Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2004 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 2 235 lbs for the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007. 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 2007 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 185 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 8. 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 185 2004 measures 93" wide, compared to 91" for the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 28 gallons and 28 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2004 and the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 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 2004 vs Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007

Bayliner

Bayliner 185 2004

2004

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Bayliner

Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 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 2007 tops out at 220 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 185 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 28 gal and 28 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 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 185 2004 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

MakeBayliner

Model185

Model185 Bowrider

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 9 in

Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches91

Deadrise19℃

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. max

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail2,123 lbs

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

Weight - kg962.98

Weight - kg1013.78

Weight - lbs.2123

Weight - lbs.2235

Height - Detail6 ft. 3 in. (rigged)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.91

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches75

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in

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

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches218

Length overall - Inches216

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

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

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.83

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches72

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.49

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Engine/s standardnot available

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

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max220 hp

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Weightnot available

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

Trailer - Widthnot available

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Operational Info

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people8

Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2004 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 2 235 lbs for the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007. 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 2007 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 185 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 8. 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 185 2004 measures 93" wide, compared to 91" for the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 28 gallons and 28 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2004 and the Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 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 2004 full specs ← Bayliner 185 Bowrider 2007 full specs