Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 215 BR 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 215 BR 2011?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2004 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 2 838 lbs for the Bayliner 215 BR 2011. 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 215 BR 2011 has a documented max rating of 260 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 215 BR 2011 is certified for 9. 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 215 BR 2011 measures 98" wide, compared to 93" for the Bayliner 185 2004. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 215 BR 2011?

The Bayliner 215 BR 2011 has the bigger tank at 37 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2004. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 215 BR 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2004 and the Bayliner 215 BR 2011 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 215 BR 2011

Bayliner

Bayliner 185 2004

2004

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Bayliner

Bayliner 215 BR 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 215 BR 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 215 BR 2011 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 215 BR 2011 tops out at 260 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 185 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 215 BR 2011 carries 37 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Bayliner 185 2004. 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 BR 2011 is rated for 9 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 215 BR 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 215 BR 2011 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 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

Model215 BR

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 9 in

Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.43 m)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches98

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise20°

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. max

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail2,123 lbs

Weight - Detail2,838 lbs. (1,287 kg)

Weight - kg962.98

Weight - kg1287.29

Weight - lbs.2123

Weight - lbs.2838

Height - Detail6 ft. 3 in. (rigged)

Height - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m) rigged

Height - Meters1.91

Height - Meters2.06

Height - Inches75

Height - Inches81

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.25 m)

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Meters6.25

Length overall - Inches218

Length overall - Inches246

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.16

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches85

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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet20.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal

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

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelMerCruiser

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard220 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max260 hp

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 3 in. (7.7 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight3,695 lbs. (1,676 kg) with boat and engine

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Operational Info

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people9

Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 215 BR 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 215 BR 2011?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2004 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 2 838 lbs for the Bayliner 215 BR 2011. 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 215 BR 2011 has a documented max rating of 260 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 215 BR 2011 is certified for 9. 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 215 BR 2011 measures 98" wide, compared to 93" for the Bayliner 185 2004. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 215 BR 2011?

The Bayliner 215 BR 2011 has the bigger tank at 37 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2004. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 215 BR 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2004 and the Bayliner 215 BR 2011 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 215 BR 2011 full specs