Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 185 BR 2012 vs Bayliner Element M17 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 185 BR 2012 vs Bayliner Element M17 2022 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Bayliner 185 BR 2012 has a 130-hp advantage over the Bayliner Element M17 2022's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Bayliner 185 BR 2012 and its 220-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Bayliner Element M17 2022 with its 90-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeBayliner
Makenot available
Model185 BR
Modelnot available
Model Year2012
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 1 in. (1.24 m) 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m) max
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.41
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches95
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise19°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,368 lbs. (1,074 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1074.11
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2368
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail17.00 ft
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches204
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMERCURY
Engine modelMPI / A1 (3.0 L) WPS ECT
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeoutboard
Engine max220 hp
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower90 hp
Operational Info
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower