Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 185 2005 or the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2005 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 2 278 lbs for the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 185 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 is certified for 5. 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 2005 measures 93" wide, compared to 91" for the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013. 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 2005 or the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013?

The Bayliner 185 2005 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 185 2005 and Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 185 2005 and the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 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 2005 vs Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013

Bayliner

Bayliner 185 2005

2005

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Bayliner

Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 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.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Bayliner 185 2005 and Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model185

Model196 Bowrider

Model Year2005

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches91

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 0 in. (2.92 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.22

Bridge clearance - Meters1.19

Bridge clearance - Inches48

Bridge clearance - Inches47

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise18°

Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.51 m) Max: 3 ft. 0 in. (.91 m)

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 9 in. (0.84 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail2,123 lbs. (963 kg)

Weight - Detail2,278 lbs. (1,033 kg)

Weight - kg962.98

Weight - kg1033.28

Weight - lbs.2123

Weight - lbs.2278

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in. (5.54 m) 19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 9 in. (5.72 m)

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Meters5.72

Length overall - Inches230

Length overall - Inches225

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18.75

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelMPI / A1 (3.0 l) WPS ECT Carb Compliant

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard135 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Trailer Info

Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Length over allStorage Length (Tongue Swung to Side): 20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 9 in. (6.63 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight2,905 lbs. (1,318 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 185 2005 or the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2005 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 2 278 lbs for the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013. 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 is certified for 5. 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 2005 measures 93" wide, compared to 91" for the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013. 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 2005 or the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013?

The Bayliner 185 2005 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 185 2005 and Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 185 2005 and the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 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 2005 full specs ← Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 full specs