The Bayliner 185 BR 2011 is a deep-V design and the Bayliner Element 2013 is a tri-hull design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 BR 2011 at 18,0 ft versus Bayliner Element 2013 at 16,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 185 BR 2011 tips the scales at 2 368 lbs - 798 lbs more than the Bayliner Element 2013 at 1 570 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 220 hp, the Bayliner 185 BR 2011 has a 160-hp advantage over the Bayliner Element 2013's 60-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 185 BR 2011 carries 28 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Bayliner Element 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 185 BR 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner Element 2013 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 BR 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bayliner 185 BR 2011 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 26 lbs per hp for the Bayliner Element 2013. 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.