Bayliner 175 2004 vs Bayliner 185 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 175 2004 or the Bayliner 185 2006?

For trailering, the Bayliner 175 2004 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 2 123 lbs for the Bayliner 185 2006. 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 185 2006 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 175 2004 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 175 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 2006 is certified for 8. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 175 2004 and Bayliner 185 2006 share an 7ft. 9 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 175 2004 or the Bayliner 185 2006?

The Bayliner 185 2006 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Bayliner 175 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 175 2004 and Bayliner 185 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 175 2004 and the Bayliner 185 2006 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 2004 vs Bayliner 185 2006

Bayliner

Bayliner 175 2004

2004

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Bayliner

Bayliner 185 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 175 2004 vs Bayliner 185 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 175 2004 vs Bayliner 185 2006 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 185 2006 tops out at 220 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 175 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 185 2006 carries 28 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Bayliner 175 2004. 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 185 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 175 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 185 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 185 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 175 2004 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

Model175

Model185

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7ft. 9 in

Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches93

Deadrise19℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 0 in. (.91 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail1,900 lbs

Weight - Detail2,123 lbs. (963 kg)

Weight - kg861.82

Weight - kg962.98

Weight - lbs.19

Weight - lbs.2123

Height - Detail5 ft. 9 in. (rigged)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.75

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches69

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in

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

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Inches21

Length overall - Inches23

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.51 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.54

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches48

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.22

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

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

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches2

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower135 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max220 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard3.0 l MerCruiser? Alpha I (135 hp)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailPainted or Galvanized, Single-Axle w/Brakes, Tongue Jack & Swing-Away Tongue

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

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

Trailer - Weightnot available

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

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)

Operational Info

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people8

Bayliner 175 2004 vs Bayliner 185 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 175 2004 or the Bayliner 185 2006?

For trailering, the Bayliner 175 2004 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 2 123 lbs for the Bayliner 185 2006. 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 185 2006 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 175 2004 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 175 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 2006 is certified for 8. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 175 2004 and Bayliner 185 2006 share an 7ft. 9 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 175 2004 or the Bayliner 185 2006?

The Bayliner 185 2006 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Bayliner 175 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 175 2004 and Bayliner 185 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 175 2004 and the Bayliner 185 2006 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 2004 full specs ← Bayliner 185 2006 full specs