Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 vs Bayliner 185 BR 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 against a deep vee Bayliner 185 BR 2011 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 at 18,0 ft versus Bayliner 185 BR 2011 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 185 BR 2011 tips the scales at 2 368 lbs — 490 lbs less than the Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 at 1 878 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 Bayliner 185 BR 2011 tops out at 220 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 185 BR 2011 carries 28 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013. 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 BR 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 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 BR 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 185 BR 2011 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 180 Bowrider 2013 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
Model180 Bowrider
Model185 BR
Model Year2013
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches91
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 10 in. (1.17 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.17
Bridge clearance - Meters2.41
Bridge clearance - Inches46
Bridge clearance - Inches95
Deadrise17°
Deadrise19°
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.36
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches14
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail1,878 lbs. (852 kg)
Weight - Detail2,368 lbs. (1,074 kg)
Weight - kg851.85
Weight - kg1074.11
Weight - lbs.1878
Weight - lbs.2368
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches216
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelOptiMax DFI
Engine modelMerCruiser
Engine/s standard90 hp
Engine/s standard135 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max220 hp
Operational Info
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people8
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight2,995 lbs. (1,358 kg) with boat and engine
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)