
Length overall - Detail20.00 ft
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches21
Length overall - Inches240
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMerCruiser
Engine modelMPI / A1 (3.0 L) WPS ECT
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard135 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 - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeinboard
Engine max135 hp
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower200 hp
Operational Info
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower