Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 285 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 285 2006?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2004 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 7 241 lbs for the Bayliner 285 2006. 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 285 2006 has a documented max rating of 320 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 285 2006 is certified for 12. 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 285 2006 measures 118" 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 285 2006?

The Bayliner 285 2006 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2004. That 74-gallon difference translates to roughly 222–370 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 285 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2004 and the Bayliner 285 2006 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 285 2006

Bayliner

Bayliner 185 2004

2004

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Bayliner

Bayliner 285 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 285 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 285 2006 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 285 2006 tops out at 320 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 285 2006 carries 102 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 285 2006 is rated for 12 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 285 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 285 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 28,0 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

Model285

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 9 in

Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3.0 m)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters3

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches118

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise21℃

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. max

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (.94 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail2,123 lbs

Weight - Detail7,241 lbs. (3,285 kg)

Weight - kg962.98

Weight - kg3284.46

Weight - lbs.2123

Weight - lbs.7241

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 - Detail28 ft. 9 in. (8.8 m) Rigged: 29 ft. 6 in. (9.0 m)

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Meters8.99

Length overall - Inches218

Length overall - Inches354

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 1 in. (2.77 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.77

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches109

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.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 - Meters8.8

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard350 MAG MPI MerCruiser? Bravo? III (300 hp)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max320 hp

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

Operational Info

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity6

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity33 gal. (124.9 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

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

Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 285 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 285 2006?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2004 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 7 241 lbs for the Bayliner 285 2006. 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 285 2006 has a documented max rating of 320 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 285 2006 is certified for 12. 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 285 2006 measures 118" 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 285 2006?

The Bayliner 285 2006 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2004. That 74-gallon difference translates to roughly 222–370 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 285 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2004 and the Bayliner 285 2006 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 285 2006 full specs