Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 vs Bayliner 212 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 or the Bayliner 212 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 2 235 lbs dry weight versus 3 218 lbs for the Bayliner 212 2004. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 212 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 212 2004 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 212 2004 measures 98" wide, compared to 91" for the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008. 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 185 Bowrider 2008 or the Bayliner 212 2004?

The Bayliner 212 2004 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 and Bayliner 212 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 and the Bayliner 212 2004 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 185 Bowrider 2008 vs Bayliner 212 2004

Bayliner

Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008

2008

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Bayliner

Bayliner 212 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 vs Bayliner 212 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 vs Bayliner 212 2004 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.

The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 carries a rated maximum of 220 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 212 2004 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 212 2004 carries 55 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008. 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 Bowrider 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 212 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 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 212 2004 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

MakeBayliner

Model185 Bowrider

Model212

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Beam8 ft. 2 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches91

Beam - Inches98

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 m) Max: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.83

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches72

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise19℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 0 in. (0.91 m)

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. max

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail2,235 lbs. (1,014 kg)

Weight - Detail3,218 lbs

Weight - kg1013.78

Weight - kg1459.66

Weight - lbs.2235

Weight - lbs.3218

Length - Meters5.49

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters6.48

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches255

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail7 ft. 8 in. (rigged)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.34

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches92

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard3.0 l MerCruiser? Alpha I (135 hp)

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max220 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum people8

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Weight2,700 lbs. (1,225 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailPainted or Galvanized, Single-Axle w/Brakes, Tongue Jack & Swing-Away Tongue

Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 vs Bayliner 212 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 or the Bayliner 212 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 2 235 lbs dry weight versus 3 218 lbs for the Bayliner 212 2004. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 212 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 212 2004 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 212 2004 measures 98" wide, compared to 91" for the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008. 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 185 Bowrider 2008 or the Bayliner 212 2004?

The Bayliner 212 2004 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 and Bayliner 212 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2008 and the Bayliner 212 2004 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 185 Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Bayliner 212 2004 full specs