Bayliner 184 2004 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 184 2004
2004
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VS
Bayliner 205 2005 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 205 2005
2005
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Bayliner 184 2004 vs Bayliner 205 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 184 2004 vs Bayliner 205 2005 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 205 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 184 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 205 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 205 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 184 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
MakeBayliner
Model184
Model205
Model Year2004
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches96
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise20℃
Weight - Detail1,878 lbs
Weight - Detail2,963 lbs. (1,344 kg)
Weight - kg851.85
Weight - kg1343.99
Weight - lbs.1878
Weight - lbs.2963
Height - Detail6 ft. 3 in. (rigged)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.91
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches75
Height - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.20 m) Rigged: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters6.38
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches251
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.19
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches47
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 7 in. (.48 m) Max: 3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.19
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches47
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted or Galvanized, Single-Axle w/Brakes, Tongue Jack & Swing-Away Tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over allStorage Length (Tongue Swung to Side): 22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m) Rigged: 24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight3,700 lbs. (1,678 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bayliner 184 2004 vs Bayliner 205 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 184 2004 or the Bayliner 205 2005?
For trailering, the Bayliner 184 2004 has the edge at 1 878 lbs dry weight versus 2 963 lbs for the Bayliner 205 2005. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner 184 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 205 2005 is certified for 6. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Bayliner 205 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 9" for the Bayliner 184 2004. 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 184 2004 or the Bayliner 205 2005?
The Bayliner 205 2005 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Bayliner 184 2004. That 12-gallon difference translates to roughly 36–60 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 184 2004 and Bayliner 205 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 184 2004 and the Bayliner 205 2005 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.