Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013 vs Bayliner 215 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013 against a deep vee Bayliner 215 2010 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013 at 18,0 ft versus Bayliner 215 2010 at 20,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 215 2010 tips the scales at 2 838 lbs — 470 lbs less than the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013 at 2 368 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 Bayliner 215 2010 tops out at 260 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 215 2010 carries 37 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013. 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 215 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 215 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 215 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 20,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2013 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
Model185 Bowrider
Model215
Model Year2013
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.43 m)
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 1 in. (1.24 m) 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m) max
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.41
Bridge clearance - Meters2.16
Bridge clearance - Inches95
Bridge clearance - Inches85
Deadrise19°
Deadrise20°
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail2,368 lbs. (1,074 kg)
Weight - Detail2,838 lbs. (1,287 kg)
Weight - kg1074.11
Weight - kg1287.29
Weight - lbs.2368
Weight - lbs.2838
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet20.5
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.25 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches246
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine modelC/A1 (3 l)
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standard220 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max260 hp
Operational Info
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people9
Trailer Info
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Height6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m) with boat rigged
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 5 in. (8.36 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight3,695 lbs. (1,676 kg) with boat and engine