Bayliner 180 OB 2010 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 180 OB 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 1 878 lbs for the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 180 OB 2010 tops out at 125 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 180 OB 2010 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 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 measures 12" wide, compared to 9" for the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 180 OB 2010 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 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 180 OB 2010 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008

Bayliner

Bayliner 180 OB 2010

2010

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 180 OB 2010 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 180 OB 2010 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 180 OB 2010 measures 18,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 15,0 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 180 OB 2010 tips the scales at 1 878 lbs — 1 069 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 175-hp advantage over the Bayliner 180 OB 2010's 125-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 23 gallons in the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 180 OB 2010 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 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 180 OB 2010 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

Model180 OB

ModelDiscovery 288 Cruiser

Model Year201

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches12

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 10 in. (1.17 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters1.17

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Inches46

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Deadrise17°

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.36

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches14

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7 in. (0.79 m)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail1,878 lbs. (852 kg)

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

Weight - kg851.85

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - lbs.1878

Weight - lbs.809

Height - Detail6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m) rigged

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.83

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches72

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet3

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)

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

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters10.03

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches395

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.33

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard90 hp

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

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

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

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max125 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

Bayliner 180 OB 2010 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 180 OB 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 1 878 lbs for the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 180 OB 2010 tops out at 125 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 180 OB 2010 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 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 measures 12" wide, compared to 9" for the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. 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 180 OB 2010 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Bayliner 180 OB 2010. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 180 OB 2010 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 180 OB 2010 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 full specs