Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 184 SF 2011 vs Bayliner 235 BR 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Bayliner 184 SF 2011 against a modified vee Bayliner 235 BR 2012 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 235 BR 2012 measures 22,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 184 SF 2011 at 18,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 184 SF 2011 tips the scales at 2 643 lbs — 2 268 lbs more than the Bayliner 235 BR 2012 at 375 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 235 BR 2012 has a 110-hp advantage over the Bayliner 184 SF 2011's 190-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 184 SF 2011 carries 28 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Bayliner 235 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 184 SF 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 235 BR 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 184 SF 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 184 SF 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 235 BR 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m) 8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m) max
Bridge clearance - Meters2.41
Bridge clearance - Meters2.54
Bridge clearance - Inches95
Bridge clearance - Inches1
Deadrise19°
Deadrise21°
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail2,643 lbs. (1,199 kg)
Weight - Detail3,750 lbs. (1,701 kg)
Weight - kg1198.84
Weight - kg1700.97
Weight - lbs.2643
Weight - lbs.375
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet22.5
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters6.86
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches27
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelMerCruiser
Engine modelMPI / A1 (5.0 L) ECT Carb Compliant
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standard260 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189.3 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max190 hp
Engine max300 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people8
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight3,270 lbs. (1,483 kg) with boat and engine
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available