Bayliner 185 2004 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 185 2004
2004
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VS
Bayliner 325 2005 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 325 2005
2005
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Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 325 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 325 2005 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 325 2005 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 325 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 325 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 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
MakeBayliner
Model185
Model325
Model Year2004
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 9 in
Beam11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Meters3.51
Beam - Inches93
Beam - Inches138
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. max
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 2 ft. 2 in. (.66 m) Max: 3 ft. 4.5 in. (1.03 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches40.5
Weight - Detail2,123 lbs
Weight - Detail11,319 lbs. (5,145.2 kg)
Weight - kg962.98
Weight - kg5134.21
Weight - lbs.2123
Weight - lbs.11319
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 - Detail35 ft. 0 in. (10.67 m) 35 ft. 11 in. (10.95 m)
Length overall - Meters5.54
Length overall - Meters10.95
Length overall - Inches218
Length overall - Inches431
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 6.5 in. (3.21 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters3.23
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches126.5
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail175 gal. (662.9 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters662.45
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal175
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted or Galvanized, Single-Axle w/Brakes, Tongue Jack & Swing-Away Tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity31 gal. (117 l)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people12
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.9 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3

Bayliner 185 2004 vs Bayliner 325 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2004 or the Bayliner 325 2005?
For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2004 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 11 319 lbs for the Bayliner 325 2005. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner 185 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 325 2005 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 325 2005 measures 138" 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 325 2005?
The Bayliner 325 2005 has the bigger tank at 175 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2004. That 147-gallon difference translates to roughly 441–735 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 185 2004 and Bayliner 325 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2004 and the Bayliner 325 2005 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.