Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 vs Bayliner 255 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 against a deep vee Bayliner 255 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 255 2010 measures 25,1 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 7,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 at 18,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 255 2010 tips the scales at 6 144 lbs — 3 909 lbs less than the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 at 2 235 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 260 hp, the Bayliner 255 2010 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009's 220-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 Fish N Ski 2009 carries 28 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Bayliner 255 2010. 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 255 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 255 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 255 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 185 Fish N Ski 2009 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 Fish N Ski
Model255
Model Year2009
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 m) Max: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.83
Bridge clearance - Meters2.01
Bridge clearance - Inches72
Bridge clearance - Inches79
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise18°
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 10 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 0 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 2,235 lbs. (1,014 kg)
Weight - Detail6,144 lbs. (2,787 kg)
Weight - kg1013.78
Weight - kg2786.87
Weight - lbs.2235
Weight - lbs.6144
Length - Meters5.49
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet25.08
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m) Rigged: 19 ft. 1 in. (5.82 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.65 m)
Length overall - Meters5.82
Length overall - Meters7.65
Length overall - Inches229
Length overall - Inches301
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail10 ft. 1 in. (3.07 m) rigged
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters3.07
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches121
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model3.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max220 hp
Engine max260 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard260 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 21 ft. 9 in. (6.63 m)
Trailer - Length over all30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,085 lbs. (1,399 kg)
Trailer - Weight7,882 lbs. (3,575 kg) with boat and engine
Trailer - Width7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people8
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2