Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 180 OB 2011 vs Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 180 OB 2011 vs Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 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 2011 measures 18,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 tips the scales at 3 035 lbs — 1 157 lbs less than the Bayliner 180 OB 2011 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 has a 75-hp advantage over the Bayliner 180 OB 2011'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 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 carries 55 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Bayliner 180 OB 2011. 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 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 180 OB 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bayliner 180 OB 2011 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Bayliner 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007. 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 217 Outboard Deck Boat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 180 OB 2011 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
Model180 OB
Model217 Outboard Deck Boat
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 10 in. (1.17 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 7 ft. 7.5 in. (2.32 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.17
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Inches46
Bridge clearance - Inches91.5
Deadrise17°
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 4 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.36
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inches14
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7.5 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31.5
Weight - Detail1,878 lbs. (852 kg)
Weight - Detail3,035 lbs. (1,377 kg)
Weight - kg851.85
Weight - kg1376.65
Weight - lbs.1878
Weight - lbs.3035
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 - Feet2
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters6.45
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches254
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.27
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines1
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model90 Optimax DFI
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard90 hp
Engine/s standard150 hp Mercury Optimax
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max125 hp
Engine max200 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people7
Maximum people12
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 27 ft. 3 in. (8.31 m)
Trailer - Weight2,315 lbs. (1,050.1 kg)
Trailer - Weight4,507 lbs. (2,044 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)