Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2005 or the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2005 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 3 045 lbs for the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009. 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 185 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 is certified for 6. 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009 measures 98" wide, compared to 93" for the Bayliner 185 2005. 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009?

The Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 has the bigger tank at 37 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2005. 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 2005 and Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2005 and the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009

Bayliner

Bayliner 185 2005

2005

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Bayliner

Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009 tops out at 260 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 185 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 carries 37 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Bayliner 185 2005. 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 185 2005 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

Model204 Ski N Fish

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)

Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.43 m)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches98

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

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m) Max: 7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.22

Bridge clearance - Meters2.16

Bridge clearance - Inches48

Bridge clearance - Inches85

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise20℃

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

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. (963 kg)

Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 3,045 lbs. (1,381 kg)

Weight - kg962.98

Weight - kg1381.19

Weight - lbs.2123

Weight - lbs.3045

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

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 5 in. (6.22 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Meters6.83

Length overall - Inches23

Length overall - Inches269

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 - Meters6.22

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

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 model5.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower220 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max260 hp

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)

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 allRigged: 25 ft. 9 in. (7.85 m)

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

Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,945 lbs. (1,789 kg)

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

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2005 or the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009?

For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2005 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 3 045 lbs for the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009. 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 185 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 is certified for 6. 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009 measures 98" wide, compared to 93" for the Bayliner 185 2005. 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009?

The Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 has the bigger tank at 37 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2005. 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 2005 and Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2005 and the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 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 204 Ski N Fish 2009 full specs